UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K

(Mark One)


   
[X](Mark One)
 
þANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934

For the year ended December 31, 2003
or

For the year ended December 31, 2004
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: 333-77499

For the Transition Period From            to

Commission File Numbers: 333-77499
Commission File Numbers:333-77499-01

Charter Communications Holdings, LLC


Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation*

(Exact name of registrants as specified in their charters)
   
Delaware 43-1843179
Delaware 43-1843177

 
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
organization)
   
12405 Powerscourt Drive  
St. Louis, Missouri 63131 (314) 965-0555

 
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices including zip code) (Registrants’ telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act: None


Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [x]þ 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 registrants’ 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. [x]þ

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrants are accelerated filers (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [  ]o No [x]þ

The aggregate market value of the voting and non votingnon-voting common equity securities held by non-affiliates at June 30, 20032004 was $0. All of the limited liability company membership interests of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC are held by Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation are held by Charter Communications Holdings, LLC. There is no public trading market for any of the aforementioned limited liability company membership interests or shares of capital stock.

Number of shares of common stock of Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation outstanding as of February 29, 2004:March 14, 2005: 100.


*Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction I(1)(a) and (b) to Form 10-K and is therefore filing with the reduced disclosure format.

Documents Incorporated By Reference
The following documents are incorporated into this Report by reference: None



 


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS CAPITAL CORPORATION
FORM 10-K — FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20032004

TABLE OF CONTENTS

     
  Page No.
    
  
Business  1 
Properties  2320 
Legal Proceedings  2421 
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders  2725
 
    
  
Market for Registrant'sRegistrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters  2826 
Selected Financial Data  2927 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations  3028 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk  8276 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data  8377 
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure  8377 
Controls and Procedures  8377
78
 
    
  
Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant  8579 
Executive Compensation  9184 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management94
  97 
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions  100107
 
    
  
Principal Accounting Fees and Services  111109 
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K  111 
  113110 
Exhibit Index
    
114111 
Description of Long-Term Incentive Program
Subsidiaries of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC
Certificate of Interim Chief Executive Officer to Rule 13a-14(a)
Certificate of Interim Co-Chief Financial Officer to Rule 13a-14(a)
Certificate of Interim Co-Chief Financial Officer to Rule 13a-14(a)
Certificate of Interim Chief Executive Officer to Section 906
Certificate of Interim Co-Chief Financial Officer to Section 906
Certificate of Interim Co-Chief Financial Officer to Section 906

This annual report on Form 10-K is for the year ended December 31, 2003.2004. The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you directly to those documents. Information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this annual report. In addition, information that we file with the SEC in the future will automatically update and supersede information contained in this annual report. In this annual report, “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This annual report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), regarding, among other things, our plans, strategies and prospects, both business and financial, including, without limitation, the forward-looking statements set forth in the “Focus for 2004”2005” section under Part I, Item 1. “Business,” “Overview of Operations” and the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” sections under Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this annual report. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation, the factors described under “Certain Trends and Uncertainties” under Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this annual report. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this annual report may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “will,” “may,” “intend,” “estimated” and “potential,” among others. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this annual report are set forth in this annual report and in other reports or documents that we file from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and include, but are not limited to:

   our ability to sustain and grow revenues and cash flows from operating activities by offering video, high-speed data, telephony and other services and to maintain a stable customer base, particularly in the face of increasingly aggressive competition from other service providers;
 
 our and our subsidiaries’ ability to comply with all covenants in indentures and credit facilities, any violation of which would result in a violation of the applicable facility or indenture and could trigger a default of other obligations under cross default provisions;
our and our subsidiaries’ ability to pay or refinance debt as it becomes due;
availability of funds to meet interest payment obligations under our and our parent company’s debt and to fund our operations and necessary capital expenditures, either through cash flows from operating activities, further borrowings or other sources;
 
 any adverse consequences arising out ofour ability to comply with all covenants in our and our subsidiaries’ restatementparent company’s indentures and our credit facilities, any violation of our 2000, 2001which would result in a violation of the applicable facility or indenture and 2002 financial statements;could trigger a default of other obligations under cross-default provisions;
 
 our and our parent company’s ability to pay or refinance debt as it becomes due;
  the results of the pending grand jury investigation by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, the pending SEC Division of Enforcement investigation and the ability to reach a final approved settlement with respect to the putative class action, the unconsolidated class action, and derivative shareholders litigation against Charter Communications, Inc.;, our indirect parent, on the terms of the stipulations of settlement described herein;
 
   our ability to obtain programming at reasonable prices or to pass programming cost increases on to our customers;
 
   general business conditions, economic uncertainty or slowdown; and
 
   the effects of governmental regulation, including but not limited to local franchise taxing authorities, on our business.

All forward-looking statements attributable to us or aany person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. We are under no duty or obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this annual report.

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PART I

Item 1.Business.

Introduction

Charter Communications Holdings, LLC (“Charter Holdings”) is a broadband communications company operating in the United States, with approximately 12.46.22 million homes passed and approximately 6.54 million customers.customers at December 31, 2004. Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation (“Charter Capital”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Charter Holdings and was formed and exists solely as a co-issuer of the public debt issued with Charter Holdings. Through our broadband network of coaxial and fiber optic cable, we offer our customers traditional cable video programming (analog and digital, which we refer to as “video” service), high-speed cable Internet access (which we refer to as “high-speed data service”), advanced broadband cable services (such as video on demand (“VOD”), high definition television service and interactive television) and, in some of our markets, we offer telephone service (which we refer to as “telephony”). (“Homes passed” represents our estimateSee “Business — Products and Services” for further description of the number of living units, such as single family homes, apartment units and condominium units passed by our cable distribution network. Homes passed excludes commercial units passed by the cable distribution network.)these terms, including “customers.”

We offer analog video service to all of our homes passed and we offer digital video service to approximately 99% of our homes passed. At December 31, 2003,2004, we served approximately 6.435.99 million analog video customers, of which approximately 2.67 million arewere also digital video customers. We offer high-speed data service toalso served approximately 87% of our homes passed and we serve approximately 1.571.88 million high-speed data customers (including approximately 105,800217,400 who receivereceived only high-speed data only services). At December 31, 2003, we offered voice-over-Internet protocol (“VOIP”) telephony to approximately 33,000 homes passed in one market and traditional switch-based telephony to approximately 86,600 homes passed in another market. We also provided telephony service to approximately 24,90045,400 customers in these two markets as of that date. See “ — Products and Services.”

At December 31, 2003,2004, our investment in cable properties, long-term debt and total member’s equitydeficit were $20.5$16.0 billion, $17.9$18.5 billion and $639 million,$3.7 billion, respectively. Our debt to equity ratio and working capital deficit were 28 to 1 and $777was $379 million at December 31, 2003, respectively.2004. For the year ended December 31, 2003,2004, our revenues and net loss were approximately $4.8$5.0 billion and $770 million,$4.4 billion, respectively.

We have a history of net losses. Further, we expect to continue to report net losses for the foreseeable future. Our net losses are principally attributable to insufficient revenue to cover ourthe interest costs we incur because of our high level of debt, the depreciation expenses that we incur resulting from the capital investments we have made in our cable properties, and the amortization and impairment of our franchise intangibles. We expect that these expenses (other than amortization and impairment of franchises) will remain significant, and we therefore expect to continue to report net losses for the foreseeable future.

We are wholly owned by our parent company, Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (“Charter Holdco”), and indirectly owned by Charter Communications, Inc. (“Charter”). Charter was organized as a Delaware corporation in 1999 and completed an initial public offering of its Class A common stock in November 1999. Charter is a holding company whose principal assets are an approximate 46%47% equity interest and a 100% voting interest in Charter Holdco, the direct parent of Charter Holdings. Charter’s only business is to act as the manager of Charter Holdco and its subsidiaries, including us. As manager, Charter controls the affairs of Charter Holdco and its subsidiaries, including us. Certain of our subsidiaries commenced operations under the “Charter Communications” name in 1994, and our growth to date has been primarily due to acquisitions and business combinations, most notably acquisitions completed from 1999 through 2001, pursuant to which we acquired a total of approximately 5.5 million customers. We do not expect to make any significant acquisitions in the foreseeable future, but plan to evaluate opportunities to consolidate our operations through exchanges of cable systems with other cable operators, as they arise. We may also sell certain assets from time to time. Paul G. Allen owns 53% of Charter Holdco through affiliated entities. His membership units are convertible at any time for shares of Charter’s Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. Paul G. Allen controls Charter with an as-converted common equity interest of 58%approximately 57% and a beneficial voting control interest of 93%. as of December 31, 2004.

Our principal executive offices are located at Charter Plaza, 12405 Powerscourt Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63131. Our telephone number is (314) 965-0555.965-0555 and information regarding us is available on Charter’s website accessible at www.charter.com. Since January 1, 2002, our annual reports, quarterly reports and current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments thereto, have been made available on Charter’s website free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been filed. The information posted on Charter’s website is not incorporated into this annual report.

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Adoption of New Policies

Commencing in January 2002 and continuing through the first quarter of 2003, our management elected to implement a number of new policies described in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Adoption of New Policies.”

Restatement of Prior Results

There were no restatements of prior results since those announced in our 2002 annual report on Form 10-K filed April 15, 2003. However, certain reclassifications have been made to 2002 and 2001 amounts to conform to 2003 presentation. Also, as discussed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, as part of a re-audit performed by KPMG LLP, we concluded that it was appropriate to make certain adjustments to previously reported results. In the restatement of our results, adjustments were made, among other things, to previous interpretations and applications of generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) that had been consistently followed by us since 2000 and throughout the restatement period.

These adjustments reduced revenues reported in our 2002 quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the first three quarters of 2002 by a total of $38 million, and in our 2001 annual report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 by $146 million and $108 million, respectively. Such adjustments represent approximately 1%, 4% and 3% of previously reported revenues for the respective periods in 2002, 2001 and 2000. Our previously reported consolidated net loss increased by a total of $188 million for the first three quarters of 2002 and decreased by $21 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. Our previously reported net loss increased by $70 million for the year ended December 31, 2000, primarily due to adjustments related to the original accounting for acquisitions and elements of our rebuild and upgrade activities. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Restatement of Prior Results.”

Certain Significant Developments in 2003 and Early 2004

In 2003,2004, we substantially completed several transactions that improved our liquidity. Our efforts in this regard resulted in the upgradecompletion of our cable systems that we had commenced in 2000. Our systems upgrade increased our bandwidth capacity, enabling us to offer digital video service, two-way communication capability and other advanced services. In addition, our upgrade has enabled us to reduce the number of headend control centers, or “headends,” which house the equipment to receive broadcast and satellite signals, transmit signals to customers and connect customers for data services. In 2003, we invested approximately $132 million to upgrade our systems. At December 31, 2003, approximately 92% of our customers were served by bandwidth of 550 megahertz or greater, approximately 87% are served by bandwidth of 750 megahertz or greater and approximately 87% of our plant was two-way enabled. See “ — Our Network Technology.”

During 2003, we undertook a number of transition activities including reorganizingtransactions in 2004, as follows:

•  the December 2004 sale by our subsidiaries, CCO Holdings, LLC and CCO Holdings Capital Corp., of $550 million of senior floating rate notes due 2010;
•  the April 2004 sale of $1.5 billion of senior second-lien notes by our subsidiary, Charter Communications Operating, LLC (“Charter Operating”), together with the concurrent refinancing of its credit facilities; and
•  the sale in the first half of 2004 of non-core cable systems for a total of $733 million, the proceeds of which were used to reduce indebtedness.

Recent Events

Issuance of Charter Operating Notes in Exchange for Charter Holdings Notes

In March 2005, our workforce, adjusting our video pricing and packages, completing call center consolidations and implementing billing conversions. Due to the focus on such activities and certain financial constraints, we reduced spending on marketing our products and services. We believe that the reduction in marketing activities and other necessary operational changes negatively impacted customer retention and acquisition, primarily during the first half of the year. During the second half of 2003, we increased our marketing efforts and implemented promotional campaigns to slow the loss of analog video customers, and to accelerate advanced services penetration, specifically in high-speed data. In 2003, we hadsubsidiary, Charter Operating, consummated exchange transactions with a net decline in analog video customers from approximately 6.58 million to approximately 6.41 million. During the same period, oursmall number of high-speed data customers increased by approximately 427,500, contributinginstitutional holders of Charter Holdings 8.25% Senior Notes due 2007 pursuant to a revenue increase of approximately 6% in 2003. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

At December 31, 2003, we offered digital video service to approximately 99% of our estimated homes passed and the estimated penetration rate (i.e., the percentage of digital-enabled estimated homes passed that received the service) was 22%. We also offered high-speed data service to approximately 923,500 additional homes passed in 2003, bringing estimated high-speed data enabled homes passed at December 31, 2003, to approximately 10.7 million, and increased our number of high-speed data customers during 2003 from approximately 1,138,100 to approximately 1,565,600, a penetration rate of 15% of high-speed data homes passed. In 2003, revenues from high-speed data services increased 65%. See “ — Products and Services” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

2


Asset Sales

On October 1, 2003, our subsidiaries closed the sale of cable systems serving approximately 25,000 customers in Port Orchard, Washington, for a total price of approximately $91 million, subject to adjustments.

On March 1, 2004, we and several of our subsidiaries closed the sale of cable systems in Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia with Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC. We anticipate that an additional closing for a cable system in New York will occur during the first half of 2004. After giving effect to the sale of the New York system, net proceeds will be approximately $735 million, subject to post-closing adjustments. We will use these proceeds to repay bank debt. At December 31, 2003, the systems sold in this transaction, including the New York system, served approximately 230,800 analog video customers, 83,300 digital video customers and 37,800 high-speed data customers.

CCH II Debt Exchanges

On September 23, 2003, we,which Charter and our subsidiary, CCH II, LLC (“CCH II”) purchased,Operating issued, in a non-monetary transaction, a total ofprivate placement, approximately $609$271 million principal amount of Charter’snew notes with terms identical to Charter Operating’s 8.375% Senior Second Lien Notes due 2014 in exchange for approximately $284 million of the Charter Holdings 8.25% Senior Notes due 2007.

CC V Holdings, LLC Notes

In March 2005, CC V Holdings, LLC redeemed all of its outstanding convertible senior notes, and approximately $1.3 billionat 103.958% of principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. The total cost of redemption was approximately $122 million and was funded with borrowings under the Charter Operating credit facilities.

Principal Management Changes

On January 17, 2005, Robert P. May was appointed as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Charter, replacing Carl E. Vogel who, effective on the same date, resigned his position as President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of Charter and each of Charter’s subsidiaries for which Mr. Vogel served as a director and officer. Additionally, Mr. May was appointed to the Executive Committee of Charter’s board of directors and will continue to serve on the board’s Strategic Planning Committee. He was also appointed as an officer and director of Charter’s subsidiaries for which Mr. Vogel was an officer and director. Charter’s board of directors has formed an Executive Search Committee to oversee Charter’s search for a permanent President and Chief Executive Officer.

Derek Chang, our senior notesExecutive Vice President of Finance and senior discount notes from institutional investors in a small numberStrategy and Interim co-Chief Financial Officer, has informed Charter of privately negotiated transactions. As consideration for these securities, CCH II issued approximately $1.6 billion principal amount of 10.25% senior notes due 2010, achieving approximately $294 million of debt discount. CCH II also issued an additional $30 million principal amount of 10.25% senior notes for an equivalent amount of cash and used the net proceeds for transaction costs and general corporate purposes.his intention to resign effective April 15, 2005.

November 2003 CCO Holdings Sale of Senior Notes

In November 2003, our subsidiary, CCO Holdings, LLC (“Senior Floating Rate Notes

On December 15, 2004, our subsidiaries, CCO Holdings”)Holdings, LLC and CCO Holdings Capital Corp., issued and sold $500$550 million total principal amount of 8-3/4% senior floating rate notes due 2010. The notes have an annual interest rate of LIBOR plus 4.125%, reset and used thepayable quarterly. The net proceeds from the sale of such salethe notes were used to repay approximately $486 million principal amount ofpay down bank debt of our subsidiaries. In November 2003, we terminated our previously announced commitmentand for a secured loan facility with Vulcan Inc. as a result of this transaction.general corporate purposes.

Focus for 20042005

Our principal financial goal is to maximize our return on invested capital. To do so, we will focus on increasing revenues, growing our customer base, improving customer retention and enhancing customer satisfaction by providing reliable, high-quality service offerings, superior customer service and attractive bundled offerings.

Specifically, in the near term, we are focusing in 2004 on:

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 increasing our salesgenerating improvements in the overall customer experience in such critical areas as service delivery, customer care, and marketing efforts, especially through our national “Get Hooked” campaign, to grow revenues through promoting our advanced services and emphasizing what we believe to be competitive advantages over satellite, including one-stop shopping for video, voice, high-speed data and interactive services;new product offerings;
 
 developing more sophisticated customer management capabilities through investment in our customer care and marketing infrastructure, including targeted marketing capabilities;
 enhancing our•  executing growth strategies for new services, including digital service with new contentsimulcast, VOD, telephony, and continued deployment of advanced products such as digital video recorder service (“DVR”) service, high definition television service, VOD and subscription video on demand (“SVOD,” VOD service for selected programming categories);
 
 implementing what we believe is an attractive and competitive price point strategy for various levels and bundled packages of digital services;
continuing to improve customer service and satisfaction;
  managing our operating costs by exercising discipline in capital and operational spending; and
 
   identifying opportunities to continue to improve our balance sheet and liquidity.

We have begun an internal operational improvement initiative aimed at helping us gain new customers and retain existing customers, which is focused on customer care, technical operations and sales. We intend to increase efforts to focus management attention on instilling a customer service oriented culture throughout the company and to give those areas of our operations increased priority of resources for staffing levels, training budgets and financial incentives for employee performance in those areas.

We believe that our high-speed data service has the potential towill continue to provide a substantial portion of our revenue growth in the near future. We also plan to continue to expand our marketing of our high-speed data service

3


to the business community, which we believe has shown an increasing interest in high-speed data service and private network services. Additionally, we plan to continue to prepare additional markets for telephony launches in 2005.

We believe we offer our customers an excellent choice of services through an increaseda variety of bundled packages, particularly with respect to our digital video and high-speed data services.services, as well as telephony in certain markets. Our digital platform enables us to offer a significant number and variety of channels, and we offer customers the opportunity to choose among groups of channel offerings, including premium channels, and to combine chosenselected programming with other services such as high-speed data, high definition television (in selected markets) and VOD (in selected markets).

We plan to continue our efforts to improve customer satisfaction through consolidation of customer contact centers, which we have reduced from over 300 at December 31, 2000 to 53 at December 31, 2003. Our 20 largest customer contact centers now serve approximately 93% of our customers. We anticipate that this initiative will assist us in reducing customer contact rates and call abandonment rates, thereby improving customer satisfaction while reducing costs. We believe that consolidation and standardization of call centers enable us to provide a more consistent experience for our customers and to improve sales through the use of better trained, more efficient and sales-oriented customer service representatives.

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Summary Organizational ChartStructure

The chart below sets forth our organizational structure and that of our principal direct and indirect parents and subsidiaries. Equity ownership and voting percentages are actual percentages as of December 31, 20032004 and do not give effect to any exercise, conversion or exchange of options, preferred stock, convertible notes andor other convertible or exchangeable securities.

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(1) Charter acts as the sole manager of Charter Holdco and most of its direct and indirect limited liability company subsidiaries.
 
(2) These membership units are held by Charter Investment, Inc. and Vulcan Cable III Inc., each of which is 100% owned by Mr. Allen.Paul G. Allen, our chairman and controlling shareholder. They are exchangeable at any time on a one-for-one basis for shares of Charter Class A common stock.
 
(3) Represents 100% of the preferred membership interests in CC VIII, LLC, (“CC VIII”), a subsidiary of CC V Holdings.Holdings, LLC. An issue has arisen regarding the ultimate ownership of such CC VIII, LLC membership interests following Mr. Allen’s acquisition of those interests on June 6, 2003. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Transactions Arising Outout of Our Organizational Structure and Mr. Allen’s Investment in Charter Communications, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries — Equity Put Rights — CC VIII.”
 
(4) CC V Holdings, LLC, the issuer of $113 million accreted value of senior discount notes, is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of CCO NR Holdings, LLC, and holds 100% of the common membership units of CC VIII.VIII, LLC. Mr. Allen, through Charter Investment, Inc., holds 100% of the preferred membership units in CC VIII.VIII, LLC. CC VIII, LLC holds indirectly 100% of the equity of CC VIII Operating, LLC, (a borrower of $1.0 billion of bank debt), which in turn holds 100% of the equity of a number of operating subsidiaries. One such operating subsidiary (CC Michigan, LLC) is a guarantor of the CC V Holdings senior discount notes. The Charter Operating credit facilities require us to redeem the CC V Holdings notes within 45 days after the first date that the Charter Holdings leverage ratio is less than 8.75 to 1.0. In March 2005, CC V Holdings, LLC redeemed all of its outstanding notes, at 103.958% of principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.

We are an indirect subsidiary of Charter. Charter’s principal assets are an approximate 46%47% common equity interest and a 100% voting interest in our direct 100% parent, Charter Holdco and “mirror” notes that are payable by Charter Holdco to Charter which have the same principal amount and terms as Charter’s convertible senior notes.Holdco. Charter provides management services to Charter Holdco and its subsidiaries, including us. As manager, Charter controls our affairs and those of our subsidiaries.

Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC.Charter Holdco, a Delaware limited liability company that was formed on May 25, 1999, is ourthe direct 100% parent.parent of Charter Holdings. The common membership units of Charter Holdco are owned 46%47% by Charter, 19%18% by Vulcan Cable III Inc. and 35% by Charter Investment, Inc. All of the outstanding common membership units in Charter Holdco held by Vulcan Cable III Inc. and Charter Investment, Inc. are controlled by Mr. Allen and are exchangeable on a one-for-one basis at any time for shares of high vote Class B common stock of Charter, which are in turn convertible into Class A common stock of Charter. Charter controls 100% of the voting power of Charter Holdco and is its sole manager.

Preferred Equity in CC VIII, LLC.Upon the closing of the acquisition of certain cable systems by our subsidiary, CC VIII, in 2000, some of the former owners received a portion of their purchase price in the form of preferred membership units in CC VIII, which were exchangeable for shares of Charter Class A common stock. In April 2002, these former owners exercised their right to put their preferred CC VIII membership interests to Mr. Allen and this transaction closed on June 6, 2003. An issue has arisen regarding the ultimate ownership of these CC VIII membership units following the consummation of this put right. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Transactions Arising Out of Our Organizational Structure and Mr. Allen’s Investment in Charter Communications, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries — Equity Put Rights — CC VIII.”

Charter Communications Holdings, LLC.We areCharter Holdings, a Delaware limited liability company formed on February 9, 1999, and are theis a co-issuer of the publicly held Charter Holdings notes. These notes that consist of $2.8 billion total principal amount at maturity of notes issued in March 1999, $1.4 billion total principal amount at maturity of notes issued in January 2000, $2.0 billion total principal amount at maturity of notes issued in January 2001, $2.3 billion total principal amount at maturity of notes issued in May 2001 (includes additional issuance in January 2002) and $330 million total principal amount at maturity of notes issued in January 2002. We ownCharter Holdings owns 100% of Charter Communications Holdings Capital, the co-issuer of these notes. WeCharter Holdings also ownowns CCH II, CCO Holdings and the subsidiaries that conduct all of our cable operations, including the Charter Operating, CC V/CC VIII, CC VI and CC VII Companies described below in “Operating Subsidiaries.”Operating.

CCH II, LLC.CCH II, a Delaware limited liability company formed on March 20, 2003, is a co-issuer of the CCH II notes that consist of $1.6 billion principal amount of notes issued in September 2003. CCH II owns 100% of CCH II Capital Corp., the co-issuer of these notes. CCH II also owns CCO Holdings and the subsidiaries that conduct all of our cable operations, including the Charter Operating, CC V/CC VIII, CC VI and CC VII Companies described below in “Operating Subsidiaries.”Operating.

6


CCO Holdings, LLC.CCO Holdings, a Delaware limited liability company formed on June 12, 2003, is a co-issuer of the CCO Holdings notes that consist of $500 million principal amount of notes issued in November 2003.2003 and $550 million principal amount of notes issued in December 2004. CCO Holdings owns 100% of CCO Holdings Capital Corp., the co-issuer of these notes. CCO Holdings also owns the subsidiaries that conduct all of our cable operations, including the Charter Operating.

Charter Operating.Charter Operating CC V/CC VIII, CC VI and CC VII Companies described below in “Operating Subsidiaries.”

owns the subsidiarieOperating Subsidiaries.sThese companiesthat own or operate all of our cable systems.systems, subject to a minority interest held by Mr. Allen as described below. There are four groups of these operating subsidiaries, identified as follows: the Charter Operating companies,subsidiaries, the CC V/CC VIII companies, the CC VI companies, and the CC VII companies. Each group of operating subsidiaries has a separate credit facility, and theThe public notes issued byissuers, Renaissance Media Group and CC V Holdings, are within two of

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these subsidiary groups.groups and prior to April 2004, each group of operating subsidiaries had a separate credit facility. The credit facilities for the CC V/CC VIII companies, the CC VI companies and the CC VII companies were all refinanced in April 2004 in connection with the amendment and restatement of the CCO credit facilities. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Preferred Equity in CC VIII, LLC.Upon the closing of the acquisition of certain cable systems by our subsidiary, CC VIII, LLC, in 2000, some of the former owners received a portion of their purchase price in the form of preferred membership units in CC VIII, LLC, which were exchangeable for shares of Charter Class A common stock. In April 2002, these former owners exercised their right to put their preferred CC VIII membership interests to Mr. Allen and this transaction closed on June 6, 2003. An issue has arisen regarding the ultimate ownership of these CC VIII membership units following the consummation of this put right. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Transactions Arising out of Our Organizational Structure and Mr. Allen’s Investment in Charter Communications, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries — Equity Put Rights — CC VIII.”

Products and Services

We offer our customers traditional cable video programming (analog and digital video) as well as high-speed data services and in some areas advanced broadband services such as high definition television, VOD and interactive television. We sell our video programming and high-speed data services on a subscription basis, with prices and related charges, that vary primarily based on the types of service selected, whether the services are sold as a “bundle” versus on an “à la carte” basis, and the equipment necessary to receive the services, with some variation in prices depending on geographic location. In addition, we offer telephony service to a limited number of customers.

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The following table summarizes our customer statistics for analog and digital video, residential high-speed data and residential telephony as of December 31, 20032004 and December 31, 2002.2003.

         
  Approximate as of
  December 31, December 31,
  2003 (a)
 2002 (a)
Cable Video Services:
        
Analog Video:
        
Estimated homes passed (b)  12,406,800   11,925,000 
         
Residential (non-bulk) analog video customers (c)  6,173,400   6,328,900 
Multi-dwelling (bulk) and commercial unit customers (d)  257,900   249,900 
   
 
   
 
 
Analog video customers (c)(d)  6,431,300   6,578,800 
Estimated penetration of analog video homes passed (b)(c)(d)(e)  52%  55%
Average monthly analog revenue per analog video customer (f) $36.72  $35.46 
Digital Video:
        
Estimated digital homes passed (b)  12,292,300   11,547,000 
Digital video customers (g)  2,671,900   2,682,800 
Estimated penetration of digital homes passed (b)(e)(g)  22%  23%
Digital percentage of analog video customers (c)(d)(g)(h)  42%  41%
Digital set-top terminals deployed  3,751,600   3,772,600 
Average incremental monthly digital revenue per digital video customer (f) $23.12  $23.65 
Estimated video on demand homes passed (b)  4,476,000   3,195,000 
Non-Video Cable Services:
        
High-Speed Data Services:
        
Estimated high-speed data homes passed (b)  10,749,500   9,826,000 
Residential high-speed data customers (i)  1,565,600   1,138,100 
Estimated penetration of high-speed data homes passed (b)(e)(i)  15%  12%
Average monthly high-speed data revenue per high-speed data customer (f) $32.67  $31.55 
Dial-up customers  9,600   14,200 
Telephony Customers(j)
  24,900   22,800 
         
  Approximate as of 
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2004 (a)  2003 (a) 
Cable Video Services:
        
Analog Video:
        
         
Residential (non-bulk) analog video customers (b)  5,739,900   6,173,400 
Multi-dwelling (bulk) and commercial unit customers (c)  251,600   257,900 
       
Analog video customers (b)(c)  5,991,500   6,431,300 
         
Digital Video:
        
Digital video customers (d)  2,674,700   2,671,900 
         
Non-Video Cable Services:
        
Residential high-speed data customers (e)  1,884,400   1,565,600 
Dial-up customers  3,800   9,600 
Telephony customers (f)  45,400   24,900 

Pro forma for the effectssale of the Port Orchard, Washington sale on October 1,systems to Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC in March and April 2004 as if these sales had occurred as of December 31, 2003, analog video customers, digital video customers and residential high-speed data customers would have been 6,552,200, 2,669,8006,200,500, 2,588,600 and 1,128,200,1,527,800, respectively, as of December 31, 2002.2003.

On March 1, 2004, we and several of our subsidiaries closed the sale of cable systems with Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC with an anticipated additional closing in the first half of 2004 for a cable system in New York. At December 31, 2003, the systems sold in this transaction, including the New York system, served approximately 230,800 analog video customers, 83,300 digital video customers and 37,800 high-speed data customers.


(a) “Customers” include all persons our corporate billing records show as receiving service (regardless of their payment status), except for complimentary accounts (such as our employees). Further, “customers” include persons receiving service under promotional programs that offered up to two months of service for free, some of whom had not requested to be disconnected, but had not become paying customers as of December 31, 2003. If such persons do not become paying customers, we do not believe this would have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition or consolidated results of operations. In addition, at December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, “customers” include approximately 6,50044,700 and 5,40072,700 persons whose accounts were over 60 days past due in payment, approximately 5,200 and 6,500 persons, whose accounts were over 90 days past due in payment and approximately 2,0002,300 and 1,3002,000 of which were over 120 days past due in payment, respectively.

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(b) Homes passed” represent our estimate of the number of living units, such as single family homes, apartment units and condominium units passed by the cable distribution network in the areas where we offer the service indicated. Homes passed exclude commercial units passed by the cable distribution network.
(c)“AnalogResidential (non-bulk) analog video customers” include all customers who receive video services, except for complementarycomplimentary accounts (such as our employees).

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(d)(c) Included within video customers“video customers” are those in commercial and multi-dwelling structures, which are calculated on an equivalent bulk unit (“EBU”) basis. EBU is calculated for a system by dividing the bulk price charged to accounts in an area by the most prevalent price charged to non-bulk residential customers in that market for the comparable tier of service. The EBU method of estimating analog video customers is consistent with the methodology used in determining costs paid to programmers and has been consistently applied year over year. As we increase our effective analog prices to residential customers without a corresponding increase in the prices charged to commercial service or multi-dwelling customers, our EBU count will decline even if there is no real loss in commercial service or multi-dwelling customers.
 
(e)Penetration represents customers as a percentage of homes passed.
(f)“Average monthly revenue” represents annual revenue for the service indicated divided by twelve divided by average number of customers for the service indicated during the respective year.
(g)(d) “Digital video customers” include all households that have one or more digital set-top terminals. Included in digital“digital video customerscustomers” on December 31, 20032004 and December 31, 20022003 are approximately 12,20010,100 and 27,50012,200 customers, respectively, that receive digital video service directly through satellite transmission.
 
(h)Represents the number of digital video customers as a percentage of analog video customers.
(i)(e) All of these customers also receive video service and are included in the video statistics above, except that the video statistics do not includefor approximately 105,800217,400 and 55,900105,700 of these customers at December 31, 20032004 and December 31, 2002,2003, respectively, who were residential high-speed data only customers. Our September 30, 2003, high-speed data only customer total was increased by 20,400 from previously reported amounts which related to additional high-speed data customers who had been inadvertently excluded.
 
(j)(f) “Telephony customers” include all households receiving telephone service.

Video Services

Our video service offerings include the following:

   Basic Analog Video.All of our video customers receive a package of basic programming which generally consists of local broadcast television, local community programming, including governmental and public access, and limited satellite-delivered or non-broadcast channels, such as weather, shopping and religious services. Our basic channel line-up generally has between 15 and 30 channels.
 
   Expanded Basic Video.This expanded programming level includes a package of satellite-delivered or non-broadcast channels and generally has between 30 and 50 channels in addition to the basic channel line-up.
 
   Premium Channels.These channels provide commercial-free movies, sports and other special event entertainment programming. Although we offer subscriptions to premium channels on an individual basis, we offer an increasing number of premium channel packages and we offer premium channels with our advanced services.
 
   Pay-Per-View.These channels allow customers to pay on a per event basis to view a single showing of a recently released movie, a one-time special sporting event, or music concert or similar event on a commercial-free basis.
 
   Digital Video.We offer digital video service to our customers in several different service combination packages. All of our digital packages include a digital set-top terminal, an interactive electronic programming guide,

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up to 45 channels of digital music, an expanded menu of pay-per-view channels and the option to also receive digital packages which range from 4 to 30 additional video channels. We also offer our customers certain digital packages with one or more premium channels of their choice with “multiplexes.” Multiplexesthat give customers access to several different versions of the same premium channel, which are varied as to time of airing (such as east and west coast time slots) or programming content theme (such as westerns or romance).channel. Some digital tier packages focus on the interests of a particular customer demographic and emphasize, for example, sports, movies, family or ethnic programming. In addition to video programming, digital video service enables customers to receive our advanced services such as VOD and high definition television. Other digital packages bundle digital television with our advanced services, such as high-speed data services.
•  Video On Demand and Subscription Video on Demand.We offer VOD service, which allows customers to access hundreds of movies and other programming at any time with digital picture quality. In some systems we also offer subscription VOD (SVOD) for a monthly fee or included in a digital tier premium channel subscription.
•  High Definition Television.High definition television offers our digital customers video programming at a higher resolution than the standard analog or digital video image.

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•  Digital Video Recorder.DVR service enables customers to digitally record programming and to pause and rewind live programming.

High-Speed Data Services

We offer high-speed data services to our residential and commercial customers primarily via cable modems attached to personal computers. We generally offer our high-speed data servicesservice as Charter High-Speed Internet™, although in certain markets we offer this service in conjunction with a third-party provider. For our Charter High-Speed Internet service customers, we have a custom start page that is co-branded with Microsoft Corporation’s network of websites, known as MSN®, with content modules that we provide, including, among other things, movie trailers, previews of movies on pay-per-view and VOD, and television listings.TM. We also offer traditional dial-up Internet access in a very limited number of our markets.

In the fall of 2003, we re-priced our high-speed data service, offering faster speed and additional features both as part of a service bundle and as an “à la carte” offering. We ended 20032004 with 15%18% penetration of high-speed data homes passed, up from the 12%15% penetration of high-speed data homes passed at year-end 2002.2003. This gave us an annual percentage increase in high-speed data customers of 38%20% and an increase in high-speed data revenues of 65%33% in 2003 compared to year-end 2002. As of September 30, 2003, in most of our systems, we migrated high-speed data customers to the fastest residential speed available at no additional charge to our existing high-speed data customers. These customers will remain at that speed without additional charge through Marchyear ended December 31, 2004. At that time, we expect to begin migrating customers to our two-tier offerings with new pricing and new choices of connection speed.

Advanced BroadbandTelephony Services

We continue to test, evaluatedeploy voice communications services using VOIP to transmit digital voice signals over our systems. At December 31, 2004, telephone service was available to approximately 900,000 homes, and deploy new advanced services that we believewere marketing to approximately two-thirds of those homes. We will provide new revenue streamscontinue to offset overall increasing programming costs or enhance our appeal to consumers to counter competition. These advanced services include:

Video On Demand and Subscription Video on Demand.We offer VOD service, which allows customers to access hundreds of movies and other programming at any time with digital picture quality. In some systems we also offer SVOD for a single monthly fee. As of December 31, 2003, we offered VOD in systems serving approximately 850,000 digital video customers. During 2004, we expect to deploy VOD service in additional systems increasing VOD availability to approximately 1 million digital video customers, or 40% of our digital video customers at year-end 2003. SVOD service was available in systems serving 680,200 digital video customers at year-end 2003 and we expect to make it available in systems serving an additional 421,200 digital video customers in the first half of 2004.
High Definition Television.High definition television offers our digital video customers video programming at a higher resolution than the standard analog or digital video image. As of December 31, 2003, we offered high definition television in systems serving approximately 1.3 million digital video customers. We anticipate increasing high definition service availability during 2004 to systems serving nearly 2 million digital video customers, or approximately 75% of our digital video customers at year-end 2003.Our objective for 2004 is to provide at least 8-10 broadcast and cable network high definition channels per system, focusing on providing at least two local high definition broadcast channels per system.
Telephony Services.We continue to explore development and deployment of voice communications services using VOIP to transmit digital voice signals over our systems. At December 31, 2003, our VOIP telephony service was available to approximately 33,000 homes passed in one market and traditional switch-based telephony was available to approximately 86,600 homes passed in another market. We have identified systems in key markets to expand our VOIP telephony offerings, and we anticipate a growth in

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our telephony service from just over 120,000 homes passed on January 1, 2004 to nearly 1 million homes passed by year-end.
i-TV Service.We ended 2003 with interactive television service (“i-TV”) available to over 1 million digital video customers. In 2004, we expect to increase availability in strategic competitive markets and we are working on making our i-TV channels local-content oriented. Although we do not charge our customers for this service, we believe our ability to enhance our interactive content with local information such as local movie times, local sports and local weather provides us with an important advantage over satellite competition.
Commercial Services.We offer integrated network solutions to commercial and institutional customers. These solutions include high-speed data and video services. In addition, we offer high-speed data services to local businesses.
prepare additional markets for VOIP launches in 2005.

Digital Video RecorderCommercial Services

We offer integrated network solutions to commercial and institutional customers. These solutions include high-speed data and video services. In December 2003,addition, we launched digital video recording capabilities service in four Los Angeles systems serving 121,000 digital video customers at year-end. We expectoffer high-speed data services to further expand DVR deployment in 2004 and we expect to end 2004 with DVR deployment in systems serving approximately 1.38 million digital video customers, which would be approximately 52% of our digital video customers as of December 31, 2003.small businesses.

Sale of Advertising

We receive revenuerevenues from the sale of local advertising on satellite-delivered networks such as MTV®, CNN® and ESPN®. In any particular market, we generally insert local advertising on a minimum of four networks, and have covered up to 4539 channels. Our system rebuild and digital service launchesrebuilds have increased the number of available channels on which we are able to insert local advertising. We also provide cross-channel advertising to some programmers.

From time to time, certain of our vendors, including equipment vendors, have purchased advertising from us. For the years ending December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and 2001,we had advertising revenuerevenues from equipment vendors was recognized in the amounts of $0, $13approximately $16 million, $15 million, and $14$79 million, respectively. These revenues resulted from purchases at market rates pursuant to executed binding agreements. However, in connection with our restatement announced in April 2003, we reversed all advertising revenues, approximately $17 million, from two set-top terminal manufacturers recognized in 2000. Based on a reassessment of the underlying structure of the arrangements during 2000, the prices paid for the set-top terminals and the advertising revenue recognized were determined to be in excess of fair value. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Restatement of Prior Results.”

Pricing forof Our Products and Services

Our revenues are derived principally from the monthly fees our customers pay for the services we offer. A one-time installation fee, which is oftensometimes waived or discounted during certain promotional periods, for a standard installation, is charged to new customers. The prices we charge vary based on the level of service the customer chooses and the particular geographic market. Most of our pricing is reviewed and adjusted on an annual basis.

In accordance with the Federal Communications Commission’s rules, the prices we charge for cable-related equipment, such as set-top terminals and remote control devices, and for installation services are based on actual costs plus a permitted rate of return.

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Although our cable service offerings vary across the markets we serve because of various factors including competition and regulatory factors, our services, when offered on a stand-alone basis, are typically offered at monthly price ranges, excluding franchise fees and other taxes, as follows:

     
  Price Range as of
Service
 December 31, 2003
2004
Analog video packages $8.00-$54.007.00 - $54.00 
Premium channelchannels $10.00-$15.0010.00 - $15.00 
Pay-per-view (per movie or event)events $3.95-$179.002.99 - $179.00 
Digital video packages (including high-speed data service for higher tiers) $34.00-$106.0034.00 - $112.00 
High-speed data service $29.99-$39.9921.95 - $49.99 
Video on demand (per selection) $0.99-$12.990.99 - $29.99 
High definition television $3.99-3.99 - $6.99
Digital video recorder (DVR)$6.99 - $9.99 

In addition, from time to time we offer free service or reduced-price service during promotional periods in order to attract new customers. There is no assurance that these customers will remain as customers when the period of free service expires.

Our Network Technology

We have substantially completedThe following table sets forth the build-outtechnological capacity of our systems toas of December 31, 2004 based on a minimum bandwidthpercentage of 550 megahertz or greater, which enables us to:

offer digital television, high-speed data services and other advanced services;
offer up to 82 analog channels, and even more channels when our bandwidth is used for digital signal transmission; and
permit two-way communication for Internet access and interactive services, and potentially, telephony services.
homes passed:

                      
   550 megahertz             
Less than 550  to  750  870  Two-way  Two-way 
megahertz  660 megahertz  megahertz  megahertz  capability  enabled 
8%  5%  42%  45%  92%  87%

As parta result of the upgrade of our systems duringover the lastpast several years, approximately 92% of the homes passed by our systems have bandwidth of 550 megahertz or greater. This bandwidth capacity enables us to offer digital television, high-speed data services and other advanced services. It also enables us to offer up to 82 analog channels, and even more channels when our bandwidth is used for digital signal transmissions. Our increased bandwidth also permits two-way communication for Internet access, interactive services, and potentially, telephony services.

As part of our systems upgrade and partly as a result of system sales, we reduced the number of headends that serve our customers from 1,138 at January 1, 2001 to 748744 at December 31, 2003.2004. Because headends are the control centers of a cable system, where incoming signals are amplified, converted, processed and combined for transmission to the customer, reducing the number of headends reduces related equipment, service personnel and maintenance expenditures. We expectbelieve that the headend consolidation, together with our other upgrades, will allowallows us to provide enhanced picture quality and greater system reliability. As a result of the upgrade, approximately 88%84% of our customers were served by headends serving at least 10,000 customers as of December 31, 2003.

The following table sets forth the technological capacity of our systems as of December 31, 2003:

                     
  550 megahertz        
Less than 550 to 750 870 Two-way Two-way
megahertz
 660 megahertz
 megahertz
 megahertz
 capability
 enabled
8%  5%  42%  45%  92%  87%

See “ — Products and Services” for statistics regarding the approximate number of our customers who purchase the various services enabled by these upgrades.2004.

As of December 31, 20032004, our cable systems consisted of approximately 219,400222,100 strand miles, including approximately 48,30053,600 strand miles of fiber optic cable, passing approximately 12.412.1 million households, and servingserved approximately 6.546.2 million customers.

We adopted the hybrid fiber coaxial cable (“HFC”) architecture as the standard for our systems upgrades. HFC architecture combines the use of fiber optic cable with coaxial cable. Fiber optic cable is a communication medium that uses glass fibers to transmit signals over long distances with minimum signal loss or distortion. Fiber optic cable has excellent broadband frequency characteristics, noise immunity and physical durability and can carry

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hundreds of video, data and voice channels over extended distances. Coaxial cable is less expensive and requires a more extensive signal amplification in order to obtain the desired transmission levels for delivering channels. In most systems, we deliver our signals via fiber optic cable from the headend to a group of nodes, and use coaxial cable to deliver the signal from individual nodes to the homes passed served by that node. Our system design enables a maximum of 500 homes passed to be served by a single node. Currently, our average node serves approximately 385 homes passed. Our system design provides for six strands of fiber to each node, with two strands

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activated and four strands reserved for spares and future services. We believe that this hybrid network design provides high capacity and superior signal quality. The design also provides reserve capacity for the addition of future services.

The primary advantages of HFC architecture over traditional coaxial-only cable networks include:

   increased bandwidth capacity, for more channels and other services;

   dedicated bandwidth for two-way services, which avoids reverse signal interference problems that can occur with two-way communication capability; and

   improved picture quality and service reliability.

We currently maintain a national network operations center to monitor our data networks and to further our strategy of providing high quality service. Monitoring previously done by our regional operations centers has been migrated to our national network operations center. Centralized monitoring becomesis increasingly important as we increase the number of high-speed data customers utilizing two-way high-speed data service. Our local dispatch centers focus primarily on monitoring the HFC plant, also replacing our existing regional operating centers.plant.

Management of Our Systems

Many of the functions associated with our financial management are centralized, including accounting, billing, finance and acquisitions, payroll, accounts payable and benefit administration, information system design and support, internal audit, purchasing, marketing, programming contract administration and Internet service, network and circuits administration.

To improve efficiency and operational consistency throughout our systems, we have consolidated from three divisions and ten regions to five operating divisions, eliminating certain layers of middle management. We operate with four divisions. Each division is supported by operational, financial, marketing and engineering functions. The reorganization has facilitated the establishment of and adherence to standard practices, Charter branding throughout our systems and improved internal communication. We believe these improvements enhance consistency of service delivery.

Customer Care

Historically, weWe have fielded36 customer service requests, inquirieslocations, including 14 divisional contact centers that serve approximately 97% of our customers. Our customer care centers are managed divisionally by a Vice President of Customer Care and complaints throughare supported by a large numbercorporate care team, which oversees and supports deployment and execution of smallcare strategies and initiatives on a company-wide basis. This reflects a substantial consolidation of our customer care function from over 300 service centers throughout the country. As a consequence of our aggressive acquisition program in 1999 through 2001, the number of these service centers grew rapidly and in 2000 was in excess of 300 service centers.2001. We believe that maintaining such a large number of service centers hindered our abilitythis consolidation will allow us to maximizeimprove the consistency of our service delivery and related customer satisfaction due toby reducing or eliminating the logistical challenges and poor economies of scale inherent in maintaining and supervising such a largelarger number of separately managed service centers.

In an effort to better serve our customers,Specifically, through this consolidation, we are consolidating our local customer care functions by operating technologically advanced, high-volume customer contact centers, and as a result we have closed and expect to continue to close a number of local payment and customer service centers. By establishing regional customer contact centers, we arenow able to service our customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week and utilize technologically advanced equipment that we believe enhances interactions with our customers. Ourcustomers through more intelligent call routing, data management, and forecasting and scheduling capabilities. We believe this consolidation also allows us to more effectively provide our customer care specialists receive specializedwith ongoing training intended to developimprove complaint resolution, equipment troubleshooting, sales of new and additional services, and customer contact skills and product knowledgeretention.

We believe that, are targeted towards prompt and responsive resolutiondespite our consolidation, we have not yet sufficiently improved in the area of customer complaintscare, and that this lack of improvement has in part led to a continued net loss of customers. Accordingly, we have begun an internal operational improvement initiative aimed at helping us gain new customers and retain existing customers, which is focused on customer retention, as well as towards selling additional and higher levels of servicecare, among other areas. We intend to increase our customers. As of December 31, 2003, we had 53efforts to focus management attention on instilling a customer service locations,oriented culture throughout the company and our 20 largest customer service locations serviced approximately 93%to give those areas of our customers.operations increased priority of resources for staffing levels, training budgets and financial incentives for employee performance in those areas.

13In a further effort to better serve our customers, we have also entered into outsource partnership agreements with two key outsource providers. We believe the establishment of these relationships expands our ability to achieve our service objectives and increases our ability to support marketing activities by providing additional capacity available to support customer inquiries.

We also utilize our website to enhance customer care by enabling customers to view and pay their bills online, obtain useful information and perform various equipment troubleshooting procedures.

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Sales and Marketing

In the third quarter of 2004, Charter and its subsidiaries have a single team responsibleshifted primary responsibility for overseeing theimplementing sales and marketing strategies of our individual systems. For most of our systems with over 60,000 customers, an assigned marketing manager implements our marketing decisions, while smaller systems are handled atto the divisional level. and system level, with a single corporate team to ensure compliance with guidelines established by the corporate marketing department designed to promote national branding consistency. Our marketing infrastructure is intended to promote interaction, information flow and sharing of best practices between our corporate office and our field offices, which make strategic decisions as to when and how marketing programs will be implemented.

Due to our focus in 2003 on certain other operational matters and due to certain financial constraints, we reduced spending in 2003 on marketing our products and services. ForMarketing expenditures increased 14% for the year ended December 31, 2003, we had marketing expenditures of $1072004 to $122 million. We expect to increase our spending on marketing in 2004.2005.

Our marketing efforts are intended to promote good interaction, quick information flow and sharing of best practices between our corporate office, which handles programs and administration, and our field offices, which implement our various marketing programs. We monitor government regulation, customer perception, competition, pricing and product preferences, among other factors, to increase our responsiveness to our customers. Our coordinated marketing techniquesstrategies include door-to-door solicitation, telemarketing, media advertising, e-marketing, direct mail solicitation and retail locations. We also marketIn 2004, we increased our focus on marketing and sellselling our services through consumer electronics retailers and other retailers that sell televisions or cable modems.

In January 2004, we introduced the first national branding campaign in Charter’s history. The “Get Hooked” branding initiative will bewas a key focal point of our national marketing campaigns throughoutin 2004 with the year, designed to promote our long-term objectiveaim of increasing our cash flow throughpromoting deeper market penetration and growth inincreased revenue per customer. Our goal forIn 2004, is for our corporate team to produce six toproduced eight national marketing campaigns employing our new national “Get Hooked” Charter-brandingmarketing campaigns designed to:

   Promote customer awareness and loyalty;loyalty among existing customers and attract new customers;
 
 Attract former customers and households that have never subscribed toAnnounce the availability of our services;advanced services as we roll them out in our systems;
 
   Promote our advanced services (such as DVR, high definition television, telephony, VOD and SVOD) with the goal that our customers will view their cable connection as one-stop shopping for video, voice, high-speed data and interactive services; and
 
   Promote our bundling of digital video and high-speed data services and pricing strategies; and
Announce the launch of our advanced services as they become available in our systems.strategies.

Programming

General

We believe that offering a wide variety of programming is an important factor that influences a customer’s decision to subscribe to and retain our cable services. We rely on market research, customer demographics and local programming preferences to determine channel offerings in each of our markets. We obtain basic and premium programming from a number of suppliers, usually pursuant to a written contract. Our programming contracts generally continue for a fixed period of time, usually from three to ten years, and are subject to negotiated renewal. Some program suppliers offer financial incentives to support the launch of a channel and ongoing marketing support or launch fees. We also negotiate volume discount pricing structures. Programming costs are usually payable each month based on calculations performed by us and are subject to adjustment based on the results of periodic audits by the programmers.

Costs

Programming tends to be made available to us for a license fee, which is generally paid based on the number of customers to whom we make such programming available. Such license fees may include “volume” discounts available for higher numbers of customers, as well as discounts for channel placement or service penetration. Some channels are available without cost to us for a limited period of time, after which we pay for the programming. For home shopping channels, we receive a percentage of the amount our customers spend on home shopping purchases.

Our cable programming costs have increased, in every year we have operated, in excess of customary inflationary and cost-of-living type increases. We expect them to continue to increase due to a variety of factors, including:including annual increases imposed by programmers and additional programming being provided to customers as a result of system rebuilds and bandwidth reallocation, both of which increase channel capacity.

annual increases imposed by programmers;
additional programming being provided to customers as a result of system rebuilds and bandwidth reallocation, both of which increase channel capacity; and

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increased cost for certain previously discounted programming.

In particular, sports programming costs have increased significantly over the past several years. In addition, contracts to purchase sports programming sometimes contain built-in cost increases for programming added during the term of the contract.

Historically, we have been able to absorbabsorbed increased programming costs in large part through increased prices to our customers. However, with the impact of competition and other marketplace factors, there is no assurance that we will be able to continue to do so. In order to maintain or mitigate reductions of margins despite increasing programming costs, we plan to continue to migrate certain program services from our analog level of service to our digital tiers. We expect that this migration will result in enhanced quality of programming offered on digital tiers and provide our video customers more value and more choice. Additionally, asAs we migrate our programming to our digital tier packages, certain programming that was previously available to all of our customers via an analog signal, may be part of an elective digital tier package. As a result, the customer base upon which we pay programming fees will proportionately decrease, and the overall expense for providing that service would likewise decrease. Reductions in the size of certain programming customer bases may result in the loss of specific volume discount benefits. We plan to seek to renegotiate the terms of our agreements with certain programmers as these agreements come due for renewal.

As measured by programming costs, and excluding premium services (substantially all of which were renegotiated and renewed in 2003), as of February 19,December 31, 2004 approximately 34%10% of our current programming contracts were expired, and approximately another 34% are scheduled to expire by the end of 2004, and approximately another 11% by2005. We plan to seek to renegotiate the endterms of 2005.our agreements with certain programmers as these agreements come due for renewal. There can be no assurance that these agreements will be renewed on favorable or comparable terms. To the extent that we are unable to reach agreement with certain programmers on terms that we believe are reasonable, we may be forced to remove such programming channels from our line-up, by the programmers, which could result in a further loss of customers. In addition, our inability to fully pass these programming cost increases on to our customers would have an adverse impact on our cash flow and operating margins.

Franchises

As of December 31, 2003,2004, our systems operated pursuant to a total of approximately 4,4004,200 franchises, permits and similar authorizations issued by local and state governmental authorities. Each franchise is awarded by a governmental authority and such governmental authority often must approve a transfer to another party. Most franchises are subject to termination proceedings in the event of a material breach. In addition, most franchises require us to pay the granting authority a franchise fee of up to 5.0% of revenues as defined in the various agreements, provided that revenue is derived from a “cable service” which is the maximum amount that may be charged under the applicable federal law. We are entitled to and generally do pass this fee through to the customer.

Prior to the scheduled expiration of most franchises, we initiate renewal proceedings with the granting authorities. This process usually takes three years but can take a longer period of time. The Communications Act provides for an orderly franchise renewal process in which granting authorities may not unreasonably withhold renewals. In connection with the franchise renewal process, many governmental authorities require the cable operator to make certain commitments. Historically we have been able to renew our franchises without incurring significant costs, although any particular franchise may not be renewed on commercially favorable terms or otherwise. Our failure to obtain renewals of our franchises, especially those in the major metropolitan areas where we have the most customers, wouldcould have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or our liquidity, including our ability to comply with our debt covenants. Approximately 28%11% of our franchises, covering approximately 26%10% of our analog video customers were expired at December 31, 2004. Approximately 8% of additional franchises, covering approximately 9% of additional analog video customers will expire on or before December 31, 2005.2005, if not renewed prior to expiration. We expect to renew substantially all of these franchises.

Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the “1996 Telecom Act”), state and local authorities are prohibited from limiting, restricting or conditioning the provision of telecommunications services. They may, however, impose “competitively neutral” requirements and manage the public rights-of-way. Granting authorities may not require a cable operator to provide telecommunications services or facilities, other than institutional networks, as a condition of an initial franchise grant, a franchise renewal, or a franchise transfer. The 1996 Telecom Act also limits franchise fees to an operator’s cable-related revenues and clarifies that they do not apply to revenues that a cable operator derives from providing new telecommunications services. In a March 2002 decision, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) held that revenue derived from the provision of cable modem service should not be added to franchise fee payments already limited by federal law to 5% of traditional cable service revenue. The same decision tentatively limited local franchising authority regulation of cable modem service. On October 6, 2003, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated in part the FCC’s March 2002 decision and remanded for

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further proceedings. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the portion of the FCC’s March 2002 decision holding that cable modem service is not a “cable service.” Although the Ninth Circuit’s decision should not subject cable operators to

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additional cable franchise fee requirements for the provision of cable modem service, it could possibly result in other telecommunications regulation.

Competition

We face competition in the areas of price, services,service offerings, and service reliability. We compete with other providers of television signals and other sources of home entertainment. In addition, as we continue to expand into additional services such as high-speed Internet access and telephony, we face competition from other providers of each type of service. We operate in a very competitive business environment, which can adversely affect our business and operations.

In terms of competition for customers, we view ourselves as a member of the broadband communications industry, which encompasses multi-channel video for television and related broadband services, such as high-speed data and other interactive video services. In the broadband industry, our principal competitor for video services throughout our territory is direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”), and in markets where it is available, our principal competitor for data services is digital subscriber line (“DSL”). We believe that competition from DBS service providers may present greater challenges in areas of lower population density, and that our systems may service a higher concentration of such areas than those of other major cable service providers. We do not consider other cable operators to be significant one-on-one competitors in the market overall, as traditional overbuilds are infrequent and spotty geographically (although in a particular market, a cable operator overbuilder would likely be a significant competitor at the local level). As of December 31, 2003,2004, we are aware of traditional overbuild situations impactingin service areas covering approximately 5% of our total homes passed and potential overbuilds in areas servicing approximately 2% of our total homes passed.

Although cable operators tend not to be direct competitors for customers, their relative size may affect the competitive landscape in terms of how a cable company competes against non-cable competitors in the market place as well as in relationships with vendors who deal with cable operators. For example, a larger cable operator might have better access to and pricing for the multiple types of services cable companies offer. Also, a larger entity might have different access to financial resources and acquisition opportunities.

Our key competitors include:

DBS

Direct broadcast satellite is a significant competitor to cable systems. The DBS industry has grown rapidly over the last several years, far exceeding the growth rate of the cable television industry, and now serves more than 2024 million subscribers nationwide. DBS service allows the subscriber to receive video and high-speed Internet access services directly via satellite using a relatively small dish antenna. Consistent with increasing consolidation in the communications industry, News Corp., one of the world’s largest media companies, recently acquired a controlling interest in DIRECTV, Inc. (“DirecTV”), in 2003, the largest domestic DBS company. This business combination could significantlyfurther strengthen DirecTV’s competitive posture, particularly through favorable programming arrangements with various News Corp. affiliates and subsidiaries, such as the Fox television network. In addition to the two established DBS providers, DirecTV and EchoStar Communications Corporation (“EchoStar”), Rainbow DBS, a division of Cablevision Systems Corp., a third DBS provider, commenced offering service in the fall of 2003. Additionally, EchoStar and DirecTV both have entered into joint marketing agreements with major telecommunications companies to offer bundled packages combining phone service, DSL and DBS services.

Video compression technology and high powered satellites allow DBS providers to offer more than 200 digital channels from a single 32 transponder satellite, thereby surpassing the typical analog cable system. In 2003, major DBS competitors offered a greater variety of channel packages, and were especially competitive at the lower end pricing, such as a monthly price of approximately $30 for 75 channels compared to approximately $40 for the closest comparable package in most of our markets. In addition, while we continue to believe that the initial investment by a DBS customer exceeds that of a cable customer, the initial equipment cost for DBS has decreased substantially, as the DBS providers have aggressively marketed offers to new customers of incentives for discounted or free equipment, installation and multiple units. DBS providers are able to offer service nationwide and are able to establish a national image and branding with standardized offerings, which together with their ability to avoid franchise fees of up to 5% of revenues and property tax, leads to greater efficiencies and lower costs in the lower tiers of service. However, we believe that most consumers continue to prefer our stronger local presence in our markets. We believe that cable-delivered VOD and SVOD service are superior to DBS service because cable headends can store thousands of titles which customers can access and control independently, whereas DBS

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technology can only make available a much smaller number of titles with DVR-like customer control. We also believe that our higher tier products, particularly our bundled premium packages, are price-competitive with DBS

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packages and that many consumers prefer our ability to economically bundle video packages with data packages. Further, cable providers have the potential in some areas to provide a more complete “whole house” communications package when combining video, high-speed data and voice. We believe that this, combined with the introduction of more new products that DBS cannot readily offer (local high definition television and local interactive television) differentiates us from DBS competitors and could enable us to win back some of our former customers who migrated to satellite. Recent joint marketing arrangements between DBS providers and telecommunications carriers allow similar bundling of services in certain areas.

DBS companies historically were prohibited from retransmitting popular local broadcast programming. However, a change to the copyright laws in 1999, which was continued in 2004, eliminated this legal impediment. As a result, DBS companies now may retransmit such programming, once they have secured retransmission consent from the popular broadcast stations they wish to carry, and honor mandatory carriage obligations of less popular broadcast stations in the same television markets. In response to the legislation, DirecTV and EchoStar have begunbeen carrying the major network stations in many of the nation’s top television markets. DBS, however, is limited in the local programming it can provide because of the current capacity limitations of satellite technology. DBS companies currentlydo not offer local broadcast programming only in the largerevery U.S. markets,market, although the number of markets covered is increasing.

DirecTV is now providing two-wayDBS providers have made attempts at widespread deployment of high-speed Internet access services. Anotherservices via satellite company called WildBlue Communications, Inc. (formerly iSKY, Inc.) reports that it plansbut those services have been technically constrained and of limited appeal. However, DBS providers have entered into joint marketing arrangements with telecommunications carriers allowing them to deliver two-way high-speed Internet access to residential and small business marketsoffer terrestrial DSL services in the contiguous United States and portions of Canada sometime in 2004 using the Ka-band and spot beam technology. EchoStar is offering its video programming services with the Internet services provided by EarthLink, an Internet service provider, using digital subscriber line technology. In addition, EchoStar is using a recently launched satellite to test a dish-based broadband service and Hughes Network Systems is developing a new Ka-band broadband service for enterprisemany markets.

DSL and other Broadband Services

The deployment of DSLDigital subscriber line service allows Internet access to subscribers at data transmission speeds greater than those available over conventional telephone lines. DSL service therefore is competitive with high-speed Internet access over cable systems. SeveralMost telephone companies which already have plant, an existing customer base, and other operational functions in place (such as, billing, service personnel, etc.) and other companies offer DSL service. DSL actively markets its service and many providers have offered promotional pricing with a one-year service agreement. The FCC has initiated a rulemaking proceeding that could materially reduce existing regulation of DSL service, essentially freeing such service from traditional telecommunications regulation. It is also possible that federal legislation could reduce regulation of Internet services offered by incumbent telephone companies. Legislative action and the FCC’s decisions and policies in this area are subject to change. We expect DSL to remain a significant competitor to our data services. In addition, the further deployment of fiber by telephone companies into their networks will enable them to provide higher bandwidth Internet service than provided over traditional DSL lines.

DSL and other forms of high-speed Internet access provide competition to our own provision of Internet access.high-speed data service. For example, as discussed above, satellite-based delivery options are in development. In addition, local wireless Internet services have recently begun to operate in many markets using available unlicensed radio spectrum. This service option, popularly known as “wi-fi”, offers another alternative to cable-based Internet access.

High-speed Internet access facilitates the streaming of video into homes and businesses. As the quality and availability of video streaming over the Internet improves, video streaming maylikely will compete with the traditional delivery of video programming services over cable systems. It is possible that programming suppliers will consider bypassing cable operators and market their services directly to the consumer through video streaming over the Internet.

We believe that pricing for residential and commercial data services on our system is generally comparable to that for similar DSL services and that some residential customers prefer our ability to bundle data services with video services. However, DSL providers may currently be in a better position to offer data services to businesses since their networks tend to be more complete in commercial areas. They also have the ability to bundle telephony with data services for a higher percentage of their customers, and that ability is appealing to many consumers. Recent jointJoint marketing arrangements between DSL providers and DBS providers may allow some additional bundling of services. Moreover, major telephone companies, such as SBC and Verizon, are now deploying fiber deep into their networks that will enable them to offer high bandwidth video services over their networks, in addition to established voice and Internet services.

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Broadcast Television

Cable television has long competed with broadcast television, which consists of television signals that the viewer is able to receive without charge using an “off-air” antenna. The extent of such competition is dependent upon the quality and quantity of broadcast signals available through “off-air” reception compared to the services provided by the local cable system. Traditionally, cable television has provided a higher picture quality and more channel offerings than broadcast television. However, the recent licensing of digital spectrum by the FCC will provide traditional broadcasters with the ability to deliver high definition television pictures and multiple digital-quality program streams, as well as advanced digital services such as subscription video and data transmission. Walt Disney Co. recently announced the launching of a movie service that bypasses cable through direct access to homes by data streams sent over the television broadcast spectrum.

Traditional Overbuilds

Cable systems are operated under non-exclusive franchises granted by local authorities. More than one cable system may legally be built in the same area. It is possible that a franchising authority might grant a second franchise to another cable operator and that such a franchise might contain terms and conditions more favorable than those afforded us. In addition, entities willing to establish an open video system, under which they offer unaffiliated programmers non-discriminatory access to a portion of the system’s cable system, may be able to avoid local franchising requirements. Well-financedWell financed businesses from outside the cable industry, such as public utilities that already possess fiber optic and other transmission lines in the areas they serve, may over time become competitors. There are a number of cities that have constructed their own cable systems, in a manner similar to city-provided utility services. There also has been interest in traditional overbuilds by private companies. Constructing a competing cable system is a capital intensive process which involves a high degree of risk. We believe that in order to be successful, a competitor’s overbuild would need to be able to serve the homes and businesses in the overbuilt area on a more cost-effective basis than we can. Any such overbuild operation would require either significant access to capital or access to facilities already in place that are capable of delivering cable television programming.

As of December 31, 2003,2004, we are aware of overbuild situations impacting approximately 5% of our total homes passed and potential overbuild situations in areas servicing approximately 1%2% of our total homes passed, together representing a total of approximately 6% of our homes passed. Additional overbuild situations may occur in other systems. In response to such overbuilds, these systems have been designated priorities for the upgrade of cable plant and the launch of new and enhanced services. As of December 31, 2003,2004, we have upgraded many of these systems to at least 750 megahertz two-way HFC architecture.

Telephone Companies and Utilities

The competitive environment has been significantly affected by technological developments and regulatory changes enacted under the 1996 Telecom Act, which wasis designed to enhance competition in the cable television and local telephone markets. Federal cross-ownership restrictions historically limited entry by local telephone companies into the cable business. The 1996 Telecom Act modified this cross-ownership restriction, making it possible for local exchange carriers, who have considerable resources, to provide a wide variety of video services competitive with services offered by cable systems.

Although telephoneTelephone companies can lawfully enter the cable television business, and although activity in this area is currentlyhistorically has been quite limited.limited, recent announcements by telephone companies indicate a growing interest in offering a video product. Local exchange carriers do already provide facilities for the transmission and distribution of voice and data services, including Internet services, in competition with our existing or potential interactive services ventures and businesses. Some telephone companies have begun more extensive deployment of fiber in their networks that will enable them to begin providing video services, as well as telephony and Internet access service. At least one major telephone company, SBC, plans to provide Internet protocol video over its upgraded network. SBC contends that its use of this technology should allow it to provide video service without a cable franchise as required under Title VI of the Communications Act. Other telephone companies deploying fiber more extensively are attempting through various means to weaken or streamline the franchising requirements applicable to them. If telephone companies are successful in avoiding or weakening the franchise and other regulatory requirements applicable to Charter, their competitive posture would be enhanced. We cannot predict the likelihood of success of the broadband services offered by our competitors or the impact on us of such competitive ventures. The large scale entry of major telephone companies as direct competitors in the video marketplace may become more widespread and could adversely affect the profitability and valuation of established cable systems.

As we expand our offerings to include Internet access and other telecommunications services, we will be subject to competition from other telecommunications providers. The telecommunications industry is highly competitive and includes competitors with greater financial and personnel resources, who have brand name recognition and long-standinglong-

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standing relationships with regulatory authorities and customers. Moreover, mergers, joint ventures and alliances among franchise, wireless or private cable operators, local exchange carriers and others may result in providers capable of offering cable television, Internet, and telecommunications services in direct competition with us. For example, major local exchange carriers have entered into arrangements with EchoStar and DirecTV in which they will market packages combining phone service, DSL and DBS services.

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Additionally, we are subject to competition from utilities which possess fiber optic transmission lines capable of transmitting signals with minimal signal distortion. Utilities are also developing broadband over power line technology, which will allow the provision of Internet and other broadband services to homes and offices.

Private Cable

Additional competition is posed by satellite master antenna television systems, or SMATV systems, serving multiple dwelling units, or MDUs, such as condominiums, apartment complexes, and private residential communities. These private cable systems may enter into exclusive agreements with such MDUs, which may preclude operators of franchise systems from serving residents of such private complexes. Private cable systems can offer both improved reception of local television stations and many of the same satellite-delivered program services that are offered by cable systems. SMATV systems currently benefit from operating advantages not available to franchised cable systems, including fewer regulatory burdens and no requirement to service low density or economically depressed communities. Exemption from regulation may provide a competitive advantage to certain of our current and potential competitors. The FCC ruled in 1998 that private cable operators can lease video distribution capacity from local telephone companies and distribute cable programming services over public rights-of-way without obtaining a cable franchise. In 1999, both the Fifth and Seventh Circuit Courts of Appeals upheld this FCC policy.

Wireless Distribution

Cable systems also compete with wireless program distribution services such as multi-channel multipoint distribution systems or “wireless cable,” known as MMDS, which uses low-power microwave frequencies to transmit television programming over-the-air to paying customers. Wireless distribution services generally provide many of the programming services provided by cable systems, and digital compression technology increases significantly the channel capacity of their systems. Both analog and digital MMDS services, however, require unobstructed “line of sight” transmission paths and MMDS ventures have been quite limited to date.

The FCC recentlyhas completed its auction of Multichannel Video Distribution & Data Service (“MVDDS”) licenses. MVDDS is a new terrestrial video and data fixed wireless service that the FCC hopes will spur competition in the cable and DBS industries.

Regulation and Legislation

The following summary addresses the key regulatory and legislative developments affecting the cable industry.

Cable system operations are extensively regulated by the FCC, some state governments and most local governments. A failure to comply with these regulations could subject us to substantial penalties.

Our business can be dramatically impacted by changes to the existing regulatory framework, whether triggered by legislative, administrative, or judicial rulings. Congress and the FCC have expressed a particular interest in increasing competition in the communications field generally and in the cable television field specifically. The 1996 Telecom Act altered the regulatory structure governing the nation’s communications providers. It removed barriers to competition in both the cable television market and the local telephone market. At the same time, the FCC has pursued spectrum licensing options designed to increase competition to the cable industry by wireless multichannel video programming distributors. We could be materially disadvantaged in the future if we are subject to new regulations that do not equally impact our key competitors.

Congress and the FCC have frequently revisited the subject of communications regulation, and they are likely to do so in the future. In addition, franchise agreements with local governments must be periodically renewed, and new operating terms may be imposed. Future legislative, regulatory, or judicial changes could adversely affect our operations. We can provide no assurance that the already extensive regulation of our business will not be expanded in the future.

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Cable Rate Regulation

The cable industry has operated under a federal rate regulation regime for more than a decade. The regulations currently restrict the prices that cable systems charge for basic service and associated equipment. All other cable offerings are now universally exempt from rate regulation. Although rate regulation operates pursuant to a federal formula, local governments, commonly referred to as local franchising authorities, are primarily responsible for

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administering this regulation. The majority of our local franchising authorities have never certified to regulate basic cable rates, but they retain the right to do so (and order rate reductions and refunds), except in those specific communities facing “effective competition.” Federal law defines effective competition as existing in a variety of circumstances that historically were rarely satisfied, but are increasingly likely to be satisfied with the recent increase in DBS competition.

There have been frequent calls to impose expanded rate regulation on the cable industry. Confronted with rapidly increasing cable programming costs, it is possible that Congress may adopt new constraints on the retail pricing or packaging of cable programming. Such constraints could adversely affect our operations.

The federal rate regulations also require cable operators to maintain a “geographically uniform” rate within each community, except in those communities facing effective competition. As we attempt to respond to a changing marketplace with competitive pricing practices, we may face legal restraints and challenges that impede our ability to compete.

Must Carry/Retransmission Consent

Federal law currently includes “must carry” regulations, which require cable systems to carry certain local broadcast television stations that the cable operator would not select voluntarily. Alternatively, popular commercial television stations can prohibit cable carriage unless the cable operator first negotiates for “retransmission consent,” which may be conditioned on significant payments or other concessions. Either option has a potentially adverse effect on our business. The burden associated with must carry could increase significantly if the FCC requires cable systems were required to simultaneously carry both the analog and digital signals of each television station (dual carriage), as the broadcast industry transitions from an analog to a digital format.

The burden could also increase significantly if the FCC requires cable systems become required to carry multiple program streams included within a single digital broadcast transmission.transmission (multicast carriage). Additional government-mandated broadcast carriage obligations could disrupt existing programming commitments, interfere with our preferred use of limited channel capacity and limit our ability to offer services that would maximize customer appeal and revenue potential. Although the FCC tentatively ruledissued a decision on February 10, 2005, confirming an earlier ruling against this expansionmandating either dual carriage or multicast carriage, that decision could be appealed or Congress could legislate additional carriage obligations.

There are indications that broadcasters involving retransmission consent may be even more forceful in a 2001 ruling, it is reviewing the issue andupcoming negotiations. These negotiations could reach a contrary result in increased broadcast carriage burdens or the near future. If these expanded must-carry requirements were adopted, we would have less freedom over our distribution capacity.loss of popular programming.

Access Channels

Local franchise agreements often require cable operators to set aside certain channels for public, educational and governmental access programming. Federal law also requires cable systems to designate a portion of their channel capacity for commercial leased access by unaffiliated third parties. Increased activity in this area could further burden the channel capacity of our cable systems.

Access to Programming

The FCC recently extended a regulation prohibiting video programmers affiliated with cable companies from favoring cable operators over new competitors and requiring such programmers to sell their satellite-delivered programming to other multichannel video distributors. This provision limits the ability of vertically integrated cable programmers to offer exclusive programming arrangements to cable companies. DBS providers traditionally had no similar restriction on exclusive programming, but the FCC recently imposed that restriction as part of its approval of the DirecTV-News Corp. merger.

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The FCC has also adopted regulations to avoid unreasonable conduct in retransmission consent negotiations between broadcasters and multichannel video programming distributors, including cable and DBS. It recently imposed special conditions on the DirectTV-News Corp. merger, including a requirement that Fox affiliated broadcast stations enter into commercial arbitration for disputes over retransmission consent. Given the heightened competition and media consolidation that Charter faces, it is possible that we will find it increasingly difficult to gain access to popular programming at favorable terms. Such difficulty could adversely impact our business.

Ownership Restrictions

Federal regulation of the communications field traditionally included a host of ownership restrictions, which limited the size of certain media entities and restricted their ability to enter into competing enterprises. Through a series of legislative, regulatory, and judicial actions, most of these restrictions recently were eliminated or substantially relaxed. For example, historic restrictions on local exchange carriers offering cable service within their telephone service area, as well as those prohibiting broadcast stations from owning cable systems within their broadcast service area, no longer exist. Changes in this regulatory area, including some still subject to judicial review, could

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alter the business landscape in which we operate, as formidable new competitors (including electric utilities, local exchange carriers, and broadcast/media companies) may increasingly choose to offer cable services. The relaxation of ownership restrictions could, for example, simplify Comcast Corporation’s recent bid for Walt Disney Company, notwithstanding overlapping cable and broadcast properties.

The FCC previously adopted regulations precluding any cable operator from serving more than 30% of all domestic multichannel video subscribers and from devoting more than 40% of the activated channel capacity of any cable system to the carriage of affiliated national video programming services. These cable ownership restrictions were invalidated by the courts, and the FCC is now considering adoption of replacement regulations.

Internet Service

Over the past several years, proposals have been advanced at the FCC and Congress that would require cable operators offering Internet service to provide non-discriminatory access to unaffiliated Internet service providers. Several local franchising authorities actually adopted mandatory “open access” requirements, but various federal courts rejected each of these actions, relying on different legal theories.

It remains unclear today precisely what regulatory regime ultimately will be applied to the cable industry’s high-speed Internet service. The FCC has ruled that cable modem service is an interstate information“information service, rather than a cable“cable” or telecommunications“telecommunications service. This classification left cable modem service exempt from the burdens associated with traditional cable and telecommunications regulation. However, theThe United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recentlyhowever, vacated in part the FCC’s ruling and remanded for further proceedings. The Ninth Circuit held that cable modem service is not “cable service,” but is part “telecommunications service” and part “information service.” Various parties have sought en banc review of thisThat decision has been appealed to the Supreme Court, which has agreed to hear the case. The Ninth Circuit decision.decision, if not overturned, could potentially result in adverse regulatory treatment, including the imposition of “open access” requirements on the cable industry’s Internet access service.

Although the FCC previously suggested that regulatory forbearance of cable modem service would be appropriate, regardless of the technical classification ultimately assigned to it, a number of technology companies continue to press the FCC to subject cable modem service to certain “nondiscrimination principles.” The final regulatory status of cable modem service remains uncertain. Its outcome could materially affect our business. It could also affect whether local franchising authorities can collect franchise fees on cable modem service and whether cable systems will have any payment obligations to the federal government’s universal service fund.fund and be subject to other common carrier regulations.

As the Internet has matured, it has become the subject of increasing regulatory interest. There is now a host of federal laws affecting Internet service, including the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which affords copyright owners certain rights against us that could adversely affect our relationship with any customer accused of violating copyright laws. Recently enacted Anti-Spam legislation also imposes new obligations on our operations. Moreover, Congress has not yet extended the five-year moratorium on state and local taxation of Internet access, which expired in late 2003. Taxation of Internet access or theThe adoption of new Internet regulations could adversely affect our business.

Phone Service

The 1996 Telecom Act created a more favorable regulatory environment for us to provide telecommunications services. In particular, it limited the regulatory role of local franchising authorities and established requirements ensuring that we could interconnect with other telephone companies to provide a viable service. Many implementation details remain unresolved, and there are substantial regulatory changes being considered that could impact, in both positive and negative ways, our primary telecommunications competitors and our own entry into the

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field of phone service. The FCC and state regulatory authorities are considering, for example, whether common carrier regulation traditionally applied to incumbent local exchange carriers should be modified and how newmodified. The FCC recently decided that alternative voice technologies, like certain types of VOIP, should be regulated.regulated only at the federal level, rather than by individual states. As the FCC generally does not favor extensive regulation of such services, this decision appears to be a positive development for VOIP offerings. It is unclear how these proceedingsregulatory matters ultimately will be resolved and how they will affect our potential expansion into phone service.

Pole Attachments

The Communications Act requires most utilities to provide cable systems with access to poles and conduits and simultaneously regulates the rates charged for this access. The Act specifies that significantly higher rates apply if the cable plant is providing telecommunications service, as well as traditional cable service. The FCC has clarified that a cable operator’s favorable pole rates are not endangered by the provision of Internet access. Although that determination was upheld by the United States Supreme Court, a subsequent decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit regarding the proper regulatory classification of Internet service has once again

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created controversy in this area. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal of that decision. It remains possible that the underlying pole attachment formula, or its application to Internet and telecommunications offerings, will be modified in a manner that substantially increases our pole attachment costs.

Cable Equipment

The FCC has undertaken several steps to promote competition in the delivery of cable equipment and compatibility with new digital technology. The FCC has expressly ruled that cable customers must be allowed to purchase set-top terminals from third parties and established a multi-year phase-in during which security functions (which would remain in the operator’s exclusive control) would be unbundled from the basic converter functions, which could then be provided by third party vendors. The first phase of implementation has already passed. A prohibition on cable operators leasing digital set-top terminals that integrate security and basic navigation functions is currently scheduled to go into effect as of July 1, 2006.2006, although the FCC may extend the deadline.

The FCC recentlyhas adopted rules implementing an agreement between major cable operators and manufacturers of consumer electronics on “plug and play” specifications for one-way digital televisions. The rules require cable operators to provide “CableCard” security modules and support to customer owned digital televisions and similar devices already equipped with built-in set-top terminal functionality. Cable operators must support basic home recording rights and copy protection rules for digital programming content. The FCC has adopted companion “broadcast flag” rules, requiring cable carriage of a code embedded in digital broadcast programming that will regulate the further use of copyright programming. programming, although the FCC’s jurisdiction to impose broadcast flag rules is currently being challenged in court.

The FCC is conducting additional related rulemakings, and the cable and consumer electronics industries are currently negotiating an agreement that would establish additional “plug and play” specifications for two-way digital televisions.

The FCC rules are subject to challenge and inter-industry negotiations are ongoing. It is unclear how this process will develop and how it will affect our offering of cable equipment and our relationship with our customers.

Other Communications Act Provisions and FCC Regulatory Matters

In addition to the Communications Act provisions and FCC regulations noted above, there are other statutory provisions and FCC regulations affecting our business. The Communications Act, for example, includes cable-specific privacy obligations. The Act carefully limits our ability to collect and disclose personal information.

FCC regulations include a variety of additional areas, including, among other things: (1) equal employment opportunity obligations; (2) customer service standards; (3) technical service standards; (4) mandatory blackouts of certain network, syndicated and sports programming; (5) restrictions on political advertising; (6) restrictions on advertising in children’s programming; (7) restrictions on origination cablecasting; (8) restrictions on carriage of lottery programming; (9) sponsorship identification obligations; (10) closed captioning of video programming; (11) licensing of systems and facilities; and (12) maintenance of public files; and (13) emergency alert systems.

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It is possible that Congress or the FCC will expand or modify its regulation of cable systems in the future, and we cannot predict at this time how that might impact our business. For example, there have been recent discussions about imposing “indecency” restrictions directly on cable programming.

Copyright

Cable systems are subject to federal copyright licensing covering carriage of television and radio broadcast signals. The possible modification or elimination of this compulsory copyright license is the subject of continuing legislative review and could adversely affect our ability to obtain desired broadcast programming. We cannot predict the outcome of this legislative activity. Moreover, the Copyright Office has not yet provided any guidance as to the how the compulsory copyright license should apply to newly offered digital broadcast signals.

Copyright clearances for non-broadcast programming services are arranged through private negotiations. Cable operators also must obtain music rights for locally originated programming and advertising from the major music performing rights organizations. These licensing fees have been the source of litigation in the past, and we cannot predict with certainty whether license fee disputes may arise in the future.

Franchise Matters

Cable systems generally are operated pursuant to nonexclusive franchises granted by a municipality or other state or local government entity in order to cross public rights-of-way. Cable franchises generally are granted for fixed

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terms and in many cases include monetary penalties for noncompliance and may be terminable if the franchisee fails to comply with material provisions.

The specific terms and conditions of cable franchises vary materially between jurisdictions. Each franchise generally contains provisions governing cable operations, franchise fees, system construction, maintenance, technical performance, and customer service standards. A number of states subject cable systems to the jurisdiction of centralized state government agencies, such as public utility commissions.

Although local franchising authorities have considerable discretion in establishing franchise terms, there are certain federal protections. For example, federal law caps local franchise fees and includes renewal procedures designed to protect incumbent franchisees from arbitrary denials of renewal. Even if a franchise is renewed, however, the local franchising authority may seek to impose new and more onerous requirements as a condition of renewal. Similarly, if a local franchising authority’s consent is required for the purchase or sale of a cable system, the local franchising authority may attempt to impose more burdensome requirements as a condition for providing its consent.

Employees

As of December 31, 2003,2004, we had approximately 15,50015,000 full-time equivalent employees, and our parent companies employed approximately 300 of which were represented by collective bargaining agreements.500 full-time employees to manage our operations. We have never experienced a work stoppage. At December 31, 2002, these numbers were approximately 18,600 and approximately 300, respectively.

Pursuant to a mutual services agreement between Charter, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Holdco, Charter Holdco leases the necessary personnel and provides services to Charter to manage Charter Holdco and its subsidiaries, including us. The mutual services agreement provides that Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Holdco will provide services to Charter on a cost reimbursement basis. The corporate office, which includes employees of Charter and Charter Holdco, which total approximately 400 employees. The corporate office is responsible for coordinating and overseeing our operations. The corporate office performs certain financial and administrative functions on a centralized basis such as accounting, taxes, billing, finance and acquisitions, payroll and benefit administration, information system design and support, internal audit, purchasing, marketing and programming contract administration.administration and oversight and coordination of external auditors and consultants. The corporate office performs these services on a cost reimbursement basis pursuant to a management services agreement. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Transactions Arising Outout of Our Organizational Structure and Mr. Allen’s Investment in Charter Communications, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries — Intercompany Management Agreements” and “ —“— Mutual Services Agreements.”

Item 2.Properties.

Our principal physical assets consist of cable distribution plant and equipment, including signal receiving, encoding and decoding devices, headend reception facilities, distribution systems and customer drop equipment for each of our cable systems.

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Our cable plant and related equipment are generally attached to utility poles under pole rental agreements with local public utilities and telephone companies, and in certain locations are buried in underground ducts or trenches. We own or lease real property for signal reception sites and own most of our service vehicles.

Historically, our subsidiaries have owned the real property and buildings for our data centers, customer contact centers and our divisional administrative offices. However, for the foreseeable future,Since early 2003 we have reduced our total real estate portfolio square footage by approximately 17% and have decreased our operating annual lease costs by approximately 30%. We plan to reducecontinue reducing our number of administrative offices and lease the space, where possible, while attempting to sell those existing locations that we believe are no longer required. Our subsidiaries generally have leased space for business offices throughout our operating divisions. Our headend and tower locations are located on owned or leased parcels of land, and we generally own the towers on which our equipment is located. Charter Holdco owns the real property and building for our principal executive offices.

The physical components of our cable systems require maintenance as well as periodic upgrades to support the new services and products we introduce. See “Item 1. Business Our Network Technology.” We believe that our properties are generally in good operating condition and are suitable for our business operations.

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Item 3.Legal Proceedings.

Securities Class Actions and Derivative Suits

Fourteen putative federal class action lawsuits (the “Federal Class Actions”) have beenwere filed against Charter and certain of its former and present officers and directors in various jurisdictions allegedly on behalf of all purchasers of Charter’s securities during the period from either November 8 or November 9, 1999 through July 17 or July 18, 2002. Unspecified damages arewere sought by the plaintiffs. In general, the lawsuits allegealleged that Charter utilized misleading accounting practices and failed to disclose these accounting practices and/or issued false and misleading financial statements and press releases concerning Charter’s operations and prospects. The Federal Class Actions were specifically and individually identified in public filings made by Charter prior to the date of this annual report.

In October 2002, Charter filed a motion with the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (the “Panel”) to transfer the Federal Class Actions to the Eastern District of Missouri. On March 12, 2003, the Panel transferred the six Federal Class Actions not filed in the Eastern District of Missouri to that district for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings with the eight Federal Class Actions already pending there. The Panel’s transfer order assigned the Federal Class Actions to Judge Charles A. Shaw. By virtue of a prior court order, StoneRidge Investment Partners LLC became lead plaintiff upon entry of the Panel’s transfer order. StoneRidge subsequently filed a Consolidated Amended Complaint. The Court subsequently consolidated the Federal Class Actions into a single consolidated action (the “Consolidated Federal Class Action”) for pretrial purposes. On June 19, 2003, following a pretrialstatus and scheduling conference with the parties, the Court issued a Case Management Order setting forth a schedule for the pretrial phase of the Consolidated Federal Class Action. Motions to dismiss the Consolidated Amended Complaint have beenwere filed. On February 10, 2004, in response to a joint motion made by StoneRidge and defendants Charter, Vogel and Allen, the court entered an order providing, among other things, that: (1) the parties who filed such motion engage in a mediation within ninety (90) days; and (2) all proceedings in the Consolidated Federal Class Actions arewere stayed until May 10, 2004. On May 11, 2004, the Court extended the stay in the Consolidated Federal Class Action for ninety (90)an additional sixty (60) days. On July 12, 2004, the parties submitted a joint motion to again extend the stay, this time until September 10, 2004. The Court granted that extension on July 20, 2004. On August 5, 2004, Stoneridge, Charter and the individual defendants who were the subject of the suit entered into a Memorandum of Understanding setting forth agreements in principle to settle the Consolidated Federal Class Action. These parties subsequently entered into Stipulations of Settlement dated as of January 24, 2005 (described more fully below) which incorporate the terms of the August 5, 2004 Memorandum of Understanding.

The Consolidated Federal Class Action is entitled:

•  In re Charter Communications, Inc. Securities Litigation, MDL Docket No. 1506 (All Cases), StoneRidge Investments Partners, LLC, Individually and On Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated, v. Charter Communications, Inc., Paul Allen, Jerald L. Kent, Carl E. Vogel, Kent Kalkwarf, David G. Barford, Paul E. Martin, David L. McCall, Bill Shreffler, Chris Fenger, James H. Smith, III, Scientific-Atlanta, Inc., Motorola, Inc. and Arthur Andersen, LLP, Consolidated Case No. 4:02-CV-1186-CAS.

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In re Charter Communications, Inc. Securities Litigation, MDL Docket No. 1506 (All Cases), StoneRidge Investments Partners, LLC, Individually and On Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated, v. Charter Communications, Inc., Paul Allen, Jerald L. Kent, Carl E. Vogel, Kent Kalkwarf, David G. Barford, Paul E. Martin, David L. McCall, Bill Shreffler, Chris Fenger, James H. Smith, III, Scientific-Atlanta, Inc., Motorola, Inc. and Arthur Andersen, LLP, Consolidated Case No. 4:02-CV-1186-CAS.

On September 12, 2002, a shareholders derivative suit (the “State Derivative Action”) was filed in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri state court(the “Missouri State Court”), against Charter and its then current directors, as well as its former auditors. A substantively identical derivative action was later filed and consolidated into the State Derivative Action. The plaintiffs allege that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties by failing to establish and maintain adequate internal controls and procedures. Unspecified damages, allegedly on Charter’s behalf, are sought by the plaintiffs.

The consolidated State Derivative Action is entitled:

•  Kenneth Stacey, Derivatively on behalf of Nominal Defendant Charter Communications, Inc., v. Ronald L. Nelson, Paul G. Allen, Marc B. Nathanson, Nancy B. Peretsman, William Savoy, John H. Tory, Carl E. Vogel, Larry W. Wangberg, Arthur Andersen, LLP and Charter Communications, Inc.

On March 12, 2004, an action substantively identical to the State Derivative Action was filed in the Missouri State Court, against Charter and certain of its current and former directors, as well as its former auditors. The plaintiffs in that case alleged that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties by failing to establish and maintain adequate internal controls and procedures. Unspecified damages, allegedly on Charter’s behalf, of Nominal Defendant Charter Communications, Inc., v. Ronald L. Nelson, Paul G. Allen, Marc B. Nathanson, Nancy B. Peretsman, William Savoy, John H. Tory, Carl E. Vogel, Larry W. Wangberg, and Charter Communications, Inc.

were sought by plaintiffs. On July 14, 2004, the Court consolidated this case with the State Derivative Action.

This action is entitled:

•  Thomas Schimmel, Derivatively on behalf on Nominal Defendant Charter Communications, Inc., v. Ronald L. Nelson, Paul G. Allen, Marc B. Nathanson, Nancy B. Peretsman, William D. Savoy, John H. Tory, Carl E. Vogel, Larry W. Wangberg, and Arthur Andersen, LLP, and Charter Communications, Inc.

Separately, on February 12, 2003, a shareholders derivative suit (the “Federal Derivative Action”), was filed against Charter and its then current directors in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. The plaintiff allegesin that suit alleged that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties and grossly mismanaged Charter by failing to establish and maintain adequate internal controls and procedures. Unspecified damages, allegedly on Charter’s behalf, arewere sought by the plaintiffs.

The Federal Derivative Action is entitled:

•  Arthur Cohn, Derivatively on behalf of Nominal Defendant Charter Communications, Inc., v. Ronald L. Nelson, Paul G. Allen, Marc B. Nathanson, Nancy B. Peretsman, William Savoy, John H. Tory, Carl E. Vogel, Larry W. Wangberg, and Charter Communications, Inc.

As noted above, Charter entered into Memoranda of Understanding on behalfAugust 5, 2004 setting forth agreements in principle regarding settlement of Nominal Defendantthe Consolidated Federal Class Action, the State Derivative Action(s) and the Federal Derivative Action (the “Actions”). Charter Communications, Inc., v. Ronald L. Nelson, Paul G. Allen, Marc B. Nathanson, Nancy B. Peretsman, William Savoy, John H. Tory, Carl E. Vogel, Larry W. Wangberg, and various other defendants in those actions subsequently entered into Stipulations of Settlement dated as of January 24, 2005, setting forth a settlement of the Actions in a manner consistent with the terms of the Memoranda of Understanding. The Stipulations of Settlement, along with various supporting documentation, were filed with the Court on February 2, 2005. The Stipulations of Settlement provide that, in exchange for a release of all claims by plaintiffs against Charter Communications, Inc.

and its former and present officers and directors named in the Actions, Charter will pay to the plaintiffs a combination of cash and equity collectively valued at $144 million, which will include the fees and expenses of plaintiffs’ counsel. Of this amount, $64 million will be paid in cash (by Charter’s insurance carriers) and the balance will be paid in shares of Charter Class A common stock having an aggregate value of $40 million and ten-year warrants to purchase shares of Charter Class A common stock having an aggregate warrant value of $40 million, with such values in each case being determined pursuant to formulas set forth in the Stipulations of Settlement. The warrants would have an exercise price equal to 150% of the fair market value (as defined) of Charter Class A common stock as of the date of the entry of the order of final judgment approving the settlement. In addition, Charter expects to issue additional shares of its Class A common stock to its insurance carrier having an aggregate value of $5 million. In the event that the valuation formula in the Stipulations provides for a per share value of less than $2.25, Charter may elect to terminate the settlement. As part of the settlements, Charter will also commit to a variety of corporate governance changes, internal practices and public disclosures, some of which have already been undertaken and none of which are inconsistent with measures Charter is taking in connection with the recent conclusion of the SEC investigation described below. Documents related to the settlement of the Actions have now been executed and filed. On February 15, 2005, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri gave preliminary approval to

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the settlement of the Actions. The settlement of each of the lawsuits remains conditioned upon, among other things, final judicial approval of the settlements following notice to the class, and dismissal with prejudice of the consolidated derivative actions now pending in Missouri State Court, which are related to the Federal Derivative Action.

In addition to the Federal Class Actions, the State Derivative ActionAction(s), the new Missouri State Court derivative action and the Federal Derivative Action, six putative class action lawsuits have beenwere filed against Charter and certain of its then current directors and officers in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Class Actions”). The lawsuits were filed after the filing of a Schedule 13D amendment by Mr. Allen indicating that he was exploring a number of possible alternatives with respect to restructuring or expanding his ownership interest in Charter. Charter believesWe believe the plaintiffs speculated that Mr. Allen might have been contemplating an unfair bid for shares of Charter or some other sort of going private transaction on unfair terms and generally alleged that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties by participating in or acquiescing to such a transaction. The lawsuits, which are substantively identical, were brought on behalf of Charter’s securities holders as of July 29, 2002, and seeksought unspecified damages and possible injunctive relief. The Delaware Class Actions are substantively identical. NoHowever, no such transaction by Mr. Allen has been presented. Plaintiffs’ counsel has granted the defendants an indefinite extensionOn April 30, 2004, orders of time to respond to the only complaint that has been serveddismissal without prejudice were entered in each of the Delaware Class Actions.

The Delaware Class Actions consist of:

   Eleanor Leonard, v. Paul G. Allen, Larry W. Wangberg, John H. Tory, Carl E. Vogel, Marc B. Nathanson, Nancy B. Peretsman, Ronald L. Nelson, William Savoy, and Charter Communications, Inc., filed on August 12, 2002;
 
   Helene Giarraputo, on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated, v. Paul G. Allen, Carl E. Vogel, Marc B. Nathanson, Ronald L. Nelson, Nancy B. Peretsman, William Savoy, John H. Tory, Larry W. Wangberg, and Charter Communications, Inc., filed on August 13, 2002;
 
   Ronald D. Wells, Whitney Counsil and Manny Varghese, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, v. Charter Communications, Inc., Ronald L. Nelson, Paul G. Allen, Marc B. Nathanson, Nancy B. Peretsman, William Savoy, John H. Tory, Carl E. Vogel, Larry W. Wangberg, filed on August 13, 2002;
 
   Gilbert Herman, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, v. Paul G. Allen, Larry W. Wangberg, John H. Tory, Carl E. Vogel, Marc B. Nathanson, Nancy B. Peretsman, Ronald L. Nelson, William Savoy, and Charter Communications, Inc., filed on August 14, 2002;
 
   Stephen Noteboom, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, v. Paul G. Allen, Larry W. Wangberg, John H. Tory, Carl E. Vogel, Marc B. Nathanson, Nancy B. Peretsman, Ronald L. Nelson, William Savoy, and Charter Communications, Inc., filed on August 16, 2002; and
 
   John Fillmore on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, v. Paul G. Allen, Larry W. Wangberg, John H. Tory, Carl E. Vogel, Marc B. Nathanson, Nancy B. Peretsman, Ronald L. Nelson, William Savoy, and Charter Communications, Inc., filed on October 18, 2002.

All of the lawsuits discussed above are each in preliminary stages. No reserves have been established for potential losses or related insurance recoveries on these matters because Charter is unable to predict the outcome. Charter has advised us that it intends to vigorously defend the lawsuits.

Government Investigations

In August 2002, Charter became aware of a grand jury investigation being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri into certain of its accounting and reporting practices, focusing on how Charter reported customer numbers, and its reporting of amounts received from digital set-top terminal suppliers for advertising. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has publicly stated that Charter is not currently a target of the investigation. Charter haswas also been advised by the U. S. Attorney’s officeOffice that no current officer or member of its board of directors including its Chief Executive Officer, is a target of the investigation. On July 24, 2003, a federal grand jury charged four former officers of Charter with conspiracy and mail and wire fraud, alleging improper accounting and reporting practices focusing on revenue from digital set-top terminal suppliers and inflated customer account numbers. On July 25, 2003 oneEach of the indicted former officers who was indicted entered apled guilty plea.to single conspiracy counts related to the original mail and wire fraud charges and are awaiting sentencing. Charter has advisedinformed us that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.

On November 4, 2002, Charter received an informal, non-public inquiry from the staff of the SEC. The SEC has subsequently issued a formal order of investigation dated January 23, 2003, and subsequentsubsequently served document and testimony subpoenas.subpoenas on Charter and a number of its former employees. The investigation and subpoenas generally concernconcerned Charter’s

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prior reports with respect to its

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determination of the number of customers, and various of its accounting policies and practices including its capitalization of certain expenses and dealings with certain vendors, including programmers and digital set-top terminal suppliers. Charter has advised us that it is fully cooperating withOn July 27, 2004, the SEC staff.and Charter reached a final agreement to settle the investigation. In the Settlement Agreement and Cease and Desist Order, Charter agreed to entry of an administrative order prohibiting any future violations of United States securities laws and requiring certain other remedial internal practices and public disclosures. Charter neither admitted nor denied any wrongdoing, and the SEC assessed no fine against Charter.

Indemnification

Charter is generally required to indemnify each of the named individual defendants in connection with the matters described above pursuant to the terms of its bylaws and (where applicable) such individual defendants’ employment agreements. In accordance with these documents, in connection with the pending grand jury investigation, the now settled SEC investigation and the above described lawsuits, some of Charter’s current and former directors and its current and former officers have been advanced certain costs and expenses incurred in connection with their defense. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions Indemnification Advances” for greater detail.

Insurance

On February 22, 2005, Charter has liability insurance coverage that it believes is availablefiled suit against four of its former officers who were indicted in the course of the grand jury investigation. These suits seek to recover the legal fees and other related expenses advanced to these individuals by Charter for the matters described above, where applicable, subject to the terms, conditionsgrand jury investigation, SEC investigation and limitations of the respective policies. There is no assurance that current coverage will be sufficient for all claims described above or any future claims that may arise.class action and related lawsuits.

Other Litigation

In October 2001, two customers, Nikki Nicholls and Geraldine M. Barber, filed a class action suit against Charter Holdco in South Carolina Court of Common Pleas (“South(the “South Carolina Class Action”), purportedly on behalf of a class of Charter Holdco’s customers, alleging that Charter Holdco improperly charged them a wire maintenance fee without request or permission. They also claimed that Charter Holdco improperly required them to rent analog and/or digital set-top terminals even though their television sets were “cable ready.” A substantively identical case was filed in the Superior Court of Athens — Clarke County, Georgia by Emma S. Tobar on March 26, 2002 (the “Georgia Class Action”), alleging a nationwide class for these claims. Charter Holdco removed this casethe South Carolina Class Action to the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina in November 2001, and moved to dismiss the suit in December 2001. The federal judge remanded the case to the South Carolina Court of Common Pleas in August 2002 without ruling on the motion to dismiss. The plaintiffs subsequently moved for a default judgment, arguing that upon return to state court, Charter Holdco should have, but did not file a new motion to dismiss. The state court judge granted the plaintiff’s motion over Charter’sCharter Holdco’s objection in September 2002. Charter Holdco immediately appealed that decision to the South Carolina Court of Appeals and the South Carolina Supreme Court, but those courts have ruled that until a final judgment iswas entered against Charter Holdco, they lacklacked jurisdiction to hear the appeal.

In January 2003, the Court of Common Pleas granted the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. In October and November 2003, Charter Holdco filed motions (a) asking that court to set aside the default judgment, and (b) seeking dismissal of plaintiffs’ suit for failure to state a claim. In January 2004, the Court of Common Pleas granted in part and denied in part Charter’sCharter Holdco’s motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim. It also took under advisement Charter’sCharter Holdco’s motion to set aside the default judgment. In April 2004, the parties to both the Georgia and South Carolina Class Actions participated in a mediation. The mediator made a proposal to the parties to settle the lawsuits. In May 2004, the parties accepted the mediator’s proposal and reached a tentative settlement, subject to final documentation and court approval. As a result of the tentative settlement, we recorded a special charge of $9 million in our consolidated statement of operations in the first quarter of 2004. On July 8, 2004, the Superior Court of Athens — Clarke County, Georgia granted a motion to amend the Tobar complaint to add Nicholls, Barber and April Jones as plaintiffs in the Georgia Class Action and to add any potential class members in South Carolina. The court also granted preliminary approval of the proposed settlement on that date. On August 2, 2004, the parties submitted a joint request to the South Carolina Court of Common Pleas to stay the South Carolina Class Action pending final approval of the settlement and on August 17, 2004, that court granted the parties’ request. On November 10, 2004, the court granted final approval of the settlement, rejecting positions advanced by two objectors to the settlement. On December 13, 2004 the court entered a written order formally approving that settlement. On January 11, 2005, certain class members appealed the order entered by the Georgia court. Those objectors voluntarily dismissed their appeal with prejudice on February 8, 2005. On February 9, 2005, the South Carolina Court of Common Pleas entered a court order of dismissal for the South Carolina Class Action. Additionally, one of the objectors to this settlement recently filed a similar, but not identical, lawsuit.

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The South Carolina Class Action iswas entitled:

Nikki Nicholls and Geraldine M. Barber, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated v. Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC and City of Spartanburg filed on October 29, 2001.
•  Nikki Nicholls and Geraldine M. Barber, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated v. Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC and City of Spartanburg filed on October 29, 2001.

The Georgia Class Action was entitled:

•  Emma S. Tobar, Nikki Nicholls, Geraldine M. Barber and April Jones, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated v. Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC, et al, originally filed on March 26, 2002.

Outcome

Charter is unable to predict the outcome of the lawsuits and the government investigations described above. An unfavorable outcome in any of these lawsuits or the government investigations could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or our liquidity, including our ability to comply with our debt covenants.

In addition to the matters set forth above, Charter is also party to other lawsuits and claims that arose in the ordinary course of conducting its business. In the opinion of management, after taking into account recorded liabilities, the outcome of these other lawsuits and claims are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or our liquidity, including our ability to comply with our debt covenants.

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liquidity.

Item 4.Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

No matters were submitted to a vote of our sole security holder during the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2003.2004.

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PART II

Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.

(A) Market Information

Our membership interests are not publicly traded.

(B) Holders

All of the membership interests of Charter Holdings are owned by Charter Holdco. All of the outstanding capital stock of Charter Capital is owned by Charter Holdings.

(C) Dividends

None.

(D) Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

NoDuring 2004, there were no unregistered equitysales of securities of Charter Holdings or Charter Capital were sold by Charter Holdingsother than those previously reported on a Form 10-Q or Charter Capital during the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2003.Form 8-K.

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Item 6.Selected Financial Data.

The following table presents selected consolidated financial data for the periods indicated (dollars in millions):

                                    
 Charter Communications Holdings, LLC Charter Communications Holdings, LLC 
 Year Ended December 31,
 Year Ended December 31, 
 2003
 2002 (a)
 2001 (a)
 2000 (a)
 1999 (a)
 2004 2003 (a) 2002 (a) 2001 (a)(b) 2000 (a)(b) 
Statement of Operations Data:
  
Revenues $4,819 $4,566 $3,807 $3,141 $1,428  $4,977 $4,819 $4,566 $3,807 $3,141 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
            
 
Costs and Expenses:  
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) 1,952 1,807 1,486 1,187 461  2,080 1,952 1,807 1,486 1,187 
Selling, general and administrative 940 963 826 606 329  971 940 963 826 606 
Depreciation and amortization 1,479 1,439 2,693 2,387 745  1,495 1,453 1,436 2,683 2,398 
Impairment of franchises  4,638     2,433  4,638   
Gain on sale of system  (21)     
(Gain) loss on sale of fixed assets, net  (86) 5 3 10  
Option compensation expense (income), net 4 5  (5) 38 80  31 4 5  (5) 38 
Special charges, net 21 36 18    104 21 36 18  
Unfavorable contracts and other settlements  (72)       (5)  (72)    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
            
 4,303 8,888 5,018 4,218 1,615  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  7,023 4,303 8,888 5,018 4,229 
           
 
Income (loss) from operations 516  (4,322)  (1,211)  (1,077)  (187)  (2,046) 516  (4,322)  (1,211)  (1,088)
Interest expense, net  (1,486)  (1,425)  (1,247)  (1,046)  (453)  (1,618)  (1,486)  (1,425)  (1,247)  (1,046)
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities, net 65  (115)  (50)    69 65  (115)  (50)  
Gain on debt exchange, net 187     
Loss on equity investments ��   (49)  (11)  
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt  (21) 187    
Other, net  (10) 3  (3) 5  (8) 2  (10) 3  (52) 5 
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Loss before minority interest, income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change  (728)  (5,859)  (2,560)  (2,129)  (648)  (3,614)  (728)  (5,859)  (2,560)  (2,129)
Minority interest  (29)  (16)  (16)  (13)   20  (29)  (16)  (16)  (13)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
            
 
Loss before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change  (757)  (5,875)  (2,576)  (2,142)  (648)  (3,594)  (757)  (5,875)  (2,576)  (2,142)
Income tax benefit (expense)  (13) 216 27 24  (1) 35  (13) 216 27 24 
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Loss before cumulative effect of accounting change  (770)  (5,659)  (2,549)  (2,118)  (649)  (3,559)  (770)  (5,659)  (2,549)  (2,118)
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax   (540)  (24)     (840)   (540)  (24)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
            
 
Net loss $(770) $(6,199) $(2,573) $(2,118) $(649) $(4,399) $(770) $(6,199) $(2,573) $(2,118)
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Balance Sheet Data (end of period):
  
Total assets $21,148 $22,156 $26,220 $24,290 $18,939  $17,084 $21,148 $22,156 $26,220 $24,290 
Long-term debt 17,873 17,288 14,960 12,311 8,936  18,474 17,873 17,288 14,960 12,311 
Minority interest 719 693 680 666   656 719 693 680 666 
Member’s equity 639 1,906 8,122 9,156 8,048 
Member’s equity (deficit)  (3,713) 639 1,906 8,122 9,156 

(a) Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2003


(a)Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2004 presentation.
(b)In 2002, the Company restated its consolidated financial statements for 2001 and prior. The restatements were primarily related to the following categories: (i) launch incentives from programmers; (ii) customer incentives and inducements; (iii) capitalized labor and overhead costs; (iv) customer acquisition costs; (v) rebuild and upgrade of cable systems; (vi) deferred tax liabilities/franchise assets; and (vii) other adjustments. These adjustments reduced revenue for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 by $146 million and $108 million, respectively. The Company’s consolidated net loss decreased by $21 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. Net loss increased by $70 million for the year ended December 31, 2000, primarily due to

27


adjustments related to the original accounting for acquisitions and for elements of the rebuild and upgrade activities.

Comparability of the above information from year to year is affected by acquisitions and dispositions completed by us. See noteNote 2 and Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Acquisitions.Liquidity and Capital Resources.

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Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Reference is made to “Certain Trends and Uncertainties” of this section and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” which describedescribes important factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations and non-historical information contained herein. In addition, the following discussion should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and subsidiaries as of and for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001.2002.

Introduction

During 2003,In 2004, we undertookcompleted several transactions that improved our liquidity. Our efforts in this regard resulted in the completion of a number of transition activities including reorganizing our workforce, adjusting our video pricing and packages, completing call center consolidations and implementing billing conversions. Due to the focus on such activities and certain financial constraints, we reduced spending on marketing our products and services. The reduced marketing activities and other necessary operational changes negatively impacted customer retention and acquisition, primarily during the first half of the year. During the second half of 2003, we increased our marketing efforts and implemented promotional campaigns to slow the loss of analog video customers, and to accelerate advanced service penetration, specificallytransactions in high-speed data.

In 2003, we took a series of steps intended to improve our balance sheet and liquidity:2004, as follows:

 We, Charter andthe December 2004 sale by our subsidiaries, exchanged $1.9 billionCCO Holdings, LLC and CCO Holdings Capital Corp., of indebtedness for $1.6 billion of indebtedness while extending maturities and achieving approximately $294$550 million of debt discount.senior floating rate notes due 2010;
 
 Ourthe April 2004 sale of $1.5 billion of senior second-lien notes by our subsidiary, CCO Holdings, sold $500 million total principal amountCharter Operating, together with the concurrent refinancing of 8-3/4% senior notesits credit facilities; and used the net proceeds to repay approximately $486 million principal amount of bank debt of our subsidiaries, providing additional financial flexibility for use of our subsidiaries credit facilities.
 
 Our subsidiaries completed the sale of cable systems in Port Orchard, Washington, for a total price of approximately $91 million, subject to adjustments.
We and several of our subsidiaries closed the sale of cable systems in Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia with Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC. We anticipate that an additional closing for a cable system in New York will occur during the first half of 2004. After giving effect2004 of non-core cable systems for a total of $733 million, the proceeds of which were used to the sale of the New York system, net proceeds will be approximately $735 million, subject to post-closing adjustments. We will use these proceeds to repay bank debt.
We significantly reduced capital spending from approximately $2.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2002 to approximately $804 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, primarily due to the substantial completion of our network rebuild and upgrade.reduce indebtedness.

During the years 1999 through 2001, we grew significantly, principally through acquisitions of other cable businesses financed by debt and, to a lesser extent, equity. We do not anticipate thathave no current plans to pursue any significant acquisitions. However, we will engage in significant merger or acquisition activity for the foreseeable future other thanmay pursue exchanges of non-strategic assets or divestitures, such as the sale of cable systems to Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC discussed above. We therefore do not believe that our historical growth rates are accurate indicators of future growth.

The industry’s and our most significant operational challenges in 2004 and 2003 included competition from DBS providers and DSL service providers. See “Business — Competition.’’ We believe that competition from DBS has resulted in net analog video customer losses and decreased growth rates for digital video customers. Competition from DSL providers combined with limited opportunities to expand our customer base now that approximately 28% of our analog video customers subscribe to our high-speed data services has resulted in decreased growth rates for high-speed data customers. In the recent past, we have grown revenues by offsetting video customer losses with price increases and sales of incremental advanced services such as high-speed data, video on demand, digital video recorders and high definition television. We expect to continue to grow revenues through continued growth in high-speed data and incremental new services including VOIP telephony, high definition television, VOD and DVR service.

Historically, our ability to fund operations and investing activities has depended on our continued access to credit under our subsidiaries’ credit facilities. While our use of cash has changed over time such that the substantial majority of our cash now comes from cash flows from operating activities, weWe expect we will continue to borrow under our subsidiaries’ credit facilities from time to time to fund cash needs. The occurrence of an event of default under our subsidiaries’ credit facilities could result in borrowings from these facilities being unavailable to us and could, in the event of a payment default or acceleration, also trigger events of default under our notes and our subsidiaries’ outstanding notes and would have a material adverse effect on us. Approximately $188$30 million of indebtedness under our subsidiaries’ credit facilities is scheduled to mature during 2004.2005. We expect to fund payment of such indebtedness through availabilityborrowings under our subsidiaries’ revolving credit facilities.

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Adoption of New Policies

Charter is our manager and we have followed and continue to follow Charter’s policies and practices. Commencing in January 2002 and continuing through the first quarter of 2003, Charter’s management elected to implement a number of new policies including:

Change in Disconnect and Bad Debt Policies.Our estimated customer count is intended to include those people receiving cable service (regardless of payment status), except for complementary accounts (such as our employees). Our disconnect and bad debt guidelines for slow or nonpaying customers provide that, in general, customers are to be terminated for non-payment after approximately 60-75 days, and written off/referred to collection at approximately 90-110 days. We initially began implementing this policy in January 2002 after we decided to change our past practice under which we did not promptly disconnect these customers on a uniform basis. Effective year-end 2001, we also increased our allowance for doubtful accounts. The number of our customers who are presently more than 90 days overdue and our bad debt expense associated with such customers are lower than they were prior to the institution of these policies.

Procedures to ensure adherence to Disconnect and Customer Count Policies. During Charter’s review of its internal audit findings and in the course of internal investigations, and subsequently in the course of responding to Charter’s governmental investigations, we became concerned that certain employees either were not or had not previously been complying with our customer count and disconnect policies. We have since announced to our employees that a failure to follow these polices will be met with disciplinary action including, in appropriate cases, termination. We have terminated and disciplined employees who have not followed the policies. We have instituted regular review of customer reports by senior employees in an effort to ensure adherence to our policies and consistency of application throughout our various operating divisions, and we have established a telephone hotline number for employees to call and report misconduct relating to the reporting of customer numbers. We have also elected not to provide guidance on expected customer numbers in our public disclosures.

Corporate Compliance Program.Prior to 2002, Charter did not have a formal compliance program. It has since established a corporate compliance program, pursuant to which it provides a revised Code of Conduct to Charter’s employees that is incorporated into Charter’s Employee Handbook. The Code and Handbook require that employees report violations of the Code or other behavior which they believe might be unethical or illegal. Employees can report matters to their supervisor, to the Human Resources Department, through a hotline or through a secure website, and may do so anonymously. The compliance program is overseen by a compliance committee comprised of high-ranking Charter officers, which meets on a quarterly basis. The head of the committee in turn reports to Charter’s Audit Committee.

Treatment of Data Only Customers.Charter has changed its methodology for reporting analog cable video customers to exclude those customers who receive high-speed data service only. This represents a change in Charter’s methodology from prior reports through September 30, 2002, in which high-speed data service only customers (which numbered approximately 55,900 at September 30, 2002) were included within our analog cable video customers. Charter made this change because it determined that a substantial number of those customers who only received high-speed data service were unable to receive our most basic level of analog video service because this service was physically secured or blocked, was unavailable in certain areas or the customers were unaware that this service was available to them. In addition, in light of Charter’s decision to begin marketing our high-speed data services as a separate product, Charter believed that separate disclosure of this information would assist investors in understanding our current business and in monitoring what we expected to be an increasing number of data only customers. See “Item 1. Business — Products and Services.”

Disclosure Committee.Charter established a Disclosure Committee, consisting of senior personnel from the business units, Charter’s internal audit group, and the finance and legal groups, and Charter now follows an extensive review and certification process in connection with our filings with the SEC and other disclosure documents.

Audit Committee.Charter modified its Audit Committee’s charter to expand the role of the committee and to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules issued thereunder (including Nasdaq rules).

Accounting Policy Changes.Consistent with the description of the restatement, we have revised a number of our accounting policies, including treatment of launch incentives received from programmers. For a complete

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discussion of accounting changes and adjustments brought about as a result of the re-audit or restatement, see “ — Restatement of Prior Results.”

Restatement of Prior Results

There were no restatements of prior results since those announced in our 2002 annual report on Form 10-K filed April 15, 2003. However, certain reclassifications have been made to 2002 and 2001 amounts to conform to 2003 presentation. Also, as discussed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, on November 19, 2002, Charter announced that it had determined that additional franchise costs and deferred income tax liability should have been recorded for the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets they acquired in connection with certain cable businesses acquired throughout 1999 and 2000. As a result of this restatement, Charter engaged KPMG LLP to perform audits as of and for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 because their former accountants, Arthur Andersen LLP, were no longer available to provide an opinion as to restated financial statements. In connection with these audits, Charter concluded that it was appropriate to make certain additional adjustments to previously reported results. These adjustments resulted in our need to restate our previously reported results. Among other things, adjustments were made to previous interpretations and applications of GAAP that had been consistently followed by us since 2000 and throughout the restatement period.

These adjustments reduced revenues reported in our 2002 quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the first three quarters of 2002 by a total of $38 million, and in our 2001 annual report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 by $146 million and $108 million, respectively. Such adjustments represent approximately 1%, 4% and 3% of previously reported revenues for the respective periods in 2002, 2001 and 2000. Our previously reported consolidated net loss increased by a total of $188 million for the first three quarters of 2002 and decreased by $21 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. Our previously reported net loss increased by $70 million for the year ended December 31, 2000, primarily due to adjustments related to the original accounting for acquisitions and elements of our rebuild and upgrade activities. Net cash flows from operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 were reduced by $21 million and $302 million, respectively. The most significant categories of adjustments related to the following items outlined below.

Launch Incentives from Programmers.Amounts previously recognized as advertising revenue in connection with the launch of new programming channels have been deferred and recorded in other long-term liabilities in the year such launch support was provided, and amortized as a reduction of programming costs based upon the relevant contract term. These adjustments decreased revenue by a total of $30 million for the first three quarters of 2002, and $118 million and $76 million for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. Additionally, for the year ended December 31, 2000, we increased marketing expense by $24 million for other promotional activities associated with launching new programming services previously deferred and subsequently amortized. The corresponding amortization of such deferred amounts reduced programming expenses by $36 million for the first three quarters of 2002, and $27 million and $5 million for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

Customer Incentives and Inducements.Marketing inducements paid to encourage potential customers to switch from satellite providers to Charter-branded services and enter into multi-period service agreements were previously deferred and recorded as property, plant and equipment and recognized as depreciation and amortization expense over the life of customer contracts. These amounts have been restated as a reduction of revenue in the period such inducements were paid. Revenues declined a total of $5 million for the first three quarters of 2002, and $19 million and $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. Substantially all of these amounts are offset by reduced depreciation and amortization expense.

Capitalized Labor and Overhead Costs.Certain elements of labor costs and related overhead allocations previously capitalized as property, plant and equipment as part of our rebuild activities, customer installation and new service introductions have been expensed in the period incurred. Such adjustments increased operating expenses by a total of $73 million for the first three quarters of 2002, and $93 million and $52 million for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

Customer Acquisition Costs.Certain customer acquisition campaigns were conducted through third-party contractors in 2000, 2001 and portions of 2002. The costs of these campaigns were originally deferred and recorded as other assets and recognized as amortization expense over the average customer contract life. These amounts have been reported as marketing expense in the period incurred and totaled $32 million for the first three quarters of 2002, and $59 million and $4 million and for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. We

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discontinued this program in the third quarter of 2002 as contracts for third-party vendors expired. Substantially all of these amounts are offset by reduced depreciation and amortization expense.

Rebuild and Upgrade of Cable Systems.In 2000, as we were completing our acquisitions, we initiated a three-year program to replace, upgrade and integrate a substantial portion of our network (the rebuild program). This rebuild/upgrade of the cable network infrastructure was envisioned as providing the platform capacity through which many broadband communication services could be provided to the marketplace for many years to come. Such a rebuild program was unprecedented and is not expected to recur. We began implementation of this three-year rebuild program in January 2000 and adhered to it over the period. It was expanded in July 2001 to encompass cable system assets acquired in June 2001 from AT&T Broadband. There were no other significant modifications to the rebuild program over the three-year period.

As the rebuild program was beginning in early 2000, we were nearing the end of a period in which we were acquired by Paul G. Allen and merged with Marcus Cable and in which we had subsequently completed an initial public offering and acquired 16 cable businesses adding approximately 5 million additional customers. We were faced with integrating these acquisitions, administering the rebuild program and also putting in place processes and new personnel to handle the increased size and complexity of an operation that had grown exponentially in a period of about 18 months. During the first quarter of 2000, management also recognized the need to reassess depreciable lives of the property that was subject to the three-year rebuild program. Based on a review of the rebuild program, $3 billion of assets were identified as being subject to replacement, and accordingly, management reduced the useful lives of those assets. In connection with the restatement, however, it has been determined that some of these assets were to be retained and not replaced because sections of the network were scheduled to be upgraded and not rebuilt. In a cable systemrebuildthere is outright replacement and retirement of substantially all components of the network, whereas anupgradeinvolves the retention of the original property, particularly the fiber and coaxial cabling.

Presented below is a schedule of the costs of cable distribution system assets subject to the rebuild program, as originally recorded, reconciled to the final determinations in the restatement. The depreciation lives were shortened for this asset pool as discussed previously and supplemented below.

     
(In millions)
 Total
Total asset population subject to rebuild and upgrade, as originally recorded $2,998 
Assets which were never intended to be replaced but rather were upgraded and remain in service  (946)
Cost of assets inadvertently excluded from the asset population  401 
Adjustment to record acquired assets at depreciated replacement cost at date of acquisition  (1,225)
   
 
 
Total adjusted asset value subject to replacement and thus shortened depreciation life $1,228 
   
 
 

In connection with the restatement process, we conducted a detailed system-by-system analysis of the rebuild program to identify those assets which were intended to be rebuilt versus upgraded and determined that approximately $844 million of trunk and distribution cabling, and $102 million of headend equipment (in aggregate, $946 million) was enhanced and retained in service. Accordingly, an adjustment was made in the restatement with effect from January 1, 2000 to properly exclude those assets from the population of assets treated as subject to replacement and thus for which a shortened depreciation life was previously assigned.

The evaluation conducted in connection with the restatement also revealed the inadvertent exclusion of $401 million of trunk and distribution cabling and electronics, which were acquired in 1999, from the population of assets that were subject to shortened depreciation lives. This group of assets were misclassified within our fixed assets sub-ledger for one acquisition and thus omitted from the analysis performed in connection with the preparation of our historical financial statements. Accordingly, an adjustment was made in the restatement to properly include these assets as well.

Furthermore, we reduced the value of assets subject to replacement by a total of approximately $1.2 billion to record the assets at estimated depreciated replacement cost at the date of acquisition. This includes a $598 million reduction originally recorded in our previously issued financial statements and a $627 million adjustment identified as part of the restatement.

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As a result of the items identified above, we determined that depreciation expense was overstated by a total of $413 million for the first three quarters of 2002, and $330 million and $119 million in the years ended 2001 and 2000, respectively. This resulted in net loss being overstated by a total of $413 million for the first three quarters of 2002, and $330 million and $119 million for the years ended 2001 and 2000, respectively.

Deferred Tax Liabilities/Franchise Assets.Adjustments were made to record deferred tax liabilities associated with the acquisition of various cable television businesses. These adjustments increased amounts assigned to franchise assets by $1.4 billion with a corresponding increase in deferred tax liabilities of $1.2 billion. The balance of the entry was recorded to member’s equity. In addition, as described above, a correction was made to reduce amounts assigned in purchase accounting to assets identified for replacement over the three-year period of our rebuild and upgrade of our network. This reduced the amount assigned to the network assets to be retained and increased the amount assigned to franchise assets by approximately $627 million with a resulting increase in amortization expense for the years restated. Such adjustments increased the impairment of franchises recognized in the first quarter of 2002 by $199 million and increased amortization expense by $130 million and $121 million for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. This resulted in net loss being understated by a total of $199 million for the first three quarters of 2002, and $130 million and $121 million for the years ended 2001 and 2000, respectively.

Other Adjustments.In addition to the items described above, certain other adjustments were made that increased net loss by $87 million and decreased net loss by $25 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000. These adjustments were as follows:

During 2000, advertising revenue was recognized in conjunction with the promotion of equipment offered by two set-top terminal manufacturers from which we purchased digital set-top terminals. However, in connection with our restatement announced in April 2003, we reversed all advertising revenues from the set-top terminal manufacturers recognized in 2000. Based on a reassessment of the underlying structure of the arrangements during 2000, the prices paid for set-top terminals and the advertising revenues recognized were determined to be in excess of fair value. We therefore reduced our advertising revenue and decreased our related property, plant and equipment associated with the purchase of set-top terminals.
During 2001 and 2000, certain post-acquisition marketing and customer acquisition costs were charged against purchase accounting reserves in the financial statements. These costs have been reclassified to record them as period cost in the appropriate fiscal year.
During 2002, 2001 and 2000, certain state taxes, which are equity-based taxes and not based on income, were reclassified as operating expenses, rather than as taxes recorded in “other expenses” on our consolidated statements of operations.
During 2000, we received management fees from a joint venture pursuant to the terms of the joint venture agreement and recognized revenue. Based on the limited amount of operational management activities performed on behalf of the joint venture, we determined this amount should be reclassified from revenue and recorded as investment income within “other expense” on our consolidated statements of operations.
During 2000 and 2001, we accounted for the outstanding and unexercised portion of separated employees’ options by reversing all (both vested and unvested) previously recorded compensation expense for separated employees who forfeited stock-based awards. Compensation related to vested awards should not have been reversed at the time of separation, as the employee did not “fail to fulfill an obligation” associated with such vested awards. Stock compensation expense was increased to eliminate the effect of such reversal during 2000 and 2001. In addition, the computation of the compensation expense was adjusted during 2000 to reverse a miscalculation recorded during such years.

The tables below set forth our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000, and condensed consolidated statements of operations and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows information for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000.

Controls.The major adjustments discussed above, including for the rebuild and upgrade of cable systems and deferred tax matters/franchise, generally relate to non-routine items and did not result from control deficiencies in our core accounting operations. Since Charter’s period of rapid growth in 2000 and early 2001, in which Charter was rapidly acquiring cable systems, Charter has integrated the various accounting processes of its acquired cable systems. Charter has also substantially improved the quantity and, we believe, the quality of its accounting and

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internal audit staff. In addition, Charter is developing better interactions between its accounting and internal audit staff and the other elements of its organization. These changes in Charter’s staff have been supplemented with changes in accounting and internal controls processes and systems which Charter believes result in an improved ability of management to understand and analyze underlying business data. As part of its acquisitions integration process, Charter has, among other things, standardized its data and put in place a data warehouse, which has enhanced Charter’s abilities to analyze its operating data. Budgeting has been integrated into Charter’s financial systems, through the use of specialized commercial software rather than spreadsheet programs. Additionally, Charter has implemented in the first quarter 2004, a job costing system, that tracks capital at the project level. These changes have given us the ability to better understand, analyze and manage our business data. The role of Charter’s internal audit staff has also been expanded, particularly with respect to capitalization and depreciation. We believe that these changes have improved Charter’s, and therefore our, controls over both recurring transactions and non-recurring transactions.

The following table sets forth selected consolidated balance sheet information, showing previously reported and restated amounts, as of December 31, 2001 (in millions):

         
  As previously  
  reported
 As restated
Property, plant and equipment, net $6,957  $6,721 
Franchises, net  17,139   18,911 
Total assets  24,723   26,220 
Long-term debt  14,960   14,960 
Other long-term liabilities  328   1,041 
Minority interest  676   680 
Total member’s equity  7,284   8,122 

The following table sets forth selected consolidated statement of operations information, showing previously reported and restated amounts, for the year ended December 31, 2001 (in millions):

         
  As previously  
  reported
 As restated
Revenues $3,953  $3,807 
Costs and expenses:        
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)  1,326   1,486 
Selling, general and administrative  841   826 
Depreciation and amortization  3,010   2,693 
Option compensation income  (52)  (5)
Special charges  18   18 
   
 
   
 
 
   5,143   5,018 
   
 
   
 
 
Loss from operations  (1,190)  (1,211)
Loss before minority interest, income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change  (2,581)  (2,560)
Loss before cumulative effect of accounting change  (2,594)  (2,549)
Net loss $(2,594) $(2,573)
   
 
   
 
 

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The following table sets forth selected consolidated balance sheet information, showing previously reported and restated amounts, as of December 31, 2000 (in millions):

         
  As previously  
  reported
 As restated
Property, plant and equipment, net $5,230  $4,792 
Franchises, net  17,069   18,835 
Total assets  22,982   24,290 
Long-term debt  12,311   12,311 
Other long-term liabilities  274   886 
Minority interest  641   666 
Total member’s equity  8,384   9,156 

The following table sets forth selected consolidated statement of operations information, showing previously reported and restated amounts, for the year ended December 31, 2000 (in millions):

         
  As previously  
  reported
 As restated
Revenues $3,249  $3,141 
Costs and expenses:        
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)  1,035   1,187 
Selling, general and administrative  671   606 
Depreciation and amortization  2,463   2,387 
Option compensation expense  41   38 
   
 
   
 
 
   4,210   4,218 
   
 
   
 
 
Loss from operations  (961)  (1,077)
Loss before minority interest and income taxes  (2,037)  (2,129)
Net loss $(2,048) $(2,118)
   
 
   
 
 

The following table sets forth selected consolidated cash flow information, showing previously reported and restated amounts, for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 (in millions):

                 
  2001
 2000
  As previously As As previously As
  reported
 restated
 reported
 restated
Net cash from operating activities $537  $516  $1,126  $824 
Net cash from investing activities  (4,644)  (4,632)  (2,908)  (2,605)
Net cash from financing activities $3,978  $3,987  $1,798  $1,798 

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Acquisitions

The following table sets forth information regarding our acquisitions from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2002 (none in 2003):

                     
  Purchase Price (Dollars in Millions)
          Securities    
  Acquisition Cash Issued/Other Total Acquired
  Date
 Paid
 Consideration
 Price
 Customers
AT&T Systems  6/01   1,711   25   1,736(a)  551,100 
Cable USA  8/01   45   55(b)  100   30,600 
       
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Total 2001 Acquisitions      1,756   80   1,836   581,700 
                     
High Speed Access Corp.  2/02   78      78   N/A 
Enstar Limited Partnership Systems  4/02   48      48   21,600 
Enstar Income Program II-1, L.P.  9/02   15      15   6,400 
       
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Total 2002 Acquisitions      141      141   28,000 
       
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Total 2001-2002 Acquisitions     $1,897  $80  $1,977   609,700 
       
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 


(a)Comprised of $1.7 billion, as adjusted, in cash and a cable system located in Florida valued at $25 million, as adjusted.
(b)In connection with this transaction, at the closing, Charter and Charter Holdco acquired all of the outstanding stock of Cable USA and the assets of related affiliates in exchange for cash and 505,664 shares of Charter Series A convertible redeemable preferred stock. In the first quarter of 2003, an additional $0.34 million in cash was paid and 39,595 additional shares of Charter Series A convertible redeemable preferred stock were issued to certain sellers.

All acquisitions were accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and results of operations were included in our consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition.

We have no current plans to pursue any significant acquisitions. However, we will continue to evaluate opportunities to consolidate our operations through the sale of cable systems to, or exchange of like-kind assets with, other cable operators as such opportunities arise, and on a very limited basis, consider strategic new acquisitions. Our primary criteria in considering these opportunities are the rationalization of our operations into geographic clusters and the potential financial benefits we expect to ultimately realize as a result of the sale, exchange, or acquisition.

Overview of Operations

Approximately 86% and 84% of our revenues for the each of the years ended December 31, 20032004 and 2002, respectively,2003 are attributable to monthly subscription fees charged to customers for our video, high-speed data, telephone and commercial services provided by our cable systems. Generally, these customer subscriptions may be discontinued by the customer at any

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time. The remaining 14% and 16%, respectively, of revenue is derived primarily from advertising revenues, franchise fee revenues, which are collected by us but then paid to local franchising authorities, pay-per-view and VOD programming where users are charged a fee for individual programs viewed, advertising revenues, installation or reconnection fees charged to customers to commence or reinstate service, and commissions related to the sale of merchandise by home shopping services and franchise fee revenues, which are collected by us but then paid to local franchising authorities.services. We have generated increased revenues during the past three years, primarily through the sale of digital video and high-speed data services to new and existing customers and price increases on video services and customer growth from acquisitions.offset in part by dispositions of systems. Going forward, our strategygoal is to growincrease revenues and improve margins by seeking to stabilizestabilizing our analog video customer base, implementing price increases on certain services and increase revenues per customer.packages and increasing the number of our customers who purchase high-speed data services, digital video and new products and services such as VOIP telephony, VOD, high definition television and DVR service. To accomplish this, we are increasing prices for certain services and we are offering new bundling of services combining digital video and our advanced services (such as high-speed data service and high definition television) at what we believe are attractive price points. In addition, we are increasing our marketing efforts and budget in 2004

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to promote our high-speed data services, digital video services and advanced products and services such as digital video recorders, high definition television and telephony using VOIP to our existing customer base and to commercial customers. See “Business — Sales and Marketing” for more details.

Our success in our efforts to grow revenues and improve margins will be impacted by our ability to compete against companies with often fewer regulatory burdens, easier access to financing, greater personnel resources, greater brand name recognition and long-established relationships with regulatory authorities and customers. Additionally, controlling our cost of operations is critical, particularly cable programming costs, which have historically increased at rates in excess of inflation and are expected to continue to increase. See “Business — Programming” for more details. We are attempting to control our costs of operations by maintaining strict controls on expenses. More specifically, we are focused on managing our cost structure by renegotiating programming agreements to reduce the rate of historical increases in programming cost, managing our workforce to control increases and improve productivity, and leveraging our size in purchasing activities.

Our expenses primarily consist of operating costs, selling, general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization expense and interest expense. Operating costs primarily include programming costs, the cost of our workforce, cable service related expenses, advertising sales costs, franchise fees and expenses related to customer billings. Our income from operations decreased from $516 million for year ended December 31, 2003 to loss from operations of $2.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2004. We had a negative operating margin (defined as income (loss) from operations divided by revenues) of 41% for the year ended December 31, 2004 whereas for the year ended December 31, 2003, we had a positive operating margin of 11%. The decline in income from operations and operating margin for the year ended December 31, 2004 is principally due to the impairment of franchises of $2.4 billion recorded in the third quarter of 2004. The year ended December 31, 2004 also includes a gain on the sale of certain cable systems to Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC which is substantially offset by an increase in option compensation expense and special charges when compared to the year ended December 31, 2003. For the year ended December 31, 2003, income from operations was $516 million and for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2002, and 2001, our loss from operations was $4.3 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively.billion. Operating margin which is defined as income (loss) from operations divided by revenues, was 11% for the year ended December 31, 2003, whereas for the yearsyear ending December 31, 2002, and 2001, we had negative operating marginsmargin of 95% and 32%, respectively.. The improvement in income from operations and operating margin from 2002 to 2003 was principally due to a $4.6 billion franchise impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2002 which did not recur in 2003 and the recognition of gains in 2003 of $93 million related to unfavorable contracts and other settlements and gain on sale of system. The increase in loss from operations and negative operating margins from 2001 to 2002 was primarily as a result of a $4.6 billion franchise impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2002, partially offset by a decrease in amortization expense of $1.5 billion as a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 142,Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,which eliminated the amortization of franchises determined to have an indefinite life. Although we do not expect charges for impairment in the future of comparable magnitude, to the fourth quarter 2002 impairment charge, potential charges could occur due to changes in market conditions.

We have a history of net losses. Further, we expect to continue to report net losses for the foreseeable future. Our net losses are principally attributable to insufficient revenue to cover ourthe interest costs we incur because ofon our high level of debt, the depreciation expenses that we incur resulting from the capital investments we have made in our cable properties, and the amortization and impairment of our franchise intangibles. We expect that these expenses (other than amortization and impairment of franchises) will remain significant, and we therefore expect to continue to report net losses for the foreseeable future.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Certain of our accounting policies require our management to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments. Management has discussed these policies with the Audit Committee of Charter’s board of directors and Charter’s Audit Committee has reviewed the following disclosure. We consider the following policies to be the most critical in understanding the estimates, assumptions and judgments that are involved in preparing our financial statements and the uncertainties that could affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows:

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  Capitalization of labor and overhead costs;
 
  Useful lives of property, plant and equipment;
 
  Impairment of property, plant, and equipment, franchises, and goodwill;
 
  Income taxes; and
 
  Litigation.

In addition, there are other items within our financial statements that require estimates or judgment but are not deemed critical, such as the allowance for doubtful accounts, but changes in judgment, or estimates in these other items could also have a material impact on our financial statements.

Capitalization of labor and overhead costs.The cable industry is capital intensive, and a large portion of our resources are spent on capital activities associated with extending, rebuilding, and upgrading our cable network. As of December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, the net carrying amount of our property, plant and equipment (consisting primarily

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of cable network assets) was approximately $6.8$6.1 billion (representing 32%36% of total assets) and $7.5$6.8 billion (representing 34%32% of total assets), respectively. Total capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 20012002 were approximately $893 million, $804 million $2.1 billion and $2.8$2.1 billion, respectively.

Costs associated with network construction, initial customer installations, installation refurbishments and the addition of network equipment necessary to provide advanced services are capitalized. Costs capitalized as part of initial customer installations include materials, direct labor, and certain indirect costs. These indirect costs are associated with the activities of personnel who assist in connecting and activating the new service and consist of compensation and overhead costs associated with these support functions. The costs of disconnecting service at a customer’s dwelling or reconnecting service to a previously installed dwelling are charged to operating expense in the period incurred. Costs for repairs and maintenance are charged to operating expense as incurred, while equipment replacement and betterments, including replacement of cable drops from the pole to the dwelling, are capitalized.

DirectWe make judgments regarding the installation and construction activities to be capitalized. We capitalize direct labor and certain indirect costs (“overhead”) using standards developed from actual costs and applicable operational data. We calculate standards for items such as the labor rates, overhead rates and the actual amount of time required to perform a capitalizable activity. For example, the standard amounts of time required to perform capitalizable activities are based on studies of the time required to perform such activities. Overhead rates are established based on an analysis of the nature of costs incurred in support of capitalizable activities and a determination of the portion of costs that is directly attributable to capitalizable activities. The impact of changes that resulted from these studies were not significant in the periods presented.

Labor costs directly associated with capital projects are capitalized. We capitalize direct labor costs associated with personnel based upon the specific time devoted to network construction and customer installation activities. Capitalizable activities performed in connection with customer installations include:include such activities as:

  Scheduling a “truck roll” to the customer’s dwelling for service connection;
 
  Verification of serviceability to the customer’s dwelling (i.e., determining whether the customer’s dwelling is capable of receiving service by our cable network and/or receiving advanced or data services);
 
  Customer premise activities performed by in-house field technicians and third-party contractors in connection with customer installations, installation of network equipment in connection with the installation of expanded services and equipment replacement and betterment; and
 
  Verifying the integrity of the customer’s network connection by initiating test signals downstream from the headend to the customer’s digital set-top terminal.

We capitalized internal direct labor costs of $88 million, $173 million and $171 million, for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Capitalized internal direct labor costs decreased in 2003 compared to 2002 primarily due to the substantial completion of the upgrade of our systems and a decrease in the amount of capitalizable installation costs.

Judgment is required to determine the extent to which indirect costs (“overhead”) areoverhead is incurred as a result of specific capital activities, and therefore should be capitalized. We capitalize overhead using an overhead rate applied to the amount of direct labor capitalized. We have established the overhead rates based on an analysis of the nature of costs incurred in support of capitalizable activities and a determination of the portion of costs that is directly attributable to capitalizable activities. The primary costs that are included in the determination of the overhead rate are (i) employee benefits and payroll taxes associated with capitalized direct labor, (ii) direct variable costs associated with capitalizable activities, consisting primarily of installation and construction vehicle costs, (iii) the cost of support personnel, such as dispatch, that directly assist with capitalizable installation activities, and (iv) indirect costs directly attributable to capitalizable activities.

While we believe our existing capitalization policies are appropriate, a significant change in the nature or extent of our system activities could affect management’s judgment about the extent to which we should capitalize direct labor or overhead in the future. We monitor the appropriateness of our capitalization policies, and perform updates

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to our internal overhead studystudies on a periodican ongoing basis to determine whether facts or circumstances warrant a change to our capitalization policies. We capitalized direct labor and overhead of $86$164 million, $162$174 million and $134$335 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002. Capitalized internal direct labor and overhead costs substantially decreased in 2004 and 2003 compared to 2002 primarily due to the substantial completion of the upgrade of our systems and 2001.a decrease in the amount of capitalizable installation costs.

Useful lives of property, plant and equipment.We evaluate the appropriateness of estimated useful lives assigned to our property, plant and equipment, based on annual studies of such useful lives, and revise such lives to the extent warranted by changing facts and circumstances. BeginningAny changes in January 2000, we commencedestimated useful lives as a result of these studies, which were not significant initiative to rebuild and upgrade portionsin the periods presented, will be reflected prospectively beginning in the period in which the study is completed. The effect of a one-year decrease in the weighted average remaining useful life of our cable network. We reducedproperty, plant and equipment would be an increase in depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2004 of approximately $296 million. The effect of a one-year increase in the weighted average useful liveslife of certain assets withour property, plant and equipment would be a book valuedecrease in depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2004 of $1.1 billion in 2000 and an additional $125 million in 2001. These assets were expected to be replaced and retired through that process in approximately one to three years, representing management’s best estimate of the expected pattern of the retirement from service of such assets. A significant change in assumptions about the extent or timing of future asset usage or retirements could materially affect future depreciation expense.$198 million.

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Depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment totaled $1.5 billion, $1.4$1.5 billion and $1.2$1.4 billion, representing approximately 34%21%, 16%34% and 24%16% of costs and expenses, for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and 2001, respectively. Of these amounts, approximately $183 million and $352 million for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, relates to network assets which were replaced and retired over the three-year period of the rebuild initiative. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line composite method over management’s estimate of the estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:listed below:

   
Cable distribution systems 7-157-20 years
Customer equipment and installations 3-5 years
Vehicles and equipment 1-5 years
Buildings and leasehold improvements 5-15 years
Furniture and fixtures 5 years

Impairment of property, plant and equipment, franchises and goodwill.As discussed above, the net carrying value of our property, plant and equipment is significant. We also have recorded a significant amount of cost related to franchises, pursuant to which we are granted the right to operate our cable distribution network throughout our service areas. The net carrying value of franchises as of December 31, 20032004 and 20022003 was approximately $9.9 billion (representing 58% of total assets) and $13.7 billion (representing 65% of total assets) and $13.7 billion (representing 62% of total assets), respectively. Furthermore, we recordedour noncurrent assets include approximately $52 million of goodwill as a result of the acquisition of High Speed Access in February 2002.goodwill.

We adopted SFAS No. 142 on January 1, 2002. SFAS No. 142 requires that franchise intangible assets that meet the indefinite lifespecified indefinite-life criteria no longer be amortized against earnings, but instead must be tested for impairment annually based on valuations, or more frequently as warranted by events or changes in circumstances. In determining whether our franchises have an indefinite life,indefinite-life, we considered the exclusivity of the franchise, the expected costs of franchise renewals, and the technological state of the associated cable systems with a view to whether or not we are in compliance with any technology upgrading requirements. We have concluded that as of January 1, 2002, December 31, 20022004, 2003 and December 31, 20032002 more than 99% of our franchises qualify for indefinite lifeindefinite-life treatment under SFAS No. 142, and that less than one percent of our franchises do not qualify for indefinite-life treatment due to technological or operational factors that limit their lives. Costs of finite-lived franchises, along with costs associated with franchise renewals, will beare amortized on a straight-line basis over 10 years, which represents management’s best estimate of the average remaining useful lives of such franchises. Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 142, our franchises were amortized over an average useful life of 15 years. Franchise amortization expense related to franchises not qualifyingwas $4 million for indefinite life treatment totaledthe year ended December 31, 2004 and $9 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002. Franchise amortization expense was $1.5 billion, representing approximately 29% of costs and expenses, for the year ended December 31, 2001. We expect that amortization expense on franchise assets will decrease tobe approximately $4$3 million annually based on our ability in 2003 to renew franchise agreements we previously classified as having finite lives without substantial costs.for each of the next five years. Actual amortization expense to be reported in future periods could differ from these estimates as a result of new intangible asset acquisitions or divestitures, changes in useful lives and other relevant factors. Our goodwill is also deemed to have an indefinite life under SFAS No. 142.

SFAS No. 144,Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, requires that we evaluate the recoverability of our property, plant and equipment and franchise assets which did not qualify for indefinite lifeindefinite-life treatment under SFAS No. 142 upon the occurrence of events or changes in circumstances which indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Such events or changes in circumstances could include such factors as the impairment of our indefinite-life franchises under SFAS No. 142, changes in technological advances, fluctuations in the fair value of such assets, adverse changes in relationships with local franchise authorities, adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating results. Under SFAS No. 144, a long-lived asset is deemed impaired when the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the projected undiscounted future cash flows associated with the asset. Furthermore, weNo impairments of long-lived assets were recorded in the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 or 2002. We

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were also required to evaluate the recoverability of our indefinite lifeindefinite-life franchises, as well as goodwill, as of January 1, 2002 upon adoption of SFAS No. 142, and on an annual basis or more frequently as deemed necessary.

Under both SFAS No. 144 and SFAS No. 142, if an asset is determined to be impaired, it is required to be written down to its estimated fair market value. We determine fair market value based on estimated discounted future cash flows, using reasonable and appropriate assumptions that are consistent with internal forecasts. Our assumptions include these and other factors: penetration rates for analog and digital video and high-speed data, revenue growth rates, expected operating margins and capital expenditures. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate future cash flows, and such estimates include inherent uncertainties, including those relating to the timing and amount of future cash flows and the discount rate used in the calculation. We utilize an independent third-party appraiser with expertise in the cable industry to assist in the determination of the fair value of intangible assets.

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During the first quarter of 2002, we had an independent appraiser perform valuations of our franchises as of January 1, 2002. Based on the guidance prescribed in Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 02-7,Unit of Accounting for Testing of Impairment of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, franchises were aggregated into essentially inseparable asset groups to conduct the valuations. The asset groups generally represent geographic clustersclustering of our cable systems into groups by which managementsuch systems are managed. Management believes such groupings represent the highest and best use of those assets. We determined that our franchises were impaired upon adoption of SFAS No. 142 on January 1, 2002 and as a result recorded the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle of $540 million (approximately $572 million before and tax effects of $32 million). As required by SFAS No. 142, the standard has not been retroactively applied to results for the period prior to adoption.

Our valuations, which are based on the present value of projected after tax cash flows, result in a value of property, plant and equipment, franchises, customer relationships and our total entity value. The value of goodwill is the difference between the total entity value and amounts assigned to the other assets. The use of different valuation assumptions or definitions of franchises or customer relationships, such as our inclusion of the value of selling additional services to our current customers within customer relationships versus franchises, could significantly impact our valuations and any resulting impairment.

Franchises, for valuation purposes, are defined as the future economic benefits of the right to solicit and service potential customers (customer marketing rights), and the right to deploy and market new services such as interactivity and telephony to the potential customers (service marketing rights). Fair value is determined based on estimated discounted future cash flows using assumptions consistent with internal forecasts. The franchise after-tax cash flow is calculated as the after-tax cash flow generated by the potential customers obtained and the new services added to those customers in future periods. The sum of the present value of the franchises’ after-tax cash flow in years 1 through 10 and the continuing value of the after-tax cash flow beyond year 10 yields the fair value of the franchise. Prior to the adoption of EITF Topic D-108,Use of the Residual Method to Value Acquired Assets Other than Goodwill, discussed below, we followed a residual method of valuing our franchise assets, which had the effect of including goodwill with the franchise assets.

We performed our annual impairment assessment as of October 1, 2002 using an independent third-party appraiser and followingfollow the guidance of EITF Issue 02-17,Recognition of Customer Relationship Intangible Assets Acquired in a Business Combination,in valuing customer relationships. Customer relationships, for valuation purposes, represent the value of the business relationship with our existing customers and are calculated by projecting future after-tax cash flows from these customers including the right to deploy and market additional services such as interactivity and telephony to these customers. The present value of these after-tax cash flows yields the fair value of the customer relationships. Substantially all our acquisitions occurred prior to January 1, 2002. We did not record any value associated with the customer relationship intangibles related to those acquisitions. For acquisitions subsequent to January 1, 2002, we did assign a value to the customer relationship intangible, which is amortized over its estimated useful life.

In September 2004, EITF Topic D-108,Use of the Residual Method to Value Acquired Assets Other than Goodwill, which was issued, in October 2002 andwhich requires the considerationdirect method of assumptionsseparately valuing all intangible assets and does not permit goodwill to be included in franchise assets. We performed an impairment assessment as of September 30, 2004, and adopted EITF Topic D-108 in that marketplace participants would consider, such as expectationsassessment resulting in a total franchise impairment of future contract renewalsapproximately $3.3 billion. We recorded a cumulative effect of accounting change of $840 million (approximately $875 million before tax effects of $16 million and other benefits relatedminority interest effects of $19 million) for the year ended December 31, 2004 representing the portion of our total franchise impairment attributable to no longer including goodwill with franchise assets. The effect of the adoption was to increase net loss by $840 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. The remaining $2.4 billion of the total franchise impairment was attributable to the intangible asset. Reviseduse of lower projected growth rates and the resulting revised estimates of future cash flows and the use of a lower projected long-term growth rate in our valuation led to recognitionand was recorded as impairment of a $4.6 billion impairment chargefranchises in our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2004. Sustained analog video customer losses by us and our industry peers in the fourththird quarter of 2002.2004 primarily as a result of increased

The independent32


competition from DBS providers and decreased growth rates in our and our industry peers’ high speed data customers in the third party appraiser’s valuationsquarter of 2004, in part as a result of January 1, 2002,increased competition from DSL providers, led us to lower our projected growth rates and accordingly revise our estimates of future cash flows from those used at October 1, 2002 and October 1, 2003, yielded total enterprise values of approximately $30 billion, $25 billion and $25 billion, respectively, which included approximately $2.4 billion, $3.1 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively, assigned to customer relationships. SFAS No. 142 does not permit the recognition of intangible assets not previously recognized. Accordingly, the impairment included approximately $572 million and $3.1 billion, before tax effects, attributable to customer relationships as of January 1, 2002 and October 1, 2002, respectively. 2003. See “Business — Competition.”

The valuation completed at October 1, 2003 showed franchise values in excess of book value and thus resulted in no impairment. Additionally,Our annual impairment assessment as a result of the sale of Port Orchard, Washington cable system on October 1, 2003, net carrying values2002, based on revised estimates from January 1, 2002 of franchises were reduced by $42 million.future cash flows and projected long-term growth rates in our valuation, led to the recognition of a $4.6 billion impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2002.

The valuations used in our impairment assessments involve numerous assumptions as noted above. While the economic conditions, applicable at the time of eachthe valuation, indicate that the combination of assumptions utilized in the appraisalsvaluations are reasonable, as market conditions change so will the assumptions with a resulting impact on the valuation.valuation and consequently the potential impairment charge.

Sensitivity Analysis.The effect on the impairment charge recognized in the third quarter of 2004 of the indicated increase/decrease in the selected assumptions is shown below:

Percentage/
Percentage PointImpairment Charge
AssumptionChangeIncrease/(Decrease)
(Dollars in millions)
Annual Operating Cash Flow(1)+/- 5%$(890)/$921
Long-Term Growth Rate (2)+/- 1pts (3)(1,579)/1,232
Discount Rate+/- 0.5 pts (3)1,336/(1,528)


(1)Operating Cash Flow is defined as revenues less operating expenses and selling general and administrative expenses.
(2)Long-Term Growth Rate is the rate of cash flow growth beyond year ten.
(3)A percentage point change of one point equates to 100 basis points.

Income Taxes.All operations of Charter are held through Charter Holdco and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including us. Charter Holdco and the majority of its subsidiaries are not subject to income tax. However, certain of these subsidiaries are corporations and are subject to income tax. All of the taxable income, gains, losses, deductions and credits of Charter Holdco are passed through to its members: Charter, Charter Investment, Inc. and Vulcan Cable III Inc. Charter is responsible for its share of taxable income or loss of Charter Holdco allocated to it in accordance with the Charter Holdco limited liability company agreement (“LLC Agreement”) and partnership tax rules and regulations.

The LLC Agreement providesprovided for certain special allocations of net tax profits and net tax losses (such net tax profits and net tax losses being determined under the applicable federal income tax rules for determining capital accounts). Pursuant toUnder the LLC Agreement, through the end of 2003, net tax losses of Charter Holdco that would otherwise have been allocated to Charter based generally on its percentage ownership of outstanding common units were allocated instead to membership units held by Vulcan Cable III Inc. and Charter Investment, Inc. (the “Special Loss Allocations”) to the extent of their respective capital account balances. After 2003, pursuant tounder the LLC Agreement, net tax losses of Charter Holdco are to be allocated to Charter, Vulcan Cable III Inc. and Charter Investment, Inc. based generally on their respective percentage ownership of outstanding common units to the extent of their respective capital account balances. The LLC Agreement further provides that, beginning at the time Charter Holdco generates net tax profits, the net tax profits that would otherwise have been allocated to Charter based generally on its percentage ownership of outstanding common membership units will instead generally be allocated to Vulcan Cable III Inc. and Charter Investment, Inc. (the “Special Profit Allocations”). The Special Profit Allocations to Vulcan Cable III Inc. and Charter Investment, Inc. will generally continue until the cumulative amount of the Special Profit Allocations offsets the cumulative amount of the Special Loss Allocations. The amount and timing of the Special Profit Allocations are subject to the potential application of, and interaction with, the Curative Allocation Provisions described in the following paragraph. The LLC Agreement generally provides that any additional net tax profits are to be allocated among the members of Charter Holdco based generally on their respective percentage ownership of Charter Holdco common membership units.

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Because the respective capital account balance of each of Vulcan Cable III Inc. and Charter Investment, Inc. was reduced to zero by December 31, 2002, certain net tax losses of Charter Holdco that were to be allocated for 2002,

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2003, (subject2004 and possibly later years, subject to resolution of the issue described in “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Transactions Arising Outout of Our Organizational Structure and Mr. Allen’s Investment in Charter Communications, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries — Equity Put Rights — CC VIII”) and possibly later yearsVIII,” to Vulcan Cable III Inc. and Charter Investment, Inc. instead have been and will instead be allocated to Charter (the “Regulatory Allocations”). The LLC Agreement further provides that, to the extent possible, the effect of the Regulatory Allocations is to be offset over time pursuant to certain curative allocation provisions (the “Curative Allocation Provisions”) so that, after certain offsetting adjustments are made, each member’s capital account balance is equal to the capital account balance such member would have had if the Regulatory Allocations had not been part of the LLC Agreement. The cumulative amount of the actual tax losses allocated to Charter as a result of the Regulatory Allocations through the year ended December 31, 20032004 is approximately $2.0 billion to $2.6 billion pending the resolution of the issue described in “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Transactions Arising Out of Our Organizational Structure and Mr. Allen’s Investment in Charter and Its Subsidiaries — Equity Put Rights — CC VIII.”$4.0 billion.

As a result of the Special Loss Allocations and the Regulatory Allocations referred to above, the cumulative amount of losses of Charter Holdco allocated to Vulcan Cable III Inc. and Charter Investment, Inc. is in excess of the amount that would have been allocated to such entities if the losses of Charter Holdco had been allocated among its members in proportion to their respective percentage ownership of Charter Holdco common membership units. The cumulative amount of such excess losses was approximately $3.1 billion through December 31, 2002 and $2.0 billion to $2.5$2.1 billion through December 31, 2003 depending upon the resolution of the issue described in “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Transactions Arising Out of Our Organizational Structure and Mr. Allen’s Investment in Charter and Its Subsidiaries — Equity Put Rights — CC VIII.”$1.0 billion through December 31, 2004.

In certain situations, the Special Loss Allocations, Special Profit Allocations, Regulatory Allocations and Curative Allocation Provisions described above could result in Charter paying taxes in an amount that is more or less than if Charter Holdco had allocated net tax profits and net tax losses among its members based generally on the number of common membership units owned by such members. This could occur due to differences in (i) the character of the allocated income (e.g., ordinary versus capital), (ii) the allocated amount and timing of tax depreciation and tax amortization expense due to the application of section 704(c) under the Internal Revenue Code, (iii) the potential interaction between the Special Profit Allocations and the Curative Allocation Provisions, (iv) the amount and timing of alternative minimum taxes paid by Charter, if any, (v) the apportionment of the allocated income or loss among the states in which Charter Holdco does business, and (vi) future federal and state tax laws. Further, in the event of new capital contributions to Charter Holdco, it is possible that the tax effects of the Special Profit Allocations, Special Loss Allocations, Regulatory Allocations and Curative Allocation Provisions will change significantly pursuant to the provisions of the income tax regulations.regulations or the terms of a contribution agreement with respect to such contribution. Such change could defer the actual tax benefits to be derived by Charter with respect to the net tax losses allocated to it or accelerate the actual taxable income to Charter with respect to the net tax profits allocated to it. As a result, it is possible under certain circumstances, that Charter could receive future allocations of taxable income in excess of its currently allocated tax deductions and available tax loss carryforwards. The ability to utilize net operating loss carryforwards is potentially subject to certain limitations as discussed below.

In addition, under their exchange agreement with Charter, Vulcan Cable III Inc. and Charter Investment, Inc. may exchange some or all of their membership units in Charter Holdco for Charter’sCharter Class B common stock, be merged with Charter, or be acquired by Charter in a non-taxable reorganization. If such an exchange were to take place prior to the date that the Special Profit Allocation provisions had fully offset the Special Loss Allocations, Vulcan Cable III Inc. and Charter Investment, Inc. could elect to cause Charter Holdco to make the remaining Special Profit Allocations to Vulcan Cable III Inc. and Charter Investment, Inc. immediately prior to the consummation of the exchange. In the event Vulcan Cable III Inc. and Charter Investment, Inc. choose not to make such election or to the extent such allocations are not possible, Charter would then be allocated tax profits attributable to the membership units received in such exchange pursuant to the Special Profit Allocation provisions. Mr. Allen has generally agreed to reimburse Charter for any incremental income taxes that Charter would owe as a result of such an exchange and any resulting future Special Profit Allocations to Charter. The ability of Charter to utilize net operating loss carryforwards is potentially subject to certain limitations (See “Certain Trends and Uncertainties — Utilization of Net Operating Loss Carryforwards”.) If Charter were to become subject to such limitations (whether as a result of an exchange described above or otherwise), and as a result were to owe taxes resulting from the Special Profit Allocations, then Mr. Allen may not be obligated to reimburse Charter for such income taxes.

As of December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, we have recorded net deferred income tax liabilities of $267$208 million and $252$267 million, respectively. Additionally, as of December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, we have deferred tax assets of $86$103 million and $80$86 million, respectively which primarily relate to tax net operating loss carryforwards of certain of our indirect corporate subsidiaries. We are required to record a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. Given the uncertainty surrounding our ability to

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utilize our deferred tax assets, these items have been offset with a corresponding valuation allowance of $51$71 million and $25$51 million at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and 2002, respectively.

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We are currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service for the tax years ending December 31, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2000.2003. Our results (excluding the indirect corporate subsidiaries) for these years are subject to this examination. Management does not expect the results of this examination to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or our liquidity, including our ability to comply with our debt covenants.

Litigation.As described in “Item 3. Legal Proceedings,” numerous allegations have been made against Charter. These legal contingencies have a high degree of uncertainty. No reserves have been established for these matters because Charter is unable to predict the outcome. When a loss from a contingency becomes estimable and probable, a reserve is established. The reserve reflects management’s best estimate of the probable cost of ultimate resolution of the matter and is revised accordingly as facts and circumstances change and, ultimately when the matter is brought to closure. We have established reserves for certain other matters.matters including those described in “Business — Legal Proceedings.’’ If any of the litigation matters described in “Item 3.“Business — Legal Proceedings”Proceedings’’ is resolved unfavorably resulting in payment obligations in excess of management’s best estimate of the outcome, such resolution could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or our liquidity, including our ability to comply with our debt covenants.liquidity.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the percentages of revenues that items in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations constitute for the indicated periods (dollars in millions):

                                    
 Year Ended December 31,
 Year Ended December 31, 
 2003
 2002
 2001
 2004 2003 2002 
Revenues $4,819  100% $4,566  100% $3,807  100% $4,977  100% $4,819  100% $4,566  100%
             
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Costs and Expenses:  
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) 1,952  40% 1,807  40% 1,486  39% 2,080  42% 1,952  40% 1,807  40%
Selling, general and administrative 940  19% 963  21% 826  22% 971  19% 940  20% 963  21%
Depreciation and amortization 1,479  31% 1,439  31% 2,693  71% 1,495  30% 1,453  30% 1,436  31%
Impairment of franchises   4,638  102%    2,433  49%   4,638  102%
Gain on sale of system  (21)      
Option compensation expense (income), net 4  5   (5)  
(Gain) loss on sale of fixed assets, net  (86)  (2)% 5  3  
Option compensation expense, net 31  1% 4  5  
Special charges, net 21  36  1% 18   104  2% 21  36  1%
Unfavorable contracts and other settlements  (72)  (1)%       (5)   (72)  (1)%   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
              
 4,303  89% 8,888  195% 5,018  132% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  7,023  141% 4,303  89% 8,888  195%
             
 
Income (loss) from operations 516  11%  (4,322)  (95)%  (1,211)  (32)%  (2,046)  (41)% 516  11%  (4,322)  (95)%
 
Interest expense, net  (1,486)  (1,425)  (1,247)   (1,618)  (1,486)  (1,425) 
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities, net 65  (115)  (50)  69 65  (115) 
Gain on debt exchange, net 187   
Loss on equity investments    (49) 
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt  (21) 187  
Other, net  (10) 3  (3)  2  (10) 3 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Loss before minority interest, income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change  (728)  (5,859)  (2,560)   (3,614)  (728)  (5,859) 
Minority interest  (29)  (16)  (16)  20  (29)  (16) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
Loss before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change  (757)  (5,875)  (2,576)   (3,594)  (757)  (5,875) 
Income tax (expense) benefit  (13) 216 27 
 
Income tax benefit (expense) 35  (13) 216 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Loss before cumulative effect of accounting change  (770)  (5,659)  (2,549)   (3,559)  (770)  (5,659) 
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax   (540)  (24)   (840)   (540) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
Net loss $(770) $(6,199) $(2,573)  $(4,399) $(770) $(6,199) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        

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Year Ended December 31, 2004 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2003

Revenues.Revenues increased by $158 million, or 3%, from $4.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $5.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2004. This increase is principally the result of an increase of 318,800 and 2,800 high-speed data customers and digital video customers, respectively, as well as price increases for video and high-speed data services, and is offset partially by a decrease of 439,800 analog video customers. Included in the reduction in analog video customers and reducing the increase in digital video and high-speed data customers are 230,800 analog video customers, 83,300 digital video customers and 37,800 high-speed data customers sold in the cable system sales to Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC, which closed in March and April 2004 (collectively, with the cable system sale to WaveDivision Holdings, LLC in October 2003, referred to herein as the “Systems Sales”). The Systems Sales reduced the increase in revenues by $160 million. Our goal is to increase revenues by improving customer service which we believe will stabilize our analog video customer base, implementing price increases on certain services and packages and increasing the number of our customers who purchase high-speed data services, digital video and advanced products and services such as VOIP telephony, VOD, high definition television and DVR service.

Average monthly revenue per analog video customer increased from $61.92 for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $68.02 for the year ended December 31, 2004 primarily as a result of price increases and incremental revenues from advanced services. Average monthly revenue per analog video customer represents total annual revenue, divided by twelve, divided by the average number of analog video customers during the respective period.

Revenues by service offering were as follows (dollars in millions):

                         
  Year Ended December 31, 
  2004  2003  2004 over 2003 
      % of      % of       
  Revenues  Revenues  Revenues  Revenues  Change  % Change 
Video $3,373   68% $3,461   72% $(88)  (3)%
High-speed data  741   15%  556   12%  185   33%
Advertising sales  289   6%  263   5%  26   10%
Commercial  238   4%  204   4%  34   17%
Other  336   7%  335   7%  1    
                    
                         
  $4,977   100% $4,819   100% $158   3%
                    

Video revenues consist primarily of revenues from analog and digital video services provided to our non-commercial customers. Video revenues decreased by $88 million, or 3%, from $3.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $3.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2004. Approximately $116 million of the decrease was the result of the Systems Sales and approximately an additional $65 million related to a decline in analog video customers. These decreases were offset by increases of approximately $66 million resulting from price increases and incremental video revenues from existing customers and approximately $27 million resulting from an increase in digital video customers.

Revenues from high-speed data services provided to our non-commercial customers increased $185 million, or 33%, from $556 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $741 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. Approximately $163 million of the increase related to the increase in the average number of customers receiving high-speed data services, whereas approximately $35 million related to the increase in average price of the service. The increase in high-speed data revenues was reduced by approximately $12 million as a result of the Systems Sales.

Advertising sales revenues consist primarily of revenues from commercial advertising customers, programmers and other vendors. Advertising sales increased $26 million, or 10%, from $263 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $289 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 primarily as a result of an increase in national advertising campaigns and election related advertising. The increase was offset by a decrease of $7 million as a result of the System Sales. For the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, we received $16 million and $15 million, respectively, in advertising revenue from vendors.

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Commercial revenues consist primarily of revenues from cable video and high-speed data services to our commercial customers. Commercial revenues increased $34 million, or 17%, from $204 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, to $238 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, primarily as a result of an increase in commercial high-speed data revenues. The increase was reduced by approximately $14 million as a result of the Systems Sales.

Other revenues consist of revenues from franchise fees, telephony revenue, equipment rental, customer installations, home shopping, dial-up Internet service, late payment fees, wire maintenance fees and other miscellaneous revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, franchise fees represented approximately 49% and 48%, respectively, of total other revenues. Other revenues increased $1 million from $335 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $336 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. The increase was primarily the result of an increase in home shopping and infomercial revenue and was partially offset by approximately $11 million as a result of the Systems Sales.

Operating expenses.Operating expenses increased $128 million, or 7%, from $2.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $2.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2004. The increase in operating expenses was reduced by approximately $59 million as a result of the System Sales. Programming costs included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations were $1.3 billion and $1.2 billion, representing 63% and 64% of total operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Key expense components as a percentage of revenues were as follows (dollars in millions):

                         
  Year Ended December 31, 
  2004  2003  2004 over 2003 
      % of      % of      % 
  Expenses  Revenues  Expenses  Revenues  Change  Change 
Programming $1,319   27% $1,249   26% $70   6%
Advertising sales  98   2%  88   2%  10   11%
Service  663   13%  615   12%  48   8%
                    
                         
  $2,080   42% $1,952   40% $128   7%
                    

Programming costs consist primarily of costs paid to programmers for analog, premium and digital channels and pay-per-view programming. The increase in programming costs of $70 million, or 6%, for the year ended December 31, 2004 over the year ended December 31, 2003 was a result of price increases, particularly in sports programming, an increased number of channels carried on our systems, and an increase in digital video customers, partially offset by a decrease in analog video customers. Additionally, the increase in programming costs was reduced by $42 million as a result of the Systems Sales. Programming costs were offset by the amortization of payments received from programmers in support of launches of new channels of $59 million and $62 million for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Programming costs for the year ended December 31, 2004 also include a $5 million reduction related to the settlement of a dispute with TechTV, Inc., a related party. See Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

In every year we have operated, our cable programming costs have increased in excess of the U.S. inflation and cost-of-living increases, and we expect them to continue to increase because of a variety of factors, including inflationary or negotiated annual increases, additional programming being provided to customers and increased costs to purchase or produce programming. In 2005, we expect programming costs to increase at a higher rate than in 2004. These costs will be determined in part on the outcome of programming negotiations in 2005 and will likely be subject to offsetting events or otherwise affected by factors similar to the ones mentioned in the preceding paragraph. Our increasing programming costs will result in declining operating margins for our video services to the extent we are unable to pass on cost increases to our customers. We expect to partially offset any resulting margin compression from our traditional video services with revenue from advanced video services, increased high-speed data revenues, advertising revenues and commercial service revenues.

Advertising sales expenses consist of costs related to traditional advertising services provided to advertising customers, including salaries, benefits and commissions. Advertising sales expenses increased $10 million, or 11%, primarily as a result of increased salary, benefit and commission costs. The increase in advertising sales expenses was reduced by $2 million as a result of the System Sales. Service costs consist primarily of service personnel

37


salaries and benefits, franchise fees, system utilities, Internet service provider fees, maintenance and pole rental expense. The increase in service costs of $48 million, or 8%, resulted primarily from additional activity associated with ongoing infrastructure maintenance. The increase in service costs was reduced by $15 million as a result of the System Sales.

Selling, general and administrative expenses.Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $31 million, or 3%, from $940 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $971 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was reduced by $22 million as a result of the System Sales. Key components of expense as a percentage of revenues were as follows (dollars in millions):

                         
  Year Ended December 31, 
  2004  2003  2004 over 2003 
      % of      % of      % 
  Expenses  Revenues  Expenses  Revenues  Change  Change 
General and administrative $849   17% $833   18% $16   2%
Marketing  122   2%  107   2%  15   14%
                    
 
  $971   19% $940   20% $31   3%
                    

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits, rent expense, billing costs, call center costs, internal network costs, bad debt expense and property taxes. The increase in general and administrative expenses of $16 million, or 2%, resulted primarily from increases in costs associated with our commercial business of $21 million, third party call center costs resulting from increased emphasis on customer service of $10 million and bad debt expense of $10 million offset by decreases in costs associated with salaries and benefits of $21 million and rent expense of $3 million.

Marketing expenses increased $15 million, or 14%, as a result of an increased investment in marketing and branding campaigns.

Depreciation and amortization.Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $42 million, or 3%, to $1.5 billion in 2004. The increase in depreciation related to an increase in capital expenditures, which was partially offset by lower depreciation as the result of the Systems Sales.

Impairment of franchises.We performed an impairment assessment during the third quarter of 2004. The use of lower projected growth rates and the resulting revised estimates of future cash flows in our valuation, primarily as a result of increased competition, led to the recognition of a $2.4 billion impairment charge for the year ended December 31, 2004.

(Gain) loss on sale of fixed assets, net.Gain on sale of fixed assets of $86 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 primarily represents the pretax gain of $104 million realized on the sale of systems to Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC which closed in March and April 2004 offset by losses recognized on the disposition of plant and equipment. Loss on sale of fixed assets of $5 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 represents the loss recognized on the disposition of plant and equipment offset by a gain of $21 million recognized on the sale of cable systems in Port Orchard, Washington which closed on October 1, 2003.

Option compensation expense, net.Option compensation expense of $31 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 primarily represents $22 million related to options granted and expensed in accordance with SFAS No. 123,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2004, we expensed approximately $8 million related to a stock option exchange program, under which our employees were offered the right to exchange all stock options (vested and unvested) issued under the 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan and 2001 Stock Incentive Plan that had an exercise price over $10 per share for shares of restricted Charter Class A common stock or, in some instances, cash. The exchange offer closed in February 2004. Option compensation expense of $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 primarily represents options expensed in accordance with SFAS No. 123,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.See Note 19 to our consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for more information regarding our option compensation plans.

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Special charges, net.Special charges of $104 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 represents approximately $85 million of aggregate value of the Charter Class A common stock and warrants to purchase Charter Class A common stock contemplated to be issued as part of a settlement of the consolidated federal class actions, state derivative actions and federal derivative action lawsuits, approximately $10 million of litigation costs related to the tentative settlement of a South Carolina national class action suit, all of which settlements are subject to final documentation and court approval and approximately $12 million of severance and related costs of our workforce reduction and realignment. Special charges for the year ended December 31, 2004 were offset by $3 million received from a third party in settlement of a dispute. Special charges of $21 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 represents approximately $26 million of severance and related costs of our workforce reduction partially offset by a $5 million credit from a settlement from the Internet service provider Excite@Home related to the conversion of about 145,000 high-speed data customers to our Charter Pipeline service in 2001.

Unfavorable contracts and other settlements.Unfavorable contracts and other settlements of $5 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 relates to changes in estimated legal reserves established in connection with prior business combinations, which based on an evaluation of current facts and circumstances, are no longer required.

Unfavorable contracts and other settlements of $72 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 represents the settlement of estimated liabilities recorded in connection with prior business combinations. The majority of this benefit (approximately $52 million) is due to the renegotiation in 2003 of a major programming contract, for which a liability had been recorded for the above market portion of that agreement in connection with a 1999 and a 2000 acquisition. The remaining benefit relates to the reversal of previously recorded liabilities, which are no longer required.

Interest expense, net.Net interest expense increased by $132 million, or 9%, from $1.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2004. The increase in net interest expense was a result of an increase in our average borrowing rate from 8.17% in the year ended December 31, 2003 to 8.79% in the year ended December 31, 2004 partially offset by a decrease in average debt outstanding from $17.9 billion in 2003 to $17.8 billion in 2004.

Gain (loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities, net.Net gain on derivative instruments and hedging activities increased $4 million from a gain of $65 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 to a gain of $69 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. The increase is primarily the result of an increase in gains on interest rate agreements that do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133,Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,which increased from a gain of $57 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 to a gain of $65 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. This was coupled with a decrease in gains on interest rate agreements, as a result of hedge ineffectiveness on designated hedges, which decreased from $8 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt.Loss on extinguishment of debt of $21 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 represents the write-off of deferred financing fees and third party costs related to the Charter Operating refinancing in April 2004. Gain on extinguishment of debt of $187 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 represents the gain realized on the purchase of an aggregate of $1.3 billion principal amount of Charter Holdings’ senior notes and senior discount notes in consideration for an aggregate of $1.1 billion principal amount of 10.25% notes due 2010 issued by our indirect subsidiary, CCH II. The gain is net of the write-off of deferred financing costs associated with the retired debt of $18 million.

Other, net.Net other expense decreased by $12 million from $10 million in 2003 to income of $2 million in 2004. Other expense in 2003 included $11 million associated with amending a revolving credit facility of our subsidiaries and costs associated with terminated debt transactions that did not recur in 2004. In addition, gains on equity investments increased $3 million in 2004 over 2003.

Minority interest.Minority interest represents the 2% accretion of the preferred membership interests in our indirect subsidiary, CC VIII, LLC, and since June 6, 2003, the pro rata share of the profits and losses of CC VIII, LLC. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Transactions Arising out of Our Organizational Structure and Mr. Allen’s Investment in Charter Communications, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries — Equity Put Rights — CC VIII.”

Income tax benefit (expense).Income tax benefit of $35 million and income tax expense of $13 million was recognized for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

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The income tax benefit recognized in the year ended December 31, 2004 was directly related to the impairment of franchises as discussed above. The deferred tax liabilities of our indirect corporate subsidiaries decreased as a result of the write-down of franchise assets for financial statement purposes, but not for tax purposes. We do not expect to recognize a similar benefit associated with the impairment of franchises in future periods. However, the actual tax provision calculations in future periods will be the result of current and future temporary differences, as well as future operating results.

The income tax expense recognized in the year ended December 31, 2003 represents increases in the deferred tax liabilities and current federal and state income tax expenses of certain of our indirect corporate subsidiaries.

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax.Cumulative effect of accounting change of $840 million (net of minority interest effects of $19 million and tax effects of $16 million) in 2004 represents the impairment charge recorded as a result of our adoption of EITF Topic D-108.

Net loss.Net loss increased by $3.6 billion from $770 million in 2003 to $4.4 billion in 2004 as a result of the factors described above. The impact to net loss in 2004 of the impairment of franchises and cumulative effect of accounting change was to increase net loss by approximately $3.0 billion. The impact to net loss in 2003 of the gain on sale of systems, unfavorable contracts and settlements and gain on debt exchange, net of income tax impacts, was to decrease net loss by $276 million.

Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2002

Revenues.Revenues increased by $253 million, or 6%, from $4.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $4.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2003. This increase is principally the result of an increase of 427,500 high-speed data customers, as well as price increases for video and high-speed data services, and is offset partially by a decrease of 147,500 and 10,900 in analog and digital video customers, respectively. Included within the decrease of analog and digital video customers and reducing the increase of high-speed data customers are 25,500 analog video customers, 12,500 digital video customers and 12,200 high-speed data customers sold in the Port Orchard, Washington sale on October 1, 2003. Our goal is to increase revenues by mitigating our past analog video customer losses, implementing limited price increases on certain services and packages and increasing revenues from incremental high-speed data services, digital video and advanced products and services such as digital video recorders, high definition television, VOD and telephony using VOIP to our existing customer base and commercial customers.

Average monthly revenue per analog video customer increased from $56.91 for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $61.92 for the year ended December 31, 2003.2003 primarily as a result of price increases and incremental revenues from advanced services. Average monthly revenue per analog video customer represents total annual revenue, divided by twelve, divided by the average number of analog video customers.customers during the respective period.

Revenues by service offering are as follows (dollars in millions):

                         
  Year Ended December 31, 
  2003  2002  2003 over 2002 
  Revenues  % of Revenues  Revenues  % of Revenues  Change  % Change 
Video $3,461   72% $3,420   75% $41   1%
High-speed data  556   12%  337   7%  219   65%
Advertising sales  263   5%  302   7%  (39)  (13)%
Commercial  204   4%  161   3%  43   27%
Other  335   7%  346   8%  (11)  (3)%
                    
 
  $4,819   100% $4,566   100% $253   6%
                    

Video revenues consist primarily of revenues from analog and digital video services provided to our non-commercial customers. Video revenues increased by $41 million, or 1%, for the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to the year ended December 31, 2002. The increase was primarilyVideo revenues increased approximately $65 million due to price increases and incremental video revenues from existing customers and $82 million as a result of increases in the average number of digital video customers, which were partially offset by a decrease of approximately $106 million as a result of a decline in analog and digital video customers.

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Revenues from high-speed data services provided to our non-commercial customers increased $219 million, or 65%, from $337 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $556 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. Approximately 93%$206 million of the increase related to the increase in the average number of customers, whereas approximately 7%$13 million related to the increase in the average price of the service. The increase in customers was primarily due to the addition of high-speed data customers withinin our existing service areas. We were also able to offer this service to more of our customers, as the estimated percentage of homes passed that could receive high-speed data service increased from 82% as of December 31, 2002 to 87% as of December 31, 2003 as a result of our system upgrades.

Advertising sales revenues consist primarily of revenues from commercial advertising customers, programmers and other vendors. Advertising sales decreased $39 million, or 13%, from $302 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, to $263 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 primarily as a result of a decrease in advertising from vendors andof approximately $64 million offset partially by an increase in local advertising sales revenues.revenues of approximately $25 million. For the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, we received $15 million and $79 million, respectively, in advertising revenue from vendors.

Commercial revenues consist primarily of revenues from video and high-speed data services to our commercial customers. Commercial revenues increased $43 million, or 27%, from $161 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, to $204 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, primarily due to an increase in commercial high-speed data revenues.

44


Other revenues consist of revenues from franchise fees, equipment rental, customer installations, home shopping, dial-up Internet service, late payment fees, wire maintenance fees and other miscellaneous revenues. For the yearsyear ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, franchise fees represented approximately 48% and 46%, respectively, of total other revenues. Other revenues decreased $11 million, or 3%, from $346 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $335 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The decrease was due primarily to a decrease in franchise fees after an FCC ruling in March 2002, no longer requiring the collection of franchise fees for high-speed data services. Franchise fee revenues are collected from customers and remitted to franchise authorities.

The decrease in accounts receivable of 25%27% compared to the increase in revenues of 6% is primarily due to the timing of collection of receivables from programmers for fees associated with the launching of their networks coupled with our tightened credit and collections policy. These fees from programmers are not recorded as revenue but, rather, are recorded as reductions of programming expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract. Programmer receivables decreased $40 million, or 57%, from $70 million as of December 31, 2002 to $30 million as of December 31, 2003.

Operating expenses.Operating expenses increased $145 million, or 8%, from $1.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $2.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2003. Programming costs included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations were $1.2 billion and $1.2 billion, representing 64% and 65% of total operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Key expense components as a percentage of revenues are as follows (dollars in millions):

                         
  Year Ended December 31, 
  2003  2002  2003 over 2002 
      % of      % of      % 
  Expenses  Revenues  Expenses  Revenues  Change  Change 
Programming $1,249   26% $1,166   26% $83   7%
Advertising sales  88   2%  87   2%  1   1%
Service  615   12%  554   12%  61   11%
                    
                         
  $1,952   40% $1,807   40% $145   8%
                    

Programming costs consist primarily of costs paid to programmers for the provision of analog, premium and digital channels and pay-per-view programs. The increase in programming costs of $83 million, or 7%, was due to price increases, particularly in sports programming, and due to an increased number of channels carried on our systems, partially offset by decreases in analog and digital video customers. Programming costs were offset by the amortization of payments received from programmers in support of launches of new channels against programming costs of $62 million and $57 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

Our cable programming costs have increased, in every year we have operated, in excess of customary inflationary and cost-of-living type increases, and we expect them to continue to increase due to a variety of factors, including additional programming being provided to customers as a result of system rebuilds that increase channel capacity, increased costs to produce or purchase cable programming and inflationary or negotiated annual increases. Our increasing programming costs will result in declining video product margins to the extent we are unable to pass on cost increases to our customers. We expect to partially offset any resulting margin compression from our traditional video services with revenue from advanced video services, increased incremental high-speed data revenues, advertising revenues and commercial services revenues.41


Advertising sales expenses consist of costs related to traditional advertising services provided to advertising customers, including salaries and benefits and commissions. Advertising sales expenses increased $1 million, or 1%, primarily due to increased sales commissions, taxes and benefits. Service costs consist primarily of service personnel salaries and benefits, franchise fees, system utilities, Internet service provider fees, maintenance and pole rentrental expense. The increase in service costs of $61 million, or 11%, resulted primarily from additional activity associated with ongoing infrastructure maintenance and customer service, including activities associated with our promotional program.programs.

45


Selling, general and administrative expenses.Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $23 million, or 2%, from $963 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $940 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. Key components of expense as a percentage of revenues are as follows (dollars in millions):

                                        
 Year Ended December 31,
 Year Ended December 31, 
 2003
 2002
 2003 over 2002
 2003 2002 2003 over 2002 
 % of % of % % of % of % 
 Expenses
 Revenues
 Expenses
 Revenues
 Change
 Change
 Expenses Revenues Expenses Revenues Change Change 
General and administrative $833  17% $810  18% $23  3% $833  18% $810  18% $23  3%
Marketing 107  2% 153  3%  (46)  (30)% 107  2% 153  3%  (46)  (30)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
            
 $940  19% $963  21% $(23)  (2)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  $940  20% $963  21% $(23)  (2)%
           

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits, rent expense, billing costs, call center costs, internal network costs, bad debt expense and property taxes. The increase in general and administrative expenses of $23 million, or 3%, resulted primarily from increases in salaries and benefits of $4 million, call center costs of $25 million and internal network costs of $16 million. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in bad debt and collection expense of $27 million as we continue to realize benefits froma result of our strengthened credit policies.

Marketing expenses decreased $46 million, or 30%, due to reduced promotional activity related to our service offerings including reductions in advertising, telemarketing and direct sales activities. However, we expect marketing expenses to increase in 2004.

Depreciation and amortization.Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $40$17 million, or 3%1%, from $1.4 billion in 2002 to $1.5 billion in 2003 due primarily to an increase in depreciation expense related to additional capital expenditures in 2003 and 2002.

Impairment of franchises.We performed our annual impairment assessments on October 1, 2002 and 2003 using an independent third-party appraiser.2003. Revised estimates of future cash flows and the use of a lower projected long-term growth rate in our valuation led to a $4.6 billion impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2002. Our 2003 assessment performed on October 1, 2003 did not result in an impairment. We do not expect to incur impairment charges of comparable magnitude to the 2002 charge in the future.

GainLoss on sale of system.fixed assets, net.GainLoss on sale of system of $21 millionfixed assets for the year ended December 31, 2003 represents $26 million of losses related to the disposition of fixed assets offset by the $21 million gain recognized on the sale of cable systems in Port Orchard, Washington which closed on October 1, 2003. Loss on sale of fixed assets for the year ended December 31, 2002 represents losses related to the disposition of fixed assets.

Option compensation expense, (income), net.Option compensation expense decreased by $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to the year ended December 31, 2002. Option compensation expense includes expense related to exercise prices on certain options that were issued prior to our initial public offering in 1999 that were less than the estimated fair values of our common stock at the time of grant. Compensation expense is being recognized over the vesting period of such options and will continue to be recorded until the last vesting period lapses in April 2004. On January 1, 2003, we adopted SFAS No. 123,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,using the prospective method under which we will recognize compensation expense of a stock-based award to an employee over the vesting period based on the fair value of the award on the grant date.

Special charges, net.Special charges of $21 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 represent approximately $26 million of severance and related costs of our ongoing initiative to reduce our workforce partially offset by a $5 million credit from a settlement from the Internet service provider Excite@Home related to the conversion of about

42


145,000 high-speed data customers to our Charter Pipeline service in 2001. In the fourth quarter of 2002, we recorded a special charge of $35 million, of which $31 million iswas associated with our workforce reduction program. The remaining $4 million iswas related to legal and other costs associated with our shareholder lawsuits and governmental investigations. We expect to continue to record additional special charges in 2004 related to the reorganization of our operations and costs of litigation.

Unfavorable contracts and other settlements.Unfavorable contracts and other settlements of $72 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 represents the settlement of estimated liabilities recorded in connection with prior

46


business combinations. The majority of this benefit (approximately $52 million) is due to the renegotiation in 2003 of a major programming contract, for which a liability had been recorded for the above market portion of that agreement in conjunctionconnection with the Falcon acquisition ina 1999 and the Bresnan acquisition in 2000.a 2000 acquisition. The remaining benefit relates to the reversal of previously recorded liabilities, which, based on an evaluation of current facts and circumstances, are no longer required.

Interest expense, net.Net interest expense increased by $61 million, or 4%, from $1.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $1.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase in net interest expense was a result of increased average debt outstanding in 2003 of $17.9 billion compared to $16.4 billion in 2002, partially offset by a decrease in our average borrowing rate from 8.25% in 2002 to 8.17% in 2003. The increased debt was primarily used for capital expenditures.

Gain (loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities, net.Net gain on derivative instrumentslnstruments and hedging activities increased $180 million from a loss of $115 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to a gain of $65 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase is primarily due to an increase in gains on interest rate agreements, which do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133,Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,which increased from a loss of $101 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to a gain of $57 million for the year ended December 31, 2003.

Gain (loss) on debt exchange, net.extinguishment of debt.Net gainGain on extinguishment of debt exchange of $187 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 represents the gain realized on the purchase in a non-monetary transaction, of a totalan aggregate of $609 million principal amount of Charter’s outstanding convertible senior notes and $1.3 billion principal amount of ourCharter Holdings’ senior notes and senior discount notes in consideration for a totalan aggregate of $1.6$1.1 billion principal amount of 10.25% notes due 2010 issued by our indirect subsidiary, CCH II. The gain is net of the write-off of deferred financing costs associated with the retired debt of $27$18 million.

Other, net.Other expense increased by $13 million from income of $3 million in 2002 to expense of $10 million in 2003. This increase is primarily due to increases in costs associated with amending a revolving credit facility of our subsidiaries and costs associated with terminated debt transactions.

Minority interest.Minority interest expense represents the 10% dividend on preferred membership units in our indirect subsidiary, Charter Helicon, LLC and the 2% accretion of the preferred membership interests in our indirect subsidiary, CC VIII, LLC, and since June 6, 2003, the pro rata share of the profits of CC VIII.VIII, LLC. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Transactions Arising Outout of Our Organizational Structure and Mr. Allen’s Investment in Charter Communications, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries — Equity Put Rights — CC VIII.”

Income tax benefit (expense).Income tax expense of $13 million and income tax benefit of $216 million was recognized for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

The income tax expense recognized in the year ended December 31, 2003. The income tax expense is realized through2003 represents increases in the deferred tax liabilities and current federal and state income taxes related totax expenses of certain of our indirect corporate subsidiaries. The income tax benefit of $216 million recognized forin the year ended December 31, 2002 was the result of changes in deferred tax liabilities of certain of our indirect corporate subsidiaries related to differences in accounting for franchises.

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax.Cumulative effect of accounting change in 2002 represents the impairment charge recorded as a result of adopting SFAS No. 142.

Net loss.Net loss decreased by $5.4 billion, or 88%, from $6.2 billion in 2002 to $770 million in 2003 as a result of the factors described above. The impact of the gain on sale of system, unfavorable contracts and settlements and gain on debt exchange, net of income tax impacts, was to decrease net loss by $276 million in 2003. The impact of the impairment of franchises and the cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income tax impacts, was to increase net loss by $5.1 billion in 2002.

Year Ended December 31, 2002 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2001

Revenues.Revenues increased by $759 million, or 20%, from $3.8 billion in 2001 to $4.6 billion in 2002. This increase is principally the result of an increase of 538,000 and 585,200 in the number of digital video and high-speed data customers, respectively, as well as price increases, and is offset by a decrease of 357,400 in analog video customers. Average monthly revenue per analog video customer increased from $45.68 in 2001 to $56.91 in 2002. Average monthly revenue per analog video customer represents total annual revenue, divided by twelve, divided by the average number of analog video customers.

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Revenues by service offering are as follows (dollars in millions):

                         
  Year Ended December 31,
  2002
 2001
 2002 over 2001
      % of     % of    
  Revenues
 Revenues
 Revenues
 Revenues
 Change
 % Change
Video $3,420   75% $2,971   78% $449   15%
High-speed data  337   7%  148   4%  189   128%
Advertising sales  302   7%  197   5%  105   53%
Commercial  161   3%  123   3%  38   31%
Other  346   8%  368   10%  (22)  (6)%
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
     
  $4,566   100% $3,807   100% $759   20%
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
     

Video revenues consist primarily of revenues from analog and digital video services provided to our non-commercial customers. Video revenues increased by $449 million, or 15%, to $3.4 billion in 2002 compared to $3.0 billion in 2001. The increase was due to a full year of revenue from the AT&T Broadband systems acquired in June 2001, general price increases and the addition of approximately 538,000 digital video customers partially offset by a reduction of approximately 357,400 analog video customers. Overall, the net increase in the average number of customers resulted in approximately 7% of the increase in video revenue, whereas approximately 93% resulted from the increase in average price of our video products.

Revenues from high-speed data services provided to our non-commercial customers increased $189 million, or 128%, from $148 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $337 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. Approximately 73% of the increase related to the increase in the average number of customers, whereas approximately 27% related to the increase in average price of the service. The increase was primarily due to the addition of 585,200 high-speed data customers. Between 2001 and 2002, we were able to offer this service to more of our customers, as the estimated percentage of homes passed that could receive high-speed data service increased from 66% to 82% as a result of our ongoing system upgrades.

Advertising sales revenues consist primarily of revenues from commercial advertising customers, programmers and other vendors. Advertising sales increased $105 million, or 53%, from $197 million in 2001 to $302 million in 2002. The increase was due to an increase of $53 million, from $13 million in 2001 to $66 million in 2002, in advertising contracts with programmers, $40 million of additional sales primarily due to the increased advertising capacity as a result of an increased number of channels carried by our systems and $14 million related to the acquisition of AT&T Broadband systems in June 2001. For the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, we received $13 million and $14 million, respectively, in advertising revenues from our two largest suppliers of digital set-top terminals representing 0.3% and 0.4% of total revenues, respectively. Revenues from advertising provided to vendors and programmers are recognized based upon the fair value of advertising. Vendor advertising purchases are made pursuant to written agreements that are generally consistent with other third-party commercial advertising agreements and at prices that we believe approximate fair value. In some cases we purchased equipment from the vendors at the same time.

Commercial revenues consist primarily of revenues from video and high-speed data services to our commercial customers. Commercial revenues increased $38 million, or 31%, from $123 million for the year ended December 31, 2001, to $161 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, primarily due to an increase in commercial high-speed data revenues.

Other revenues consist of revenues from franchise fees, equipment rental, customer installations, home shopping, dial-up Internet service, late payment fees, wire maintenance fees and other miscellaneous revenues. For the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, franchise fees represented approximately 46% and 39%, respectively, of total other revenues. Other revenues decreased $22 million, or 6%, from $368 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $346 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The decrease was due to decreases in late payment fees charged to customers and other miscellaneous revenues. Franchise fee revenues are collected from customers and remitted to franchise authorities.

The decrease in accounts receivable of 8% compared to the increase in revenues of 20% is primarily due to the timing of collection of receivables from programmers for fees associated with the launching of their networks,

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coupled with our tightened credit and collections policy. These fees from programmers are not recorded as revenue but, rather, are recorded as reductions of programming expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract. Programmer receivables decreased $27 million, or 28%, from $97 million as of December 31, 2001 to $70 million as of December 31, 2002.

Operating expenses.Operating expenses increased $321 million, or 22%, from $1.5 billion in 2001 to $1.8 billion in 2002. Programming costs included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations were $1.2 billion and $963 million, representing 65% of total operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Key expense components as a percentage of revenues are as follows (dollars in millions):

                         
  Year Ended December 31,
  2002
 2001
 2002 over 2001
      % of     % of    
  Expenses
 Revenues
 Expenses
 Revenues
 Change
 % Change
Programming $1,166   26% $963   25% $203   21%
Advertising sales  87   2%  64   2%  23   36%
Service  554   12%  459   12%  95   21%
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
     
  $1,807   40% $1,486   39% $321   22%
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
     

Programming costs consist primarily of costs paid to programmers for the provision of analog, premium and digital channels and pay-per-view programs. The increase in programming costs of $203 million, or 21%, was primarily due to price increases, particularly in sports programming, an increased number of channels carried on our systems and an increase in digital video customers. In addition, approximately $51 million of the increase results from a full year of costs related to the acquisition of AT&T Broadband systems in June 2001. Programming costs were offset by the amortization of payments received from programmers in support of launches of new channels against programming costs of $57 million and $35 million for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Advertising sales expenses consist of costs related to traditional advertising services provided to advertising customers, including salaries and benefits and commissions. Advertising sales expenses increased $23 million, or 36%, primarily due to increased sales commissions resulting from the increase in advertising revenues. Service costs consist primarily of service personnel salaries and benefits, franchise fees, system utilities, Internet service provider fees, maintenance and pole rent expense. The increase in service costs of $95 million, or 21%, resulted primarily from our growth in digital video and high-speed data services.

Selling, general and administrative expenses.Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $137 million, or 17%, from $826 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $963 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. Key components of expense as a percentage of revenues are as follows (dollars in millions):

                         
  Year Ended December 31,
  2002
 2001
 2002 over 2001
      % of     % of     %
  Expenses
 Revenues
 Expenses
 Revenues
 Change
 Change
General and administrative $810   18% $689   18% $121   18%
Marketing  153   3%  137   4%  16   12%
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
     
  $963   21% $826   22% $137   17%
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
     

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits, rent expense, billing costs, call center costs, internal network costs, bad debt expense and property taxes. The increase in general and administrative expenses of $121 million, or 18%, resulted primarily from increases in salaries and benefits of $66 million, bad debt and collection expense of $24 million and insurance of $13 million. The increase in bad debt expense resulted primarily from continuing effects of our aggressive discounting of our analog video service during late 2000 and most of 2001 in an effort to grow our customer base and respond to price competition from satellite providers. This practice led to an increase in customers during the discounted period whose service was subsequently disconnected for non-payment or who subsequently cancelled their service without payment for services provided. We also lengthened the period during which we extended credit to customers, which increased exposure to customers whose

49


accounts were subject to cancellation and increased bad debt expense. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in billing expenses of $12 million as a result of renegotiated contracts with third-party billing providers.

Marketing expenses increased $16 million, or 12%, due to increased costs associated with promotions of our service offerings including advertising, telemarketing and direct sales.

Depreciation and amortization.Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $1.3 billion, or 47%, from $2.7 billion in 2001 to $1.4 billion in 2002. This decrease was due primarily to the adoption on January 1, 2002 of SFAS No. 142, which requires that franchise intangible assets that meet the indefinite life criteria of SFAS No. 142 no longer be amortized against earnings but instead be tested for impairment on an annual basis. As a result of this change, total amortization of franchise assets decreased from $1.5 billion in 2001 to $9 million in 2002. The decrease was partially offset by the increase in depreciation expense related to additional capital expenditures in 2002.

Impairment of franchises.We performed our annual impairment assessment on October 1, 2002 using an independent third-party appraiser. Revised estimates of future cash flows and the use of a lower projected long-term growth rate in our valuation led to a $4.6 billion impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2002. We do not expect to incur impairment charges of comparable magnitude in the future.

Option compensation expense (income), net.Option compensation expense increased by $10 million from $5 million of net benefit in 2001 to $5 million of expense in 2002. The net benefit in 2001 was primarily the result of the reversal of $22 million of expense previously recorded in connection with approximately 7 million options for which the rights were waived by our former President and Chief Executive Officer as part of his September 2001 separation agreement. Option compensation expense was recorded in 2002 because exercise prices on certain options issued prior to our initial public offering in 1999 were less than the estimated fair values of our common stock at the time of grant. Compensation expense is being recognized over the vesting period of such options, which ends in April 2004. On January 1, 2003, we adopted SFAS No. 123 using the prospective method under which we recognize compensation expense of a stock-based award to an employee over the vesting period based on the fair value of the award on the grant date. For more information, see Note 19 to our consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Special charges, net.In the fourth quarter of 2002, we recorded a special charge of $35 million, of which $31 million is associated with our workforce reduction program. The remaining $4 million is related to legal and other costs associated with our shareholder lawsuits and governmental investigations. Special charges of $18 million in 2001 represent charges associated with the transition of approximately 145,000 data customers from the Excite@Home Internet service to our Charter Pipeline service, as well as employee severance costs.

Interest expense, net.Net interest expense increased by $178 million, or 14%, from $1.2 billion in 2001 to $1.4 billion in 2002. The increase in net interest expense was a result of increased average debt outstanding in 2002 of $16.4 billion compared to $14.6 billion in 2001, partially offset by a decrease in our average borrowing rate from 8.62% in 2001 to 8.25% in 2002. The increased debt was used for capital expenditures.

Gain (loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities, net.Loss on derivative instruments and hedging activities increased $65 million from $50 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $115 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The increase is primarily due to an increase in losses on interest rate agreements, which do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133, which increased from $48 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $101 million for the year ended December 31, 2002.

Loss on equity investments.Loss on equity investments of $49 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 is primarily due to a decrease of $38 million in our investment in High Speed Access Corp., a related party until our acquisition of certain of its assets by Charter, as described more fully in note 19 to our consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Minority interest.Minority interest expense represents the 10% dividend on preferred membership units in our indirect subsidiary, Charter Helicon, LLC and the 2% accretion of the preferred membership interests in CC VIII. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Transactions Arising Out of Our Organizational Structure and Mr. Allen’s Investment in Charter Communications, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries — Equity Put Rights — CC VIII.”

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Income tax benefit.Income tax benefit of $216 million and $27 million were recognized for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The income tax benefits were realized as a result of changes in deferred tax liabilities related to differences in accounting for franchises of certain of our indirect corporate subsidiaries.

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax.Cumulative effect of accounting change in 2002 represents the impairment charge recorded as a result of adopting SFAS No. 142. Cumulative effect of accounting change in 2001 represents losses incurred upon adoption of SFAS No. 133.

Net loss.Net loss increased by $3.6 billion, or 141%, from $2.6 billion in 2001 to $6.2 billion in 2002 as a result of the combination of factors described above. The impact of the impairment of franchises and the cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income tax impacts, was to increase net loss by $5.1 billion in 2002. This was offset somewhat by the decrease in amortization expense, net of income tax impacts, in 2002 verses 2001 of $1.5 billion as a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 142 on January 1, 2002.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Introduction

This section contains a discussion of our liquidity and capital resources, including a discussion of our cash position, sources and uses of cash, access to debtcredit facilities and other financing sources, historical financing activities, cash needs, capital expenditures and outstanding debt.

Overview

We have a significant level of debt. In each of 2005 and 2006, $30 million of our debt matures. In 2007 and beyond, significant additional amounts will become due under our remaining long-term debt obligations.

Our business requires significant cash to fund capital expenditures, debt service costs, capital expenditures and ongoing operations. We have historically funded our operating activities and capitalthese requirements through cash flows from operating activities, borrowings under theour credit facilities, sales of our subsidiaries,assets, equity contributions from Charter Holdco, issuances of debt securities by us and our subsidiaries and capital contributions from Charter Holdco. Thecash on hand. However, the mix of funding sources changes from period to period, but forperiod. For the year ended December 31, 2003, approximately 77%2004, we generated $431 million of our funding requirements were fromnet cash flows from operating activities and 23%after paying cash interest of $1.3 billion. In addition, we generated approximately $744 million in 2004 from sales of assets, substantially all of which was from cash on hand. In 2003,used to fund operations, including capital expenditures. Finally, we had net cash flows used infrom financing activities of $221 million, which included, among other things, the proceeds from the issuance in December 2004 of $550 million of CCO Holdings notes. This debt issuance and cash flows from operating activities were $206the primary reasons cash on hand increased by $461 million reflectingto $546 million at December 31, 2004. The cash on hand was used to repay outstanding borrowings under the Charter Operating revolving credit facility, through a net repaymentseries of debt.transactions executed in February 2005. We expect that our mix of sources of funds will continue to change in the future based on our overall needs relative to our cash flow and on the availability of funds under the credit facilities of our subsidiaries, our access to the debt markets, the timing of possible asset sales and our ability to generate cash flows from operating activities. We do not presently consider future asset sales as a significant source of liquidity. However, we continue to explore asset dispositions as one of several possible actions that we could take in the future to improve our liquidity.

We expect that cash on hand, cash flows from operating activities and the amounts available under our credit facilities will be adequate to meet our and Charter’s cash needs in 2005. Cash flows from operating activities and amounts available under our credit facilities may not be sufficient to permit us to fund our operations and satisfy our and Charter’s principal repayment obligations that come due in 2006 and, we believe, such amounts will not be sufficient to fund our operations and satisfy such repayment obligations thereafter.

It is likely that Charter and we will require additional funding to repay debt maturing after 2006. We have a significant levelbeen advised that Charter is working with its financial advisors to address such funding requirements. However, there can be no assurance that such funding will be available. Although Mr. Allen and his affiliates have purchased equity from Charter and Charter Holdco in the past, Mr. Allen and his affiliates are not obligated to purchase equity from, contribute to or loan funds to Charter, Charter Holdco or us in the future.

Credit Facilities and Covenants

Our ability to operate depends upon, among other things, our continued access to capital, including credit under the Charter Operating credit facilities. These credit facilities, along with our and our subsidiaries’ indentures, are subject to certain restrictive covenants, some of debt. Inwhich require us to maintain specified financial ratios and meet financial tests and to provide audited financial statements with an unqualified opinion from our independent auditors. As of December 31, 2004, $188we were in compliance with the covenants under our indentures and credit facilities and the indentures of our subsidiaries, and we expect to remain in compliance with those covenants for the next twelve months. As of December 31, 2004, we had borrowing availability under our credit facilities of $804 million, none of which was restricted due to covenants. Continued access to our credit facilities is subject to our remaining in compliance with the applicable covenants of these credit facilities, including covenants tied to our operating performance. If our operating performance results in non-compliance with these covenants, or if any of certain other events of non-compliance under these credit facilities or indentures governing our debt occurs, funding under the credit facilities may not be available and defaults on some or potentially all of our debt matures, and in 2005 and 2006, an additional $426 million and $999 million matures, respectively. In subsequent years, substantial additional amounts will become due under our remaining obligations. As the principal amounts owing under our various debt obligations become due, sustaining our liquidity will likely depend upon our ability to access additional sourcescould occur. An event of capital over time. A default under the covenants governing any of our debt instruments could result in the acceleration of our payment obligations under that debt and, under certain circumstances, in cross-defaults under our

44


other debt obligations, which wouldcould have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition orand results of operations.

As partThe Charter Operating credit facilities require us to redeem the CC V Holdings notes within 45 days after the first date that the Charter Holdings leverage ratio is less than 8.75 to 1.0. In March 2005, CC V Holdings, LLC redeemed all of its outstanding notes, at 103.958% of principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. The total cost of the redemption including accrued and unpaid interest was approximately $122 million. We funded the redemption with borrowings under the Charter Operating credit facilities.

Parent Company Debt Obligations

Any financial or liquidity problems of our planparent companies could cause serious disruption to sell certain non-strategic assets,our business and have a material adverse effect on October 1, 2003, we completed the saleour business and results of our Port Orchard, Washington system for approximately $91 million, subjectoperations.

Charter’s ability to adjustments. Additionally,make interest payments on March 1, 2004, we and several of our subsidiaries closed the sale of cable systems in Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia. We anticipate that an additional closing for a cable system in New York will occur during the first half of 2004. After giving effect to the sale of the New York system, net proceeds will be approximately $735 million, subject to post-closing adjustments. We will use these proceeds to repay bank debt.

In September 2003, we, CCH II and Charter purchased, in a non-monetary transaction, a total of approximately $609 million principal amount of Charter’sits convertible senior notes, and, approximately $1.3 billionin 2006 and 2009, to repay the outstanding principal of its convertible senior notes of $156 million and $863 million, respectively, will depend on its ability to raise additional capital and/or on receipt of payments or distributions from Charter Holdco or its subsidiaries, including CCH II, CCO Holdings and Charter Operating. The indentures governing the CCH II notes, CCO Holdings notes, and Charter Operating notes, however, restrict these entities and their subsidiaries from making distributions to their parent companies (including Charter, Charter Holdco and Charter Holdings) for payment of principal on the parent company debt obligations, in each case unless there is no default under the applicable indenture and a specified leverage ratio test is met at the time of such event. CCH II, CCO Holdings and Charter Operating meet the applicable leverage ratio test under each of their respective indentures, and as a result are not prohibited from making any such distributions to their respective direct parent at this time.

Charter is required to register by April 21, 2005 its recently issued 5.875% convertible notes due 2009. If these convertible notes are not registered by such date, Charter will incur liquidated damages as defined in the related indenture. If incurred, these liquidated damages will accrue at a rate from .25% to .50% per annum of the accreted principal amount of our seniorthe convertible notes. Such amounts will accrue so long as the convertible notes remain unregistered, but not to exceed a maximum period of two years from the original issuance date and senior discountwill be payable monthly in cash. In conjunction with issuing these convertible notes, Charter also filed a registration statement to sell up to 150 million shares of Charter’s Class A common stock pursuant to a share lending agreement. These shares are required to be registered by April 1, 2005. If such shares are not registered by such date, Charter will incur liquidated damages as defined in the related indenture. If incurred, these liquidated damages will accrue and can be paid in cash or additional principal on a monthly basis. These liquidated damages will accrue at a rate from institutional investors in a small number.25% to .75% per month of privately negotiated transactions. As consideration for these securities, CCH II issued approximately $1.6 billionthe accreted principal amount of 10.25% seniorthe convertible notes. Such amounts will accrue so long as the convertible notes due 2010, achieving approximately $294 million of debt discount. The transactions were effected through a distribution of equity by CCH II to us and Charter. CCH II also issued an additional $30 million principal amount of 10.25% senior notes for cash and used the proceeds for transaction costs and for general corporate purposes. As a result of the transaction, a $187 million gain was recorded and maturities were extended for a majority of the debt exchanged. Also, in November 2003, CCO Holdings sold $500 million total principal

51


amount of 8-3/4% senior notes due 2013, the proceeds of which were used to repay (butremain unregistered, but not to reduce permanently) amounts outstanding under our subsidiaries’ bank credit facilities.

We are currently in compliance with the covenants under the credit facilitiesexceed a maximum period of our subsidiaries and our indentures and those of our subsidiaries, and we expect to remain in compliance with those covenants throughout 2004. If our actual operating results do not result in compliance with these covenants, or if other events of noncompliance occur, funding under the credit facilities may not be available and defaults on some or potentially all debt obligations could occur. However, we expect that our cash on hand, cash flows from operating activities, proceedstwo years from the completion of the sale of certain non-strategic assets in the first half of 2004 and the amounts available under our subsidiaries’ credit facilities should be sufficient to satisfy our liquidity needs through 2004. As of December 31, 2003, we held $85 million in cash and cash equivalents and we had total potential unused availability of $1.7 billion under the credit facilities of our subsidiaries, although the actual unused availabilityoriginal issuance date.

Specific Limitations at year-end was $828 million because of limits imposed under covenant restrictions. However, cash flows from operating activities and amounts available under credit facilities may not be sufficient to permit us to satisfy our principal repayment obligations. Our significant amount of debt may negatively affect our ability to access additional capital in the future. In addition, the maximum allowable leverage ratios under our credit facilities will decline over time and the total potential borrowing available under our subsidiaries’ current credit facilities (subject to covenant restrictions and limitations) will decrease from approximately $9.0 billion as of the end of 2003 to approximately $8.7 billion and approximately $7.7 billion by the end of 2004 and 2005, respectively. Continued access to these credit facilities is subject to our remaining in compliance with the applicable covenants of these credit facilities, including covenants tied to our operating performance. If there is an event of default under our subsidiaries’ credit facilities, such as the failure to maintain the applicable required financial ratios, we would be unable to borrow under these credit facilities, which could materially adversely impact our ability to operate our business and to make payments under our debt instruments.

Although Mr. Allen and his affiliates have purchased equity from Charter and its subsidiaries in the past, Mr. Allen and his affiliates are not obligated to purchase equity from, contribute to or loan funds to Charter or to its subsidiaries in the future.Holdings

The indentures governing ourthe Charter Holdings notes permit usCharter Holdings to make distributions up to our formulaic capacity to Charter Holdco for payment of interest or principal on Charter’s convertible senior notes, only if, after giving effect to the distribution, weCharter Holdings can incur additional debt under the leverage ratio of 8.75 to 1.0, there is no default under the Charter Holdings’ indentures and other specified tests are met. However, inFor the event that we could not incur any additional debtquarter ended December 31, 2004, there was no default under Charter Holdings’ indentures and other specified tests were met. In addition, Charter Holdings met the leverage ratio of 8.75 to 1.0 based on December 31, 2004 financial results. As a result, distributions from Charter Holdings to Charter or Charter Holdco are not currently restricted. Such distributions will again be restricted, however, if Charter Holdings fails to meet its leverage ratio test at the time of such event. In the past Charter Holdings has from time to time failed to meet this leverage ratio test and there can be no assurance that Charter Holdings will satisfy this test in the future.

During periods when such distributions are restricted, the indentures governing ourthe Charter Holdings notes permit usCharter Holdings and ourits subsidiaries to make specified investments in Charter Holdco or Charter, up to its formulaic capacity, ifan amount determined by a formula, as long as there is no default under the indentures. There were no defaults under our indentures and other specified tests were met for the year ending December 31, 2003. However, we did not meet the leverage ratio test at December 31, 2003, and as a result, distributions from us to Charter will be restricted until that test is met. As of December 31, 2003,2004, Charter Holdco had $41$106 million in cash on hand and iswas owed $37$29 million in intercompany loans from its subsidiaries, which arewere available to Charter Holdco to servicepay interest on Charter’s 4.75% convertible senior notes, which is expected to be approximately $7 million in 2005. In addition, Charter has $144 million of securities pledged as security for the first six interest payments on Charter’s 5.875% convertible senior notes.

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Our significant amount of debt could negatively affect our ability to access additional capital in the future. No assurances can be given that we will not experience liquidity problems because of adverse market conditions or other unfavorable events or if we do not obtain sufficient additional financing on a timely basis.basis as our debt becomes due or because of adverse market conditions, increased competition or other unfavorable events. If, at any time, additional capital or borrowing capacity is required beyond amounts internally generated or available through existingunder our credit facilities or in traditionalthrough additional debt financings, we would consider:

•  issuing debt or equity at the Charter or Charter Holdco level, the proceeds of which could be loaned or contributed to us;
•  issuing debt securities that may have structural or other priority over our existing notes;
•  further reducing our expenses and capital expenditures, which may impair our ability to increase revenue;
•  selling assets; or
  requesting waivers or amendments with respect to our credit facilities, the availability and terms of which would be subject to market conditions;conditions.
further reducing our expenses and capital expenditures, which would likely impair our ability to increase revenue;
selling assets;
issuing debt securities which may have structural or other priorities over our existing notes; or
issuing equity at the Charter or Charter Holdco level, the proceeds of which could be loaned or contributed to us.

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If the above strategies are not successful, ultimately, we could be forced to restructure our obligations or seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. In addition, if we find it necessary to engage in a recapitalization or other similar transaction, our noteholders might not receive all principal and interest payments to which they are contractually entitled.

Issuance of Charter Operating Notes in Exchange for Charter Holdings Notes

In March 2005, our subsidiary, Charter Operating, consummated exchange transactions with a small number of institutional holders of our 8.25% Senior Notes due 2007 pursuant to which Charter Operating will issue, in a private placement, approximately $271 million principal amount of new notes with terms identical to Charter Operating’s 8.375% Senior Second Lien Notes due 2014 in exchange for approximately $284 million of the Charter Holdings 8.25% Senior Notes due 2007.

Sale of Assets

In March 2004, we closed the sale of certain cable systems in Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia to Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC. We closed the sale of an additional cable system in New York to Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC in April 2004. Subject to post-closing contractual adjustments, the total net proceeds from the sale of all of these systems were approximately $733 million. The proceeds were used to repay a portion of our credit facilities.

Summary of Outstanding Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our payment obligations as of December 31, 20032004 under our long-term debt and certain other contractual obligations and commitments (dollars in millions).

                                 
 Payments by Period
 Payments by Period 
 Less than 1-3 3-5 More than Less than 1-3 3-5 More than 
 Total
 1 year
 years
 years
 5 years
 Total 1 year years years 5 years 
Contractual Obligations
  
Long-Term Debt (1) $18,434 $188 $1,425 $6,292 $10,529 
Long-Term Debt Principal Payments (1) $18,772 $30 $761 $5,035 $12,946 
Long-Term Debt Interest Payments (2) 9,845 1,396 3,243 3,231 1,975 
Payments on Interest Rate Instruments (3) 81 50 31   
Capital and Operating Lease Obligations (1) 80 19 29 14 18  88 23 30 17 18 
Programming Minimum Commitments (2) 1,949 320 684 703 242 
Other (3) 282 63 86 49 84 
Programming Minimum Commitments (4) 1,579 318 719 542  
Other (5) 272 62 97 46 67 
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total $20,745 $590 $2,224 $7,058 $10,873  $30,637 $1,879 $4,881 $8,871 $15,006 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
            


(1) The tables presenttable presents maturities of long-term debt outstanding as of December 31, 2003.2004 and does not reflect the

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effects of the March 2005 redemption of the CC V Holdings, LLC notes. Refer to Notes 9 and 20 to our consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for a description of our long-term debt and other contractual obligations and commitments.
 
(2)Interest payments on variable debt are estimated using amounts outstanding at December 31, 2004 and the average implied forward London Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR) rates applicable for the quarter during the interest rate reset based on the yield curve in effect at December 31, 2004. Actual interest payments will differ based on actual LIBOR rates and actual amounts outstanding for applicable periods.
(3)Represents amounts we will be required to pay under our interest rate hedge agreements estimated using the average implied forward LIBOR applicable rates for the quarter during the interest rate reset based on the yield curve in effect at December 31, 2004.
(4) We pay programming fees under multi-year contracts ranging from three to six years typically based on a flat fee per customer, which may be fixed for the term or may in some cases, escalate over the term. Programming costs included in the accompanying statements of operations were $1.2$1.3 billion, $1.2 billion and $963 million$1.2 billion for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, respectively. Certain of our programming agreements are based on a flat fee per month or have guaranteed minimum payments. The table sets forth the aggregate guaranteed minimum commitments under our programming contracts.
 
(3)(5) “Other” represents other guaranteed minimum commitments, which consist primarily of commitments to our billing services vendors.

The following items are not included in the contractual obligations table because the obligations are not fixed and/or determinable due to various factors discussed below. However, we incur these costs as part of our operations:

  We also rent utility poles used in our operations. Generally, pole rentals are cancelable on short notice, but we anticipate that such rentals will recur. Rent expense incurred for pole rental attachments for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and 2001, was $43 million, $40 million $41 million and $33$41 million, respectively.
 
  We pay franchise fees under multi-year franchise agreements based on a percentage of revenues earned from video service per year. We also pay other franchise related costs, such as public education grants under multi-year agreements. Franchise fees and other franchise-related costs included in the accompanying statements of operations were $164 million, $162 million $160 million and $144$160 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, respectively.
 
  We also have $153$166 million in letters of credit, primarily to our various worker’s compensation, property casualty and general liability carriers as collateral for reimbursement of claims. These letters of credit reduce the amount we may borrow under our credit facilities.

Historical Operating, Financing and Investing Activities

We held $85$546 million in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 20032004 compared to $310$85 million as of December 31, 2002.2003. The decreaseincrease in cash and cash equivalents reflects the useproceeds of the sale of the CCO Holdings notes in December 2004. The cash on hand was used to repay outstanding borrowings under the Charter Operating revolving credit facility through a series of transactions executed in funding operations, capital expenditures and debt service cost.February 2005.

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Operating Activities.Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $315 million, or 42%, from $746 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $431 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. For the year ended December 31, 2004, net cash provided by operating activities decreased primarily as a result of changes in operating assets and liabilities that used $84 million more cash during the year ended December 31, 2004 than the corresponding period in 2003 and an increase in cash interest expense of $227 million over the corresponding prior period. The change in operating assets and liabilities is primarily the result of the benefit in the year ended December 31, 2003 from collection of receivables from programmers related to network launches, while accounts receivable remained essentially flat in the year ended December 31, 2004.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2003 2002 and 20012002 was $746 million and $741 million, and $516 million, respectively. Net cash flows from operatingOperating activities provided $5 million more cash in 2003 than in 2002 primarily due

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to an increase in revenue over cash costs year over year partially offset by changes in operating assets and liabilities that provided $90 million less cash in 2003 than in 2002.

Net cash flows from operating activities provided $225 million more cash in 2002 than in 2001 primarily due to increased revenues of $759 million over 2001 and changes in operating assets and liabilities that provided $15 million more cash in 2002 than in 2001 offset in part by increases in operating expenses and cash interest expense.

Investing Activities.Net cash used in investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 2002was $191 million and 2001$765 million, respectively. Investing activities used $574 million less cash during the year ended December 31, 2004 than the corresponding period in 2003 primarily as a result of cash provided by proceeds from the sale of certain cable systems to Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC offset by increased cash used for capital expenditures.

Net cash used in investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 was $765 million and $2.3 billion, and $4.6 billion, respectively. Net cash flows from investingInvesting activities used $1.5 billion less cash in 2003 than in 2002 primarily as a result of reductions in capital expenditures and acquisitions. Purchases of property, plant and equipment used $1.3 billion less cash in 2003 than in 2002 as a result of reduced rebuild and upgrade activities and our efforts to reduce capital expenditures. Payments for acquisitions used $140 million less cash in 2003 than in 2002.

Net cash flows from investing activities used $2.3 billion less cash in 2002 than in 2001 primarily as a result of reductions in capital expenditures and acquisitions. Purchases of property, plant and equipment used $700 million less cash in 2002 than in 2001 as a result of our efforts to reduce capital expenditures. Payments for acquisitions used $1.6 billion less cash in 2002 than in 2001.

Financing Activities.Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $221 million and the net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2003 was $206 million. The increase in cash provided during the year ended December 31, 2004, as compared to the corresponding period in 2003, was primarily the result of an increase in borrowings of long-term debt and proceeds from issuance of debt reduced by repayments of long-term debt.

Net cash used in financing activities was $206 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, whereas net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 was $1.9 billion and $4.0 billion, respectively. Net cash flows from financingbillion. Financing activities provided $2.1 billion less cash in 2003 than in 2002. The decrease in cash provided in 2003 compared to 2002 was primarily due to a decrease in borrowings of long-term debt.

Net cash flows from financing activities provided $2.1 billion less cash in 2002 than in 2001. The decrease in cash provided in 2002 compared to 2001 was primarily due to a decrease in borrowings of long-term debt. In addition, in 2001 we received $1.5 billion more from the proceeds of capital contributions from Charter Holdco than in 2002. These decreases in cash provided were offset partially by decreases in cash used for repayments of long-term debt.

Capital Expenditures

We have significant ongoing capital expenditure requirements. However, we experienced a significant decline in such requirements starting in 2003, compared to prior years.2003. This decline in 2003 was primarily the result of a substantial reduction in rebuild costs as our network had been largely upgraded and rebuilt in prior years, consumption of inventories, negotiated savings in contract labor and network components including digital set-top terminals and cable modems and reduced volume of installation related activities. Capitalized labor and overhead declined $161 million in 2003 compared to 2002.years. Capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions of cable systems, were $893 million, $804 million $2.1 billion and $2.8$2.1 billion for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, respectively. The majority of the capital expenditures in 2004 and 2003 related to our customer premise equipment.equipment costs. The majority of the capital expenditures in 2002 related to our rebuild and upgrade program and purchases of customer premise equipment. See the table below for more details.

Upgrading our cable systems has enabled us to offer digital television, high-speed data services, VOD, interactive services, additional channels and tiers, and expanded pay-per-view options to a larger customer base. Our capital expenditures are funded primarily from cash flows from operating activities, the issuance of debt and borrowings under credit facilities. In addition, during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, our liabilities related to capital expenditures decreased $33 million, $41 million $49 million and $103$49 million, respectively.

During 2004,2005, we expect capital expenditures to spend a totalincrease to approximately $1 billion. The increase in capital expenditures for 2005 compared to 2004 is the result of $850 million to $950 million on capital expenditures. Theexpected increases in telephony services and deployment of advanced digital boxes. We expect that the nature of these expenditures is expected towill continue to migrate from upgrade/rebuild tobe composed primarily of purchases of customer premise equipment and for scalable infrastructure. Expected capital expenditures for 2004 are consistent with our total capital expenditures for 2003 and significantly lower than 2002 levels because our rebuild and upgrade plans are largely completed, a greater portion of our work force is focused on maintenance and period related activities, our purchases of digital set-top terminals have declined and the volume of installation related activities has declined.infrastructure costs. We expect to fund capital expenditures for 20042005 primarily from cash flows from operating activities and borrowings under our subsidiaries’ credit facilities.

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We have adopted capital expenditure disclosure guidance, which was developed by eleven publicly traded cable system operators, including Charter, with the support of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (“NCTA”). The new disclosure is intended to provide more consistency in the reporting of operating statistics in capital expenditures and customers among peer companies in the cable industry. These disclosure guidelines are not required disclosure under GAAP, nor do they impact our accounting for capital expenditures under GAAP.

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The following table presents our major capital expenditures categories in accordance with NCTA disclosure guidelines for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 (dollars in millions):

                   
 For the years ended December 31,
 For the years ended December 31, 
 2003
 2002
 2004 2003 2002 
Customer premise equipment (a) $380 $740  $451 $380 $740 
Scalable infrastructure (b) 66 259  108 66 259 
Line extensions (c) 130 101  131 130 101 
Upgrade/Rebuild (d) 132 775  49 132 775 
Support capital (e) 96 220  154 96 220 
 
 
 
 
        
Total capital expenditures (f) $804 $2,095  $893 $804 $2,095 
 
 
 
 
        


(a) Customer premise equipment includes costs incurred at the customer residence to secure new customers, revenue units and additional bandwidth revenues. It also includes customer installation costs in accordance with SFAS 51 and customer premise equipment (e.g., set-top terminals and cable modems, etc.).
 
(b) Scalable infrastructure includes costs, not related to customer premise equipment or our network, to secure growth of new customers, revenue units and additional bandwidth revenues or provide service enhancements (e.g., headend equipment).
 
(c) Line extensions include network costs associated with entering new service areas (e.g., fiber/coaxial cable, amplifiers, electronic equipment, make-ready and design engineering).
 
(d) Upgrade/rebuild includes costs to modify or replace existing fiber/coaxial cable networks, including betterments.
 
(e) Support capital includes costs associated with the replacement or enhancement of non-network assets due to technological and physical obsolescence (e.g., non-network equipment, land, buildings and vehicles).
 
(f) Represents all capital expenditures made in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

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Description of Our Outstanding Debt

As of December 31, 2003,2004, our actual total debt was approximately $17.9$18.5 billion, as summarized below (dollars in millions):

                     
  December 31, 2003
 Semi-Annual Start Date for  
  Face Accreted Interest Payment Interest Payment Maturity
  Value
 Value(a)
 Dates
 on Discount Notes
 Date(b)
Long-Term Debt
                    
Charter Holdings:                    
March 1999                    
8.250% senior notes due 2007 $451  $450   4/1&10/1       4/1/07 
8.625% senior notes due 2009  1,244   1,242   4/1&10/1       4/1/09 
9.920% senior discount notes due 2011  1,108   1,082   4/1&10/1   10/1/04   4/1/11 
January 2000                    
10.000% senior notes due 2009  640   640   4/1&10/1       4/1/09 
10.250% senior notes due 2010  318   318   1/15&7/15       1/15/10 
11.750% senior discount notes due 2010  450   400   1/15&7/15   7/15/05   1/15/10 
January 2001                    
10.750% senior notes due 2009  874   873   4/1&10/1       10/1/09 
11.125% senior notes due 2011  500   500   1/15&7/15       1/15/11 
13.500% senior discount notes due 2011  675   517   1/15&7/15   7/15/06   1/15/11 
May 2001                    
9.625% senior notes due 2009 (includes the January 2002 additional bond issue)  640   638   5/15&11/15       11/15/09 
10.000% senior notes due 2011 (includes the January 2002 additional bond issue)  710   708   5/15&11/15       5/15/11 
11.750% senior discount notes due 2011  939   717   5/15&11/15   11/15/06   5/15/11 
January 2002                    
12.125% senior discount notes due 2012  330   231   1/15&7/15   7/15/07   1/15/12 
CCH II, LLC                    
10.250% senior notes due 2010  1,601   1,601   3/15&9/15       9/15/10 
CCO Holdings, LLC                    
8-3/4% senior notes due 2013  500   500   5/15&11/15       11/15/13 
Renaissance Media Group LLC:                    
10.000% senior discount notes due 2008  114   116   4/15&10/15   10/15/03   4/15/08 
CC V Holdings, LLC:                    
11.875% senior discount notes due 2008  113   113   6/1&12/1   6/1/04   12/1/08 
Credit Facilities
                    
Charter Operating  4,459   4,459             
CC VI Operating  868   868             
Falcon Cable  856   856             
CC VIII Operating  1,044   1,044             
   
 
   
 
             
  $18,434  $17,873             
   
 
   
 
             
                     
             
  December 31, 2004  Semi-Annual  Start Date for    
  Face  Accreted  Interest Payment  Interest Payment  Maturity 
  Value  Value(a)  Dates  on Discount Notes  Date(b) 
Charter Holdings:
                    
8.250% senior notes due 2007 $451  $451   4/1 & 10/1       4/1/07 
8.625% senior notes due 2009  1,244   1,243   4/1 & 10/1       4/1/09 
9.920% senior discount notes due 2011  1,108   1,108   4/1 & 10/1   10/1/04   4/1/11 
10.000% senior notes due 2009  640   640   4/1 & 10/1       4/1/09 
10.250% senior notes due 2010  318   318   1/15 & 7/15       1/15/10 
11.750% senior discount notes due 2010  450   448   1/15 & 7/15   7/15/05   1/15/10 
10.750% senior notes due 2009  874   874   4/1 & 10/1       10/1/09 
11.125% senior notes due 2011  500   500   1/15 & 7/15       1/15/11 
13.500% senior discount notes due 2011  675   589   1/15 & 7/15   7/15/06   1/15/11 
9.625% senior notes due 2009  640   638   5/15 & 11/15       11/15/09 
10.000% senior notes due 2011  710   708   5/15 & 11/15       5/15/11 
11.750% senior discount notes due 2011  939   803   5/15 & 11/15   11/15/06   5/15/11 
12.125% senior discount notes due 2012  330   259   1/15 & 7/15   7/15/07   1/15/12 
CCH II, LLC:
                    
10.250% senior notes due 2010  1,601   1,601   3/15 & 9/15       9/15/10 
CCO Holdings, LLC:
                    
8 3/4% senior notes due 2013  500   500   5/15 & 11/15       11/15/13 
Senior floating rate notes due 2010  550   550   3/15, 6/15,       12/15/10 
           9/15 & 12/15         
Charter Operating:
                    

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  December 31, 2004  Semi-Annual  Start Date for    
  Face  Accreted  Interest Payment  Interest Payment  Maturity 
  Value  Value(a)  Dates  on Discount Notes  Date(b) 
8% senior second-lien notes due 2012  1,100   1,100   4/30 & 10/30       4/30/12 
8 3/8% senior second-lien notes due 2014  400   400   4/30 & 10/30       4/30/14 
Renaissance Media Group LLC:
                    
10.000% senior discount notes due 2008  114   116   4/15 & 10/15   10/15/03   4/15/08 
CC V Holdings, LLC:
                    
11.875% senior discount notes due 2008 (c)  113   113   6/1 & 12/1   6/1/04   12/1/08 
Credit Facilities:
                    
Charter Operating  5,515   5,515             
                   
 
  $18,772  $18,474             
                   


(a) The accreted value presented above represents the face value of the notes less the original issue discount at the time of sale plus the accretion to the balance sheet date.
 
(b) In general, the obligors have the right to redeem all of the notes set forth in the above table (except with respect to the Charter Holdings notes with terms of eight years) in the above tables in whole or part at their option, beginning at various times prior to their stated maturity dates, subject to certain conditions, upon the payment of the outstanding principal amount (plus a specified redemption premium) and all accrued and unpaid interest. We currently have no intention of redeeming any of these notes prior to their stated maturity dates. For additional information, see Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements contained in Item“Item 8. “FinancialFinancial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

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(c)The Charter Operating credit facilities required us to redeem the CC V Holdings notes within 45 days after the first date that the Charter Holdings leverage ratio is less than 8.75 to 1.0. In March 2005, CC V Holdings, LLC redeemed all of its outstanding notes, at 103.958% of principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. We are not required to redeem any of the other notes listed above prior to their stated maturity dates.

As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, we had unused total potential availabilityour long-term debt totaled approximately $18.5 billion and $17.9 billion, respectively. This debt was comprised of $1.7approximately $5.5 billion under our subsidiaries’and $7.2 billion of credit facilities, although our financial covenants limited our availability to $828 millionfacility debt and $13.3 billion and $11.2 billion principal amount of high-yield notes at December 31, 2003. Continued access to these credit facilities is subject to our remaining in compliance with the applicable covenants of these credit facilities.2004 and 2003, respectively.

As of December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, the weighted average interest rate on our bankthe credit facility debt was approximately 6.8% and 5.4%, respectively, and the weighted average interest rate on ourthe high-yield debtnotes was approximately 10.3%9.9% and 10.2%10.3%, respectively, resulting in a blended weighted average interest rate of 8.3%9.0% and 8.1%8.3%, respectively. ApproximatelyThe interest rate on approximately 82% and 79% of the total principal amount of our debt was effectively bore fixed, interest rates including the effects of our interest rate hedge agreements as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, compared to approximately 77% at December 31, 2002.respectively. The fair value of our high-yield debtnotes was $9.9$12.2 billion and $4.1$9.9 billion at December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, respectively. The fair value of bank debtour credit facilities was $6.9$5.5 billion and $6.4$6.9 billion at December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, respectively. The fair value of high-yield debtnotes is based on quoted market prices, and the fair value of bank debtthe credit facilities is based on dealer quotations.

Credit Facility and Existing Notes Terms, Restrictions and Covenants

The following table presents information relative to borrowing and covenant compliance under our credit facilities as of December 31, 2003 (dollars in millions):

                     
  Charter CC VI Falcon Cable CC VIII  
  Operating
 Operating
 Communications
 Operating
 Total
Credit facilities outstanding $4,459  $868  $856  $1,044  $7,227 
Other debt (1)  233   21      23   277 
Intercompany debt (2)  37            37 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Total defined bank debt (3) $4,729  $889  $856  $1,067  $7,541 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA (4) $1,235  $183  $272  $299   N/A 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Bank Compliance Leverage Ratio (Total Debt/Adjusted EBITDA) (5)  3.83   4.85   3.15   3.56   N/A 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Maximum Allowable Leverage Ratio (6)  4.00   5.50   4.50   4.00   N/A 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Total Credit Facilities (7) $5,140  $1,102  $1,310  $1,407  $8,959 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Potential Bank Availability (8) $213  $119  $366  $130  $828 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 


(1)Includes other permitted bank level debt, capitalized leases and letters of credit, which are classified as debt by the respective credit facility agreements for the calculation of maximum allowable leverage. For Charter Operating, this includes the Renaissance Media Group LLC senior discount notes with an accreted value of $116 million as of December 31, 2003.
(2)Includes permitted intercompany loans between Charter Holdings or Charter Communications Holding Company to the respective bank group entities. These amounts eliminate in consolidation.
(3)This represents our subsidiaries’ total debt as defined for purposes of the covenants in their respective credit agreements.
(4)Adjusted EBITDA in our credit facilities is not defined the same for all of our borrowing entities. Generally, however, Adjusted EBITDA approximates EBITDA (net income (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and minority interest) adjusted for certain non-cash items including impairment of franchises, option compensation expense and gain/loss on derivative instruments and in some cases non-recurring charges such as special charges and certain other expense or income items. Adjusted EBITDA as defined in our credit facilities also excludes certain corporate costs, as defined.
(5)Bank Compliance Leverage Ratio represents total debt as of such date determined as defined in the applicable credit agreement, including intercompany debt, divided by Adjusted EBITDA, annualized.

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(6)Maximum Allowable Leverage Ratio represents the maximum bank compliance leverage ratio permitted under the respective bank agreements. This is the most restrictive of the financial covenants.
(7)Total Credit Facilities represents the total borrowing capacity of the credit facilities.
(8)Potential Bank Availability represents the Total Credit Facilities capacity less Credit Facilities Outstanding, adjusted for any limitations due to covenant restrictions.

The maximum allowable leverage ratio declines over the term of each credit facility before becoming fixed until the credit facility matures as follows:

Charter Operating:
CC VI Operating:
4.00 until maturity5.50 through June 30, 2004
4.50 through June 30, 2005
4.00 thereafter until maturity
Falcon Cable Communications:
CC VIII Operating:
4.50 through June 29, 20044.00 until maturity
3.50 through June 29, 2005
3.00 thereafter until maturity

Based on outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2003, total future principal payments on borrowings under our credit facilities as of December 31, 2003 are presented below (dollars in millions). While current maturities of debt in 2004 are presented in the table below, current maturities are not presented on the balance sheet as we intend to refinance the amounts due in 2004 with availability under the revolving portions of our credit facilities.

                     
  Charter CC VI Falcon Cable CC VIII  
  Operating
 Operating
 Communications
 Operating
 Total
2004 $36  $67  $5  $80  $188 
2005  249   67   5   105   426 
2006  640   89   122   148   999 
2007  942   173   724   241   2,080 
Thereafter  2,592   472      470   3,534 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
  $4,459  $868  $856  $1,044  $7,227 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

The table below presents the total future principal payments on outstanding borrowings under our subsidiaries bank credit facilities, assuming that the maximum potential borrowings under such facilities were outstanding as of December 31, 2003 (dollars in millions):

                     
  Charter CC VI Falcon Cable CC VIII  
  Operating
 Operating
 Communications
 Operating
 Total
2004 $43  $102  $29  $84  $258 
2005  513   120   170   215   1,018 
2006  1,050   193   387   397   2,027 
2007  942   214   724   241   2,121 
Thereafter  2,592   473      470   3,535 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
  $5,140  $1,102  $1,310  $1,407  $8,959 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

The following description is merely a summary of certain material provisions of ourthe amended and restated Charter Operating credit facilities and our subsidiaries’ existingpublic notes and the credit facilities of our subsidiaries (collectively, the “Debt Agreements”). The summary does not restate the terms of the Debt Agreements in their entirety, nor does it describe all terms of the Debt Agreements. The agreements and instruments governing each of the Debt Agreements are complicated and you should consult such agreements and instruments for more detailed information regarding ourthe Debt Agreements. Our Debt Agreements are listed as exhibits to this annual report and are incorporated by reference to this annual report from other SEC filings of Charter Holdings or its subsidiaries as indicated in the list of exhibits.

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Charter Operating Credit Facilities - General

The Charter Operating credit facilities were amended and restated asconcurrently with the sale of June 19, 2003$1.5 billion senior second-lien notes in April 2004, among other things, to allow fordefer maturities and increase availability under these facilities and to enable Charter Operating to acquire the insertioninterests of intermediate holding companies between Charter Holdingsthe lenders under the CC VI Operating, CC VIII Operating and Charter Operating. In exchange for the lenders’ consent to the organizational restructuring, Charter Operating’s pricing increased by 50 basis points acrossFalcon credit facilities, thereby consolidating all levels in the pricing grid then in effectcredit facilities under theone amended and restated Charter Operating credit facilities.agreement.

ObligationsThe Charter Operating credit facilities:

•  provide borrowing availability of up to $6.5 billion;
•  provide for two term facilities:

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(i)  a Term A facility with a total principal amount of $2.0 billion, of which 12.5% matures in 2007, 30% matures in 2008, 37.5% matures in 2009 and 20% matures in 2010; and
(ii)  a Term B facility with a total principal amount of $3.0 billion, which shall be repayable in 27 equal quarterly installments aggregating in each loan year to 1% of the original amount of the Term B facility, with the remaining balance due at final maturity in 2011; and

•  provide for a revolving credit facility, in a total amount of $1.5 billion, with a maturity date in 2010.

Amounts outstanding under the Charter Operating credit facilities bear interest, at Charter Operating’s election, at a base rate or the Eurodollar rate, as defined, plus a margin for Eurodollar loans of up to 3.00% for the Term A facility and revolving credit facility, and up to 3.25% for the Term B facility, and for base rate loans of up to 2.00% for the Term A facility and revolving credit facility, and up to 2.25% for the Term B facility. A quarterly commitment fee of up to .75% is payable on the average daily unborrowed balance of the revolving credit facilities.

The obligations of our subsidiaries under the Charter Operating credit facilities (the “Obligations”) are guaranteed by Charter Holdings,Operating’s immediate parent company, CCO Holdings, and bythe subsidiaries of Charter Operating’sOperating, except for immaterial subsidiaries other than the non-recourse subsidiaries,and subsidiaries precluded from so guaranteeing by reason of the provisions of other indebtedness to which they are subject (the “non-guarantor subsidiaries”, primarily Renaissance and immaterial subsidiaries.its subsidiaries). The non-recourseObligations are also secured by (i) a lien on all of the assets of Charter Operating and its subsidiaries include CCO NR Holdings, LLC, and subsidiaries contributed(other than assets of the non-guarantor subsidiaries), to CCO NR Holdings, LLC by Charter Holdings in the recent organizational restructuring that occurred in June and July of 2003, including the CC V/CC VIII Companies, the CC VI Companies and the CC VII Companies and their respective subsidiaries. The obligationsextent such lien can be perfected under the Charter Operating credit facilities are securedUniform Commercial Code by pledgesthe filing of all equity interests in Charter Operating’s direct subsidiaries, alla financing statement, and (ii) by a pledge by CCO Holdings of the equity interests owned by its guarantor subsidiariesit in their respective subsidiaries, and intercompany obligations owing to Charter Operating and/or its guarantorany of Charter Operating’s subsidiaries, by their affiliates. The obligations are also secured by a pledge of CCO Holdings’ equity interests in all of its direct subsidiaries (including Charter Operating) as collateral under these credit facilities.

The Charter Operating credit facilities provide for borrowings of up to $5.1 billion and provide for four term facilities: two Term A facilities with a total principal amount of $1.1 billion that matures in September 2007, each with different amortization schedules, one that began in June 2002 and one beginning in September 2005; and two Term B facilities with a total principal amount of $2.7 billion, of which $1.8 billion matures in March 2008 and $884 million matures in September 2008. The amortization of the principal amount of the Term B term loan facilities is substantially “back-ended,” with more than 90% of the principal balance due in the year of maturity. The Charter Operating credit facilities also provide for two revolving credit facilities, in a total amount of $1.3 billion, one which will reduce annually beginning in March 2004 and one which will reduce quarterly beginning in September 2005, with a maturity date in September 2007. Supplemental credit facilities in the amount of approximately $100 million may be available from lenders within or outside the lending group that agree to provide it. Amounts under the Charter Operating credit facilities bear interest at the Eurodollar rate or the base rate, eachwell as defined, plus a margin of up to 3.0% for Eurodollar loans (3.15% to 3.92% as of December 31, 2003) and 2.0% for base rate loans. A quarterly commitment fee of between 0.25% and 0.375% per annum is payable on the unborrowed balance of the revolving credit facilities.

As of December 31, 2003, outstanding borrowings under the Charter Operating credit facilities were approximately $4.5 billion and the unused total potential availability was $681 million, although our financial covenants limited the availability under these facilities to $213 million as of December 31, 2003.

CC VI Operating Credit Facilities

The obligations under the CC VI Operating credit facilities are guaranteed by CC VI Operating’s parent, CC VI Holdings, LLC, and by the subsidiaries of CC VI Operating other than immaterial subsidiaries. The obligations under the CC VI Operating credit facilities are secured by pledges of all equity interests owned by CC VI Operating and its guarantor subsidiaries in other persons, and by intercompany obligations owing CC VI Operating and/or its guarantor subsidiaries by their affiliates, but are not secured by other assets of CC VI Operating or its subsidiaries. The obligations under the CC VI Operating credit facilities are also secured by pledges by CC VI Holdings of all equity interests it holds in other persons, and intercompany obligations owing to it by its affiliates, but are not secured byany of such entities. Upon the other assets of CC VI Holdings.

The CC VICharter Holdings Leverage Ratio (as defined in the indenture governing the Charter Holdings senior notes and senior discount notes) being under 8.75 to 1.0, the Charter Operating credit facilities provide for two term facilities, one with a principal amount of $380 millionrequire that matures Maythe 11.875% notes due 2008 (Term A), and the other with a principal amount of $372 million that matures November 2008 (Term B). Theissued by CC VI Operating credit facilities also provide for a $350 million reducing revolving credit facility with a maturity dateV Holdings, LLC be redeemed. Because such Leverage Ratio was determined to be under 8.75 to 1.0, in May 2008. Supplemental credit facilities in the amount of approximately $300 million may be available until December 31, 2004 from lenders within or outside the lending group that agree to provide it. Amounts under theMarch 2005, CC VI Operating credit facilities bear interest at the Eurodollar rate or the base rate, each as defined, plus a margin of up to 2.5% for Eurodollar loans (2.40% to 3.66% as of December 31, 2003) and 1.5% for base rate loans. A quarterly commitment fee of 0.25% per year is payable on the unborrowed balance of the Term A facility and the revolving facility.

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As of December 31, 2003, outstanding borrowings under theV Holdings, LLC redeemed such notes. Following such redemption, CC VI Operating credit facilities were $868 million and unused availability was $234 million, although our financial covenants limited the availability under these facilities to $119 million as of December 31, 2003.

Falcon Cable Credit Facilities

The obligations under the Falcon credit facilities are guaranteed by the direct parent of Falcon Cable Communications, Charter Communications VII, LLC, and by the subsidiaries of Falcon Cable Communications (except for certain excluded subsidiaries). The obligations under the Falcon credit facilities are secured by pledges of all of the equity interests in the guarantor subsidiaries of Falcon Cable Communications, but are not secured by other assets of Falcon Cable Communications or its subsidiaries. The obligations under the Falcon credit facilities are also secured by a pledge of the equity interests of Charter Communications VII in Falcon Cable Communications and intercompany obligations owing to Charter Communications VII by Falcon Cable Communications and its guarantor subsidiaries, but are not secured by the other assets of Charter Communications VII.

The Falcon credit facilities provide for two term facilities, one with a principal amount of $190 million that matures June 2007 (Term B), and the other with the principal amount of $285 million that matures December 2007 (Term C). The Falcon credit facilities also provide for a reducing revolving facility of up to approximately $60 million (maturing in December 2006), a reducing supplemental facility of up to approximately $105 million (maturing in December 2007) and a second reducing revolving facility of up to $670 million (maturing in June 2007). Supplemental credit facilities in the amount of up to $486 million may also be available from lenders within or outside the lending group that agree to provide it. Amounts under the Falcon Cable credit facilities bear interest at the Eurodollar rate or the base rate, each as defined, plus a margin of up to 2.25% for Eurodollar loans (2.40% to 3.42% as of December 31, 2003) and up to 1.25% for base rate loans. A quarterly commitment fee of between 0.25% and 0.375% per year is payable on the unborrowed balance of the revolving facilities.

As of December 31, 2003, outstanding borrowings were $856 million and unused availability was $454 million, although our financial covenants limited the availability under these facilities to $366 million as of December 31, 2003.

CC VIII Operating Credit Facilities

The obligations under the CC VIII Operating credit facilities are guaranteed by the parent company of CC VIII Operating, CC VIIIV Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries (other than non-guarantor subsidiaries) guaranteed the Obligations and granted a lien on all of their assets as to which a lien can be perfected under the Uniform Commercial Code by the subsidiariesfiling of CC VIIIa financing statement.

Charter Operating other than immaterial subsidiaries. The obligations under the CC VIII Operating credit facilities are secured by pledges of all equity interests owned by CC VIII Operating and its guarantor subsidiaries in other persons, and by intercompany obligations owing to CC VIII Operating and/or its guarantor subsidiaries by their affiliates, but are not secured by other assets of CC VIII Operating or its subsidiaries. The obligations under the CC VIII Operating credit facilities are also secured by pledges of equity interests owned by CC VIII Holdings in other persons, and by intercompany obligations owing to CC VIII Holdings by its affiliates, but are not secured by the other assets of CC VIII Holdings.

The CC VIII Operating credit facilities provide for borrowings of up $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2003. The CC VIII Operating credit facilities provide for two term facilities, a Term A facility with a reduced current total principal amount of $375 million, that continues reducing quarterly until it reaches maturity in June 2007, and a Term B facility with a principal amount of $490 million, that continues reducing quarterly until it reaches maturity in February 2008. The amortization of the principal amount of the Term B term loan facilities is substantially “back-ended,” with more than 90% of the principal balance due in the year of maturity. The CC VIII Operating credit facilities also provide for two reducing revolving credit facilities, in the total amount of $542 million, which reduce quarterly beginning in June 2002 and September 2005, respectively, with maturity dates in June 2007. Supplemental facilities in the amount of approximately $300 million may be available from lenders within or outside the lending group that agree to provide it. Amounts under the CC VIII Operating credit facilities bear interest at the Eurodollar rate or the base rate, each as defined, plus a margin of up to 2.50% for Eurodollar loans (2.15% to 3.66% as of December 31, 2003) and up to 1.50% for base rate loans. A quarterly commitment fee of 0.25% is payable on the unborrowed balance of the revolving credit facilities.

As of December 31, 2003, outstanding borrowings were $1.0 billion, and unused availability was $363 million although our financial covenants limited the availability under these facilities to $130 million.

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Credit Facilities — Restrictive Covenants

Each of theThe Charter Operating credit facilities of our subsidiaries containscontain representations and warranties, and affirmative and negative covenants similar to those described below with respect to the indentures governing our public notes and the notescustomary for financings of our subsidiaries, information requirements, events of default and financial covenants.this type. The financial covenants measure performance against standards set for leverage, debt service coverage, and operating cash flowinterest coverage, tested as of cash interest expense on a quarterly basis orthe end of each quarter. The maximum allowable leverage ratio is 4.25 to 1.0 until maturity, tested as applicable.of the end of each quarter beginning September 30, 2004. Additionally, the Charter Operating credit facilities contain provisions requiring mandatory loan prepayments under specific circumstances, including when significant amounts of assets are sold and the proceeds are not reinvested in assets useful in the business of the borrower within a specified period. period, and upon the incurrence of certain indebtedness when the ratio of senior first lien debt to operating cash flow is greater than 2.0 to 1.0.

The Charter Operating credit facility also provides that in the event that any indebtedness of CCO Holdings remains outstanding on the date, which is six months prior to its scheduled final maturity, the term loans under thefacilities permit Charter Operating credit facility will mature and the revolving credit facilities will terminate on such date. As of December 31, 2003, we were in compliance with the covenants of our credit facilities. See “— Certain Trends and Uncertainties — Restrictive Covenants.”

The Charter Operating, CC VIII Operating, Falcon and CC VI Operating credit facilities generally permit ourits subsidiaries to make distributions to pay interest on the Charter Operating senior second-lien notes, the CCH II senior notes, the CCO Holdings senior notes, the Charter convertible senior notes and the convertibleCharter Holdings senior notes, of Charter and the senior notes of Charter Holdings, in each case provided the respective borrower’s interest coverage ratio (as defined in the relevant credit agreement) for the most recent fiscal quarter preceding the distribution exceeds 1.75, including the amount of such distribution. In addition, distributions for interest or other purposes are permitted if the relevant borrower meets specified conditions and financial ratios. In each case, such distributions are not permitted during the existence of a default under the related credit facilities. See “- Certain Trends and Uncertainties — Restrictive Covenants.”

The events of default for these credit facilities include,that, among other things, (i) the failure to make payments when due or within the applicable grace period, (ii) the failure to comply with specified covenants or (iii) the occurrence of events that cause or permit the acceleration of other indebtedness owing by the guarantor, borrower or the borrower’s restricted subsidiaries in amounts in excess of the amounts specified below.

Guarantor/Borrower
Principal Amount
Charter Holdings and CCO Holdings/Charter Operating$50 million
CC VI Holdings/CC VI Operating$25 million
Charter Communications VII/Falcon Cable Communications$10 million
CC VIII Holdings/CC VIII Operating$25 million

Although there are no direct cross-defaults between our subsidiaries’ separate credit facilities, an event of default resulting in the acceleration of the debthas occurred and is continuing under any of our subsidiaries’ credit facilities would cause an event of default under the indentures governing the Charter Holdings notes, CCH II notes, CCO Holdings notes and our other notes, which would in turn trigger the cross-default provision of the Charter Operating credit facilities. See “— Certain Trends and Uncertainties — AccelerationConditions to future borrowings include absence of Indebtedness of Subsidiaries.” Further, while intermediate holding companies between Charter Holdings and CCO Holdings are not guarantors under the Charter Operating credit facilities, their defaults on certain indebtedness of $50 milliona default or more is an event of default under the Charter Operating credit facilities.facilities and the continued accuracy in all material respects of the representations and warranties, including the absence since December 31, 2003 of any event, development or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business.

The events of default under the Charter Operating credit facilities of our subsidiaries contain change of control provisions, making it an event of default, and permitting acceleration of the debt, in the event of certain specified changes of control, including if Mr. Allen, his estate, heirs and related entities, fails to maintain, directly or indirectly, at least 51% voting interest in the related borrower, or ceases to own of record or beneficially, directly or indirectly, at least 25% of the equity interests in the related borrower. See “— Certain Trends and Uncertainties — Long-Term Indebtedness — Change of Control Payments.”include, among other things:

Existing Notes
(i)  the failure to make payments when due or within the applicable grace period,
(ii)  the failure to comply with specified covenants, including but not limited to a covenant to deliver audited financial statements with an unqualified opinion from our independent auditors,
(iii)  the failure to pay or the occurrence of events that cause or permit the acceleration of other indebtedness owing by CCO Holdings, Charter Operating or Charter Operating’s subsidiaries in amounts in excess of $50 million in aggregate principal amount,

On September 23, 2003, we, Charter and our subsidiary, CCH II, purchased, in a non-monetary transaction, a total of approximately $609 million principal amount of Charter’s outstanding convertible senior notes and approximately $1.3 billion principal amount of our senior notes and senior discount notes from institutional investors in a small number of privately negotiated transactions. As consideration for these securities, CCH II issued approximately $1.6 billion principal amount of 10.25% senior notes due 2010, achieving approximately $294 million of debt discount. CCH II also issued an additional $30 million principal amount of 10.25% senior notes for an equivalent

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amount of cash and used the net proceeds for transaction costs and general corporate purposes. See discussion of the CCH II notes below for more details.
(iv)  the failure to pay or the occurrence of events that result in the acceleration of other indebtedness owing by certain of CCO Holdings’ direct and indirect parent companies in amounts in excess of $200 million in aggregate principal amount,
(v)  Paul Allen and/or certain of his family members and/or their exclusively owned entities (collectively, the “Paul Allen Group”) ceasing to have the power, directly or indirectly, to vote at least 35% of the ordinary voting power of Charter Operating,
(vi)  the consummation of any transaction resulting in any person or group (other than the Paul Allen Group) having power, directly or indirectly, to vote more than 35% of the ordinary voting power of Charter Operating, unless the Paul Allen Group holds a greater share of ordinary voting power of Charter Operating,
(vii)  certain of Charter Operating’s indirect or direct parent companies having indebtedness in excess of $500 million aggregate principal amount which remains undefeased three months prior to the final maturity of such indebtedness, and
(viii)  Charter Operating ceasing to be a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of CCO Holdings, except in certain very limited circumstances.

Outstanding Notes

Charter Communications Holdings, LLC Notes

March 1999 Charter Holdings Notes

The March 1999 Charter Holdings notes were issued under three separate indentures, each dated as of March 17, 1999, among Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, as the issuers, and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee. Charter Holdings and Charter Capital exchanged these notes for new March 1999 Charter Holdings notes with substantially similar terms, except that the new March 1999 Charter Holdings notes are registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, do not bear legends restricting their transfer and are not subject to further registration or special interest obligations.Act.

The March 1999 Charter Holdings notes are general unsecured obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. Cash interest on the March 1999 9.920% Charter Holdings notes will notbegan to accrue prior toon April 1, 2004.

The March 1999 Charter Holdings notes are senior debtsdebt obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. They rank equally with all other current and future unsubordinated obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, including the January 2000, January 2001, May 2001 and January 2002 Charter Holdings notes.Capital. They are structurally subordinated to the obligations of Charter Holdings’ subsidiaries, including the CCH II notes, the CCO Holdings notes, the Renaissance notes, the CC V Holdings notes, the Charter Operating credit facilities and the credit facilities.Charter Operating notes.

Charter Holdings and Charter Capital will not have the right to redeem the March 1999 8.250% Charter Holdings notes prior to their maturity date on April 1, 2007. On or after April 1, 2004, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital may redeem some or all of the March 1999 8.625% Charter Holdings notes and the March 1999 9.920% Charter Holdings notes at any time, in each case, at a premium. The optional redemption price declines to 100% of the principal amount of March 1999 Charter Holdings notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, for redemption on or after April 1, 2007.

In the event that a specified change of control event occurs, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital must offer to repurchase any then outstanding March 1999 Charter Holdings notes at 101% of their principal amount or accreted value, as applicable, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

The indentures governing the March 1999 Charter Holdings senior notes contain restrictive covenants that limit certain transactions or activities by Charter Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries. See “— Summary of Restrictive Covenants underUnder the Charter Holdings High-Yield Note Indentures.Notes.All but twoSubstantially all of Charter Holdings’ direct and indirect subsidiaries are currently restricted subsidiaries.

January 2000 Charter Holdings Notes

The January 2000 Charter Holdings notes were issued under three separate indentures, each dated as of January 12, 2000, among Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, as the issuers, and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee. In June 2000, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital exchanged these notes for new January 2000 Charter Holdings notes with substantially similar terms, except that the new January 2000 Charter Holdings notes are registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, do not bear legends restricting their transfer and are not subject to further registration or special interest obligations.Act.

The January 2000 Charter Holdings notes are general unsecured obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. Cash interest on the January 2000 11.75% Charter Holdings notes will notbegan to accrue prior toon January 15, 2005.

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The January 2000 Charter Holdings notes are senior debtsdebt obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. They rank equally with all other current and future unsubordinated obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, including the March 1999, January 2001, May 2001 and January 2002 Charter Holdings notes.Capital. They are structurally subordinated to the obligations of Charter Holdings’ subsidiaries, including the CCH II notes, the CCO Holdings notes, the Renaissance notes, the CC V Holdings notes, the Charter Operating credit facilities and the credit facilities.Charter Operating notes.

Charter Holdings and Charter Capital will not have the right to redeem the January 2000 10.00% Charter Holdings notes prior to their maturity date on April 1, 2009. On or after January 15, 2005, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital may redeem some or all of the January 2000 10.25% Charter Holdings notes and the January 2000 11.75% Charter Holdings notes at any time, in each case, at a premium. The optional redemption price declines to 100% of

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the principal amount of the January 2000 Charter Holdings notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, for redemption on or after January 15, 2008.

In the event that a specified change of control event occurs, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital must offer to repurchase any then outstanding January 2000 Charter Holdings notes at 101% of their total principal amount or accreted value, as applicable, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

The indentures governing the January 2000 Charter Holdings notes contain substantially identical events of default, affirmative covenants and negative covenants as those contained in the indentures governing the March 1999 Charter Holdings notes. See “— Summary of Restrictive Covenants underUnder the Charter Holdings High-Yield Note Indentures.Notes.

January 2001 Charter Holdings Notes

The January 2001 Charter Holdings notes were issued under three separate indentures, each dated as of January 10, 2001, each among Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, as the issuers, and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee. In March 2001, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital exchanged these notes for new January 2001 Charter Holdings notes, with substantially similar terms, except that the new January 2001 Charter Holdings notes are registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, do not bear legends restricting their transfer, and are not subject to further registration or special interest obligations.Act.

The January 2001 Charter Holdings notes are general unsecured obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. Cash interest on the January 2001 13.500% Charter Holdings notes will not accrue prior to January 15, 2006.

The January 2001 Charter Holdings notes are senior debtsdebt obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. They rank equally with all other current and future unsubordinated obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, including the March 1999, January 2000, May 2001 and January 2002 Charter Holdings notes.Capital. They are structurally subordinated to the obligations of Charter Holdings’ subsidiaries, including the CCH II notes, the CCO Holdings notes, the Renaissance notes, the CC V Holdings notes, the Charter Operating credit facilities and the credit facilities.Charter Operating notes.

Charter Holdings and Charter Capital will not have the right to redeem the January 2001 10.750% Charter Holdings notes prior to their maturity date on October 1, 2009. On or after January 15, 2006, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital may redeem some or all of the January 2001 11.125% Charter Holdings notes and the January 2001 13.500% Charter Holdings notes at any time, in each case, at a premium. The optional redemption price declines to 100% of the principal amount of the January 2001 Charter Holdings notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, for redemption on or after January 15, 2009.

In the event that a specified change of control event occurs, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital must offer to repurchase any then outstanding January 2001 Charter Holdings notes at 101% of their total principal amount or accreted value, as applicable, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

The indentures governing the January 2001 Charter Holdings notes contain substantially identical events of default, affirmative covenants and negative covenants as those contained in the indentures governing the March 1999 and January 2000 Charter Holdings notes. See “— Summary of Restrictive Covenants underUnder the Charter Holdings High-Yield Note Indentures.Notes.

May 2001 Charter Holdings Notes

The May 2001 Charter Holdings notes were issued under three separate indentures, each among Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, as the issuers, and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee. In September 2001, Charter

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Holdings and Charter Capital exchanged substantially all of these notes for new May 2001 Charter Holdings notes with substantially similar terms, except that the new May 2001 Charter Holdings notes are registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, do not bear legends restricting their transfer, and are not subject to further registration or special interest obligations.Act.

The May 2001 Charter Holdings notes are general unsecured obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. Cash interest on the May 2001 11.750% Charter Holdings notes will not accrue prior to May 15, 2006.

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The May 2001 Charter Holdings notes are senior debtsdebt obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. They rank equally with all other current and future unsubordinated obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, including the March 1999, January 2000, January 2001 and January 2002 Charter Holdings notes.Capital. They are structurally subordinated to the obligations of Charter Holdings’ subsidiaries, including the CCH II notes, the CCO Holdings notes, the Renaissance notes, the CC V Holdings notes, the Charter Operating credit facilities and the credit facilities.Charter Operating notes.

Charter Holdings and Charter Capital will not have the right to redeem the May 2001 9.625% Charter Holdings notes prior to their maturity date on November 15, 2009. Before May 15, 2004, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital may redeem up to 35% of the May 2001 10.000% Charter Holdings notes and the May 2001 11.750% Charter Holdings notes, in each case, at a premium with proceeds of certain offerings of equity securities. In addition, onOn or after May 15, 2006, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital may redeem some or all of the May 2001 10.000% Charter Holdings notes and the May 2001 11.750% Charter Holdings notes at any time, in each case, at a premium. The optional redemption price declines to 100% of the principal amount of the May 2001 Charter Holdings notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, for redemption on or after May 15, 2009.

In the event that a specified change of control event occurs, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital must offer to repurchase any then outstanding May 2001 Charter Holdings notes at 101% of their total principal amount or accreted value, as applicable, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

The indentures governing the May 2001 Charter Holdings notes contain substantially identical events of default, affirmative covenants and negative covenants as those contained in the indentures governing the March 1999 January 2000 and January 2001 Charter Holdings notes. See “— Summary of Restrictive Covenants underUnder the Charter Holdings High-Yield Note Indentures.Notes.

January 2002 Charter Holdings Notes

The January 2002 Charter Holdings notes were issued under three separate indentures, each among Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, as the issuers, and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee, two of which were supplements to the indentures for the May 2001 Charter Holdings notes. In July 2002, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital exchanged substantially all of these notes for new January 2002 Charter Holdings notes, with substantially similar terms, except that the new January 2002 notes are registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, do not bear legends restricting their transfer and are not subject to further registration or special interest obligations.Act.

The January 2002 Charter Holdings notes are general unsecured obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. Cash interest on the January 2002 12.125% Charter Holdings notes will not accrue prior to January 15, 2007.

The January 2002 Charter Holdings notes are senior debtsdebt obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. They rank equally with the current and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt of Charter Holdings including the March 1999, January 2000, January 2001 and May 2001 Charter Holdings notes.Capital. They are structurally subordinated to the obligations of Charter Holdings’ subsidiaries, including the CCH II notes, the CCO Holdings notes, the Renaissance notes, the CC V Holdings notes, the Charter Operating credit facilities and the credit facilities.Charter Operating notes.

The Charter Holdings 12.125% senior discount notes are redeemable at the option of the issuers at amounts decreasing from 106.063% to 100% of accreted value beginning January 15, 2007. At any time prior to January 15, 2005, the issuers may redeem up to 35% of the total principal amount of the 12.125% senior discount notes at a redemption price of 112.125% of the accreted value under certain conditions.

In the event that a specified change of control event occurs, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital must offer to repurchase any then outstanding January 2002 Charter Holdings notes at 101% of their total principal amount or accreted value, as applicable, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

The indentures governing the January 2002 Charter Holdings notes contain substantially identical events of default, affirmative covenants and negative covenants as those contained in the indentures governing the March 1999 January 2000, January 2001 and May 2001 Charter Holdings notes. See “— Summary of Restrictive Covenants underUnder the Charter Holdings High-Yield Note Indentures.Notes.

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Summary of Restrictive Covenants underUnder the Charter Holdings High-Yield Notes.

The limitations on incurrence of debt and issuance of preferred stock contained in Charter Holdings���Holdings’ indentures permit Charter Holdings and its subsidiaries to incur additional debt or issue preferred stock, so long as there is no default under the Charter Holdings indentures. Except as provided below, theseThese limitations restrict the incurrence of debt unless, after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence, the Charter Holdings could meet a leverage ratio (ratio of consolidated debt to four times EBITDA, as defined, from the most recent quarter for which internal financial reports are available) ofLeverage Ratio would be below 8.75 to 1.0. In addition, regardless of whether the leverage ratio could be met, so long as no default exists or would result from the incurrence or issuance, Charter Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries are permitted to issue:

   up to $3.5 billion of debt under credit facilities,
 
   up to $75 million of debt incurred to finance the purchase or capital lease of new assets,
 
   up to $300 million of additional debt for any purpose,
 
   additional debt in an amount equal to 200% of proceeds of new cash equity proceeds received by Charter Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries since March 1999, the date of our first indenture, and not allocated for restricted payments or permitted investments, and
 
   other items of indebtedness for specific purposes such as intercompany debt, refinancing of existing debt, and interest rate swaps to provide protection against fluctuation in interest rates.

Indebtedness under a single facility or agreement may be incurred in part under one of the categories listed above and in part under another. Accordingly, indebtedness under our credit facilities is incurred under a combination of the categories of permitted indebtedness listed above.

The restricted subsidiaries of Charter Holdings are generally not permitted to issue debt securities contractually subordinated to other debt of the issuing subsidiary or preferred stock, in either case in any public or Rule 144A offering.

The Charter Holdings indentures permit Charter Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries to incur debt under one category, and later reclassify that debt into another category. Our subsidiaries’The Charter Operating credit agreementsfacilities generally impose more restrictive limitations on incurring new debt than Charter Holdings’ indentures, so our subsidiaries that are subject to the Charter Operating credit agreements arefacilities may not be permitted to utilize the full debt incurrence that would otherwise be available under the Charter Holdings indenture covenants.

Generally, under Charter Holdings’ high-yield indentures:

Charter Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries are generally permitted to pay dividends on equity interests, repurchase interests, or make other specified restricted payments only if Charter Holdings can incur $1.00 of new debt under the leverage ratio test, which requires that Charter Holdings meet an 8.75 to 1.0 leverage ratio after giving pro forma effect to the transaction and if no default exists or would exist as a consequence of such incurrence. If those conditions are met, restricted payments in a total amount of up to 100% of Charter Holding’s consolidated EBITDA, as defined, minus 1.2 times its consolidated interest expense, plus 100% of new cash and non-cash equity proceeds received by Charter Holdings and not allocated to the debt incurrence covenant or to permitted investments, all cumulatively from March 1999, the date of the first Charter Holdings indenture, plus $100 million.
•  Charter Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries are generally permitted to pay dividends on equity interests, repurchase interests, or make other specified restricted payments only if, after giving effect to the transaction, the Charter Holdings Leverage Ratio would be below 8.75 to 1.0 and if no default exists or would exist as a consequence of such incurrence. If those conditions are met, restricted payments in a total amount of up to 100% of Charter Holdings’ consolidated EBITDA, as defined, minus 1.2 times its consolidated interest expense, plus 100% of new cash and non-cash equity proceeds received by Charter Holdings and not allocated to the debt incurrence covenant or to permitted investments, all cumulatively from March 1999, the date of the first Charter Holdings indenture, plus $100 million.

In addition, Charter Holdings may make distributions or restricted payments, so long as no default exists or would be caused by transactions:

   to repurchase management equity interests in amounts not to exceed $10 million per fiscal year,
 
   regardless of the existence of any default, to pay pass-through tax liabilities in respect of ownership of equity interests in Charter Holdings or its restricted subsidiaries, or
 
   to make other specified restricted payments including merger fees up to 1.25% of the transaction value, repurchases using concurrent new issuances, and certain dividends on existing subsidiary preferred equity interests.

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Charter Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries may not make investments except permitted investments if there is a default under the indentures or if, Charter Holdings could not incur $1.00 of new debt under the 8.75 to 1.0 leverage ratio test described above after giving effect to the transaction.

transaction, the Charter Holdings Leverage Ratio would be below 8.75 to 1.0.

Permitted investments include:

   investments by Charter Holdings in restricted subsidiaries or by restricted subsidiaries in Charter Holdings,
 
   investments in productive assets (including through equity investments) aggregating up to $150 million since March 1999,
 
   investments aggregating up to 100% of new cash equity proceeds received by Charter Holdings since March 1999 and not allocated to the debt incurrence or restricted payments covenant, and
 
   other investments aggregating up to $50 million.million since March 1999.

Charter Holdings is not permitted to grant liens on its assets other than specified permitted liens. Permitted liens include liens securing debt and other obligations incurred under our subsidiaries’ credit facilities, liens securing the purchase price of new assets, other liens securing indebtedness up to $50 million and specified liens incurred in the ordinary course of business. The lien covenant does not restrict liens on assets of subsidiaries of Charter Holdings.

Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, its co-issuer, are generally not permitted to sell all or substantially all of their assets or merge with or into other companies unless their leverage ratio after any such transaction would be no greater than their leverage ratio immediately prior to the transaction, or unless Charter Holdings and its subsidiaries could incur $1.00 of new debt under the 8.75 to 1.0 leverage ratio test described above after giving effect to the transaction, the Charter Holdings Leverage Ratio would be below 8.75 to 1.0, no default exists, and the surviving entity is a U.S. entity that assumes the Charter Holdings notes.

Charter Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries may generally not otherwise sell assets or, in the case of restricted subsidiaries, issue equity interests, unless they receive consideration at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or equity interests, consisting of at least 75% in cash, assumption of liabilities, securities converted into cash within 60 days or productive assets. Charter Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries are then required within 365 days after any asset sale either to commit to use the net cash proceeds over a specified threshold to acquire assets, including current assets, used or useful in their businesses or use the net cash proceeds to repay debt, or to offer to repurchase the Charter Holdings notes with any remaining proceeds.

Charter Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries may generally not engage in sale and leaseback transactions unless, at the time of the transaction, Charter Holdings could have incurred secured indebtedness in an amount equal to the present value of the net rental payments to be made under the lease, and the sale of the assets and application of proceeds is permitted by the covenant restricting asset sales.

Charter Holdings’ restricted subsidiaries may generally not enter into restrictions on their ability to make dividends or distributions or transfer assets to Charter Holdings on terms that are materially more restrictive than those governing their debt, lien, asset sale, lease and similar agreements existing when they entered into the indentures, unless those restrictions are on customary terms that will not materially impair Charter Holdings’ ability to repay the high-yield notes.

The restricted subsidiaries of Charter Holdings are generally not permitted to guarantee or pledge assets to secure debt of Charter Holdings, unless the guarantyingguaranteeing subsidiary issues a guarantee of the notes of comparable priority and tenor, and waives any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation arising from the guarantee transaction for at least one year.

The indentures also restrict the ability of Charter Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries to enter into certain transactions with affiliates involving consideration in excess of $15 million without a determination by the board of directors of Charter Holdings that the transaction is on terms no less favorable than arms length, or transactions with affiliates involving over $50 millionpillion without receiving an independent opinion as to the fairness of the transaction addressed to the holders of the Charter Holdings notes.

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CCH II, LLC Notes

In September 2003, CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp. jointly issued approximately $1.6 billion total principal amount of 10.25% senior notes due 2010. The CCH II notes are general unsecured obligations of CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp. They rank equally with all other current or future unsubordinated obligations of CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp. The CCH II notes are structurally subordinated to all obligations of subsidiaries of CCH II, including the CCO Holdings notes, the Renaissance notes, the CC V Holdings notes, the Charter Operating credit facilities and the credit facilities.Charter Operating notes.

Interest on the CCH II notes accrues at 10.25% per annum from September 23, 2003 or, if interest already has been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interestand is payable semi-annually in arrears on each March 15 and September 15, commencing on March 15, 2004.

At any time prior to September 15, 2006, the issuers of the CCH II notes may redeem up to 35% of the total principal amount of the CCH II notes on a pro rata basis at a redemption price equal to 110.25% of the principal amount of CCH II notes redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.

On or after September 15, 2008, the issuers of the CCH II notes may redeem all or a part of the notes at a redemption price that declines ratably from the initial redemption price of 105.125% to a redemption price on or after September 15, 2009 of 100.0%100% of the principal amount of the CCH II notes redeemed, plus, in each case, any accrued and unpaid interest.

In the event of specified change of control events, CCH II must offer to purchase the outstanding CCH II notes from the holders at a purchase price equal to 101% of the total principal amount of the notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.

The indenture governing the CCH II notes contains restrictive covenants that limit certain transactions or activities by CCH II and its restricted subsidiaries, including the covenants summarized below. As of the issue date,Substantially all but two of CCH II’s direct and indirect subsidiaries wereare currently restricted subsidiaries.

The covenant in the indenture governing the CCH II notes that restricts incurrence of debt and issuance of preferred stock permits CCH II and its subsidiaries to incur or issue specified amounts oflf debt or preferred stock, if, after giving effect to the incurrence, CCH II could meet a leverage ratio (ratio of consolidated debt to four times EBITDA from the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial reports are available) of 5.5 to 1.0.

In addition, regardless of whether the leverage ratio could be met, so long as no default exists or would result from the incurrence or issuance, CCH II and its restricted subsidiaries are permitted to incur or issue:

   up to $9.75 billion of debt under credit facilities, including debt under credit facilities outstanding on the issue date of the CCH II notes,
 
   up to $75 million of debt incurred to finance the purchase or capital lease of new assets,
 
   up to $300 million of additional debt for any purpose, and
 
   other items of indebtedness for specific purposes such as intercompany debt, refinancing of existing debt, and interest rate swaps to provide protection against fluctuation in interest rates.

The restricted subsidiaries of CCH II are generally not permitted to issue debt securities contractually subordinated to other debt of the issuing subsidiary or preferred stock, in either case in any public or Rule 144A offering.

The CCH II indenture permits CCH II and its restricted subsidiaries to incur debt under one category, and later reclassify that debt into another category. Our and our subsidiaries’ credit agreements generally impose more restrictive limitations on incurring new debt than the CCH II indenture, so we and our subsidiaries that are subject to credit agreements are not permitted to utilize the full debt incurrence that would otherwise be available under the CCH II indenture covenants.

Generally, under the CCH II indenture, CCH II and its restricted subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends on equity interests, repurchase interests, or make other specified restricted payments only if CCH II can incur $1.00 of new debt under the leverage ratio test, which requires that CCH II meet a 5.5 to 1.0 leverage ratio after giving effect

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to the transaction, and if no default exists or would exist as a consequence of such incurrence. If those conditions are met, restricted payments in a total amount of up to 100% of CCH II’s consolidated EBITDA, as defined, minus 1.3 times its consolidated interest expense, plus 100% of new cash and non-cash equity proceeds received by CCH II and not allocated to the debt incurrence covenant, all cumulatively from the fiscal quarter commenced July 1, 2003, plus $100 million.

In addition, CCH II may make distributions or restricted payments, so long as no default exists or would be caused by transactions:

to repurchase management equity interests in amounts not to exceed $10 million per fiscal year,

regardless of the existence of any default, to pay pass-through tax liabilities in respect of ownership of equity interests in CCH II or its restricted subsidiaries,

regardless of the existence of any default, to pay interest when due on Charter Holdings notes, to pay, so long as there is no default, interest on the convertible senior notes (including the Notes) of Charter, to purchase, redeem or refinance, so long as CCH II could incur $1.00 of indebtedness under the 5.5 to 1.0 leverage ratio test referred to above and there is no default, Charter Holdings notes, Charter notes, and other direct or indirect parent company notes (including the CCH II notes),

to make distributions in connection with the private exchanges pursuant to which the CCH II notes were issued, and

other specified restricted payments including merger fees up to 1.25% of the transaction value, repurchases using concurrent new issuances, and certain dividends on existing subsidiary preferred equity interests.
•  to repurchase management equity interests in amounts not to exceed $10 million per fiscal year,
•  regardless of the existence of any default, to pay pass-through tax liabilities in respect of ownership of equity interests in CCH II or its restricted subsidiaries,
•  regardless of the existence of any default, to pay interest when due on Charter Holdings notes, to pay, so long as there is no default, interest on the convertible senior notes (including the notes) of Charter, to purchase, redeem or refinance, so long as CCH II could incur $1.00 of indebtedness under the 5.5 to 1.0 leverage ratio test referred to above and there is no default, Charter Holdings notes, Charter notes, and other direct or indirect parent company notes (including the CCH II notes),
•  to make distributions in connection with the private exchanges pursuant to which the CCH II notes were issued, and
•  other specified restricted payments including merger fees up to 1.25% of the transaction value, repurchases using concurrent new issuances, and certain dividends on existing subsidiary preferred equity interests.

The indenture governing the CCH II notes restricts CCH II and its restricted subsidiaries from making investments, except specified permitted investments, or creating new unrestricted subsidiaries, if there is a default under the indenture or if CCH II could not incur $1.00 of new debt under the 5.5 to 1.0 leverage ratio test described above after giving effect to the transaction.

Permitted investments include:

   investments by CCH II and its restricted subsidiaries in CCH II and in other restricted subsidiaries, or entities that become restricted subsidiaries as a result of the investment,
 
   investments aggregating up to 100% of new cash equity proceeds received by CCH II since September 23, 2003 to the extent the proceeds have not been allocated to the restricted payments covenant described above,
 
   investments resulting from the private exchanges pursuant to which the CCH II notes were issued,
 
   other investments up to $750 million outstanding at any time, and
 
   certain specified additional investments, such as investments in customers and suppliers in the ordinary course of business and investments received in connection with permitted asset sales.

CCH II is not permitted to grant liens on its assets other than specified permitted liens. Permitted liens include liens securing debt and other obligations incurred under our subsidiaries’ credit facilities, liens securing the purchase price of new assets, other liens securing indebtedness up to $50 million and specified liens incurred in the ordinary course of business. The lien covenant does not restrict liens on assets of subsidiaries of CCH II.

CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp., its co-issuer, are generally not permitted to sell all or substantially all of their assets or merge with or into other companies unless their leverage ratio after any such transaction would be no greater than their leverage ratio immediately prior to the transaction, or unless CCH II and its subsidiaries could incur $1.00 of new debt under the 5.50 to 1.0 debt incurrence test described above after giving effect to the transaction, no default exists, and the surviving entity is a U.S. entity that assumes the CCH II notes.

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CCH II and its restricted subsidiaries may generally not otherwise sell assets or, in the case of restricted subsidiaries, issue equity interests, unless they receive consideration at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or equity interests, consisting of at least 75% in cash, assumption of liabilities, securities converted into cash within 60 days or productive assets. CCH II and its restricted subsidiaries are then required within 365 days after any asset sale either to commit to use the net cash proceeds over a specified threshold to acquire assets, including current assets, used or useful in their businesses or use the net cash proceeds to repay debt, or to offer to repurchase the CCH II notes with any remaining proceeds.

CCH II and its restricted subsidiaries may generally not engage in sale and leaseback transactions unless, at the time of the transaction, CCH II could have incurred secured indebtedness in an amount equal to the present value of the net rental payments to be made under the lease, and the sale of the assets and application of proceeds is permitted by the covenant restricting asset sales.

CCH II’s restricted subsidiaries may generally not enter into restrictions on their ability to make dividends or distributions or transfer assets to CCH II on terms that are materially more restrictive than those governing their debt, lien, asset sale, lease and similar agreements existing when they entered into the indentures, unless those restrictions are on customary terms that will not materially impair CCH II’s ability to repay the CCH II notes.

The restricted subsidiaries of CCH II are generally not permitted to guarantee or pledge assets to secure debt of CCH II, unless the guarantying subsidiary issues a guarantee of the CCH II notes of comparable priority and tenor, and waives any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation arising from the guarantee transaction for at least one year.

The indentures also restrict the ability of CCH II and its restricted subsidiaries to enter into certain transactions with affiliates involving consideration in excess of $15 million without a determination by the board of directors that the transaction is on terms no less favorable than arm’s length, or transactions with affiliates involving over $50 million without receiving an independent opinion as to the fairness of the transaction to the holders of the CCH II notes.

CCO Holdings, LLC Notes

8 3/4% Senior Notes due 2013

In November 2003, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. jointly issued $500 million total principal amount of 8 3/4%3/4% senior notes due 2013. The CCO Holdings notes are general unsecured obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. They rank equally with all other current or future unsubordinated

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obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. The CCO Holdings notes are structurally subordinated to all obligations of CCO Holdings’ subsidiaries, of CCH II, including the Renaissance notes, the CC V Holdings notes, the Charter Operating credit facilities.facilities and the Charter Operating notes.

Interest on the CCO Holdings senior notes accrues at 8-3/8 3/4% per year from November 10, 2003 or, if interest already has been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interestand is payable semi-annually in arrears on each May 15 and November 15, commencing on May 15, 2004.15.

At any time prior to November 15, 2006, the issuers of the CCO Holdings senior notes may redeem up to 35% of the total principal amount of the CCO Holdings senior notes to the extent of public equity proceeds they have received on a pro rata basis at a redemption price equal to 108.75% of the principal amount of CCO Holdings senior notes redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.

On or after November 15, 2008, the issuers of the CCO Holdings senior notes may redeem all or a part of the notes at a redemption price that declines ratably from the initial redemption price of 104.375% to a redemption price on or after November 15, 2011 of 100.0% of the principal amount of the CCO Holdings senior notes redeemed, plus, in each case, any accrued and unpaid interest.

Senior Floating Rate Notes Due 2010

In December 2004, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. jointly issued $550 million total principal amount of senior floating rate notes due 2010.

Interest on the CCO Holdings senior floating rate notes accrues at the LIBOR rate plus 4.125% annually, from December 15, 2004 or, if interest already has been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest is reset and payable quarterly in arrears on each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, commencing on March 15, 2005.

At any time prior to December 15, 2006, the issuers of the senior floating rate notes may redeem up to 35% of the notes in an amount not to exceed the amount of proceeds of one or more public equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus a premium equal to the interest rate per annum applicable to the notes on the date notice of redemption is given, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, provided that at least 65% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes issued remains outstanding after the redemption.

The issuers of the senior floating rate notes may redeem the notes in whole or in part at the issuers’ option from December 15, 2006 until December 14, 2007 for 102% of the principal amount, from December 15, 2007 until December 14, 2008 for 101% of the principal amount and from and after December 15, 2008, at par, in each case, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

Additional terms of the CCO Holdings Senior Notes and Senior Floating Rate Notes

The CCO Holdings notes are general unsecured obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. They rank equally with all other current or future unsubordinated obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. The CCO Holdings notes are structurally subordinated to all obligations of subsidiaries of CCO Holdings, including the Renaissance notes, the CC V Holdings notes, the Charter Operating notes and the Charter Operating credit facilities.

In the event of specified change of control events, CCO Holdings senior must offer to purchase the outstanding CCO Holdings senior notes from the holders at a purchase price equal to 101% of the total principal amount of the notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.

The indenture governing the CCO Holdings senior notes contains restrictive covenants that limit certain transactions or activities by CCO Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries, including the covenants summarized below. As of the issue date,Substantially all but two of CCO Holdings’ direct and indirect subsidiaries wereare currently restricted subsidiaries.

The covenant in the indenture governing the CCO Holdings senior notes that restricts incurrence of debt and issuance of preferred stock permits CCO Holdings and its subsidiaries to incur or issue specified amounts of debt or

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preferred stock, if, after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence or issuance, CCO Holdings could meet a leverage ratio (ratio of consolidated debt to four times EBITDA, as defined, from the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial reports are available) of 4.5 to 1.0.

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In addition, regardless of whether the leverage ratio could be met, so long as no default exists or would result from the incurrence or issuance, CCO Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries are permitted to incur or issue:

up to $9.75 billion of debt under credit facilities, including debt under credit facilities outstanding on the issue date of the CCO Holdings senior notes,

up to $75 million of debt incurred to finance the purchase or capital lease of new assets,

up to $300 million of additional debt for any purpose, and

other items of indebtedness for specific purposes such as intercompany debt, refinancing of existing debt, and interest rate swaps to provide protection against fluctuation in interest rates.
•  up to $9.75 billion of debt under credit facilities, including debt under credit facilities outstanding on the issue date of the CCO Holdings senior notes,
•  up to $75 million of debt incurred to finance the purchase or capital lease of new assets,
•  up to $300 million of additional debt for any purpose, and
•  other items of indebtedness for specific purposes such as intercompany debt, refinancing of existing debt, and interest rate swaps to provide protection against fluctuation in interest rates.

The restricted subsidiaries of CCO Holdings are generally not permitted to issue debt securities contractually subordinated to other debt of the issuing subsidiary or preferred stock, in either case in any public or Rule 144A offering.

The CCO Holdings indenture permits CCO Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries to incur debt under one category, and later reclassify that debt into another category. Our subsidiaries’The Charter Operating credit agreementsfacilities generally impose more restrictive limitations on incurring new debt than CCO Holdings’ indenture, so our subsidiaries that are subject to credit agreementsfacilities are not permitted to utilize the full debt incurrence that would otherwise be available under the CCO Holdings indenture covenants.

Generally, under CCO Holdings’ indenture:

CCO Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends on equity interests, repurchase interests, or make other specified restricted payments only if CCO Holdings can incur $1.00 of new debt under the leverage ratio test, which requires that CCO Holdings meet a 4.5 to 1.0 leverage ratio after giving effect to the transaction, and if no default exists or would exist as a consequence of such incurrence. If those conditions are met, restricted payments in a total amount of up to 100% of CCO Holdings’ consolidated EBITDA, as defined, minus 1.3 times its consolidated interest expense, plus 100% of new cash and appraised non-cash equity proceeds received by CCO Holdings and not allocated to the debt incurrence covenant, all cumulatively from the fiscal quarter commenced October 1, 2003, plus $100 million.
•  CCO Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends on equity interests, repurchase interests, or make other specified restricted payments only if CCO Holdings can incur $1.00 of new debt under the leverage ratio test, which requires that CCO Holdings meet a 4.5 to 1.0 leverage ratio after giving effect to the transaction, and if no default exists or would exist as a consequence of such incurrence. If those conditions are met, restricted payments in a total amount of up to 100% of CCO Holdings’ consolidated EBITDA, as defined, minus 1.3 times its consolidated interest expense, plus 100% of new cash and appraised non-cash equity proceeds received by CCO Holdings and not allocated to the debt incurrence covenant, all cumulatively from the fiscal quarter commenced on October 1, 2003, plus $100 million.

In addition, CCO Holdings may make distributions or restricted payments, so long as no default exists or would be caused by the transaction:

to repurchase management equity interests in amounts not to exceed $10 million per fiscal year;

regardless of the existence of any default, to pay pass-through tax liabilities in respect of ownership of equity interests in Charter Holdings or its restricted subsidiaries;

to pay, regardless of the existence of any default, interest when due on Charter Holdings notes and CCH II notes;

to pay, so long as there is no default, interest on the Charter convertible notes;

to purchase, redeem or refinance Charter Holdings notes, CCH II notes, Charter notes, and other direct or indirect parent company notes, so long as CCO Holdings could incur $1.00 of indebtedness under the 4.5 to 1.0 leverage ratio test referred to above and there is no default; or

to make other specified restricted payments including merger fees up to 1.25% of the transaction value, repurchases using concurrent new issuances, and certain dividends on existing subsidiary preferred equity interests.

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•  to repurchase management equity interests in amounts not to exceed $10 million per fiscal year;
•  to pay, regardless of the existence of any default, pass-through tax liabilities in respect of ownership of equity interests in Charter Holdings or its restricted subsidiaries;
•  to pay, regardless of the existence of any default, interest when due on Charter Holdings notes and our notes;
•  to pay, so long as there is no default, interest on the Charter convertible notes;
•  to purchase, redeem or refinance Charter Holdings notes, CCH II notes, Charter notes, and other direct or indirect parent company notes, so long as CCO Holdings could incur $1.00 of indebtedness under the 4.5 to 1.0 leverage ratio test referred to above and there is no default; or
•  to make other specified restricted payments including merger fees up to 1.25% of the transaction value, repurchases using concurrent new issuances, and certain dividends on existing subsidiary preferred equity interests.

The indenture governing the CCO Holdings senior notes restricts CCO Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries from making investments, except specified permitted investments, or creating new unrestricted subsidiaries, if there is a

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default under the indenture or if CCO Holdings could not incur $1.00 of new debt under the 4.5 to 1.0 leverage ratio test described above after giving effect to the transaction.

Permitted investments include:

investments by CCO Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries in CCO Holdings and in other restricted subsidiaries, or entities that become restricted subsidiaries as a result of the investment,

investments aggregating up to 100% of new cash equity proceeds received by CCO Holdings since November 10, 2003 to the extent the proceeds have not been allocated to the restricted payments covenant described above,

other investments up to $750 million outstanding at any time, and

certain specified additional investments, such as investments in customers and suppliers in the ordinary course of business and investments received in connection with permitted asset sales.
•  investments by CCO Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries in CCO Holdings and in other restricted subsidiaries, or entities that become restricted subsidiaries as a result of the investment,
•  investments aggregating up to 100% of new cash equity proceeds received by CCO Holdings since November 10, 2003 to the extent the proceeds have not been allocated to the restricted payments covenant described above,
•  other investments up to $750 million outstanding at any time, and
•  certain specified additional investments, such as investments in customers and suppliers in the ordinary course of business and investments received in connection with permitted asset sales.

CCO Holdings is not permitted to grant liens on its assets other than specified permitted liens. Permitted liens include liens securing debt and other obligations incurred under our subsidiaries’ credit facilities, liens securing the purchase price of new assets, other liens securing indebtedness up to $50 million and specified liens incurred in the ordinary course of business. The lien covenant does not restrict liens on assets of subsidiaries of CCO Holdings.

CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital, its co-issuer, are generally not permitted to sell all or substantially all of their assets or merge with or into other companies unless their leverage ratio after any such transaction would be no greater than their leverage ratio immediately prior to the transaction, or unless CCO Holdings and its subsidiaries could incur $1.00 of new debt under the 4.50 to 1.0 leverage ratio test described above after giving effect to the transaction, no default exists, and the surviving entity is a U.S. entity that assumes the CCO Holdings senior notes.

CCO Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries may generally not otherwise sell assets or, in the case of restricted subsidiaries, issue equity interests, unless they receive consideration at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or equity interests, consisting of at least 75% in cash, assumption of liabilities, securities converted into cash within 60 days or productive assets. CCO Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries are then required within 365 days after any asset sale either to commit to use the net cash proceeds over a specified threshold to acquire assets, including current assets, used or useful in their businesses or use the net cash proceeds to repay debt, or to offer to repurchase the CCO Holdings senior notes with any remaining proceeds.

CCO Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries may generally not engage in sale and leaseback transactions unless, at the time of the transaction, CCO Holdings could have incurred secured indebtedness in an amount equal to the present value of the net rental payments to be made under the lease, and the sale of the assets and application of proceeds is permitted by the covenant restricting asset sales.

CCO Holdings’ restricted subsidiaries may generally not enter into restrictions on their ability to make dividends or distributions or transfer assets to CCO Holdings on terms that are materially more restrictive than those governing their debt, lien, asset sale, lease and similar agreements existing when they entered into the indentures, unless those restrictions are on customary terms that will not materially impair CCO Holdings’ ability to repay the high-yieldits notes.

The restricted subsidiaries of CCO Holdings are generally not permitted to guarantee or pledge assets to secure debt of CCO Holdings, unless the guarantyingguaranteeing subsidiary issues a guarantee of the notes of comparable priority and tenor, and waives any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation arising from the guarantee transaction for at least one year.

The indentureindentures also restrictsrestrict the ability of CCO Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries to enter into certain transactions with affiliates involving consideration in excess of $15 million without a determination by the board of directors that the transaction is on terms no less favorable than arms length, or transactions with affiliates involving

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over $50 million without receiving an independent opinion as to the fairness of the transaction to the holders of the CCO Holdings notes.

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CC V HoldingsCharter Communications Operating, LLC Notes

On December 10, 1998, CC V Holdings, LLC, formerly known as Avalon Cable LLC,April 27, 2004, Charter Operating and CC V Holdings Finance, Inc. (formerly Avalon Cable Holdings Finance, Inc.)Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. jointly issued $196.0 million total principal amount at maturity$1.1 billion of 11.875%8% senior discountsecond-lien notes due 2008. On July 22, 1999, the issuers exchanged $196.02012 and $400 million of the original issued and outstanding Avalon8 3/8% senior second-lien notes due 2014, for an equivalent amounttotal gross proceeds of new Avalon notes. $1.5 billion.

The form and terms of the new AvalonCharter Operating notes are substantially identical to the original Avalon notes exceptwere sold in a private transaction that they are registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, arewas not subject to the same transfer restrictions.

registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. The AvalonCharter Operating notes are guaranteed by certainnot expected to have the benefit of any exchange or other registration rights, except in specified limited circumstances.

In the first quarter of 2005, as a result of the occurrence of the guarantee and pledge date (generally, upon the Charter Holdings leverage ratio being below 8.75 to 1.0), CCO Holdings and those subsidiaries of CC V Holdings.Charter Operating that are currently guarantors of, or otherwise obligors with respect to, indebtedness under the Charter Operating credit facilities and related obligations provided guarantees of the Charter Operating notes. The note guarantee of each such existing guarantor is, and the note guarantee of any additional future subsidiary guarantor will be:

•  a senior obligation of such guarantor;
•  structurally senior to the outstanding senior notes of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (except in the case of CCO Holdings’ note guarantee, which is structurallypari passuwith such senior notes), the outstanding senior notes of CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp., the outstanding senior notes and senior discount notes of Charter Holdings, the outstanding convertible senior notes of Charter and any future indebtedness of parent companies of CCO Holdings (but subject to provisions in the Charter Operating indenture that permit interest and, subject to meeting the 4.25 to 1.0 leverage ratio test, principal payments to be made thereon); and
•  senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor.

All the subsidiaries of Charter Operating (except CCO NR Sub, LLC, and certain other subsidiaries that are not deemed material and are designated as nonrecourse subsidiaries under the Charter Operating credit facilities) are restricted subsidiaries of Charter Operating under the Charter Operating notes. Unrestricted subsidiaries generally will not be subject to the restrictive covenants in the Charter Operating indenture.

In the event of specified change of control events, holders ofCharter Operating must offer to purchase the AvalonCharter Operating notes have the rightat a purchase price equal to sell their Avalon notes to the issuers of the Avalon notes at 101% of the total principal amount of the AvalonCharter Operating notes repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest if any, to the date of purchase.

Our acquisition of Avalon triggered this right. In January 2000, we completed change of control offers in which we repurchased $16.3 million total accreted value of the 11.875% notes at a purchase price of 101% of accreted value as of January 28, 2000. The repurchase price of $11 million was funded with proceeds of the sale of the January 2000 Charter Holdings notes.

On December 1, 2003, the issuers redeemed at par value an amount equal to $369.79 per $1,000 in principal amount at maturity of each senior discount note then outstanding. Based on the amount outstanding on December 1, 2003, the redemption amount was $67 million.

There were no current payments of cash interest on the Avalon notes before December 1, 2003. The Avalon notes accreted in value at a rate of 11.875% per year, compounded semi-annually, to a total principal amount of $180 million on December 1, 2003. At December 31, 2003, after principal repayments in the fourth quarter of 2003, the total principal amount outstanding was $113 million. Since December 1, 2003, cash interest on the Avalon notes:

accrues at the rate of 11.875% per year on the principal amount at maturity; and

is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing June 1, 2004.

After December 1, 2003, the issuers of the Avalon notes may redeem the Avalon notes, in whole or in part, at a specified premium. The optional redemption price declines to 100% of the principal amount of the Avalon notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, for redemptions on or after December 1, 2006.thereon.

The limitations on incurrence of debt contained in the indenture governing the CC VCharter Operating notes permit the CC V issuersCharter Operating and theirits restricted subsidiaries that are guarantors of the Charter Operating notes to incur additional debt or issue shares of preferred stock so long as we are not in default under the CC V indenture:

if, after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence, the CC V issuersCharter Operating could meet a leverage ratio test (ratio of consolidated debt to four times consolidated cash flowEBITDA, as defined, from the most recent quarter)fiscal quarter for which internal financial reports are available) of 6.54.25 to 1.0, and,1.0.

In addition, regardless of whether the leverage ratio test could be met, so long as no default exists or would result from the incurrence or issuance, Charter Operating and its restricted subsidiaries are permitted to incur or issue:

•  up to $6.5 billion of debt under credit facilities (but such incurrence is permitted only by Charter Operating and its restricted subsidiaries that are guarantors of the Charter Operating notes, so long as there are such guarantors), including debt under credit facilities outstanding on the issue date of the Charter Operating notes;
•  up to $75 million of debt incurred to finance the purchase or capital lease of assets;
•  up to $300 million of additional debt for any purpose; and
•  other items of indebtedness for specific purposes such as refinancing of existing debt and interest rate swaps to provide protection against fluctuation in interest rates and, subject to meeting the leverage ratio test, debt existing at the time of acquisition of a restricted subsidiary.

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up to approximately $346 million of debt under a credit facility,

up to $10 million of debt incurred to finance the purchase of new assets,

up to $15 million of additional debt, and

other items of indebtedness for specific purposes such as intercompany debt, refinancing of existing debt and interest rate swaps to provide protection against fluctuation in interest rates.

The indenture governing the CC VCharter Operating notes permits the CC V issuersCharter Operating to incur debt under one of the categories above, and later reclassify the debt into a different category. The CC VIIICharter Operating credit agreementfacilities generally imposesimpose more restrictive

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limitations on incurring new debt than the Charter Operating indenture, so CC VIIIour subsidiaries that are subject to the Charter Operating and its subsidiariescredit facilities are not permitted to utilize the full debt incurrence capability provided bythat would otherwise be available under the Charter Operating indenture covenants provided for in the CC V notes.covenants.

Under theGenerally, under Charter Operating’s indenture governing the CC V notes, the CC V issuersCharter Operating and theirits restricted subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends on equity interests, repurchase interests, make restricted investments, or make other specified restricted payments only if CC VCharter Operating could after giving effect thereto, incur $1.00 of additionalnew debt under the leverage ratio test, which would requirerequires that the CC V issuersCharter Operating meet the 6.5a 4.25 to 1.0 leverage ratio ofafter giving effect to the indebtedness covenanttransaction, and if no default exists or would exist or result as a consequence thereof.of such incurrence. If those conditions are met, the CC V issuers and their restricted subsidiariespayments are permitted to make restricted payments in a total amount notof up to exceed the result of 100% of the CC V issuers’Charter Operating’s consolidated cash flow,EBITDA, as defined, minus 1.41.3 times theirits consolidated interest expense, plus 100% of new cash and appraised non-cash equity proceeds received by Charter Operating and not allocated to the CC V issuers, plus returns on certain investments,debt incurrence covenant, all cumulatively from Januarythe fiscal quarter commenced April 1, 1999. 2004, plus $100 million.

In addition, Charter Operating may make distributions or restricted payments, so long as no default exists or would be caused by the transaction:

•  to repurchase management equity interests in amounts not to exceed $10 million per fiscal year;
•  regardless of the existence of any default, to pay pass-through tax liabilities in respect of ownership of equity interests in Charter Operating or its restricted subsidiaries;
•  to pay, regardless of the existence of any default, interest when due on the Charter Holdings notes, CCH II notes, CCO Holdings notes, and our notes;
•  to pay, so long as there is no default, interest on the Charter convertible notes;
•  to purchase, redeem or refinance the Charter Holdings notes, CCH II notes, the CCO Holdings notes, the Charter notes, and other direct or indirect parent company notes, so long as Charter Operating could incur $1.00 of indebtedness under the 4.25 to 1.0 leverage ratio test referred to above and there is no default, or
•  to make other specified restricted payments including merger fees up to 1.25% of the transaction value, repurchases using concurrent new issuances, and certain dividends on existing subsidiary preferred equity interests.

The CC V issuersindenture governing the Charter Operating notes restricts Charter Operating and theirits restricted subsidiaries may make permittedfrom making investments, up to $10 million and otherexcept specified permitted investments, restricted payments upor creating new unrestricted subsidiaries, if there is a default under the indenture or if Charter Operating could not incur $1.00 of new debt under the 4.25 to $51.0 leverage ratio test described above after giving effect to the transaction.

Permitted investments include:

•  investments by Charter Operating and its restricted subsidiaries in Charter Operating and in other restricted subsidiaries, or entities that become restricted subsidiaries as a result of the investment,
•  investments aggregating up to 100% of new cash equity proceeds received by Charter Operating since April 27, 2004 to the extent the proceeds have not been allocated to the restricted payments covenant described above,
•  other investments up to $750 million outstanding at any time, and
•  certain specified additional investments, such as investments in customers and suppliers in the ordinary course of business and investments received in connection with permitted asset sales.

Charter Operating and other specified restricted payments without meeting the foregoing test.

The CC V issuers and theirits restricted subsidiaries are not permitted to grant liens senior to the liens securing the Charter Operating notes, other than permitted liens, on their assets to secure indebtedness or other than specified permitted liens.obligations, if, after giving effect to such incurrence, the senior secured leverage ratio (generally, the ratio of obligations secured by first priority liens to four times EBITDA, as defined, from the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial reports are available) would exceed 3.75 to 1.0. Permitted liens include liens securing debtindebtedness and other obligations under permitted by the covenant limiting incurrence of debt,credit facilities, liens securing amountsthe purchase price of new assets, liens securing indebtedness of up to the greater of $15$50 million or 5% of total assets, certain existing liens and other specified liens incurred in the ordinary course of business.

The CC V issuersCharter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., its co-issuer, are generally not permitted to sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of their assets or merge with or into other companies unless their leverage ratio after any such transaction would be no greater than their leverage ratio immediately prior to the CC V issuerstransaction, or unless Charter

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Operating and theirits subsidiaries could incur $1.00 of additionalnew debt under the 4.25 to 1.0 leverage ratio test described above after giving effect to the transaction.

transaction, no default exists, and the surviving entity is a U.S. entity that assumes the Charter Operating notes.

The CC V issuersCharter Operating and theirits restricted subsidiaries generally may generally not otherwise sell assets or, in the case of restricted subsidiaries, issue equity interests, unless they receive consideration at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or equity interests, withconsisting of at least 75% of the consideration for such sale consisting of a controlling interest in a permitted business or assets useful in a permitted business or cash, assumption of liabilities, or securities promptly converted into cash. The CC V issuerscash within 60 days or productive assets. Charter Operating and theirits restricted subsidiaries are then required within 360365 days after any asset sale either to commit to use the net cash proceeds over a specified threshold either to acquire assets, including controllingcurrent assets, used or useful in permittedtheir businesses make capital expenditures or use the net cash proceeds to repay debt, or to offer to repurchase the CC VCharter Operating notes with any remaining proceeds.

The CC V issuersCharter Operating and theirits restricted subsidiaries may generally not engage in sale and leaseback transactions unless, at the time of the transaction, the applicable CC V issuer or restricted subsidiaryCharter Operating could have incurred secured indebtedness under the leverage ratio test described above in an amount equal to the present value of the net rental payments to be made under the lease, the gross proceeds of the sale are at least equal to the fair market value of the subject property, and the sale of the assets and application of proceeds is permitted by the covenant restricting asset sales.

The CC V issuers’Charter Operating’s restricted subsidiaries may generally not enter into restrictions on their abilitiesability to make dividends or distributions or transfer assets to Charter Operating on terms that are materially more restrictive than those governing their debt, lien, asset sale, lease and similar agreements existing when Charter Operating entered into the CC V issuers except under documentsindenture governing debt, asset sales, leases and like transactions permitted by the indenture.
Charter Operating senior second-lien notes unless those restrictions are on customary terms that will not materially impair Charter Operating’s ability to repay the Charter Operating notes.

The restricted subsidiaries of the CC V issuersCharter Operating are generally not permitted to guarantee or pledge assets to secure debt of the CC V issuers,Charter Operating, unless the guarantyingguaranteeing subsidiary issues a guarantee of the CC V notes of comparable priority and tenor, and waives any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation arising from the guarantee transaction for at least one year.

The CC V issuersindenture also restricts the ability of Charter Operating and theirits restricted subsidiaries to enter into certain transactions with affiliates involving consideration in excess of $15 million without a determination by the board of directors that the transaction is on terms no less favorable than arms length, or transactions with affiliates involving over $50 million without receiving an independent opinion as to the fairness of the transaction to the holders of the Charter Operating notes.

Charter Operating and its restricted subsidiaries are generally not permitted to transfer equity interests in restricted subsidiaries unless the transfer is of all of the equity interests in the restricted subsidiary or the restricted subsidiary remains a restricted subsidiary and net proceeds of the equity sale are applied in accordance with the asset sales covenant. Restricted subsidiaries

Since the occurrence of the guarantee and pledge date, the collateral for the Charter Operating notes consists of all of Charter Operating’s and its subsidiaries’ assets that secure the obligations of Charter Operating or any subsidiary of Charter Operating with respect to the Charter Operating credit facilities and the related obligations. The collateral currently consists of the capital stock of Charter Operating held by CCO Holdings, all of the intercompany obligations owing to CCO Holdings by Charter Operating or any subsidiary of Charter Operating, and substantially all of Charter Operating’s and the guarantors’ assets (other than the assets of CCO Holdings) in which security interests may be perfected under the Uniform Commercial Code by filing a financing statement (including capital stock and intercompany obligations), including, but not limited to:

•  with certain exceptions, all capital stock (limited in the case of capital stock of foreign subsidiaries, if any, to 66% of the capital stock of first tier foreign Subsidiaries) held by Charter Operating or any guarantor; and
•  with certain exceptions, all intercompany obligations owing to Charter Operating or any guarantor.

In March 2005, CC V Holdings, LLC redeemed in full the notes outstanding under the CC V issuers are not permitted to issue equity interests if as a result, the issuing subsidiary would no longer be a restricted subsidiary.

The indenture governing theindenture. See “ — CC V notes also restricts the ability of theHoldings, LLC Notes.” Following that redemption, CC V issuersHoldings, LLC and its subsidiaries guaranteed the Charter Operating credit facilities and the related obligations and secured those guarantees with first-priority liens, and guaranteed the notes and secured the Charter Operating senior second-lien notes with second-priority liens, on substantially all of their restricted subsidiaries to enter into certain transactions with affiliates involving over $2.5 million without a
assets in which security interests may

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determination by the board of directors that the transaction is on terms no less favorable than arms length, or transactions with affiliates involving consideration in excess of $10 million with affiliates without receiving an independent opinion as to the fairness of the transaction to the holders of the CC V notes.
be perfected under the Uniform Commercial Code by filing a financing statement (including capital stock and intercompany obligations).

In addition, if Charter Operating or its subsidiaries exercise any option to redeem in full the notes outstanding under the Renaissance indenture, then, provided that the Leverage Condition remains satisfied, the Renaissance entities will be required to provide corresponding guarantees of the Charter Operating credit facilities and related obligations and note guarantees and to secure the Charter Operating notes and the Charter Operating credit facilities and related obligations with corresponding liens.

In the event that additional liens are granted by Charter Operating or its subsidiaries to secure obligations under the Charter Operating credit facilities or the related obligations, second-priority liens on the same assets will be granted to secure the Charter Operating notes, which liens will be subject to the provisions of an intercreditor agreement (to which none of Charter Operating or its affiliates are parties). Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, no such second-priority liens need be provided if the time such lien would otherwise be granted is not during a guarantee and pledge availability period (when the Leverage Condition is satisfied), but such second-priority liens will be required to be provided in accordance with the foregoing sentence on or prior to the fifth business day of the commencement of the next succeeding guarantee and pledge availability period.

CC V Holdings, LLC Notes

These notes were redeemed on March 14, 2005 and are therefore no longer outstanding. See “Business — Recent Events.”

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Renaissance Media Notes

The 10% senior discount notes due 2008 were issued by Renaissance Media (Louisiana) LLC, Renaissance Media (Tennessee) LLC and Renaissance Media Holdings Capital Corporation, with Renaissance Media Group LLC as guarantor and the United States Trust Company of New York as trustee. Renaissance Media Group LLC, which is the direct or indirect parent company of these issuers, is now a subsidiary of Charter Operating. The Renaissance 10% notes and the Renaissance guarantee are unsecured, unsubordinated debt of the issuers and the guarantor, respectively. In October 1998, the issuers of the Renaissance notes exchanged $163 million of the original issued and outstanding Renaissance notes for an equivalent value of new Renaissance notes. The form and terms of the new Renaissance notes are the same in all material respects as the form and terms of the original Renaissance notes except that the issuance of the new Renaissance notes was registered under the Securities Act.

There was no payment of any interest in respect of the Renaissance notes prior to October 15, 2003. Since October 15, 2003, interest on the Renaissance notes is payable semi-annually in arrears in cash at a rate of 10% per year. On April 15, 2003, the Renaissance notes became redeemable at the option of the issuers thereof, in whole or in part, initially at 105% of their principal amount at maturity, plus accrued interest, declining to 100% of the principal amount at maturity, plus accrued interest, on or after April 15, 2006.

Our acquisition of Renaissance triggered change of control provisions of the Renaissance notes that required us to offer to purchase the Renaissance notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of their accreted value on the date of the purchase, plus accrued interest, if any. In May 1999, we made an offer to repurchase the Renaissance notes, and holders of Renaissance notes representing 30% of the total principal amount outstanding at maturity tendered their Renaissance notes for repurchase.

The limitations on incurrence of debt contained in the indenture governing the Renaissance notes permit Renaissance Media Group and its restricted subsidiaries to incur additional debt, so long as they are not in default under the indenture:

if, after giving effect to the incurrence, Renaissance Media Group could meet a leverage ratio (ratio of consolidated debt to four times consolidated EBITDA, as defined, from the most recent quarter) of 6.75 to 1.0, and, regardless of whether the leverage ratio could be met,

up to the greater of $200 million or 4.5 times Renaissance Media Group’s consolidated annualized EBITDA, as defined,

up to an amount equal to 5% of Renaissance Media Group’s consolidated total assets to finance the purchase of new assets,

up to two times the sum of (a) the net cash proceeds of new equity issuances and capital contributions, and (b) 80% of the fair market value of property received by Renaissance Media Group or an issuer as a capital contribution, in each case received after the issue date of the Renaissance notes and not allocated to make restricted payments, and

other items of indebtedness for specific purposes such as intercompany debt, refinancing of existing debt and interest rate swaps to provide protection against fluctuation in interest rates.
•  if, after giving effect to the incurrence, Renaissance Media Group could meet a leverage ratio (ratio of consolidated debt to four times consolidated EBITDA, as defined, from the most recent quarter) of 6.75 to 1.0, and, regardless of whether the leverage ratio could be met,
•  up to the greater of $200 million or 4.5 times Renaissance Media Group’s consolidated annualized EBITDA, as defined,
•  up to an amount equal to 5% of Renaissance Media Group’s consolidated total assets to finance the purchase of new assets,
•  up to two times the sum of (a) the net cash proceeds of new equity issuances and capital contributions, and (b) 80% of the fair market value of property received by Renaissance Media Group or an issuer as a capital contribution, in each case received after the issue date of the Renaissance notes and not allocated to make restricted payments, and
•  other items of indebtedness for specific purposes such as intercompany debt, refinancing of existing debt and interest rate swaps to provide protection against fluctuation in interest rates.

The indenture governing the Renaissance notes permits us to incur debt under one of the categories above, and reclassify the debt into a different category.

Under the indenture governing the Renaissance notes, Renaissance Media Group and its restricted subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends on equity interests, repurchase interests, make restricted investments, or make other specified restricted payments only if Renaissance Media Group could incur $1.00 of additional debt under the debt

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incurrence test, which requires that Renaissance Media Group meet the 6.75 to 1.0 leverage ratio after giving effect to the transaction of the indebtedness covenant and that no default exists or would occur as a consequence thereof. If those conditions are met, Renaissance Media

Group and its restricted subsidiaries are permitted to make restricted payments in a total amount not to exceed the result of 100% of Renaissance Media Group’s consolidated EBITDA, as defined, minus 130% of its consolidated interest expense, plus 100% of new cash equity proceeds received by Renaissance Media Group and not allocated to the indebtedness covenant, plus returns on certain investments, all cumulatively from June 1998. Renaissance Media Group and its restricted subsidiaries may make permitted investments up to $2 million in related businesses and other specified permitted investments, restricted payments up to $10 million, dividends up to 6% each year of the net cash proceeds of public equity offerings, and other specified restricted payments without meeting the foregoing test.

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Group and its restricted subsidiaries are permitted to make restricted payments in a total amount not to exceed the result of 100% of Renaissance Media Group’s consolidated EBITDA, as defined, minus 130% of its consolidated interest expense, plus 100% of new cash equity proceeds received by Renaissance Media Group and not allocated to the indebtedness covenant, plus returns on certain investments, all cumulatively from June 1998. Renaissance Media Group and its restricted subsidiaries may make permitted investments up to $2 million in related businesses and other specified permitted investments, restricted payments up to $10 million, dividends up to 6% each year of the net cash proceeds of public equity offerings, and other specified restricted payments without meeting the foregoing test.

Renaissance Media Group and its restricted subsidiaries are not permitted to grant liens on their assets other than specified permitted liens, unless corresponding liens are granted to secure the Renaissance notes. Permitted liens include liens securing debt permitted to be incurred under credit facilities, liens securing debt incurred under the incurrence of indebtedness test, in amounts up to the greater of $200 million or 4.5 times Renaissance Media Group’s consolidated EBITDA, as defined, liens as deposits for acquisitions up to 10% of the estimated purchase price, liens securing permitted financings of new assets, liens securing debt permitted to be incurred by restricted subsidiaries, and specified liens incurred in the ordinary course of business.

Renaissance Media Group and the issuers of the Renaissance notes are generally not permitted to sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of their assets or merge with or into other companies unless their consolidated net worth after any such transaction would be no greater than their consolidated net worth immediately prior to the transaction, or unless Renaissance Media Group could incur $1.00 of additional debt under the debt incurrence test, which would require them to meet a leverage ratio of 6.75 to 1.00 after giving effect to the transaction.

Renaissance Media Group and its subsidiaries may generally not otherwise sell assets or, in the case of subsidiaries, equity interests, unless they receive consideration at least equal to the fair market value of the assets, consisting of at least 75% cash, temporary cash investments or assumption of debt. Charter Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries are then required within 12 months after any asset sale either to commit to use the net cash proceeds over a specified threshold either to acquire assets used in their own or related businesses or use the net cash proceeds to repay debt, or to offer to repurchase the Renaissance notes with any remaining proceeds.

Renaissance Media Group and its restricted subsidiaries may generally not engage in sale and leaseback transactions unless the lease term does not exceed three years or the proceeds are applied in accordance with the covenant limiting asset sales.

Renaissance Media Group’s restricted subsidiaries may generally not enter into restrictions on their abilities to make dividends or distributions or transfer assets to Renaissance Media Group except those not more restrictive than is customary in comparable financings.

The restricted subsidiaries of Renaissance Media Group are not permitted to guarantee or pledge assets to secure debt of the Renaissance Media Group or its restricted subsidiaries, unless the guarantyingguaranteeing subsidiary issues a guarantee of the Renaissance notes of comparable priority and tenor, and waives any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation arising from the guarantee transaction for at least one year.
transaction.

Renaissance Media Group and its restricted subsidiaries are generally not permitted to issue or sell equity interests in restricted subsidiaries, except sales of common stock of restricted subsidiaries so long as the proceeds of the sale are applied in accordance with the asset sale covenant, and issuances as a result of which the restricted subsidiary is no longer a restricted subsidiary and any remaining investment in that subsidiary is permitted by the covenant limiting restricted payments.

The indenture governing the Renaissance Notesnotes also restricts the ability of Renaissance Media Group and its restricted subsidiaries to enter into certain transactions with affiliates involving consideration in excess of $2 million without a determination by the disinterested members of the board of directors that the transaction is on terms no less favorable than arms length, or transactions with affiliates involving over $4 million with affiliates without receiving an independent opinion as to the fairness of the transaction to Renaissance Media Group.

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All of these covenants are subject to additional specified exceptions. In general, the covenants of our subsidiaries’ credit agreements are more restrictive than those of our indentures.

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Cross-Defaults

Our indentures and those of certain of our subsidiaries include various events of default, including cross-default provisions. Under these provisions, a failure by any of the issuers or any of their restricted subsidiaries to pay at the final maturity thereof the principal amount of other indebtedness having a principal amount of $100 million or more (or any other default under any such indebtedness resulting in its acceleration) would result in an event of default under the indenture governing the applicable notes. As a result, an event of default related to the failure to repay principal at maturity or the acceleration of the indebtedness under the credit facilities of our subsidiaries or the CC V and Renaissance indentures could cause a cross-default under our indentures.

The Renaissance indenture contains a similar cross-default provision with a $10 million threshold that applies to the issuers of the Renaissance notes and their restricted subsidiaries. The CC V indenture contains events of default that include a cross-default to acceleration of, or failure to make payments when due or within the applicable grace period, by CC V Holdings, CC V Holdings Finance or any restricted subsidiary, on any indebtedness of $5 million or more. As a result, an event of default related to the failure to make a payment when duerepay principal at maturity or the acceleration of the indebtedness under the CC VIIICharter Holdings notes, CCH II notes, CCO Holding notes, Charter Operating notes, the Charter Operating credit facilityfacilities or the Renaissance notes could cause a cross-defaultcross-defaults under the CC V indenture.our subsidiaries’ indentures.

Related Party Transactions

See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Business Relationships” for information regarding related party transactions and transactions with other parties with whom we or our related parties may have a relationship that enables the parties to negotiate terms of material transactions that may not be available from other, more clearly independent parties, on an arm’sarms length basis.

Certain Trends and Uncertainties

The following discussion highlights a number of trends and uncertainties, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this annual report and in other documents that we file with the SEC, that could materially impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Substantial Leverage.We and our subsidiaries have a significant amount of debt. As of December 31, 2003,2004, our total debt was approximately $17.9$18.5 billion. In 2004, $188each of 2005 and 2006, $30 million of our debt matures,matures. In 2007 and in 2005 and 2006, an additional $426 million and $999 million matures, respectively. In subsequent years, substantialbeyond, significant additional amounts will become due under our remaining obligations. We believe that as a result of our significant levels of debt and operating performance, our access to the debt markets could be limited when substantial amounts of our current indebtedness become due.limited. If our business does not generate sufficient cash flow from operating activities, and sufficient funds are not available to us from borrowings under our credit facilities or from other sources, we may not be able to repay our debt, grow our business, respond to competitive challenges, or to fund our other liquidity and capital needs.needs, grow our business or respond to competitive challenges. Further, if we are unable to repay or refinance thatour debt, ultimately,as it becomes due, we could be forced to restructure our obligations or seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. If we find it necessarywere to engage in a recapitalization or other similar transaction, our noteholders might not receive all principal and interest payments to which they are contractually entitled.entitled on a timely basis or at all. For more information, see the section above entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Restrictive Covenants.The credit facilities of our subsidiaries and the indentures governing the publicly held notes of our subsidiariesand our subsidiaries’ other debt contain a number of significant covenants that could adversely impactaffect our business. In particular, the credit facilitiesability to operate our business, and indenturestherefore could adversely affect our results of operations. These covenants restrict our subsidiaries restrictand our subsidiaries’ ability to:

pay dividends or make other distributions;

make certain investments or acquisitions;

enter into related party transactions;

dispose of assets or merge;

incur additional debt;

issue equity;

repurchase or redeem equity interests and debt;

grant liens; and

pledge assets.

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•  incur additional debt;
•  repurchase or redeem equity interests and debt;
•  issue equity;
•  make certain investments or acquisitions;
•  pay dividends or make other distributions;
•  dispose of assets or merge;
•  enter into related party transactions;
•  grant liens; and
•  pledge assets.

Furthermore, our subsidiaries’ credit facilities require our subsidiariesus to, among other things, maintain specified financial ratios, meet specified financial tests and meetprovide audited financial tests. These financial ratios tighten and may become more difficult to maintain over time. Thestatements with an unqualified opinion from our independent auditors. See “Description of Our Outstanding Debt” for details on our debt covenants. Our ability to comply with these provisions may be affected by events beyond our control.

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The breach of any of these covenants willor obligations in the foregoing indentures or credit facilities, not otherwise waived or amended, could result in a default under the applicable debt agreement or instrument and could trigger acceleration of the related debt, under the applicable agreement, andwhich in certain casesturn could trigger defaults under other agreements governing our long-term indebtedness. In addition, the secured lenders under the Charter Operating credit facilities and the Charter Operating senior second-lien notes could foreclose on their collateral, which includes equity interests in our subsidiaries, and exercise other rights of secured creditors. Any default under thethose credit facilities, orthe indentures applicable to us orgoverning our subsidiariessubsidiaries’ debt could adversely affect our growth, our financial condition and our results of operations and theour ability to make payments on our and our subsidiaries publicly held notes and the credit facilities and other debt of our subsidiaries. For more information, see the section above entitled “Liquidity“— Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Liquidity.Our business requires significant cash to fund capital expenditures, debt service costs and ongoing operations. Our ongoing operations will depend on our ability to generate cash and to secure financing in the future. We have historically funded liquidity and capital requirements through cash flows from operating activities, borrowings under theour credit facilities, of our subsidiaries, issuances of debt securities, by us or our subsidiaries, loans or equity contributions from Charter Holdco and cash on hand.

Our ability to operate depends onupon, among other things, our continued access to capital, including credit under our subsidiaries’the Charter Operating credit facilities. Our total potential borrowing availabilityThese credit facilities are subject to certain restrictive covenants, some of which require us to maintain specified financial ratios and meet financial tests and to provide audited financial statements with an unqualified opinion from our independent auditors. As of December 31, 2004, we were in compliance with the covenants under our indentures and under the current credit facilities and indentures of our subsidiaries, totaled $1.7 billion asand we expect to remain in compliance with those covenants for the next twelve months. If our operating performance results in non-compliance with these covenants, or if any of December 31, 2003, although the actual availabilitycertain other events of non-compliance under the covenant restrictions at that time was only $828 million. Our access to those funds is subject to our satisfaction of the covenants in thosethese credit facilities and theor indentures governing our debt occurs, funding under the credit facilities may not be available and defaults on some or potentially all of our subsidiaries’ debt. In addition, andebt obligations could occur. An event of default under the credit facilities andor indentures, if not waived, could result in the acceleration of those debt obligations which would in turn result in the acceleration ofand, consequently, other debt obligations, andobligations. Such acceleration could result in exercise of remedies by our creditors and could force us to seek the protection of the bankruptcy laws, which could materially adversely impact our ability to operate our business and to make payments under our debt instruments. As of December 31, 2004, we had borrowing availability under our credit facilities of $804 million, none of which was restricted due to covenants.

If, at any time, additional capital or capacity is required beyond amounts internally generated or available through existingunder our credit facilities or in traditionalthrough additional debt financings, we would consider:

requesting waivers or amendments with respect to our credit facilities, the availability and terms of which would be subject to market conditions;

further reducing our expenses and capital expenditures, which would likely impair our ability to increase revenue;

selling assets;

issuing debt securities which may have structural or other priorities over our existing notes; or

issuing debt or equity of Charter or Charter Holdco, the proceeds from which could be loaned or contributed to us.
•  issuing debt or equity at the Charter or Charter Holdco level, the proceeds of which could be loaned or contributed to us;
•  issuing debt securities that may have structural or other priority over our existing notes;
•  further reducing our expenses and capital expenditures, which may impair our ability to increase revenue;
•  selling assets; or
•  requesting waivers or amendments with respect to our credit facilities, the availability and terms of which would be subject to market conditions.

If the above strategies were not successful, ultimately, we could be forced to restructure our obligations or seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. In addition, ifIf we find it necessary to engage in a recapitalization or other similar transaction, our noteholders might not receive all principal and interest payments to which they are contractually entitled.

For more information, see the section above entitled “Liquidity“— Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Charter Liquidity Concerns.Concerns.Charter has a substantialsignificant amount of debt.debt and may incur additional debt in the future. At December 31, 2003,2004, Charter had approximately $774$156 million and $863 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes outstanding, which mature in 20052006 and 2006. 2009, respectively. Charter will need to raise additional capital or receive distributions or payments from us in order to satisfy its debt obligations.

Charter’s ability to make interest payments on its convertible senior notes, is dependentand, in 2006 and 2009, to repay the outstanding principal of its convertible senior notes, will depend on its ability to obtainraise additional financingcapital and/or on receipt of payments or distributions from Charter Holdco or its subsidiaries, including CCH II, CCO Holdings and on usCharter Operating. The indentures governing the CCH II notes, CCO Holdings notes, and its otherCharter Operating notes, however, restrict these entities and their subsidiaries from making distributions loans,to their parent companies (including Charter, Charter Holdco and Charter Holdings) for payment of principal on Charter’s convertible senior notes, in each case unless there is no default under the applicable indenture and a specified leverage ratio test is met at the

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time of such event. In addition, each of CCH II, CCO Holdings and Charter Operating must independently assess whether such payments or paymentsdistributions are advisable. CCH II, CCO Holdings and Charter Operating meet the applicable leverage ratio test under each of their respective indentures, and as a result are not prohibited from making any such distributions to their respective direct parent.

The indentures governing the Charter Holdings notes permit Charter Holdings to make distributions to Charter Holdco andfor payment of interest or principal on Charter Holdco paying or distributing such funds to Charter. The indentures governing ourthe convertible senior notes, permit us to make distributions up to our formulaic capacity to Charter Holdco only if, after giving effect to the distribution, weCharter Holdings can incur additional debt under the leverage ratio of 8.75 to 1.0, there is no default under the Charter Holdings’ indentures and other specified tests are met. However, inFor the event that we could not incur any additional debt under the 8.75 to 1.0 leverage ratio, the indentures governing our notes permit us and our subsidiaries to make specified investments in Charter Holdco or Charter, up to its formulaic capacity, ifquarter ended December 31, 2004, there iswas no default under the indentures. There were no defaults under ourCharter Holdings’ indentures and other specified tests were met. In addition, Charter Holdings met for the year endingleverage ratio of 8.75 to 1.0 based on December 31, 2003. However, we did2004 financial results. As a result, distributions from Charter Holdings to Charter or Charter Holdco are not currently restricted. Such distributions will again be restricted, however, if Charter Holdings fails to meet theits leverage ratio test at December 31, 2003,the time of such event. In the past Charter Holdings has from time to time failed to meet this leverage ratio test, and there can be no assurance that Charter Holdings will satisfy this test in the future.

Charter chose not to make the first quarter 2005 dividend payments on its preferred stock because it was unable to conclude with certainty that it had an adequate surplus available for the issuance of such dividends as a result, distributions from usrequired under Delaware law. We do not believe this non-payment of the preferred stock dividend will adversely impact Charter’s current liquidity and while Charter may need to Charterraise additional capital in the future, we cannot predict what impact any non-payment of dividends will be restricted until that test is met. have on Charter’s ability to do so.

Because Charter is our manager, any financial or liquidity problems of Charter would be likely tocould cause serious disruption to our business and to have a material adverse effect on our

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operations business and results.results of operations. Any such event would likelycould adversely impact our own credit rating, and our relations with customers and suppliers, which could in turn further impair our ability to obtain financing and operate our business. Further, to the extent that any such event results in a change of control of Charter (whether through a bankruptcy, receivership or other reorganization of Charter and/or Charter Holdco, or otherwise), it could result in an event of default under theour credit facilities of our subsidiaries and would require a change of control repurchase offer under our outstanding notes.

Acceleration of Indebtedness of Our Subsidiaries.In the event of a default under our subsidiaries’ credit facilities or notes, our subsidiaries’ creditors could elect to declare all amounts borrowed, together with accrued and unpaid interest and other fees, to be due and payable. In such event, our subsidiaries’ credit facilities and indentures willwould not permit ourCharter Holdings’ subsidiaries to distribute funds to Charter HoldingsHoldings’ to pay interest or principal on ourits notes. If the amounts outstanding under such credit facilities or notes are accelerated, all of our subsidiaries’the debt and liabilities of Charter Holdings’ subsidiaries would be payable from ourthe subsidiaries’ assets, prior to any distribution of ourthe subsidiaries’ assets to pay the interest and principal amounts on ourCharter Holdings’ notes. In addition, the lenders under our subsidiaries’ credit facilities could foreclose on their collateral, which includes equity interests in ourCharter Holdings’ subsidiaries, and they could exercise other rights of secured creditors. In any such case, we might not be able to repay or make any payments on our notes. Additionally, an acceleration or payment default under our subsidiaries’ credit facilities would cause a cross-default in the indentures governing ourthe Charter Holdings notes, CCH II notes, and CCO Holdings notes and Charter Operating notes and would trigger the cross-default provision of the Charter Operating credit agreement. Any default under any of our subsidiaries’ credit facilities or notes might adversely affect the holders of our notes and our growth, financial condition and results of operations and could force us to examine all options, including seeking the protection of the bankruptcy laws.

Our PublicCharter Holdings’ Notes are Structurally Subordinated in Right of Payment to all Liabilities of ourits Subsidiaries.The borrowers and guarantors under the Charter Operating credit facilities the CC VI Operating credit facilities, the Falcon credit facilities and the CC VIII Operating credit facilitiessenior second-lien notes are ourCharter Holdings’ indirect subsidiaries. A number of ourCharter Holdings’ subsidiaries are also obligors under other debt instruments, including Charter Holdings, CCH II, and CCO Holdings and Charter Operating, which are each a co-issuer of senior notes and/or senior discount notes. As of December 31, 2003,2004, our total debt was approximately $17.9 billion, $9.6$18.5 billion, of which would have been$9.9 billion was structurally senior in right of payment to our publicCharter Holdings’ notes. In a liquidation, the lenders under all of our subsidiaries’ credit facilities and the holders of the other debt instruments and all other creditors of ourCharter Holdings’ subsidiaries willwould have the right to be paid before us from anyholders of ourCharter Holdings’ subsidiaries’ assets.

If weThe Charter Operating credit facilities and the indentures governing the senior notes, senior discount notes and senior second-lien notes issued by subsidiaries of Charter Holdings’ contain restrictive covenants that limit the ability of such subsidiaries to make distributions or other payments to Charter Holdings’ to enable Charter Holdings’ to make payments on its notes. In addition, if Charter Holdings’ caused a subsidiary to make a distribution to enable usit to make payments in respect of our publicon its notes, and such transfer were deemed a fraudulent transfer or an unlawful distribution, the holders of our publicCharter Holdings’ notes could be required to return the payment to (or for the benefit of) the creditors of ourits subsidiaries. In the event of the bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution of a subsidiary, following payment by such subsidiary of its liabilities, such subsidiary may not have sufficient assets remaining to make any payments to us as an equity holder or otherwise and may be restricted by bankruptcy and insolvency laws from making any such

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payments. This would affect ourThe foregoing contractual and legal restrictions could limit Charter Holdings’ ability to make payments of principal and/or interest to the holders of our publicits notes.

Securities Litigation and Government Investigations.A number of putative federal class action lawsuits have been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri against Charter and certain of its former and present officers and directors alleging violations of securities laws, which have been consolidated for pretrial purposes. In addition, a number of othershareholder derivative lawsuits have been filed against Charter in the same and other jurisdictions. A shareholders derivative suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and several class action lawsuits were filed in Delaware state court against Charter and certain of its directors and officers. Finally, twothen current directors. Also, three shareholders derivative suits were filed in Missouri state court against Charter, its then current directors and its former independent auditor. These state court actions were consolidated during the fourth quarter of 2002.have been consolidated. The federal shareholders derivative suit the Delaware class actions and the consolidated derivative suit each allegealleged that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties.

Charter recently entered into Stipulations of Settlement setting forth proposed terms of settlement for the above described class actions and derivative suits. The settlement of each of the lawsuits remains conditioned upon, among other things, final judicial approval of the settlements following notice to the class, and dismissal with prejudice of the consolidated derivative actions now pending in Missouri state court, which are related to the Federal Derivative Action. Additionally, a portion of the settlement is to be paid in shares of Charter’s Class A common stock with a value of $45 million (includes shares issuable to insurance carriers) and warrants to purchase Charter’s Class A common stock valued at $40 million, with such values in each case determined by formulas set forth in the Stipulations of Settlement. If the price of Charter’s common stock declines, additional shares will be required in order to fulfill this commitment. Charter has the right but not the obligation to terminate the settlements if the value of its common stock (under the above-described formula) is less than $2.25. See “Part II, Item 1. Legal Proceedings.”

In August 2002, Charter became aware of a grand jury investigation being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri into certain of its accounting and reporting practices focusing on how it reported customer numbers, and its reporting of amounts received from digital set-top terminal suppliers for advertising. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has publicly stated that Charter is not currently a target of the investigation. Charter haswas also been advised by the U.S. Attorney’s Office that no current officer or member of its board of directors including its Chief Executive Officer, is a target of the investigation. On July 24, 2003, a federal grand jury charged four former officers of Charter with conspiracy and mail and wire fraud, alleging improper accounting and reporting practices focusing on revenue from digital set-top terminal suppliers and inflated customer account numbers. On July 25, 2003, oneEach of the indicted former officers who was indicted entered apled guilty plea.to single conspiracy counts related to the original mail and wire fraud charges and are awaiting sentencing. Charter has advisedinformed us that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.

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On November 4, 2002, Charter received an informal, non-public inquiry from the staff of the SEC. The SEC subsequently issued a formal order of investigation dated January 23, 2003, and subsequent relatedsubsequently served document and testimony subpoenas.subpoenas on Charter and a number of its former employees. The investigation and subpoenas generally concernconcerned Charter’s prior reports with respect to its determination of the number of customers and various of its accounting policies and practices including its capitalization of certain expenses and dealings with certain vendors, including programmers and digital set-top terminal suppliers. Charter has advised us that it is fully cooperating withOn July 27, 2004, the SEC staff.and Charter reached a final agreement to settle the investigation. In the Settlement Agreement and Cease and Desist Order, Charter agreed to entry of an administrative order prohibiting any future violations of United States securities laws and requiring certain other remedial internal practices and public disclosures. Charter neither admitted nor denied any wrongdoing, and the SEC assessed no fine against Charter.

DueMoreover, due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation and investigations, and due to the remaining conditions to the finalization of our anticipated settlements, Charter cannot predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of these proceedings. An unfavorable outcome in the lawsuits or the government investigationsinvestigation described above could result in substantial potential liabilities and have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations or our liquidity, including our ability to comply with our debt covenants.

In addition, the restatement of our 2000, 2001 and 2002 financial statements may lead to additional allegations in the pending securities class and shareholders derivative actions against Charter, or to additional claims being filed or to investigations being expanded or commenced. Theseliquidity. Further, these proceedings, and Charter’sour actions in response to these proceedings, could result in substantial additional defense costs substantial potential liabilities and the diversion of management’s attention, and could adversely affect our ability to execute our business and financial strategies.

Competition.The industry in which we operate is highly competitive.competitive, and has become more so in recent years. In some instances, we compete against companies with fewer regulatory burdens, easier access to financing, greater personnel resources, greater brand name recognition and long-established relationships with regulatory authorities and customers. Increasing consolidation in the cable industry and the repeal of certain ownership rules may provide

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additional benefits to certain of our competitors, either through access to financing, resources or efficiencies of scale.

Our principal competitor for video services throughout our territory is direct broadcast satellite television services, also known as DBS. Competition from DBS, including intensive marketing efforts, and aggressive pricing, and the ability of DBS to provide certain services that we are in the process of developing, has had an adverse impact on our ability to retain customers.

DBS has grown rapidly over the last several years and continues to do so. The cable industry, including Charter, has lost a significant number of subscribers to DBS competition, and we face serious challenges in this area in the future. We believe that competition from DBS service providers may present greater challenges in areas of lower population density, and that our systems may service a higher concentration of such areas than those of other major cable service providers.

Local telephone companies and electric utilities can competeoffer video and other services in this area,competition with us, and they increasingly may do so in the future. Certain telephone companies have begun more extensive deployment of fiber in their networks that will enable them to begin providing video services, as well as telephony and high-bandwidth Internet access services, to residential and business customers. Some of these telephone companies have obtained, and are now seeking, franchises that are less burdensome than existing Charter franchises. The subscription television industry also faces competition from free broadcast television and from other communications and entertainment media. Further loss of customers to DBS or other alternative video and data services could have a material negative impact on the value of our business and its performance.

With respect to our Internet access services, we face competition, including intensive marketing efforts and aggressive pricing, from telephone companies and other providers of “dial-up” and digital subscriber line technology, also known as DSL. Further loss of customersDSL service is competitive with high-speed data service over cable systems. Telephone companies (which already have telephone lines into the household, an existing customer base and other operational functions in place) and other companies offer DSL service. In addition, DBS providers have entered into joint marketing arrangements with Internet access providers to DBS or other alternativeoffer bundled video and dataInternet service, which competes with our ability to provide bundled services to our customers.

In order to attract new customers, from time to time we make promotional offers, including offers of temporarily reduced-price or free service. These promotional programs result in significant advertising, programming and operating expenses, and also require us to make capital expenditures to acquire additional digital set-top terminals. Customers who subscribe to our services as a result of these offerings may not remain customers for any significant period of time following the end of the promotional period. A failure to retain existing customers and customers added through promotional offerings or to collect the amounts they owe us could have a material negative impactan adverse effect on our business.business and financial results.

Mergers, joint ventures and alliances among franchised, wireless or private cable operators, satellite television providers, local exchange carriers and others, and the repeal of certain ownership rules may provide additional benefits to some of our competitors, either through access to financing, resources or efficiencies of scale, or the ability to provide multiple services in direct competition with us.

Long-Term Indebtedness — Change of Control Payments.We and our parent companies may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to fulfill our obligations under our and our parent companies’ senior and senior discount notes and our credit facilities following a change of control. Under the indentures governing our parent companies’ notes, upon the occurrence of specified change of control events, including certain specified dispositions of Charter’s stock by Mr. Allen, each such issuer is required to offer to repurchase all of its outstanding notes. However, our parent companies may not have sufficient funds at the time of the change of control event to make the required repurchase of the applicable notes and all of the notes issuers are limited in their ability to make distributions or other payments to their respective parent companies to fund any required repurchase. In addition, a change of control under our credit facilities and indentures governing their and our notes would require the repayment of borrowings under those credit facilities and indentures. Because such credit facilities and notes are obligations of Charter Holdings’ subsidiaries, the credit facilities and the notes would have to be repaid by Charter Holdings’ subsidiaries before their assets could be available to Charter Holdings or its parent companies to repurchase Charter Holdings and its parents’ notes. Any failure to make or complete a change of control offer would place the applicable issuer or borrower in default under its notes. The failure of Charter Holdings’ subsidiaries to make a change of control offer or repay the amounts outstanding under their credit facilities would place them in default under these agreements and could result in a default under the indentures governing the

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Charter Holdings’ and its parent companies’ notes. See “— Certain Trends and Uncertainties — Liquidity.”

Variable Interest Rates.At December 31, 2003,2004, excluding the effects of hedging, approximately 39%33% of our debt bears interest at variable rates that are linked to short-term interest rates. In addition, a significant portion of our existing debt, assumed debt or debt we might arrange in the future will bear interest at variable rates. If interest rates rise, our costs relative to those obligations will also rise. As of December 31, 20032004 and December 31, 2002,2003, the weighted average interest rate on the bankcredit facility debt was approximately 6.8% and 5.4%, and the weighted average interest rate on the high-yield debtnotes was approximately 10.3%9.9% and 10.2%10.3%, respectively, resulting in a blended weighted average interest rate of 8.3%9.0% and 8.1%8.3%, respectively. Approximately 79%82% of our debt was effectively fixed including the effects of our interest rate hedge agreements as of December 31, 20032004 compared to approximately 77%79% at December 31, 2002.

Streamlining of Operations.In the past, we experienced rapid growth from acquisitions of a number of smaller cable operators and the rapid rebuild and rollout of advanced services. Our future success will depend in part on our ability to standardize and streamline our operations. The failure to implement a consistent corporate culture and management, operating or financial systems or procedures necessary to standardize and streamline our operations and effectively operate our enterprise could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, our ability to properly manage our operations will be impacted by our ability to attract, retain and incentivize experienced, qualified, professional management.2003.

Services.We expect that a substantial portion of our near-term growth will be achieved through revenues from high-speed data services, digital video, bundled service packages, and to a lesser extent various commercial services that take advantage of cable’s broadband capacity. The technology involved in our product and service offerings

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generally requires that we have permission to use intellectual property and that such property not infringe on rights claimed by others. We may not be able to offer these advanced services successfully to our customers or provide adequate customer service and these advanced services may not generate adequate revenues. Also, if the vendors we use for these services are not financially viable over time, we may experience disruption of service and incur costs to find alternative vendors. In addition, ifthe technology involved in our product and service offerings generally requires that we have permission to use intellectual property and that such property not infringe on rights claimed by others. If it is determined that the product or service being utilized infringes on the rights of others, we may be sued or be precluded from using the technology.

Increasing Programming Costs.Programming has been, and is expected to continue to be, our largest operating expense item. In recent years, the cable industry has experienced a rapid escalation in the cost of programming, particularly sports programming. This escalation mayWe expect programming costs to continue to increase because of a variety of factors, including inflationary or negotiated annual increases, additional programming being provided to customers and we may not be ableincreased costs to purchase or produce programming. The inability to fully pass these programming cost increases on to our customers.customers would have an adverse impact on our cash flow and operating margins. As measured by programming costs, and excluding premium services (substantially all of which were renegotiated and renewed in 2003), as of February 18,December 31, 2004 approximately 34%10% of our current programming contracts were expired, and approximately another 34% are scheduled to expire by the end of 2004, and approximately another 11% by the end of 2005. There can be no assurance that these agreements will be renewed on favorable or comparable terms. TheOur programming costs increased by approximately 6% in 2004 and we expect our programming costs in 2005 to increase at a higher rate than in 2004. To the extent that we are unable to reach agreement with certain programmers on terms that we believe are reasonable we may be forced to remove such programming channels from our line-up, which could result in a further loss of customers. In addition, our inability to fully pass these programming cost increases on to our customers would have an adverse impact on our cash flow and operating margins.

Notes Price Volatility.The market price of our publicly-tradedpublicly traded notes issued by us and our subsidiaries has been and is likely to continue to be highly volatile. We expect that the price of our securities may fluctuate in response to various factors, including the factors described throughoutin this section and various other factors, which may be beyond our control. These factors beyond our control could include: financial forecasts by securities analysts; new conditions or trends in the cable or telecommunications industry; general economic and market conditions and specifically, conditions related to the cable or telecommunications industry; any further downgrade ofchange in our debt ratings; announcement of the development of improved or competitive technologies; the use of new products or promotions by us or our competitors; changes in accounting rules;rules or interpretations; and new regulatory legislation adopted in the United States.

In addition, the securities market in general, and the market for cable televisionindustry securities in particular, have experienced significant price fluctuations. Volatility in the market price for companies may often be unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. These broad market and industry factors may seriously harm the market price of our and our subsidiaries’ notes, regardless of our operating performance. In the past, securities litigation has often commenced following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, and several purported class action lawsuits were filed against Charter in 2001 and 2002, following a decline in its stock price.

Economic Slowdown; Global Conflict.It is difficult to assess the impact that the general economic slowdown and global conflict will have on future operations. However, the economic slowdown has resulted and could continue to result in reduced spending by customers and advertisers, which could reduce our revenues, and also could affect our ability to collect accounts receivable and maintain customers. In addition, any prolonged military conflict would materially and adversely affect our revenues from our systems providing services to military installations. If we experience reducedReductions in operating revenues it couldwould likely negatively affect our ability to make expected capital expenditures and could also result in our inability to meet our

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obligations under our financing agreements. These developments could also have a negative impact on our financing and variable interest rate agreements through disruptions in the market or negative market conditions.

Long-Term Indebtedness — Change of Control Payments.Charter may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to fulfill its obligations under the Charter convertible senior notes or the notes and credit facilities of us and our subsidiaries following a change of control. Under the indentures governing the Charter convertible senior notes, upon the occurrence of specified change of control events, including certain specified dispositions of Charter’s stock by Mr. Allen, Charter is required to offer to repurchase all of the outstanding Charter convertible senior notes. However, Charter may not have sufficient funds at the time of the change of control event to make the required repurchase of the Charter convertible senior notes and we and our subsidiaries are limited in our ability to make distributions or other payments to Charter to fund any required repurchase. In addition, a change of control under our subsidiaries’ credit facilities and indentures governing their and our notes would require the repayment of borrowings under those credit facilities and indentures. Because such credit facilities and notes are obligations of us and our subsidiaries, the credit facilities and the notes would have to be repaid by us and our subsidiaries before their assets could be available to Charter to repurchase the Charter convertible senior notes. Charter’s failure to make or complete a change of control offer would place Charter in default under the Charter convertible senior notes. The failure of us and our subsidiaries to make a change of control offer or repay the amounts outstanding under our credit facilities would place us in default of these agreements and could result in a default under the

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indentures governing the Charter convertible senior notes.

Regulation and Legislation.Cable systemssystem operations are extensively regulated at the federal, state, and local level, including rate regulation of basic service and equipment and municipal approval of franchise agreements and their terms, such as franchise requirements to upgrade cable plant and meet specified customer service standards. Additional legislation and regulation is always possible. There have been recent calls to impose indecency restrictions on cable networks.

Cable operators also face significant regulation of their channel carriage. They currently can be required to devote substantial capacity to the carriage of programming that they would not carry voluntarily, including certain local broadcast signals, local public, educational and government access programming, and unaffiliated commercial leased access programming. This carriage burden could increase in the future, particularly if the FCCcable systems were to require cable systemsrequired to carry both the analog and digital versions of local broadcast signals (dual carriage) or to carry multiple channels added byprogram streams included with a single digital broadcasters. Thebroadcast transmission (multicast carriage). Additional government mandated broadcast carriage obligations could disrupt existing programming commitments, interfere with our preferred use of limited channel capacity and limit our ability to offer services that would maximize customer appeal and revenue potential. Although the FCC is currently conducting a proceeding in which it is considering this channel usage possibility, although it previously issued a tentative decision on February 10, 2005, confirming an earlier ruling against suchmandating either dual carriage. In addition, the carriage of new high definition broadcast and satellite programming services over the next few years may consume significant amounts of system capacity without contributing to proportionate increases in system revenue.or multicast carriage, that decision could be appealed or Congress could legislate additional carriage obligations.

There is also uncertainty whether local franchising authorities, state regulators, the FCC, or the U.S. Congress will impose obligations on cable operators to provide unaffiliated Internet service providers with regulated access to cable plant. If they were to do so, and the obligations were found to be lawful, it could complicate our operations in general, and our Internet operations in particular, from a technical and marketing standpoint. These open access obligations could adversely impact our profitability and discourage system upgrades and the introduction of new products and services. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently vacated in part aan FCC ruling defining cable modem service as an “information service” and remanded for further proceedings. The Ninth Circuit held that cable modem service is not “cable service” but is part “telecommunications service” and part “information service.” The decision will likely behas been appealed butto the United States Supreme Court. However, if it is not reversed, the decision may possibly lead to cable operatorsour having to contribute to the federal government’s universal service fund, to comply with open access requirements, and to subject our high-speed data operations generally to other common carrier regulations. As we offer other advanced services over our cable system, we are likely to face additional calls for regulation of our capacity and operation. These regulations, if adopted, could adversely affect our operations.

Interest Rate Risk

We use interest rate risk management derivative instruments, such as interest rate swap agreements and interest rate collar agreements (collectively referred to herein as interest rate agreements) as required under the terms of the credit facilities of our subsidiaries. Our policy is to manage interest costs using a mix of fixed and variable rate debt. Using interest rate swap agreements, we agree to exchange, at specified intervals through 2007, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount. Interest rate collar agreements are used to limit our exposure to, and to derive benefits from, interest rate fluctuations on variable rate debt to within a certain range of rates. Interest rate risk management agreements are not held or issued for speculative or trading purposes.

At December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, we had outstanding $2.7 billion and $3.0 billion and $3.4 billion and $520$20 million and $520 million, respectively, in notional amounts of interest rate swaps and collars, respectively. The notional amounts of interest rate instruments do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties and, thus, are not a measure of our exposure to credit loss. See “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” for further information regarding the fair values and contract terms of our interest rate agreements.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In December 2003,2004, the FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board issued FASB Interpretationthe revised SFAS No. 46 (revised December 2003),123,Consolidation of Variable Interest EntitiesShare-Based Payment(“FIN 46R”), which addresses howthe accounting for share-based payment transactions in which a business enterprise should evaluate whether it has a controlling financial interestcompany receives employee services in an entity through means other than voting rights and accordingly should consolidateexchange for (a) equity instruments of that company or (b) liabilities that are based on the entity. FIN 46R replaces FASB Interpretation No. 46,Consolidationfair value of Variable Interest Entities, which was issued in January 2003. Wethe company’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of such equity instruments. This statement will be required to apply FIN 46R to variable interests in variable interest entities created after December 31, 2003. For variable interests in variable interest entities created before December 31,effective for us beginning July 1, 2005. Because we adopted the fair value recognition provisions

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of SFAS No. 123 on January 1, 2003, the FIN 46R will be applied beginning on March 31, 2004. For any variable interest entities that must be consolidated under FIN 46R that were created before December 31, 2003, the assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests of the variable interest entity initially would be measured at their carrying amounts with any difference between the net amount addedwe do not expect this revised standard to the balance sheet and any previously recognized interest being recognized as the cumulative effect of an accounting change. If determining the carrying amounts is not practicable, fair value at the date FIN 46R first applies may be used to measure the assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interest of the variable interest entity. We have identified DBroadband Holdings, LLC as a variable interest entity in accordance with FIN 46R. As we are not the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity (as defined by FIN 46R), DBroadband Holdings, LLC has not been included in our consolidated financial statements. In future periods, we will continue to reassess our relationship with DBroadband Holdings, LLC to ensure proper recognition of the relationship in accordance with FIN 46R. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Third Party Business Relationships in which Mr. Allen has an Interest — Digeo, Inc.”

In December 2003, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 104,Revenue Recognition. SAB No. 104 revises or rescinds portions of interpretative guidance on revenue recognition. SAB No. 104 became effective immediately upon release and requires registrants to either restate prior financial statements or report a change in accounting principle. The adoption of SAB No. 104 did not have a material impact on our consolidatedfinancial statements.

We do not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, if adopted, would have a material effect on our accompanying financial statements.

Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to various market risks, including fluctuations in interest rates. We use interest rate risk management derivative instruments, such as interest rate swap agreements and interest rate collar agreements (collectively referred to herein as interest rate agreements) as required under the terms of the credit facilities of our subsidiaries. Our policy is to manage interest costs using a mix of fixed and variable rate debt. Using interest rate swap agreements, we agree to exchange, at specified intervals through 2007, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount. Interest rate collar agreements are used to limit our exposure to, and to derive benefits from, interest rate fluctuations on variable rate debt to within a certain range of rates. Interest rate risk management agreements are not held or issued for speculative or trading purposes.

As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and 2002,our long-term debt totaled approximately $17.9$18.5 billion and $17.3$17.9 billion, respectively. This debt was comprised of approximately $5.5 billion and $7.2 billion and $7.8 billion of debt under our subsidiaries’ credit facilities debt, and $10.6$13.3 billion and $9.5$11.2 billion principal amount of high-yield debt at December 31, 2003 and 2002,notes, respectively.

As of December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, the weighted average interest rate on the bankcredit facility debt was approximately 6.8% and 5.4%, and the weighted average interest rate on the high-yield debtnotes was approximately 10.3%9.9% and 10.2%10.3%, respectively, resulting in a blended weighted average interest rate of 8.3%9.0% and 8.1%8.3%, respectively. ApproximatelyThe interest rate on approximately 82% and 79% of the total principal amount of our debt was effectively fixed, including the effects of our interest rate hedge agreements as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, compared to approximately 77% at December 31, 2002.respectively. The fair value of our total high-yield debtnotes was $9.9$12.2 billion and $4.1$9.9 billion at December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, respectively. The fair value of bank debt was $6.9our credit facilities is $5.5 billion and $6.4$6.9 billion at December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, respectively. The fair value of high-yield debtnotes is based on quoted market prices, and the fair value of bank debtthe credit facilities is based on dealer quotations.

We do not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading purposes. We do, however, have certain interest rate derivative instruments that have been designated as cash flow hedging instruments. Such instruments are those which effectively convert variable interest payments on certain debt instruments into fixed payments. For qualifying hedges, SFAS No. 133 allows derivative gains and losses to offset related results on hedged items in the consolidated statementsstatement of operations. We have formally documented, designated and assessed the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, net gain (loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities includes gains of $4 million and $8 million and losses of $14 million and $2 million, respectively, which represent cash flow hedge ineffectiveness on interest rate hedge agreements arising from differences between the critical terms of the agreements and the related hedged obligations. Changes in the fair value of interest rate agreements designated as hedging instruments of the variability of cash flows associated with floating-rate debt obligations that meet the effectiveness criteria of SFAS No. 133 are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, a gain of $42 million and $48 million and losses of $65 million and $39 million, respectively, related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, werewas recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The amounts are subsequently reclassified into interest expense as a yield adjustment in the same period in which the related interest on the floating-rate debt obligations affects earnings (losses).

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Certain interest rate derivative instruments are not designated as hedges as they do not meet the effectiveness criteria specified by SFAS No. 133. However, we believemanagement believes such instruments are closely correlated with the respective debt, thus managing associated risk. Interest rate derivative instruments not designated as hedges are marked to fair value, with the impact recorded as gain (loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities in our statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, net gain (loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities includes gains of $65 million and $57 million and losses of $101 million and $48 million, respectively, for interest rate derivative instruments not designated as hedges.

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The table set forth below summarizes the fair values and contract terms of financial instruments subject to interest rate risk maintained by us as of December 31, 20032004 (dollars in millions):

                             
 Fair Value at                                
 December 31, Fair Value at 
 2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008
 Thereafter
 Total
 2003
 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Thereafter Total December 31, 2004 
Debt  
Fixed Rate $ $ $ $451 $227 $10,529 $11,207 $9,859  $ $ $451 $227 $3,398 $8,631 $12,707 $11,680 
Average Interest Rate     8.25%  10.93%  10.43%  10.35%     8.25%  10.93%  9.60%  10.34%  10.08% 
 
Variable Rate $188 $426 $999 $2,080 $3,534 $ $7,227 $6,949  $30 $30 $280 $630 $780 $4,315 $6,065 $6,052 
Average Interest Rate  3.40%  4.99%  6.12%  6.85%  7.91%   7.07%   6.47%  7.08%  7.17%  7.45%  7.73%  8.40%  8.14% 
 
Interest Rate Instruments          
Variable to Fixed Swaps $715 $990 $873 $400 $ $ $2,978 $171  $990 $873 $775 $ $ $ $2,638 $69 
Average Pay Rate  7.36%  7.10%  7.30%  7.35%    7.25%   7.94%  8.23%  8.04%     8.07% 
Average Receive Rate  3.68%  5.28%  6.43%  7.00%    5.46%   6.36%  7.08%  7.20%     6.85% 

The notional amounts of interest rate instruments do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties and, thus, are not a measure of our exposure to credit loss. The amounts exchanged are determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the contracts. The estimated fair value approximates the costs (proceeds)(costs) proceeds to settle the outstanding contracts. Interest rates on variable debt are estimated using the average implied forward London Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR) rates for the year of maturity based on the yield curve in effect at December 31, 2003.2004.

At December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, we had outstanding $2.7 billion and $3.0 billion and $3.4 billion and $520$20 million and $520 million, respectively, in notional amounts of interest rate swaps and collars, respectively. The collar agreementsnotional amounts of interest rate instruments do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties and, thus, are structured so that if LIBOR falls below 5.3%, we pay 6.7%. Ifnot a measure of exposure to credit loss. The amounts exchanged are determined by reference to the LIBOR rate is between 5.3%notional amount and 8.0%, we pay LIBOR. If LIBOR falls between 8.0% and 9.9%, the LIBOR rate is capped at 8.0%. If rates go above 9.9%, the cap is removed. The fair valueother terms of the collar agreements is a liability of $8 million at December 31, 2003.

We do not hold collateral for these instruments and are therefore subject to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparty to the interest rate exchange agreement. However the counterparties are banks and we do not anticipate nonperformance by any of them on the interest rate exchange agreement.contracts.

Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Our consolidated financial statements, the related notes thereto, and the reports of independent auditors are included in this annual report beginning on page F-1.

Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

Previously reported in our Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 22, 2002 and filed on April 26, 2002.None.

Item 9A.Controls and ProceduresProcedures.

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, management, including our Interim Chief Executive Officer and ChiefInterim Co-Chief Financial Officer,Officers, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures with respect to the information generated for use in this annual report. The evaluation was based in part upon reports and affidavits provided by a number of executives. Based upon, and as of the date of that evaluation, our Interim Chief Executive Officer and ChiefInterim Co-Chief Financial OfficerOfficers concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurances that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit

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under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during 20032004 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in

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evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based upon the above evaluation, ourCharter’s management believes that its controls do provide such reasonable assurances.assurance.

84Item 9B.Other Information.

None.

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PART III

Item 10.Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.

Directors

Charter Holdings is a holding company with no operations. Charter Capital is a direct, wholly owned finance subsidiary of Charter Holdings that exists solely for the purpose of serving as co-obligor of the senior notes and senior discount notes issued by Charter Holdings. Neither Charter Holdings nor Charter Capital has any employees. We and our direct and indirect subsidiaries are managed by Charter. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Transactions Arising Out of Our Organizational Structure and Mr. Allen’s Investment in Charter and Its Subsidiaries — Intercompany Management Arrangements.”

Charter Holdings has two directors, Carl E. VogelJo Allen Patton and William D. Savoy.Robert P. May. The persons listed below are directors of Charter, Charter Holdco, Charter Holdings or Charter Capital, as indicated. All of our directors are elected annually.

   
Name
Director
 Position(s)
Paul G. Allen Chairman of the board of directors of Charter and Director of Charter Holdco
W. Lance ConnDirector of Charter
Jonathan L. DolgenDirector of Charter
Charles M. Lillis Director of Charter
David C. Merritt Director of Charter
Marc B. NathansonDirector of Charter
Nancy B. PeretsmanDirector of Charter
John H. ToryDirector of Charter
William D. SavoyDirector of Charter, Charter Holdco and Charter Holdings
Carl E. VogelRobert P. May Director of Charter, Charter Holdco, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
David C. MerrittDirector of Charter
Marc B. NathansonDirector of Charter
Jo Allen PattonDirector of Charter, Charter Holdco, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital
John H. ToryDirector of Charter
Larry W. Wangberg Director of Charter

The following sets forth certain biographical information as of December 31, 2003 with respect to the directors listed above.

Paul G. Allen,50,52, has been Chairman of theour board of directors of Charter since July 1999, and Chairman of the board of directors of Charter Investment, Inc. (a predecessor to, and currently an affiliate of, Charter) since December 1998. Mr. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, has been a private investor for more than 15 years, with interests in over 50 technology, telecommunications, content and biotech companies. Mr. Allen’s investments include Vulcan Inc., Vulcan Productions, Inc., the Portland Trail Blazers NBA and Seattle Seahawks NFL franchises, and investments in TechTV Inc., DreamWorks LLC and Oxygen Media. In addition, heMr. Allen is a director of TechTV Inc., Vulcan Programming Inc., Vulcan Ventures, Vulcan Inc. (f/k/a Vulcan Northwest), Vulcan Cable III Inc. and, numerous privately held companies.companies and, until its sale in May 2004 to an unrelated third party, TechTV L.L.C.

W. Lance Conn, 36, was elected to our board of directors in September 2004. Since July 2004, Mr. Conn has served as Executive Vice President, Investment Management for Vulcan Inc., the investment and project management company that oversees a diverse multi-billion dollar portfolio of investments by Paul G. Allen. Prior to joining Vulcan Inc., Mr. Conn was employed by America Online, Inc., an interactive online services company, from March 1996 to May 2003. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Conn served in various senior business development roles at America Online. In 2000, Mr. Conn began supervising all of America Online’s European investments, alliances and business initiatives. In 2002, he became Senior Vice President of America Online U.S. where he led a company-wide effort to restructure and optimize America Online’s operations. From September 1994 until February 1996, Mr. Conn was an attorney with the Shaw Pittman law firm in Washington, D.C. Mr. Conn holds a J.D. degree from the University of Virginia, a master’s degree in history from the University of Mississippi and an A.B. in history from Princeton University.

Jonathan L. Dolgen, 59, was elected to our board of directors in October 2004. Since July 2004, Mr. Dolgen has also been a Senior Advisor to Viacom, Inc. (“Viacom”) a worldwide entertainment and media company, where he provides advisory services to the current Chairman and Chief Executive of Viacom, or others designated by him, on an as requested basis. Since July 2004, Mr. Dolgen has been a private investor and since September 2004, Mr. Dolgen has been a principal of Wood River Ventures, LLC, a private start-up entity that is seeking investment and

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other opportunities primarily in the media sector. From April 1994 to July 2004, Mr. Dolgen served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Viacom Entertainment Group, a unit of Viacom, where he oversaw various operations of Viacom’s businesses, which during 2003 and 2004 primarily included the operations engaged in motion picture production and distribution, television production and distribution, regional theme parks, theatrical exhibition and publishing. Mr. Dolgen began his career in the entertainment industry in 1976, and until joining the Viacom Entertainment Group, served in executive positions at Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. Twentieth Century Fox and Fox, Inc., and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Mr. Dolgen holds a B.S. degree from Cornell University and a J.D. degree from New York University.

Charles M. Lillis,62,63, was elected to the board of directors of Charter in October 2003. Presently, he is the Managing Partner of Lone Tree Capital, which he co-founded in 2002. Mr. Lillis served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MediaOne Group, Inc. from June 1998 to May 2000. He served as Chief Executive Officer of MediaOne while it was a tracking stock company from November 1995 to May 1997. Prior to that, he held various senior management positions at US WEST, MediaOne’s predecessor. Before joining US WEST, he served as Dean of the University of Colorado’s College of Business and as a professor at Washington State University. In addition, he is a director and serves on the audit committees of SuperValu, Inc. and Williams Companies. Mr. Lillis is also Chairman of the University of Washington Business Advisory Board, a member of the University of Washington Foundation Board, and a former member of the University of Colorado Foundation Board. Mr. Lillis is a graduate of the University of Washington, Seattle, with an M.B.A., and he holds a doctorate of Philosophy in Business from the University of Oregon, in Eugene.

Mr. Lillis recently announced his election as a director of Medco Health Solutions, Inc., and, on March 28, 2005, Mr. Lillis resigned from Charter's board of directors.

David C. Merritt,Robert P. May49,, 55, was elected to our board of directors in October 2004 and became our Interim President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2005. Mr. May has served on the board of directors of CharterHealthSouth Corporation, a national provider of healthcare services, since October 2002, and has been its Chairman since July 2004. Mr. May also served as HealthSouth Corporation’s Interim Chief Executive Officer from March 2003 until May 2004, and as Interim President of its Outpatient and Diagnostic Division from August 2003 to January 2004. Since March 2001, Mr. May has been a private investor and principal of RPM Systems, which provides strategic business consulting services. From March 1999 to March 2001, Mr. May served on the board of directors and was Chief Executive of PNV Inc., a national telecommunications company. PNV Inc. filed for bankruptcy in December 2000. Prior to his employment at PNV Inc., Mr. May was Chief Operating Officer and a member of the board of directors of Cablevision Systems Corporation from October 1996 to February 1998, and from 1973 to 1993 he held several senior executive positions with Federal Express Corporation, including President, Business Logistics Services. Mr. May was educated at Curry College and Boston College and attended Harvard Business School’s Program for Management Development.

David C. Merritt,50, was elected to our board of directors in July 2003, and was also appointed as Chairman of the Audit Committee at that time. Since October 2003, Mr. Merritt has been a Managing Director of Salem Partners, LLC, an investment banking firm. He was a Managing Director in the Entertainment Media Advisory Group at Gerard Klauer Mattison & Co., Inc., a company that provides financial advisory services to the entertainment and media industries from January 2001 through April 2003. Prior to that, he served as Chief

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Financial Officer of CKE Associates, Ltd., a privately held company with interests in talent management, film production, television production, music and new media from July 1999 to November 2001. He also served as a director of Laser-Pacific Media Corporation from January 2001 until October 2003 and served as Chairman of its audit committee. During December 2003, he became a director of Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. Mr. Merritt joined KPMG LLP in 1975 and served in a variety of capacities during his years with the firm, including national partner in charge of the media and entertainment practice and before joining CKE Associates, Mr. Merritt was an audit and consulting partner of KPMG LLP for 14 years. Mr. Merritt holds a B.S. degree in Business and Accounting from California State University — Northridge.

Marc B. Nathanson,58,59, has been a director of Charter since January 2000. Mr. Nathanson is the Chairman of Mapleton Investments LLC, an investment vehicle formed in 1999. He also founded and served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Falcon Holding Group, Inc., a cable operator, and its predecessors, from 1975 until 1999. He served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Enstar Communications Corporation, a cable operator, from 1988 until November 1999. Prior to 1975, Mr. Nathanson held executive positions with Teleprompter Corporation, Warner Cable and Cypress Communications Corporation. In 1995, he was appointed by the President of the United States to the Broadcasting Board of Governors, and from 1998 through September 2002, served as its Chairman. Mr. Nathanson served as Vice-Chairmanholds a Bachelors degree in Mass Communications from the University of Denver and as a directorMasters degree in Political Science from University of Charter pursuant to a letter agreement that expired in November 2002. See “Item 11. Executive Compensation — Employment Arrangements.”California/Santa Barbara.

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Nancy B. Peretsman,Jo Allen Patton49,, 47, has been a director of Charter since November 1999.April 2004. Ms. Peretsman has been a Managing Director and ExecutivePatton joined Vulcan Inc. as Vice President of Allen & Company, LLC (formerly known as Allen & Company Incorporated), an investment bank unrelated to Paul G. Allen,in 1993, and since 1995. From 1983 to 1995,that time she was an investment banker at Salomon Brothers Inc., where she was a Managing Director since 1990. She is a director of Priceline.com Incorporated and several privately held companies. She has a B.A. degree from Princeton University and an M.B.A. degree from Yale University.

William D. Savoy,39, has been a director of Charter since July 1999 and a director of Charter Investment, Inc. since December 1998. From 1990 to September 2003, Mr. Savoy served as an officer and a director of many affiliates of Mr. Allen, including her current position as President and a directorChief Executive Officer of Vulcan Ventures Incorporated, andInc. since July 2001. Ms. Patton is also President of Vulcan Productions, an independent feature film and documentary production company, Vice Chair of First & Goal, Inc., Vulcan Programming Inc.which developed and Vulcan Cable III, Inc., eachoperated the Seattle Seahawks NFL stadium, and served as Executive Director of whichthe six Paul G. Allen Foundations. Ms. Patton is an investment vehicle owned by Mr. Allen. He currently servesa co-founder of the Experience Music Project museum, as a consultant to Vulcan Inc. In connection withwell as the terminationScience Fiction Museum and Hall of his employment with these affiliatesFame. Ms. Patton is the sister of Mr. Allen, Mr. Savoy agreed to resign from Charter’s board of directors if Mr. Allen so requests. Mr. Savoy holds a B.S. degree in Computer Science, Accounting and Finance from Atlantic Union College.Allen.

John H. Tory,49,50, has been a director of Charter since December 2001. Mr. Tory served as the Chief Executive Officer of Rogers Cable Inc., Canada’s largest broadband cable operator, from 1999 until 2003. From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Tory was President and Chief Executive Officer of Rogers Media Inc., a broadcasting and publishing company. Prior to joining Rogers, Mr. Tory was a Managing Partner and member of the executive committee at Tory Tory DesLauriers & Binnington, one of Canada’s largest law firms. Mr. Tory serves on the board of directors of a number of Canadian companies, including Cara Operations Limited. Mr. Tory was educated at University of Toronto Schools, Trinity College (University of Toronto) and Osgoode Hall Law School.

Carl E. Vogel,46, has been a director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Charter and Charter Holdings since October 2001. Mr. Vogel has more than 20 years experience in telecommunications and the subscription television business. Prior to joining Charter, he On September 18, 2004, John Tory was a Senior Vice President of Liberty Media Corp. from November 1999 until October 2001, and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Satellite and Technology, a distributor of Internet data and other content via satellite, from April 2000 until October 2001. Prior to joining Liberty, Mr. Vogel was an Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Field Operations for AT&T Broadband and Internet Services with responsibility for managing operations of all of AT&T’s cable broadband properties from June 1999 until November 1999. From June 1998 to June 1999, when the business of Primestar Inc. was sold, Mr. Vogel served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Primestar Inc., a national provider of subscription television services, and from 1997 to 1998, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Star Choice Communications. From 1994 through 1997, Mr. Vogel served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of EchoStar Communications. He began his career at Jones Intercable in 1983. Mr. Vogel serves as a director and memberelected Leader of the Executive Committee of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, CableLabs and Digeo, Inc. and serves as a director of Women in Cable and Telecommunications. Mr. Vogel holds a B.S. degree in Finance and Accounting from St. Norbert College. His employment agreement provides that he will serve on the board of directors of Charter. See “Item 11. Executive Compensation — Employment Arrangements.”Ontario Progressive Conservative Party.

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Larry W. Wangberg,61,62, has been a director of Charter since January 2002. From August 1997 to May 2004, Mr. Wangberg has beenwas a director of TechTV Inc.L.L.C., a cable television network controlled by Paul Allen, since August 1997, andAllen. He also served as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from August 1997 through July 2002. In May 2004, TechTV L.L.C. was sold to an unrelated party. Prior to joining TechTV Inc.L.L.C., Mr. Wangberg was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of StarSight Telecast Inc., an interactive navigation and program guide company which later merged with Gemstar International, from 1994 to 1997. Mr. Wangberg was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Times Mirror Cable Television and Senior Vice President of its corporate parent, Times Mirror Co., from 1983 to 1994. He currently serves on the boards of TechTV Inc., Autodesk Inc., and ADC Telecommunications. Mr. Wangberg holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, both from the University of Minnesota.

Board of Directors and Committees of the Board of Directors

Charter’s board of directors meets regularly throughout the year on a set schedule. The board may also hold special meetings and act by written consent from time to time if necessary. Meetings of the independent members of the board occur on the same day as regularly scheduled meetings of the full board. Management is not present at these meetings.

TheCharter’s board of directors delegates authority to act with respect to certain matters to board committees whose members are appointed by the board. TheAs of December 31, 2004 the following arewere the committees of Charter’s board of directors: Audit Committee, Financing Committee, Option Plan Committee, Compensation Committee, Executive Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, and a Special Committee for matters related to the CC VIII put dispute. In addition, during 2003, there was a Special Committee related to a financing commitment letter issued by a company controlled by Paul Allen. That committee ceased to exist when the commitment letter was terminated in November 2003.

TheCharter’s Audit Committee, which has a written charter approved by the board, consistsconsisted in 2004 of three directors: Charles Lillis, John Tory and David Merritt, all of whom arewere believed to be independent in accordance with the applicable corporate governance listing standards of the NasdaqNASDAQ National Market. Charter’s board of directors has determined that, in its judgment, David Merritt is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of the applicable federal regulations. Since the resignation of Mr. Lillis, effective March 28, 2005, there is a vacancy on the Audit Committee.

Director Compensation

Commencing in July 2003, eachEach non-employee member of Charter’sthe board receives an annual retainer of $40,000 in cash plus restricted stock, vesting one year after date of grant, with a value on the date of grant of $50,000. In addition, Charter’sthe Audit Committee chair receives $25,000 per year, and eachthe chair of each other committee of Charter receives $10,000 per year. All committee members also receive $1,000 for attendance at each committee meeting.

Beginning on February 22, 2005 each director also receives $1,000 for telephonic attendance at each meeting of the full board and $2,000 for in-person attendance. Each director of Charter is entitled to reimbursement for costs incurred in connection with attendance at boardBoard and committeeCommittee meetings. Except as set forth below with respect to Mr. Nathanson, directors

Directors who were not employees did not receive additional compensation in 20022003 or the first half of 2003.2004. Mr. Vogel, who was our President and Chief Executive Officer of Charter in 2003,2004, was the only director who was also an employee during 2003. He did not receive any additional compensation for serving as a director or attending any meeting of the board of directors during 2003. Charter’s bylaws2004.

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Our Bylaws provide that all directors are entitled to indemnification from Charter to the maximum extent permitted by law from and against any claims, damages, liabilities, losses, costs or expenses incurred in connection with or arising out of the performance by them of their duties for Charter and/us or itsour subsidiaries.

Mr. Vogel is party to an employment agreement with Charter, which is summarized in “ — Employment Arrangements.”

Marc B. Nathanson entered into a letter agreement with Charter for a term that expired in November 2002. Under this agreement, Mr. Nathanson served as Vice-Chairman and as a director of Charter. During the term of this agreement, Mr. Nathanson received a benefit equal to approximately $200,000 per year, which Charter paid to a company controlled by Mr. Nathanson. Mr. Nathanson continues to hold the title of Vice-Chairman, a non-salaried non-executive position with Charter.

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Executive Officers

The following persons are executive officers of Charter and, other than Mr. Allen, also held similar positions with Charter Holdco, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital:

   
Executive Officers
 Position
Position(s)
Paul G. Allen Chairman of the boardCharter’s Board of directorsDirectors
Carl E. Vogel 
Robert P. MayInterim President and Chief Executive Officer
Margaret “Maggie” A. Bellville Executive Vice President — Chief Operating Officer
Derek Chang Executive Vice President of Finance and Strategy and Interim co-Chief Financial Officer
Thomas A. Cullen SeniorExecutive Vice President of Advanced Services and Business Development
Wayne H. DavisSenior Vice President, Engineering and Technical Operations
Michael P. Huseby Executive Vice President and Chief FinancialTechnical Officer
Michael J. Lovett SeniorExecutive Vice President, Operations Supportand Customer Care
Paul E. Martin Senior Vice President, and Principal Accounting Officer and Interim co-Chief Financial Officer
Steven A. Schumm Executive Vice President — Chief Administrative Officer
Curtis S. Shaw Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

The following sets forth certain biographical information as of December 31, 2003 with respect to theInformation regarding our executive officers listed above (excluding those who alsodo not serve as directors of Charter).

Margaret “Maggie” A. Bellville,50, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Before joining Charter in December, 2002, Ms. Bellville was President and Chief Executive Officer of Incanta Inc., a technology-based streaming content company from 2001 to 2002. Incanta Inc. filed for bankruptcy in April 2002. Prior to that, she worked for six years at Cox Communications, beginning in 1995 as Vice President of Operations, she advanced to Executive Vice President of Operations. Ms. Bellville joined Cox from Century Communications, where she served as Senior Vice President. Before that, Ms. Bellville served seven years with GTE Wireless in a variety of management and executive-level roles. A graduate of the State University of New York in Binghamton, Ms. Bellville is also a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. She currently serves on the Cable and Television Association for Marketing Education Foundation.set forth below.

Derek Chang,36, Executive Vice President of Finance and Strategy.Strategy and Interim co-Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Chang joined Charter in December 2003 as Executive Vice President of Finance and Strategy and was also appointed Interim co-Chief Financial Officer in August 2004. Mr. Chang will resign from all positions with Charter and its subsidiaries effective April 15, 2005. Prior to joining Charter, Mr. Chang was Executive Vice President of the Yankees Entertainment and Sports (YES) Network, a regional sports programming network in New York where he headed corporate development and financing activities from the company’s inception in 2001 until January 2003. Prior to joining YES, he was the Chief Financial Officer and Co-Chief Operating Officer of GlobalCenter, the web hosting subsidiary of Global Crossing. Mr. Chang worked for TCI Communications/AT&T Broadband in Denver from 1997 to 2000, ultimately as Executive Vice President of Corporate Development, where he directed mergers and acquisitions activities and managed a multibillionmulti-billion dollar portfolio of cable joint ventures. He was with InterMedia Partners in San Francisco from 1994 to 1997 where he held a number of positions and was ultimately Treasurer. Mr. Chang received a B.A. degree from Yale University and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Thomas A. Cullen,44,45, Executive Vice President of Advanced Services and Business Development. Mr. Cullen joined Charter as Senior Vice President of Advanced Services and Business Development.Development in August 2003 and was promoted to Executive Vice President in August 2004. Mr. Cullen will resign from all positions with Charter and its subsidiaries effective April 30, 2005, or sooner if Charter and Mr. Cullen agree. From January 2001 to October 2002, Mr. Cullen was General Partner of Lone Tree Capital, a private equity partnership focused on investment opportunities in the technology and communications sector. From March 1997 to June 2000, Mr. Cullen was President of MediaOne Ventures. Prior to that, Mr. Cullen served in several capacities with MediaOne Internet Services including Vice President from April 1998 to June 2000 and Vice President of Business Development from September 1995 to March 1997. Mr. Cullen is a member of the board of directors of SportsLine USA, and a member of the Colorado State University Global Leadership Council. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM). Mr. Cullen is a graduate of Northern Arizona University with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. He earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado, and he participated in a University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School Executive Program.Colorado.

Wayne H. Davis,50, Senior51, Executive Vice President Engineering and Chief Technical Operations.Officer. Prior to becominghis current position, Mr. Davis served as a Senior Vice President, Engineering and Technical Operations, Mr. Davis wasand as Assistant to the President/Vice President of Management Services since July 2002 and prior to that, he was Vice President of Engineering/Operations for Charter’s National Region from December 2001. Before joining Charter, Mr. Davis held the position of Vice President of Engineering for Comcast Corporation, Inc. Prior to that, thehe held various engineering positions including Vice President of Engineering for Jones Intercable Inc. He began his career in the cable industry in 1980. He attended the State University of New York at Albany. Mr. Davis serves as an advisory board member of Cedar

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Point Communications, and as a board member of @Security Broadband Corp., a company

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in which Charter owns an equity investment interest. Mr. Davis is also a member of the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers.

Michael P. Huseby,J. Lovett,49,43, Executive Vice President, Operations and Chief Financial Officer.Customer Care. Mr. HusebyLovett was Executivepromoted to his current position in September 2004. Prior to that he served as Senior Vice President, Midwest Division Operations and as Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer of AT&T Broadband from 1999 until its merger with Comcast in 2002. Prior toOperations Support, since joining Charter in January 2004, he served as a consultant to Comcast and to Charter as President and founder of MPH Associates Inc., a privately held management and information technology firm providing consulting services to broadband industry clients. For ten years prior to joining AT&T, Mr. Huseby was a partner in the professional services firm of Andersen Worldwide. Mr. Huseby graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Business Administration.

Michael J, Lovett,42, Senior Vice President, Operations Support. Mr. Lovett joined Charter in August of 2003. Prior to joining Charter, Mr. Lovett was Chief Operating Officer of Voyant Technologies, Inc., a voice conferencing hardware/software solutions provider, from December 2001 to August 2003. From November 2000 to December 2001, he was Executive Vice President of Operations for OneSource,OneSecure, Inc., a startup company delivering management/monitoring of firewalls and virtual private networks. Prior to that, Mr. Lovett was Regional Vice President at AT&T from June 1999 to November 2000 where he was responsible for operations. Mr. Lovett was Senior Vice President at Jones Intercable from October 1989 to June 1999 where he was responsible for operations in nine states. Mr. Lovett began his career in cable television at Centel Corporation where he held a number of positions.

Paul E. Martin,43,44, Senior Vice President, Interim co-Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer. Prior to his promotion to his current position inMr. Martin has been employed by Charter since March 2000, when he joined Charter as Vice President and Corporate Controller. In April 2002, Mr. Martin was promoted to Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller of Charter from March 2000.Principal Accounting Officer and in August 2004 was named interim co-Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Charter, in March 2000, Mr. Martin was Vice President and Controller for Operations and Logistics for Fort James Corporation, a manufacturer of paper products. From 1995 to February 1999, Mr. Martin was Chief Financial Officer of Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. Mr. Martin received a B.S. degree with honors in Accounting from the University of Missouri — St. Louis.

Steven A. Schumm,51, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. Prior to joining Charter Investment, Inc. in 1998, Mr. Schumm was a partner of Ernst & Young LLP for 14 years where he was Managing Partner of Ernst & Young’s St. Louis office and a member of the Ernst & Young National Tax Committee. Mr. Schumm joined Ernst & Young in 1974 and served in a variety of capacities during his years with the firm. Mr. Schumm earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Saint Louis University. Mr. Schumm served as Interim Chief Financial Officer of Charter from December 2002 to January 2004.

Curtis S. Shaw,55,56, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Mr. Shaw was promoted to Executive Vice President in October 2003. Mr. Shaw will resign from all positions with Charter and its subsidiaries effective April 15, 2005. Prior to joining Charter Investment as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in 1997, Mr. Shaw served as corporate counsel to NYNEX from 1988 through 1996. Since 1973, Mr. Shaw has practiced as a corporate lawyer, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, public offerings, financings, and federal securities and antitrust law. Mr. Shaw received a B.A. degree with honors in Economics from Trinity College and a J.D. degree from Columbia University School of Law.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

In 2003,Until April 2004, when Mr. Savoy resigned from the board, the Compensation Committee of Charter was comprised of Messrs. Paul G. Allen, William D. Savoy and Marc B. Nathanson. In 2003,2004, Nancy B. Peretsman and Ronald L. NelsonDavid Merritt served as the Option Plan Committee that administered the 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan and the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan until Mr. Lillis replaced Ms. Peretsman on the Option Plan Committee in July 2003 when Mr. Nelson was replaced by David C. Merritt.2004.

No member of Charter’sthe Compensation Committee or the Option Plan Committee was an officer or employee of Charter or any of its subsidiaries during 20032004, except for Mr. Allen, who served as a non-employee chairman.chairman of the Compensation Committee. Also, Mr. Nathanson was an officer of certain subsidiaries of Charter prior to their acquisition by Charter in 1999 and held the title of Vice-Chairman,Vice Chairman of Charter’s board of directors, a non-executive, non-salaried position in 2003.2004. Mr. Allen is the 100% owner and a director of Vulcan Inc. and certain of its affiliates, which have employed Mr. Savoy, one of our directors until April 27, 2004, as an executive officer in the past.past and currently employs Mr. Conn and Jo Allen Patton as an executive officer. Mr. Allen also iswas a director of and indirectly ownsowned 98% of TechTV, of which Mr. Wangberg, one of our directors, iswas a director.director until the sale of TechTV to an unrelated third party in May 2004. Transactions between Charter and members of the Compensation Committee are more fully described in “ —“— Director Compensation” and in “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Other Miscellaneous Relationships.”

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During 2003,2004, (1) none of theour executive officers of Charter served on the compensation committee of any other company that has an executive officer currently serving on the board of directors, Compensation Committee or Option Plan Committee of Charter and (2) noneexcept for Carl Vogel who served as a director of Digeo, Inc., an entity of which Paul Allen is a director and by virtue of his position as Chairman of the board of directors of Digeo, Inc. is also a non-employee executive officer. None of our executive officers of Charter served as a director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on the Compensation Committee or Option Plan Committee of Charter.

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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16 of the Exchange Act requires our directors and certain of our officers, and persons who own more than 10% of our common stock, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Such persons are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms furnished to us and written representations from these officers and directors, we believe that all Section 16(a) filing requirements were met during the year ended December 31, 2003.in 2004.

Code of Ethics

In January 2003, we adopted a Code of Conduct that constitutes a Code of Ethics within the meaning of federal securities regulations for our employees, including all executive officers, and established a hotline and website for reporting alleged violations of the code of conduct, established procedures for processing complaints and implemented educational programs to inform our employees regarding the Code of Conduct. A copy of our Code of Conduct is attachedfiled as Exhibit 14.1 to this annual report.

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Item 11.Executive Compensation.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2004 regarding the compensation to those executive officers listed below for services rendered for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2003.2004. These officers consist of the Chief Executive Officer, each of the other four most highly compensated executive officers as of December 31, 2003,2004, and one other highly compensated executive officer who served during 20032004 but was not an executive officer on December 31, 2003.2004. Pursuant to a mutual services agreement, each of Charter and Charter Holdco leases its personnel and provides services to the other, including the knowledge and expertise of their respective officers, that are reasonably requested to manage Charter Holdco, Charter Holdings and the cable systemssystem owned by their subsidiaries. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Management and Consulting Agreements.”

                             
                  Long-Term    
      Annual Compensation
 Compensation Award
    
  Year         Other Restricted Securities All Other
  Ended         Annual Stock Underlying Compensation
Name and Principal Position
 Dec. 31
 Salary ($)
 Bonus ($)(1)
 Compensation ($)
 Awards ($)(2)
 Options (#)
 ($)(3)
Carl E. Vogel (4)  2003   1,000,000   150,000   30,345(14)     750,000   12,639(16)
President and Chief  2002   980,769   330,000(9)  214,961(14)     1,000,000   10,255(16)
Executive Officer  2001   207,692   546,000(9)     513,000   3,400,000   8,996(16)
Margaret A. Bellville (5)  2003   581,730   203,125   30,810(15)        109,139(17)
Executive Vice President,  2002   9,615   150,000(10)        500,000 
Chief Operating Officer                            
Steven A. Schumm  2003   448,077   45,000         250,000   9,889 
Executive Vice President,  2002   436,058   588,000(11)        300,000   5,255 
Chief Administrative  2001   435,000   402,000(11)        165,000   5,250 
Officer                            
Curtis S. Shaw (6)  2003   275,782   37,500         250,000   9,411(18)
Executive Vice President,  2002   249,711   281,500(12)        100,000   3,096 
General Counsel and  2001   245,000   236,000(12)        149,000   5,250 
Secretary                            
Wayne H. Davis (7)  2003   212,885   47,500         225,000   581(19)
Senior Vice President, Engineering and Technical Operations                            
Stephen E. Silva (8)  2003   213,005               134,345(20)
Former Executive  2002   294,231   196,000(13)        150,000   5,255 
Vice President  2001   235,385   380,000(13)     347,760   290,000   5,250 
Corporate Development and Chief Technology Officer                            
                             
                  Long-Term    
      Annual Compensation  Compensation Award    
  Year          Other  Restricted  Securities  All Other 
  Ended          Annual  Stock  Underlying  Compensation 
Name and Principal Position Dec. 31  Salary ($)  Bonus ($)  Compensation ($)  Awards ($)  Options (#)  ($)(1) 
       
Carl E. Vogel (2)  2004   1,038,462   500,000(8)     4,658,000(18)  580,000   42,426(24)
Former President and Chief  2003   1,000,000   150,000(9)  30,345(15)     750,000   12,639(24)
Executive Officer  2002   980,769   330,000(9)  214,961(15)     1,000,000   10,255(24)
                             
Margaret A. Bellville (3)  2004   478,366      28,309(16)  612,000(19)  200,000   204,408(25)
Former Executive Vice  2003   581,730   203,125(9)  30,810(16)        109,139(25)
President, Chief Operating  2002   9,615   150,000(9)(10)        500,000    
Officer                            
                             
Derek Chang (4)  2004   448,077   85,700(11)  7,255(17)  395,250(20)  135,000   5,510 
Executive Vice President of  2003   15,385         192,000(20)  350,000    
Finance and Strategy, Interim
co-Chief Financial Officer
                            
                             
Steven A. Schumm (5)  2004   467,308   15,815(12)     862,952(21)  135,000   12,360 
Former Executive Vice  2003   448,077   45,000         250,000   9,889 
President and Chief  2002   436,058   588,000(13)        300,000   5,255 
Administrative Officer                            
                             
Curtis S. Shaw (6)  2004   422,115   16,109      395,250(22)  135,000   12,592 
Executive Vice President,  2003   275,782   37,500         250,000   9,411(26)
General Counsel and  2002   249,711   281,500(14)        100,000   3,096 
Secretary                            
                             
Michael J. Lovett (7)  2004   291,346   241,888      351,570(23)  172,000   15,150(27)
Executive Vice President,  2003   81,731   60,000         100,000   2,400(27)
Operations and Customer Care                            


(1)Includes senior management bonuses for the year 2003 under the 2003 senior management incentive plan. Mr. Vogel’s and Ms. Bellville’s bonuses are determined in accordance with the terms of their respective employment agreements. The bonus amounts for Messrs. Vogel and Silva for 2001 include the value of the vested portion of grants of restricted stock during 2001 under the Charter Communications 2001 Stock Incentive Plan, calculated based on the fair market values of the vested shares on the grant date, which pursuant to the terms of the plan is the average of the high and low trading price on the grant date. These restricted stock grants made in 2001 were immediately vested as to twenty-five percent (25%) of the shares, with the remaining shares vesting in 36 equal monthly installments commencing approximately 15 months from the grant date. Also, where indicated in the footnotes below, the bonuses for 2002 and 2001 include “stay” bonuses in the form of principal and interest forgiven under the employee’s promissory note. In 2002, all the remaining principal and accrued interest on these notes was forgiven as provided by the terms of the notes, so that at December 31, 2002, these notes were no longer outstanding.
(2)Includes the grants of Charter restricted stock made during 2001 under the Charter Communications 2001 Stock Incentive Plan, calculated based on the closing market price of the vested shares on the grant date. The total grant amounts, including both vested and unvested portions, were as follows: (i) Carl E. Vogel, 50,000 shares as of October 8, 2001 and (ii) Stephen E. Silva, 36,000 shares as of October 18, 2001. The

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restricted shares were immediately vested as to twenty-five percent (25%) of the shares, with the remaining shares vesting in 36 equal monthly installments commencing approximately 15 months from the grant date. Pursuant to the terms of these employees’ restricted stock agreement, each is entitled to any cash and/or stock dividends on the unvested restricted shares. The value as of the date of grant based on the closing market price of those shares that were vested immediately is disclosed in the “Bonus” column of the table. At December 31, 2003, based on a per share closing market price of $4.02 for Charter Class A common stock, the total number (and value) of Mr. Vogel’s outstanding unvested restricted stock was 23,959 shares ($96,315). Mr. Silva’s shares of unvested restricted stock were cancelled upon his resignation, effective July 1, 2003.
(3) Except as noted for Mr. Vogel, Ms. Bellville, Mr. Shaw, Mr. Davis and Mr. Silva in notes 16, 17, 18, 19 and 2024 through 27 below respectively, these amounts consist of matching contributions under Charter’sour 401(k) plan. The 2002 amounts also includeplan, the premiums for supplemental life insurance available to executives, and the 2003 amounts include long-term disability available to executives.

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(4)(2) Mr. Vogel became the Chief Executive Officerresigned from all of his positions with Charter in October 2001.and its subsidiaries on January 17, 2005.
 
(5)(3) Ms. Bellville became the Chief Operating Officer of Charter in December 2002.2002 and terminated her employment, effective September 30, 2004.
(4)Mr. Chang was hired as Executive Vice President of Finance and Strategy in December 2003, and was appointed Interim co-Chief Financial Officer in August 2004. Mr. Chang has informed Charter of his intention to resign effective April, 15, 2005.
(5)Mr. Schumm’s position with Charter and its subsidiaries was eliminated, resulting in the termination of his employment on January 28, 2005.
 
(6) Mr. Shaw was promotedhas informed Charter of his intention to Executive Vice President in October 2003.resign, effective April 15, 2005.
 
(7) Mr. DavisLovett joined Charter in August 2003 and was promoted to Senior Vice President, Engineering and Technical Operationshis current position in March 2003.September 2004.
 
(8) Mr. Silva terminated his employment, effective July 1, 2003. See “ — Employment Arrangements”Vogel’s bonus for additional information.2004 was a mid-year discretionary bonus.
 
(9) Includes: (i) for 2001, $171,000, representing the value based on the fair market value on October 8, 2001, the original grant date, of 12,500 shares of Charter Class A common stock, the vested portion of Mr. Vogel’s restricted stock grant; (ii) for 2001, a one-time signing bonus of $250,000; and (iii) $330,000 and $125,000 awarded as a bonus for services performed inMs. Bellville’s 2002 and 2001, respectively.2003 bonuses were determined in accordance with the terms of their respective employment agreements.
 
(10) Includes a one-time signing bonus of $150,000 pursuant to an employment agreement.
 
(11) Mr. Chang’s bonus for 2004 represents the 2004 portion of a $150,000 special bonus expected to be paid for co-Interim Chief Financial Officer service through March 31, 2005. Payment of the bonus is conditioned on continued service in that capacity until the earlier of the naming of a permanent replacement or March 31, 2005.
(12)Mr. Schumm’s bonus for 2004 was determined in accordance with his separation agreement.
(13)Includes a “stay” bonus representing the principal and interest forgiven under employee’s promissory note, amounting to $363,000 and $342,000, respectively, for 2002 and 2001;2002; and $225,000 and $60,000 awarded as a bonus for services performed in 2002 and 2001, respectively.2002.
 
(12)(14) Includes a “stay” bonus representing the principal and interest forgiven under employee’s promissory note, amounting to $181,500 and $171,000, respectively, for 2002 and 2001;2002; and $100,000 and $65,000 awarded as a bonus for services performed in 2002 and 2001, respectively.2002.
 
(13)Includes: (i) $116,000 for 2001, representing the value based on the fair market value on October 18, 2001, the original grant date, of 9,000 shares of Charter Class A common stock, the vested portion of Mr. Silva’s restricted stock grant; (ii) a “stay” bonus representing the principal and interest forgiven under employee’s promissory note, amounting to $121,000 and $114,000, respectively for 2002 and 2001; and (iii) $75,000 and $150,000 awarded as a bonus for services performed in 2002 and 2001, respectively.
(14)(15) Amount attributed to personal use of the corporate airplane in 2003 and $100,000 attributed to personal use and commuting in the corporate airplane in 2002 and $114,961 for purchase of a car in 2002.
 
(15)(16) Includes (i) for 2004, reimbursement for taxes (on a “grossed up’’ basis) paid in respect of prior reimbursements for relocation expenses, and (ii) for 2003, $26,010 attributed to personal use of the corporate airplane and $4,800 for car allowance.
 
(16)(17) Includes reimbursement for taxes (on a “grossed up’’ basis) paid in respect of prior reimbursements for relocation expenses.
(18)Includes 340,000 performance shares granted in January 2004 under our Long-Term Incentive Program that were to vest on the third anniversary of the grant date only if Charter meets certain performance criteria. Also includes 680,000 restricted shares issued in exchange for stock options held by the named officer pursuant to the February 2004 option exchange program described below, one half of which constituted performance shares which were to vest on the third anniversary of the grant date only if Charter meets certain performance criteria, and the other half of which were to vest over three years in equal one-third installments. At December 31, 2004, the value of all of the named officer’s unvested restricted stock holdings (including performance shares) was $2,310,468, based on a per share market value (closing sale price) of $2.24 for Charter Class A common stock on December 31, 2004. All performance shares were forfeited upon the termination of employment. The remainder of the restricted shares will vest in part on the terms described below under “Employment Arrangements.”
(19)These restricted shares consisted solely of performance shares granted under Charter’s Long-Term

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Incentive Program that were to have vested on the third anniversary of the grant date only if Charter meets certain performance criteria. At December 31, 2004, the value of all of the named officer’s unvested restricted stock holdings (including performance shares) was $0, since all performance shares were previously forfeited upon the termination of employment.
(20)Restricted shares granted in 2003 vest over four years in equal one-fourth installments. Restricted shares granted in 2004 represent 77,500 performance shares granted under Charter’s Long-Term Incentive Program that were to vest on the third anniversary of the grant date only if Charter meets certain performance criteria. At December 31, 2004, the value of all of the named officer’s unvested restricted stock holdings (including performance shares) was $257,600 based on a per share market value (closing sale price) of $2.24 for Charter’s Class A common stock on December 31, 2004. All performance shares will be forfeited upon the termination of employment. The remainder of restricted shares will vest in part on the terms described below under “Employment Arrangements.”
(21)Includes 77,500 performance shares granted in January 2004 under Charter’s Long-Term Incentive Program that were to vest on the third anniversary of the grant date only if Charter meets certain performance criteria. Also includes restricted shares issued in exchange for stock options held by the named officer pursuant to the February 2004 option exchange program described below. One half of these restricted shares constitutes performance shares which were to vest on the third anniversary of the grant date only if Charter meets certain performance criteria and the other half of which were to vest over three years in equal one-third installments. At December 31, 2004, the value of all of the named officer’s unvested restricted stock holdings (including performance shares) was $417,240, based on a per share market value (closing sale price) of $2.24 for Charter’s Class A common stock on December 31, 2004. All performance shares were forfeited upon the termination of employment. The remainder of the restricted shares will vest in part on the terms described below under “Employment Arrangements.”
(22)These restricted shares consist solely of performance shares granted under Charter’s Long-Term Incentive Program that will vest on the third anniversary of the grant date only if Charter meets certain performance criteria. At December 31, 2004, the value of all of the named officer’s unvested restricted stock holdings (including performance shares) was $173,600 based on a per share market value (closing sale price) of $2.24 for Charter’s Class A common stock on December 31, 2004. All performance shares will be forfeited upon the termination of employment.
(23)These restricted shares consist solely of performance shares granted under Charter’s Long-Term Incentive Program that will vest on the third anniversary of the grant date only if Charter meets certain performance criteria. At December 31, 2004, the value of all of the named officer’s unvested restricted stock holdings (including performance shares) was $197,120, based on a per share market value (closing sale price) of $2.24 for Charter’s Class A common stock on December 31, 2004.
(24)In addition to items in note 1 above, includes (i) for 2003, $2,639 paid as premium for long-term disability available for executives and2004, $28,977 attributed to personal use of the corporate airplane, $10,000 as reimbursement for tax advisory services; and (ii) for 2002, $255 paid as premiums for supplemental life insurance available for executives and2003, $10,000 as reimbursement for tax advisory services; and (iii) for 2001, $7,5002002, $10,000 as reimbursement for legal expenses and $1,496 for COBRA expenses.tax advisory services.
 
(17)(25) IncludesIn addition to items in note 1 above, includes (i) for 2003, $2,955 paid as premium2004, $183,899 for long-term disability insurance availableseverance and accrued vacation at termination of employment, $10,299 for COBRA payments following termination, $4,650 for automobile allowance and $2,831 attributed to executives,personal use of the corporate airplane, and (ii) for 2003, $5,000 as reimbursement for tax advisory services, $7,500 for legal services and $93,684 paid in relation to relocation expenses.

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(18)
(26) IncludesIn addition to items in note 1 above, includes for 2003, $2,287 attributed to personal use of the corporate airplane.
 
(19)(27) IncludesIn addition to items in note 1 above, includes, (i) for 2003, $5812004, $7,200 for automobile allowance and $597 attributed to personal use of the corporate airplane.
(20)Includescorporation aircraft and (ii) for 2003, $128,769 paid in severance, $5,000 paid in matching contributions under Charter 401(k) plan, $576 paid as premium$2,400 for long-term disability insurance available to executives.automobile allowance.

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2003 Aggregated Option Exercises and 2003 Option Value Table

The following table sets forth, for the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table, (i) information concerning options exercised during 2003, (ii) the number of shares of Charter Class A common stock underlying unexercised options at year-end 2003, and (iii) the value of unexercised “in-the-money” options (i.e., the positive spread between the exercise price of outstanding options and the market value of Charter Class A common stock) on December 31, 2003.

                         
          Number of Securities  
          Underlying Value of Unexercised
          Unexercised Options at In-the-Money Options at
  Shares Acquired on Value December 31, 2003 (#)(1)
 December 31, 2003 ($)(2)
Name
 Exercise (#)
 Realized ($)
 Exercisable
 Unexercisable
 Exercisable
 Unexercisable
Carl E. Vogel        1,970,833   3,179,167   200,000   800,000 
Margaret A. Bellville        250,000   250,000   250,000   250,000 
Steven A. Schumm        912,136   585,545   60,000   240,000 
Curtis S. Shaw        310,332   413,668   20,000   80,000 
Wayne H. Davis        20,000   295,000   10,000   265,000 
Stephen E. Silva        367,916   277,084   30,000   120,000 


(1)Options granted prior to 2001 and under the 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan, when vested, are exercisable for membership units of Charter Holdco, which are immediately exchanged on a one-for-one basis for shares of Charter Class A common stock upon exercise of the option. Options granted under the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan and after 2000 are exercisable for shares of Charter Class A common stock.
(2)Based on a per share market value (closing price) of $4.02 as of December 31, 2003, for Charter Class A common stock.

2003

2004 Option Grants

The following table shows individual grants of options made to individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table during 2003.2004. All such grants were made under the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan and the exercise price was based upon the fair market value of Charter’s Class A common stock.stock on the respective grant dates.

                         
  Number of % of         Potential Realizable Value at
  Securities Total         Assumed Annual Rate of
  Underlying Options         Stock Price Appreciation
  Options Granted to Exercise     For Option Term (2)
  Granted Employees Price Expiration 
Name
 (#)(1)
 in 2003
 ($/Sh)
 Date
 5% ($)
 10% ($)
Carl E. Vogel  750,000   9.39%  4.30   10/28/13   2,025,827   5,133,843 
Margaret A. Bellville                  
Steven A. Schumm  250,000   3.13%  4.13   12/19/13   648,548   1,643,547 
Curtis S. Shaw  250,000   3.13%  4.30   10/28/13   675,276   1,711,281 
Wayne H. Davis  225,000   2.82%  1.60   04/29/13   225,695   571,954 
Stephen E. Silva (3)                  
                         
  Number of  % of            
  Securities  Total          Potential Realizable Value at 
  Underlying  Options          Assumed Annual Rate of 
  Options  Granted to  Exercise      Stock Price Appreciation 
  Granted  Employees  Price  Expiration  For Option Term (2) 
Name (#)(1)  in 2004  ($/Sh)  Date  5% ($)  10% ($) 
Carl E. Vogel (3)  580,000   6.17% $5.17   1/27/14   1,885,803   4,778,996 
Margaret A. Bellville (4)  200,000   2.13%  5.17   1/27/14   650,277   1,647,930 
Derek Chang (5)  135,000   1.44%  5.17   1/27/14   438,937   1,112,353 
Steven A. Schumm (6)  135,000   1.44%  5.17   1/27/14   438,937   1,112,353 
Curtis S. Shaw (7)  135,000   1.44%  5.17   1/27/14   438,937   1,112,353 
Michael J. Lovett  77,000   0.82%  5.17   1/27/14   251,982   638,573 
   12,500   0.13%  4.555   4/27/14   35,808   90,744 
   82,000   0.87%  2.865   10/26/14   147,746   374,418 


(1) Options are transferable under limited conditions, primarily to accommodate estate planning purposes. These options generally vest in four equal installments commencing on the first anniversary following the grant date.

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(2) This column shows the hypothetical gains on the options granted based on assumed annual compound price appreciation of 5% and 10% over the full ten-year term of the options. The assumed rates of 5% and 10% appreciation are mandated by the SEC and do not represent our estimate or projection of future prices.
 
(3) Mr. SilvaVogel’s employment terminated on January 17, 2005. Under the terms of the separation agreement, his options will continue to vest until December 31, 2005, and all vested options are exercisable until sixty (60) days thereafter.
(4)Ms. Bellville terminated employment in 2003on September 30, 2004. Under the terms of the separation agreement, her options will continue to vest until December 31, 2005, and received noall vested options in 2003.are exercisable until sixty (60) days thereafter.
(5)Mr. Chang has informed Charter of his intention to resign effective April 15, 2005.
(6)Mr. Schumm’s employment terminated on January 28, 2005. Under the terms of the separation agreement, his options will continue to vest until April 28, 2006, and all vested options are exercisable until sixty (60) days thereafter.
(7)Mr. Shaw has informed Charter of his intention to resign effective April 15, 2005.

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2004 Aggregated Option Exercises and Option Value

The following table sets forth, for the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table, (i) information concerning options exercised during 2004, (ii) the number of shares of Charter’s Class A common stock underlying unexercised options at year-end 2004, and (iii) the value of unexercised “in-the-money’’ options (i.e., the positive spread between the exercise price of outstanding options and the market value of Charter’s Class A common stock) on December 31, 2004.

                         
          Number of Securities    
          Underlying Unexercised  Value of Unexercised In-the 
  Shares      Options at December 31,  Money Options at 
  Acquired on  Value  2004 (#) (1)  December 31, 2004 ($) (2) 
Name Exercise (#)  Realized ($)  Exercisable  Unexercisable  Exercisable  Unexercisable 
Carl E. Vogel (3)        2,499,999   3,230,001       
Margaret A. Bellville (4)        385,416   314,584   254,375   75,625 
Derek Chang (5)        87,500   397,500       
Steven A. Schumm (6)        182,500   502,500       
Curtis S. Shaw (7)        438,833   420,167       
Michael J. Lovett        25,000   247,000       


(1)Options granted prior to 2001 and under the 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan, when vested, are exercisable for membership units of Charter Holdco which are immediately exchanged on a one-for-one basis for shares of Charter’s Class A common stock upon exercise of the option. Options granted under the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan and after 2000 are exercisable for shares of Charter’s Class A common stock.
(2)Based on a per share market value (closing price) of $2.24 as of December 31, 2004 for Charter’s Class A common stock.
(3)Mr. Vogel’s employment terminated on January 17, 2005. Under the terms of the separation agreement, his options will continue to vest until December 31, 2005, and all vested options are exercisable until sixty (60) days thereafter.
(4)Ms. Bellville’s employment terminated on September 30, 2004. Under the terms of the separation agreement, her options will continue to vest until December 31, 2005, and all vested options are exercisable until sixty (60) days thereafter.
(5)Mr. Chang has resigned from Charter effective April 15, 2005. The remainder of his options will vest in part on the terms described below under “Employment Arrangements.”
(6)Mr. Schumm’s employment terminated on January 28, 2005. Under the terms of the separation agreement, his options will continue to vest until April 28, 2006, and all vested options are exercisable until sixty (60) days thereafter.
(7)Mr. Shaw has resigned from Charter effective April 15, 2005.

Option/Stock Incentive Plans

The Plans.Stock options, restricted stock and other incentive compensation are granted pursuant tounder two plans — the 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan and the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. The 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan provided for the grant of options to purchase membership units in Charter Holdco to current and prospective employees and consultants of Charter Holdco and its affiliates and to current and prospective non-employee directors of Charter.directors. Membership units received upon exercise of any options are immediately exchanged for shares of Charter Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis.

The 2001 Stock Incentive Plan provides for the grant of non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, performance units and performance shares, share awards, phantom stock and/or shares of restricted stock (not to exceed 3,000,000 shares) as each term is defined in the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. Employees, officers, consultants and directors of Charter and its subsidiaries and affiliates are eligible to receive

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grants under the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. Generally, options expire 10 years from the grant date. Unless sooner terminated by theour board of directors, of Charter, the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan will terminate on February 12, 2011, and no option or award can be granted thereafter.

Together, the plans allow for the issuance of up to a total of 90,000,000 shares of CharterCharter’s Class A common stock (or units exchangeable for CharterCharter’s Class A common stock). Any shares covered by options that are terminated under the 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan will be transferred to the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan, and no new options will be granted under the 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan. At December 31, 2003, 460,5722004, 1,004,848 shares had been issued under the plans upon exercise of options, 91,978187,699 had been issued upon vesting of restricted stock granted under the plans, and 154,5622,076,860 shares were subject to future vesting under restricted stock agreements. Of the remaining 89,292,88886,730,593 shares covered by the plans, as of December 31, 2003, 47,882,3652004, 24,834,513 were subject to outstanding options (22,860,936(31% of which were vested), and 41,410,523 remain eligiblethere were 6,899,600 performance shares granted under Charter’s Long-Term Incentive Program as of December 31, 2004, to vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant conditional upon Charter’s performance against certain financial targets approved by Charter’s board of directors at the time of the award. As of December 31, 2004, 54,996,480 shares remained available for future grant.grants under the plans.

In July 2003, Charter amended theThe plans to authorize the repricing of options, which could include reducing the exercise price per share of any outstanding option, permitting the cancellation, forfeiture or tender of outstanding options in exchange for other awards or for new options with a lower exercise price per share, or repricing or replacing any outstanding options by any other method.

In January 2004, the Compensation Committee of theCharter’s board of directors of Charter approved Charter’sits Long-Term Incentive Program, (“LTIP”),or LTIP, which is a program administered under the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. EmployeesUnder the LTIP, employees of Charter and its subsidiaries whose pay classifications exceed a certain level are eligible to receive stock options, and more senior level employees arewere eligible to receive stock options and performance shares. Under the LTIP, theThe stock options vest 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant. The performance shares are earnedvest on the third anniversary of the grant date of grant. Shares of Charter Class A common stock are issued, conditional upon Charter’s performance against financial performance measures and customer growth targets established by Charter’sour management and approved by itsCharter’s board of directors or Compensation Committee as of the time of the award. No awards were madeWe granted 6,899,600 performance shares in January 2004 under this program and recognized expense of $8 million in the LTIPfirst three quarters of 2004. However, in 2003.

The Option Plan Committeethe fourth quarter of 2004, we reversed the entire $8 million of expense based on our assessment of the boardprobability of directors of Charter administersachieving the financial performance measures established by management and authorizes grants and awards underrequired to be met for the performance shares to vest.

The 2001 Stock Incentive Plan must be administered by, and grants and awards to any eligible individuals. The Option Plan Committee will determineindividuals must be approved by Charter’s board of directors or a committee thereof consisting solely of nonemployee directors as defined in Section 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Charter’s board of directors or such committee determines the terms of each stock option grant, restricted stock grant or other award at the time of grant, including the exercise price to be paid for the shares, the vesting schedule for each option, the price, if any, to be paid by the grantee for the restricted stock, the restrictions placed on the shares, and the time or times when the restrictions will lapse. The Option Plan CommitteeCharter’s board of directors or such committee also has the power to accelerate the vesting of any grant or extend the term thereof.

Upon a change of control of Charter, Charter’s board of directors or the Option Plan Committeeadministering committee can shorten the exercise period of any option, have the survivor or successor entity assume the options with appropriate adjustments, or cancel options and pay out in cash. If an optionee’s or grantee’s employment is terminated without “cause” or for “good reason” following a “change in control” (as those terms are defined in the plans), unless otherwise provided in an agreement, with respect to such optionee’s or grantee’s awards under the plans, all outstanding options will become immediately and

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fully exercisable, all outstanding stock appreciation rights will become immediately and fully exercisable, the restrictions on the outstanding restricted stock will lapse, and all of the outstanding performance shares will vest and the restrictions on all of the outstanding performance shares will lapse as if all performance objectives had been satisfied at the maximum level.

February 2004 Option Exchange.In January 2004, Charter commenced an option exchange program in which employees of Charteroffered its and its subsidiaries were offeredsubsidiaries’ employees the right to exchange all stock options (vested and unvested) under the 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan and 2001 Stock Incentive Plan that had an exercise price over $10 per share for shares of restricted Charter Class A common stock or, in some instances, cash. Based on a sliding exchange ratio, which varied depending on the exercise price of an employee’s outstanding options, if an employee would have received more than 400 shares of restricted stock in exchange for tendered options, Charterwe issued to that employee shares of restricted stock in the exchange. If, based on

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the exchange ratios, an employee would have received 400 or fewer shares of restricted stock in exchange for tendered options, Charterwe instead paid to the employee cash in an amount equal to the number of shares the employee would have received multiplied by $5.00. The offer applied to options to purchase a total of 22,929,573 shares of Charter Class A common stock, or approximately 48% of Charter’sour 47,882,365 total options (vested and unvested) issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2003. Participation by employees was voluntary. ThoseNon-employee members of Charter’sthe board of directors who were not also employees of Charter or any of its subsidiaries were not eligible to participate in the exchange offer.

In the closing of the exchange offer on February 20, 2004, Charter accepted for cancellation eligible options to purchase approximately 18,137,664 shares of itsCharter’s Class A common stock. In exchange, Charter granted approximately 1,966,686 shares of restricted stock, including 460,777 performance shares to eligible employees of the rank of senior vice president and above, and paid a total cash amount of approximately $4 million (which amount includes applicable withholding taxes) to those employees who received cash rather than shares of restricted stock. The grants of restricted stock will be effective as ofwas granted on February 25, 2004. Employees tendered approximately 79% of the options eligible to be exchanged under the program.

Based on the results above, theThe cost to Charter of the Stock Option Exchange Programstock option exchange program was approximately $12$10 million, with a 2004 cash compensation expense of approximately $4 million and a non-cash compensation expense of approximately $8$6 million to be expensed ratably over the three-year vesting period of the restricted stock issued in the exchange.

Employment Arrangements

Employment Agreements.Messrs. May and Chang serve pursuant to letter agreements described below. Mr. Vogel is currently employed by Charter under an employment agreement that was signed in 2001 and terminates on December 31, 2005. Ms. Bellville is employed by Charter under an employment agreement that terminates in September 2007. Of the other individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table, Mr. Silva isare no longer employees, but served during 2004 pursuant to employment agreements as described below.

Charter entered into an employeeagreement with Robert P. May, effective January 17, 2005, whereby Mr. May serves as Charter’s Interim President and Chief Executive Officer (the “May Executive Services Agreement’’). Under the May Executive Services Agreement, Mr. May receives a $1,250,000 base fee per year. If Mr. May becomes Charter’s permanent President and Chief Executive Officer or is terminated without cause, Mr. May will be eligible to receive a one-time discretionary bonus up to 100% of the actual base fee paid to him for his interim service under the agreement, based on individual and company performance. Mr. May will continue to receive the compensation and reimbursement of expenses to which he is entitled in his capacity as a member of the board of directors. Mr. May may terminate the May Executive Services Agreement on thirty (30) days notice. Charter may terminate such agreement upon three (3) months notice, and Charter may elect at its discretion to pay Mr. May the base rate for such period in lieu of all or part of the notice. Subject to the approval of the board of directors or a suitable committee thereof, Mr. May will be granted options to purchase shares of Charter but servedClass A common stock and/or receive a grant of restricted stock pursuant to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan, the number and terms of which will be determined as soon as practicable. Mr. May serves as an independent contractor and is not entitled to any vacation or eligible to participate in 2003any employee benefit programs of Charter. Charter will reimburse Mr. May for reasonable transportation costs from Mr. May’s residence in Florida or other locations to Charter’s offices and will provide temporary living quarters or reimburse expenses related thereto.

Mr. Chang is employed under the terms contained in an offer letter effective December 2, 2003 providing for an annual base salary of $400,000 (which has since been increased to $450,000 per year) and eligibility for an annual incentive target of 100% of the base salary (based on a combination of personal performance goals and overall company performance). Mr. Chang is also eligible to participate in our 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. Under this plan, Mr. Chang was granted 350,000 options to purchase Charter Class A common stock and 50,000 restricted shares on December 9, 2003. Mr. Chang is also entitled to participate in our LTIP. Mr. Chang’s agreement provides that one half of each of his unvested restricted shares would immediately vest, and one half of his unvested options of the initial option grant would vest if he is terminated without cause or if he elects to terminate his employment agreement signeddue to (1) a change in 2001.our Chief Executive Officer, (2) a change in reporting relationship to anyone other than the Chief Executive Officer, (3) a requirement that the employee relocate, or (4) a change of control of Charter, if terminated without cause. In addition, Mr. Chang would be entitled to eighteen months of full severance benefits at his current compensation rate, plus the pro rata portion of his bonus amounts within thirty days after termination because of any of these events. In light of Mr. Vogel’s resignation, Charter and Mr. Chang have agreed that he will have until April 15, 2005 to exercise his right to terminate his employment and receive the foregoing vesting, severance and other benefits. In addition, Charter has agreed that it will pay Mr. Chang a special $150,000 bonus, in addition to any other bonuses to which he may be otherwise entitled, conditioned on Mr. Chang’s continued service as Interim co-Chief Financial Officer through March 31, 2005, or any earlier date on which Charter may appoint a new permanent Chief Financial Officer, and on his continued employment with Charter when the bonus is payable in March 2005. Mr. Chang has informed Charter of his intention to resign effective April 15, 2005.

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Until his resignation in January 2005, Mr. Vogel iswas employed as President and Chief Executive Officer, earning a base annual salary of $1,000,000 and iswas eligible to receive an annual bonus of up to $500,000, a portion of which was based on personal performance goals and a portion of which was based on company performance measured against criteria established by the Boardboard with Mr. Vogel. Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Vogel was granted 3,400,000 options to purchase Charter Class A common stock and 50,000 shares of restricted stock under the Charter Communications, Inc.our 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. BothIn the February 2004 option exchange, Mr. Vogel exchanged his 3,400,000 options for 340,000 shares of restricted stock and 340,000 performance shares. Mr. Vogel’s initial 50,000 restricted shares vested 25% on the grant date, with the remainder vesting in 36 equal monthly installments beginning December 2002. The 340,000 shares of restricted stock were to vest over a three-year period, with one-third of the shares vesting on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. The 340,000 performance shares were to vest at the end of a three-year period if certain financial criteria were met. Mr. Vogel’s agreement providesprovided that, if Mr. Vogel is terminated without cause or byif Mr. Vogel terminated the agreement for good reason, (including, in the event Mr. Vogel is required to report, directly or indirectly, to persons other than the Board), he is entitled to his aggregate base salary due during the remainder of the term and full prorated benefits and bonus for the year in which termination occurs. Mr. Vogel’s agreement includesincluded a covenant not to compete for the balance of the initial term or any renewal term, but no more than one year in the event of termination without cause or by employeeMr. Vogel with good reason. Mr. Vogel’s agreement entitlesentitled him to participate in any disability insurance, pensions or other benefit plans afforded to employees generally or to our executives, of Charter, including Charter’s Long-Term Incentive Program. Charterour LTIP. We agreed to reimburse Mr. Vogel annually for the cost of term life insurance in the amount of $5 million, although he declined this reimbursement in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2003.2004. Mr. Vogel iswas entitled to reimbursement of fees and dues for his membership in a country club of his choice, which he declined in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 20032004, and reimbursement for up to $10,000 per year for tax, legal and financial planning services. His agreement also providesprovided for a car and associated expenses for Mr. Vogel’s use. Mr. Vogel’s agreement providesprovided for automatic one-year renewals and also providesprovided that Charter willwe would cause him to be elected to the CharterCharter’s board of directors without any additional compensation.

95In February 2005, Charter entered into an agreement with Mr. Vogel setting forth the terms of his resignation. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Vogel received in February 2005 all accrued and unpaid base salary and vacation pay through the date of resignation and a lump sum payment equal to the remainder of his base salary during 2005 (totaling $953,425). In addition, he will receive a lump sum cash payment of $500,000 at December 31, 2005, which is subject to reduction to the extent of compensation attributable to certain competitive activities. Mr. Vogel will continue to receive certain health benefits during 2005 and COBRA premiums for such health insurance coverage for 18 months thereafter. All of his outstanding stock options, as well as his restricted stock granted in 2004 (excluding 340,000 shares of restricted stock granted as “performance units”, which will automatically be forfeited), will continue to vest through December 31, 2005. In addition, one-half of the remaining unvested portion of his 2001 restricted stock grant will vest immediately, and the other half was forfeited. Mr. Vogel will have 60 days after December 31, 2005 to exercise any outstanding vested stock options. Under the agreement, Mr. Vogel waived any further right to any bonus or incentive plan participation and provided certain releases of claims against Charter and its subsidiaries from any claims arising out of or based upon any facts occurring prior to the date of the agreement, but Charter will continue to provide Mr. Vogel certain indemnification rights and to include Mr. Vogel in its director and officer liability insurance for a period of six years. Charter and its subsidiaries also agreed to provide releases of certain claims against Mr. Vogel with certain exceptions reserved. Mr. Vogel has also agreed, with limited exceptions that he will continue to be bound by the covenant not to compete, confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions contained in his 2001 employment agreement.


Ms. Bellville is currentlywas employed by Charteras Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer. Until her resignation in September 2004, she was employed under an employment agreement that was entered into as of April 27, 2003, and terminatesthat would have terminated on September 1, 2007. Her annual base salary iswas $625,000 and she iswas eligible to receive an annual bonus in an amount to be determined by theCharter’s board of directors, of Charter, with a contractual minimum for 2003 of $203,125. Commencing in 2004, Ms. Bellville iswould have been eligible to receive a target annual bonus equal to 100% of her base salary for the applicable year at the discretion of the board of directors, 50% to be based on personal performance goals and 50% to be based on overall company performance. Under a prior offer letter dated December 3, 2002, Ms. Bellville was granted 500,000 options to purchase shareshares of CharterCharter’s Class A common stock, which vested 25% on the date of the grant (December 9, 2002), with the balance to vest in 36 equal installments commencing January 2003. Ms. Bellville’s employment agreement providesprovided that if she iswas terminated by Charter without cause or if she terminatesterminated the agreement for good reason (including due to a change in control of Charter or if Ms. Bellville iswas required to report, directly or indirectly, to persons other than the Chief Executive Officer), Charter willwe would pay Ms. Bellville an amount equal to the aggregate base salary due to Ms. Bellville during the remainder of the term, or renewal term and a full prorated bonus for the year in which the termination occurs, within thirty days of termination. Ms. Bellville’s agreement includesincluded a covenant not to compete for the balance of the initial term or any renewal term, but no more than one year, in the event of termination without cause or by employeeher with good reason. Her

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agreement further providesprovided that she iswas entitled to participate in any disability insurance, pension or other benefit plan afforded to employees generally or to executives, of Charter, including Charter’s Long-Term Incentive Program.LTIP. Ms. Bellville iswas entitled to a monthly car allowance and reimbursement for all business expenses associated with the use of such car. Ms. Bellville’s agreement providesprovided that she iswas entitled to the reimbursement of dues for her membership in a country club of her choice, and reimbursement for up to $5,000 per year for tax, legal and financial planning services. Her base salary may behave been increased at the discretion of theCharter’s board of directors of Charter.directors. Ms. Bellville’s agreement providesprovided for automatic one-year renewals.

Mr. Silva was employedOn September 16, 2004, Charter entered into an agreement with Ms. Bellville governing the terms and conditions of her resignation as Executive Vice President — Corporate Developmentan officer and Chief Technology Officer. Until his resignation in July 2003, he received a base salaryemployee of $300,000 and was eligibleCharter. Under the terms of this agreement, Ms. Bellville has the right to receive 65 weeks of base pay based on an annual bonusbase of up$625,000, plus usual compensation for all accrued vacation and other leave time. Her options to 50%purchase 700,000 shares of base, accordingCharter Class A common stock will continue to Charter’s Executive Bonus Policy in accordance with past practices, and additional bonusesvest during the salary continuation period. Ms. Bellville will have 60 days after the expiration of the salary continuation period to exercise any outstanding vested options at the discretionapplicable exercise prices established at each grant date. To date, Ms. Bellville has exercised her options to purchase 350,000 shares. Ms. Bellville is entitled to receive relocation benefits under Charter’s current relocation policy with respect to a move to a specified geographic area and will be provided outplacement assistance for 6 months following the date of her separation from Charter. Her resignation was effective September 30, 2004. The agreement provides that the previously existing employment agreement would terminate, except for certain ongoing obligations on Ms. Bellville’s part concerning confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-disparagement. The contractual restriction on her ability to solicit current Charter employees does not apply to persons who, at the time of solicitation, have not worked for Charter in the prior 6 months and are not receiving severance from Charter. In addition, the non-competition provisions of her employment agreement were waived. Under the agreement, Ms. Bellville waived a right to any bonus or incentive plan and released Charter from any claims arising out of or based upon any facts occurring prior to the date of the Board. Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Silva received 36,000 shares of restricted stock under thebut Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. Under his agreement, Mr. Silva’s restricted shares vested 25% on the grant date, with the remainder to vest in 36 equal monthly installments beginning December 2002. Mr. Silva’s agreement provided that he was eligible for any disability insurance, pension or other benefit plan offered to employees generally or to executives of Charter. Mr. Silva’s agreement also provided that, to the extent Charter does not provide life insurance in an amount at least equal to the unpaid amount of the employee’s base salary through the end of the term of his agreement, Charter wouldwill continue to pay his estate an amount equal to his base salary in installments through the end of the term.provide Ms. Bellville certain indemnification rights for that period.

In addition to the indemnification provisions which apply to all employees under Charter’sour bylaws, each of theseMr. Vogel’s and Ms. Bellville’s agreements providesprovide that Charterwe will indemnify and hold harmless each employee to the maximum extent permitted by law from and against any claims, damages, liabilities, losses, costs or expenses in connection with or arising out of the performance by the applicable employee of his or her duties. Each of the above agreements also contains confidentiality and non-solicitation provisions.

Effective January 28, 2005, we eliminated the position of Chief Administrative Officer, resulting in the termination of employment of Steven A. Schumm, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer from Charter and each of our subsidiaries for which Mr. ChangSchumm served as an officer. Pursuant to a Separation Agreement executed on February 8, 2005, we will continue to pay Mr. Schumm’s base salary for 65 weeks at an annual rate of $450,000, and Mr. HusebySchumm will be paid a bonus of $15,815 at such time as other executives receive their bonuses. Mr. Schumm’s stock options will continue to vest during the 65-week severance period, and he will have 60 days thereafter to exercise any vested options.

We have established separation guidelines which generally apply to all employees in situations where management determines that an employee is entitled to severance benefits. Severance benefits are granted solely in management’s discretion and are not an employee entitlement or guaranteed benefit. The guidelines provide that persons employed at the level of Senior Vice President may be eligible to receive between six and fifteen months of severance benefits and persons employed at the level of Executive Vice President may be eligible to receive between nine and eighteen months of severance benefits in the event of separation under certain circumstances generally including elimination of a position, work unit or general staff reduction. Separation benefits are contingent upon the signing of a separation agreement containing certain provisions including a release of all claims against Charter. Severance amounts paid under these guidelines are distinct and separate from any one-time, special or enhanced severance programs that may be approved by Charter under the terms contained in offer letters effective December 2, 2003 and January 5, 2004, respectively, each providing for an annual base salary of $400,000 and eligibility for an annual incentive target of 100% of the base salary (based on a combination of personal performance goals and overall company performance). Mr. Chang and Mr. Husebyfrom time to time.

Our senior executives are also eligible to participate in the Charter Communications 2001 Stock Incentivereceive bonuses according to Charter’s 2005 Executive Bonus Plan. Under this plan, Mr. Changour executive officers and Mr. Huseby were each granted 350,000 optionscertain other management and professional employees are eligible to purchase Class A common stock ofreceive an annual bonus. Each participating employee would receive his or her target bonus if Charter in December(or such employee’s division) meets specified performance measures for revenues, operating cash flow, free cash flow and January, respectively, and 50,000 restricted shares on December 9, 2003 and January 5, 2004, respectively. Mr. Chang and Mr. Huseby are also entitled to participate in Charter’s Long-Term Incentive Program. Mr. Huseby’s and Mr. Chang’s agreements provide that one half of each of their unvested restricted shares would immediately vest, and one half of each of their unvested options of the initial option grant would vest if (1) there is a change in Charter’s current Chief Executive Officer, (2) there is a change in reporting relationship to anyone other than the Chief Executive Officer, (3) there is a requirement that the employee relocate, (4) there is a change of control of Charter or (5) if terminated without cause. In addition, Mr. Chang and Mr. Huseby would be entitled to eighteen months of full severance benefits at their current compensation rate, plus the pro rata portion of their bonus amounts within thirty days after termination because of any of these events.customer satisfaction.

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Limitation of Directors’ Liability and Indemnification Matters

Charter’s certificate of incorporation limits the liability of directors to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability for:

(1) any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation and its shareholders;

(2) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

(3) unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions; or

(4) any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Charter’s bylaws provide that itwe will indemnify all persons whom itwe may indemnify pursuant thereto to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling Charter pursuant to the foregoing provisions, Charter has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Charter has reimbursed certain of its current and former directors, officers and employees in connection with their defense ofin certain legal actions. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Other Miscellaneous Relationships — Indemnification Advances.’’

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Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

Beneficial Ownership of Securities

The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of Charter’sCharter Class A common stock as of February 29, 2004January 31, 2005 by:

   each person currently serving as a director of Charter;
 
   the current chief executive officer and the other individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table;
 
   all persons currently serving as directors and officers of Charter, as a group; and
 
   each person known by us to own beneficially 5% or more of theCharter’s outstanding Charter Class A common stock.

With respect to the percentage of voting power set forth in the following table:

   each holder of Charter Class A common stock is entitled to one vote per share; and
 
   each holder of Charter Class B common stock is entitled to (i) ten votes per share of Charter Class B common stock held by such holder and its affiliates and (ii) ten votes per share of Charter Class B Common Stock for which membership units in Charter Holdco held by such holder and its affiliates are exchangeable.

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          Class A                
          Shares                
      Unvested Receivable         Class B      
  Number of Restricted on Exercise Class A     Shares      
  Class A Class A of Vested Shares     Issuable      
  Shares Shares Options or Receivable on Number of upon     % of
  (Voting and (Voting Other Exercise of Class B Exchange or % of Voting
Name and Address of Investment Power Only) Convertible Convertible Shares Conversion of Equity Power
Beneficial Owner
 Power)(1)
 (2)
 Securities (3)
 Sr. Notes
 Owned
 Units (4)
 (4)(5)
 (5)(6)
Paul G. Allen (7)  29,110,640   9,882   10,000       50,000   339,132,031   58.1%  92.8%
Charter Investment, Inc.(8)                      222,818,858   43.0%  * 
Vulcan Cable III, Inc. (9)                      116,313,173   28.3%  * 
Carl E. Vogel  80,208   699,792   200,000   34,786           *   * 
John H. Tory  4,300   9,882   40,000       ��       *   * 
Marc B. Nathanson  370,000   9,882   50,000   46,382           *   * 
Charles M. Lillis (10)      11,429                   *   * 
David C. Merritt      9,882                   *   * 
Nancy B. Peretsman  60,000   9,882   50,000               *   * 
William D. Savoy      9,882   50,000               *   * 
Larry W. Wangberg  3,000   9,882   40,000               *   * 
Margaret A. Bellville          291,666                     
Curtis S. Shaw  5,000       331,583                     
Steven A. Schumm (11)  12,440   108,768   60,000   4,638           *   * 
Wayne H. Davis  250   8,000   66,250               *   * 
All current directors and executive officers as a group (18 persons)  29,669,338   1,014,377   1,261,999   88,125   50,000   339,132,031   58.3%  92.8%
Stephen E. Silva (12)          395,833               *   * 
Mark Cuban (13)  19,000,000                       6.4%  * 
Wallace R. Weitz & Company (14)  34,100,000                       11.6%  * 
UBS Americas, Inc. (15)  19,520,000                       6.6%  * 
                             
          Class A               
      Unvested  Shares      Class B        
  Number of  Restricted  Receivable      Shares        
  Class A  Class A  on Exercise      Issuable        
  Shares  Shares  of Vested  Number of  upon      % of 
  (Voting and  (Voting  Options or Other  Class B  Exchange or  % of  Voting 
Name and Address of Investment  Power Only)  Convertible  Shares  Conversion of  Equity  Power 
Beneficial Owner Power)(1)  (2)  Securities (3)  Owned  Units (4)  (4)(5)  (5)(6) 
Paul G. Allen (7)  29,126,463   15,823   10,000   50,000   339,132,031   57.19%  92.54%
Charter Investment, Inc. (8)                  222,818,858   42.23%  * 
Vulcan Cable III Inc. (9)                  116,313,173   27.62%  * 
Robert P. May (10)      19,685               *   * 
John H. Tory  14,182   15,823   40,000           *   * 
Marc B. Nathanson  399,882   15,823   50,000           *   * 
Charles M. Lillis (11)  11,429   18,416               *   * 
David C. Merritt  9,882   15,823               *   * 
Jo Allen Patton (12)      10,977               *   * 
W. Lance Conn (13)      19,231               *   * 
Jonathan L. Dolgen (10)      19,685               *   * 
Larry W. Wangberg  12,882   15,823   40,000           *   * 
Derek Chang (14)  22,500   37,500   121,250                 
Curtis S. Shaw (15)  5,000       489,250           *   * 
Michael J. Lovett  7,500       44,375           *   * 
All current directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons)  29,619,923   225,620   1,096,750   50,000   339,132,031   57.32%  92.56%
Carl E. Vogel (16)  208,126   226,666   735,625           *   * 
Margaret A. Bellville (17)          106,249           *   * 
Steven A. Schumm (18)  23,276   43,548   216,250           *   * 
Mark Cuban (19)  19,000,000                   6.23%  * 
Wallace R. Weitz & Company (20)  26,000,000                   8.53%  * 
Amaranth L.L.C. (21)          21,322,312           6.54%    


* Less than 1%.

(1) Includes shares for which the named person has:

has sole voting and investment power; or
shared voting and investment power with a spouse.

Does not include shares that may be acquired through exercise of options.
 
(2) Includes unvested shares of restricted stock issued under the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (including those issued in the February 2004 option exchange for those eligible employees who elected to participate), as to which the applicable director or employee has sole voting power but not investment power. Excludes certain performance units granted under the Charter 2001 Stock Incentive Plan with respect to

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which shares will not be issued until the third anniversary of the grant date and then only if Charter meets certain performance criteria (and which consequently do not provide the holder with any voting rights).
 
(3) Includes shares of Charter Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of options that have vested or will vest on or before April 29, 20041, 2005 under the 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan and the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan.
 
(4) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act. The beneficial owners at February 29,December 31, 2004 of Charter Class B common stock, Charter Holdco membership units and convertible senior notes of Charter are deemed to be beneficial owners of an equal number of shares of Charter Class A common stock because such holdings are either convertible into Charter Class A shares (in the case of Charter Class B shares and Charter’s convertible senior notes) or exchangeable (directly or indirectly) for Charter Class A shares (in the case of the membership units) on a one-for-one basis. Unless otherwise noted, the named holders have sole investment and voting power with respect to the shares listed as beneficially owned. An issue has arisen as to whether the documentation for the Bresnan transaction was correct and complete with regard to the ultimate ownership of the CC VIII, LLC membership interests following the consummation of the Bresnan put transaction on June 6, 2003. See footnote (7) below and see “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Transactions Arising Outout of Our Organizational Structure and Mr. Allen’s Investment in Charter Communications, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries — Equity Put Rights CC VIII.”

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(5) The calculation of this percentage assumes for each person that:

 295,136,831304,795,728 shares of Charter Class A common stock are issued and outstanding as of February 29, 2004;January 31, 2005;
 
   50,000 shares of Charter Class B common stock held by Mr. Allen have been converted into shares of Charter Class A common stock;
 
   the acquisition by such person of all shares of Charter Class A common stock that such person or affiliates of such person has the right to acquire upon exchange of membership units in subsidiaries or conversion of Charter’s Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock or 5.75%5.875% or 4.75% convertible senior notes;
 
   the acquisition by such person of all shares that may be acquired upon exercise of options to purchase shares or exchangeable membership units that have vested or will vest by February 29, 2004;March 1, 2005; and
 
   that none of the other listed persons or entities has received any shares of Charter Class A common stock that are issuable to any of such persons pursuant to the exercise of options or otherwise.
 
    A person is deemed to have the right to acquire shares of Charter Class A common stock with respect to options vested under the 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan. When vested, these options are exercisable for membership units of Charter Holdco, which are immediately exchanged on a one-for-one basis for shares of Charter Class A common stock. A person is also deemed to have the right to acquire shares of Charter Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of vested options under the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan.

(6)  The calculation of this percentage assumes that Mr. Allen’s equity interests are retained in the form that maximizes voting power (i.e., the 50,000 shares of Charter Class B common stock held by Mr. Allen have not been converted into shares of Charter Class A common stock; that the membership units of Charter Holdco owned by each of Vulcan Cable III Inc. and Charter Investment, Inc. have not been exchanged for shares of Charter Class A common stock).
 
(7)  The total listed includes:

 
  222,818,858 membership units in Charter Holdco held by Charter Investment, Inc.; and
   116,313,173 membership units in Charter Holdco held by Vulcan Cable III Inc.

 
   The listed total excludes 24,273,943 shares of Charter Class A common stock issuable upon exchange of units of Charter Holdco, which may be issuable to Charter Investment, Inc. (which is owned by Mr. Allen) as a consequence of the closing of its acquisitionhis purchase of the membership interests in CC VIII, LLC that were put to Mr. Allen and were purchased by him on June 6, 2003. An issue has arisen regarding the ultimate ownership of such CC VIII, LLC membership interests following the consummation of such put transaction. See “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Transactions Arising Outout of Our Organizational Structure and Mr. Allen’s Investment in Charter Communications, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries — Equity Put Rights — CC VIII.”
The address of this person is: 505 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98104.

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The address of this person is: 505 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98104.

(8)  Includes 222,818,858 membership units in Charter Holdco, which are exchangeable for shares of Charter Class B common stock on a one-for-one basis, which are convertible to shares of Charter Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. The address of this person is Charter Plaza, 12405 Powerscourt Drive, St. Louis, MO 63131.
 
(9)  Includes 116,313,173 membership units in Charter Holdco, which are exchangeable for shares of Charter Class B common stock on a one-for-one basis, which are convertible to shares of Charter Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. The address of this person is: 505 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98104.
 
(10)Mr. May and Mr. Dolgen were elected to the board of directors of Charter on October 21, 2004 and were each granted 19,685 shares on October 21, 2004 which will fully vest on October 21, 2005.
(11)  Mr. Lillis was granted 11,429 shares of restricted Charter Class A common stock on October 3, 2003, which vested fully on October 3, 2004. He was granted 18,416 shares of restricted Charter Class A common stock on October 3, 2004, which will vest fully on the one year anniversary of the grant date.October 3, 2005.
 
(11)(12)  Ms. Patton was appointed to the board of directors of Charter on April 27, 2004 and was granted 10,997 shares on that date which will vest fully on April 27, 2005.
(13)  Mr. Conn was elected to the board of directors of Charter on September 24, 2004 and was granted 19,231 shares on September 30, 2004, which will vest fully on September 30, 2005.
(14)  Mr. Chang resigned from Charter effective April 15, 2005.
(15)  Mr. Shaw resigned from Charter effective April 15, 2005.
(16)  Mr. Vogel terminated his employment effective on January 17, 2005. His stock options and restricted stock shown in this table continue to vest through December 31, 2005, and his options will be exercisable for another 60 days thereafter.
(17)  Ms. Bellville resigned from Charter effective September 30, 2004. Under the terms of her separation agreement, her options will continue to vest until December 31, 2005, and all vested options are exercisable until sixty (60) days thereafter.
(18)  Includes 1,000 shares for which Mr. Schumm has shared investment and voting power. Mr. Schumm’s employment was terminated effective January 28, 2005. His stock options and restricted stock shown in this table continue to vest for 65 weeks following his termination, and his options will be exercisable for another 60 days thereafter.
 
(12)Under the terms of Mr. Silva’s severance, his options will continue to vest until October 15, 2004, and all vested options will be exercisable until 60 days thereafter.

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(13)(19)  The equity ownership reported in this table is based upon holder’s FormSchedule 13G filed with the SEC May 19,21, 2003. The address of this person is: 5424 Deloache, Dallas, Texas 75220.
 
(14)(20)  The equity ownership reported in this table, for both the named holder and its president and primary owner, Wallace R. Weitz, is based upon holders’ Form 13G/ASchedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 23, 2004,12, 2005, and reflects the holders’ ownership in its capacity as an investment advisor and not ownership for its own account. The address of this person is: 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 600, Omaha, Nebraska 68124-6008.
 
(15)(21)  The equity ownership reported in this table is based upon holder’s FormSchedule 13G filed with the SEC February 19, 2004.2, 2005. The address of this person is: 677 Washington Blvd.c/o Amaranth Advisors L.L.C., Stamford,One American Lane, Greenwich, Connecticut, 06901.06831.

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Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans

The following information is provided as of December 31, 20032004 with respect to equity compensation plans of Charter:plans:

                        
 Number of securities Number of securities Number of securities Number of securities 
 to be issued upon Weighted average remaining available to be issued upon Weighted average remaining available 
 exercise of outstanding exercise price of for future issuance exercise of outstanding exercise price of for future issuance 
 options, warrants outstanding options, under equity options, warrants outstanding options, under equity 
Plan Category
 and rights
 warrants and rights
 compensation plans
 and rights warrants and rights compensation plans 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders  47,882,365(1) $12.48 41,410,523   24,834,513(1) $6.57 54,701,158 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders  186,385(2) $20.46    475,653(2) $10.39  
 
 
 
 
      
TOTAL 48,068,750 $12.51 41,410,523  25,310,166 $6.64 54,701,158 
 
 
 
 
      


(1) This total does not include 154,5622,076,860 shares issued pursuant to restricted stock grants made under ourCharter’s 2001 Stock Incentive Plan, which were subject to vesting based on continued employment.employment or 6,899,600 performance shares issued under Charter’s LTIP plan, which are subject to vesting upon achievement of certain performance criteria.
 
(2) Includes shares of Charter Class A common stock to be issued upon exercise of options granted pursuant to an individual compensation agreement with a consultant. In addition, in December 2003, subject to certain conditions, Charter has agreed (1) to exchange the 186,385 of these options listed above for 18,638 shares of Charter Class A common stock, and (2) to issue to the holder options to purchase an additional 289,268 shares of Charter Class A common stock for an exercise price of $3.905 per share.stock.

Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

The following sets forth certain transactions in which we are involved and in which our or Charter’sthe directors, executive officers and affiliates of Charter have or may have a material interest. The transactions fall generally into three broad categories:

   Transactions in which Mr. Allen has an interest that arise directly out of Mr. Allen’s investment in Charter Communications, Inc. and Charter Communications Holding Company, LLCHoldco.A large number of the transactions described below arise out of Mr. Allen’s direct and indirect (through Charter Investment, Inc., or the Vulcan entities, each of which Mr. Allen controls) investment in Charter and its subsidiaries, as well as commitments made as consideration for the investments themselves.
 
   Transactions with third party providers of products, services and content in which Mr. Allen has or had a material interest.Mr. Allen has had numerous investments in the areas of technology and media. We have a number of commercial relationships with third parties in which Mr. Allen has or had an interest.
 
   Other Miscellaneous Transactions.We have a limited number of transactions in which certain of the officers, directors and principal shareholders of Charter and its subsidiaries, other than Mr. Allen, have an interest.

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A number of our debt instruments and those of our subsidiaries require delivery of fairness opinions for transactions with Mr. Allen or his affiliates involving more than $50 million. Such fairness opinions have been obtained whenever required. All of our transactions with Mr. Allen or his affiliates have been considered for approval either by the board of directors of Charter or a committee of the board of directors and, in compliance with corporate governance requirements, all related party transactions are considered by the Audit Committee comprised entirely of independent directors. All of our transactions with Mr. Allen or his affiliates have been deemed by theCharter’s board of directors of Charter or a committee of the board of directors of Charter to be in our best interest. Except where noted below, we do not believe that these transactions present any unusual risks for us that would not be present in any similar commercial transaction.

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The chart below summarizes certain information with respect to these transactions. Additional information regarding these transactions is provided following the chart.

     
  Interested  
Transaction
 Related Party
 Description of Transaction
Intercompany Management
Arrangements
 Paul G. Allen Our subsidiariesSubsidiaries of Charter Holdco paid Charter approximately $84$90 million for management services rendered in 2003.2004.
     
Mutual Services Agreement Paul G. Allen Charter paid Charter Holdco $73$74 million for services rendered in 2003.2004.
     
Previous Management Agreement Paul G. Allen No fees were paid in 2003,2004, although total management fees accrued and payable to Charter Investment, Inc., exclusive of interest, were approximately $14 million at December 31, 2003.
Tax Provisions of Charter Holdco’s Operating AgreementPaul G. AllenIn the 2003, the operating agreement of Charter Holdco allocated certain of our tax losses to entities controlled by Paul Allen.2004.
     
Channel Access Agreement Paul G. Allen
W. Lance Conn
Jo Allen Patton
 At Vulcan Ventures’ request, we will provide Vulcan Ventures with exclusive rights for carriage on eight of our digital cable channels as partial consideration for a prior1999 capital contribution of approximately $1.3 billion.
     
Equity Put Rights Paul G. Allen Certain sellers of cable systems that we acquired were granted, or previously had the right, as described below, to put to Paul Allen equity in us (in the case of Rifkin and Falcon), Charter Holdco (in the case of Rifkin) and CC VIII, (in the case of Bresnan)LLC issued to such sellers in connection with such acquisitions.
     
Funding Commitment of Vulcan Inc.Paul G. AllenPursuant to a commitment letter dated April 14, 2003, Vulcan Inc., which is an affiliate of Paul Allen, agreed to lend, under certain circumstances, or cause an affiliate to lend to Charter Holdings or any of its subsidiaries a total amount of up to $300 million, which amount included a subfacility of up to $100 million for the issuance of letters of credit. In November 2003, we terminated the commitment. We incurred expenses to Vulcan Inc. totaling $5 million in connection with the commitment prior to termination.
TechTV Carriage Agreement Paul G. Allen
W. Lance Conn
Jo Allen Patton
William D. Savoy
Larry W. Wangberg
 We recorded approximately $1$5 million from TechTV under the affiliation agreement in 20032004 related to launch incentives as a reduction of programming expense and paid TechTV approximately $80,600.$2 million.
     
Oxygen Media Corporation
Carriage Agreement
 Paul G. Allen
W. Lance Conn
Jo Allen Patton
 We paid Oxygen Media approximately $9$13 million under

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Interested
Transaction
Related Party
Description of Transaction
Carriage Agreementa Carriage Agreementcarriage agreement in exchange for programming in 2003.2004. We recorded approximately $1 million in 20032004 from Oxygen Media related to launch incentives as a reduction of programming expense. We hold warrants to purchase 2.4received 1 million shares of Oxygen Media common stock and received the rights to receive unregistered sharesPreferred Stock with a liquidation preference of Oxygen Media common stock to be issued on or prior to February 2, 2005 at a guaranteed fair market value of $34 million.$33.10 per share in March 2005. We recognized approximately $9$13 million as a reduction of programming expense in 2003,2004, in recognition of the guaranteed value of the investment.
     
Portland Trail Blazers
Carriage Agreement
 Paul G. Allen We paid approximately $135,200$96,100 for rights to carry the cable broadcast of certain Trail Blazers basketball games in 2003.
Click2learn, Inc. Software License AgreementPaul G. AllenWe paid approximately $57,100 under a Software License Agreement in 2003.2004.
     
Digeo, Inc. Broadband Carriage Agreement Paul G. Allen
William D. Savoy
Carl E. Vogel
 We paid Digeo approximately $4$3 million for customized development of the i-channels and the local content tool kit in 2003.2004. We entered into a license agreement in 2004 for the Digeo software that runs DVR units purchased from a third party. Charter paid approximately $474,400 in license and maintenance fees in 2004. In 2004, we executed a purchase agreement for the purchase of up to 70,000 DVR units and a related software license agreement, both subject to satisfaction of certain conditions.

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Interested
TransactionRelated PartyDescription of Transaction
Viacom NetworksJonathan L. DolgenWe are party to certain affiliation agreements with networks of Viacom, pursuant to which Viacom provides Charter with programming for distribution via our cable systems. For the year ended December 31, 2004, Charter paid Viacom approximately $194 million for programming and Charter recorded as receivables approximately $8 million from Viacom for launch incentives and marketing support.
ADC Telecommunications Inc.Larry W. WangbergWe paid $344,800 to purchase certain access/network equipment in 2004.
     
HDNet and HDNet Movies Network Mark Cuban We areCharter Holdco is party to an agreement to carry two around-the-clock, high definition networks, HDNet and HDNet Movies. We paid HDNet and HDNet Movies approximately $21,900$609,100 in 2003.2004.
     
OfficeAffiliate lease agreement David L. McCall We paid approximately $189,200$43,400 in 20032004 under an office lease agreement to a partnership controlled by Mr. McCall.McCall, a former executive officer who resigned in January 2003.
     
Construction ServicesCarriage fees David L. McCallC. Merritt In 2003, weWe paid approximately $381,300$1 million in 2004 to carry The Outdoor Channel. Mr. Merritt is a construction company controlled by Mr. McCall’s brother and approximately $373,800 to a construction company controlled by Mr. McCall’s son.director of an affiliate of this channel.
     
Lease ArrangementsPayment for relative’s services Marc B. NathansonCarl E. Vogel WeDuring all of 2004, Mr. Vogel’s brother-in-law was an employee of Charter Holdco and was paid approximately $16,600a salary commensurate with his position in 2003 to companies controlled by Mr. Nathanson under a warehouse lease agreement.
Enstar Limited Partnership Systems Purchase and Management ServicesCharter officers who were appointed by a Charter Subsidiary (as general partner) to serve as officers of Enstar limited partnershipsWe earned approximately $469,300 in 2003 by providing management services to the Enstar limited partnerships.engineering department.
     
Indemnification Advances Current and former directors and current and former officers named in certain legal proceedings WeCharter reimbursed certain of Charter’sits current and former directors and executive officers a total of approximately $8 million and $3 million for costs incurred in connection with certain litigation matters in 2003 and 2002, respectively.2004.

The following sets forth more detailsadditional information regarding the transactions summarized above.

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Transactions Arising Out of Our Organizational Structure and Mr. Allen’s Investment in Charter Communications, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries

As noted above, a number of our related party transactions arise out of Mr. Allen’s investment in Charter and its subsidiaries, including us.subsidiaries. Some of these transactions are with Charter Investment, Inc. and Vulcan Ventures (both owned 100% by Mr. Allen), Charter (controlled by Mr. Allen) and Charter Holdco (approximately 46%47% owned by usCharter and 54%53% owned by other affiliates of Mr. Allen). See “Item 1. Business Organizational Chart” for more information regarding the ownership by Mr. Allen and certain of his affiliates.

Intercompany Management Arrangements.

Charter is a party to management arrangements with Charter Holdco and certain of its subsidiaries, including us.subsidiaries. Under these agreements, Charter provides management services for the cable systems owned or operated by its subsidiaries, including us.subsidiaries. These management agreements provide for reimbursement to Charter for all costs and expenses incurred by it attributable to the ownership and operation of the managed cable systems (referred to as “company expenses”), plus an additional management fee to coverreimburse additional costs incurred by Charter that are not in the nature of company expenses (such as corporate overhead, administration and salary expense). The management agreements covering the CC VI, CC VII, and CC VIIVIII companies limit the managementadditional fee portion payablethat is not in respect of company expenses to Charter to 5%, 5%, and 3.5%, respectively, of their respective gross revenues. Under the arrangement covering all of Charter’sour other operating subsidiaries, there is no limit on the dollar amount or percentage of revenues payable as management fees, except for CC VIII, where the operating agreement limits management fees payable to amounts allowed under the CC VIII Credit Agreement. this additional fee.

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However, the total amount paid by Charter Holdco and all of its subsidiaries is limited to the amount necessary to reimburse Charter for all of its expenses, costs, losses, liabilities and damages paid or incurred by it in connection with the performance of its services under the various management agreements and in connection with its corporate overhead, administration, salary expense and similar items. The expenses subject to reimbursement include fees Charter is obligated to pay under the mutual services agreement with Charter Investment, Inc. Payment of management fees by Charter’s operating subsidiaries is subject to certain restrictions under the credit facilities and indentures of such subsidiaries and the indentures governing the Charter Holdings public debt. If any portion of the management fee due and payable is not paid, it is deferred by Charter and accrued as a liability of such subsidiaries. Any deferred amount of the management fee will bear interest at the rate of 10% per year, compounded annually, from the date it was due and payable until the date it is paid. For the year ended December 31, 2003,2004, the subsidiaries of Charter Holdings paid a total of $84$90 million in management fees to Charter.

Mutual Services Agreement

Charter, Charter Holdco and Charter Investment, Inc. are parties to a mutual services agreement whereby each party shall provide rights and services to the other parties as may be reasonably requested for the management of the entities involved and their subsidiaries, including the cable systems owned by their subsidiaries all on a cost-reimbursement basis. The officers and employees of each party are available to the other parties to provide these rights and services, and all expenses and costs incurred in providing these rights and services are paid by Charter. Each of the parties will indemnify and hold harmless the other parties and their directors, officers and employees from and against any and all claims that may be made against any of them in connection with the mutual services agreement except due to its or their gross negligence or willful misconduct. The mutual services agreement expires on November 12, 2009, and may be terminated at any time by any party upon thirty days’ written notice to the other. For the year ended December 31, 2003,2004, Charter paid approximately $73$74 million to Charter Holdco for services rendered pursuant to the mutual services agreement. All such amounts are reimbursable to Charter pursuant to a management arrangement with our subsidiaries. See “ —“— Intercompany Management Arrangements.” The accounts and balances related to these services eliminate in consolidation. Charter Investment, Inc. no longer provides services pursuant to this agreement.

Previous Management Agreement with Charter Investment, Inc.

Prior to November 12, 1999, Charter Investment, Inc. provided management and consulting services to our operating subsidiaries for a fee equal to 3.5% of the gross revenues of the systems then owned, plus reimbursement of expenses. The balance of management fees payable under the previous management agreement was accrued with payment at the discretion of Charter Investment, Inc., with interest payable on unpaid amounts. For the year ended December 31, 2003,2004, Charter’s subsidiaries did not pay any fees to Charter Investment, Inc. to reduce management fees payable. As of December 31, 2003,2004, total management fees payable by our subsidiaries to Charter Investment, Inc. were approximately $14 million, exclusive of any interest that may be charged.

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Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC Limited Liability Agreement — Taxes

The limited liability company agreement of Charter Holdco contains special provisions regarding the allocation of tax losses and profits among its members — Vulcan Cable III Inc., Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter. In some situations, these provisions may cause Charter to pay more tax than would otherwise be due if Charter Holdco had allocated profits and losses among its members based generally on the number of common membership units. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — Income Taxes.”

Vulcan Ventures Channel Access Agreement

Vulcan Ventures, an entity controlled by Mr. Allen, Charter, Charter Investment Inc. and Charter Holdco are parties to an agreement dated September 21, 1999 granting to Vulcan Ventures the right to use up to eight of our digital cable channels as partial consideration for a prior capital contribution of $1.325 billion. Specifically, at Vulcan Ventures’ request, we will provide Vulcan Ventures with exclusive rights for carriage of up to eight digital cable television programming services or channels on each of the digital cable systems with local and to the extent available, national control of the digital product owned, operated, controlled or managed by Charter or its subsidiaries now or in the future of 550 megahertz or more. If the system offers digital services but has less than 550 megahertz of capacity, then the programming services will be equitably reduced. Upon request of Vulcan Ventures, we will attempt to reach a comprehensive programming agreement pursuant to which it will pay the programmer, if

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possible, a fee per digital video customer. If such fee arrangement is not achieved, then we and the programmer shall enter into a standard programming agreement. The initial term of the channel access agreement was 10 years, and the term extends by one additional year (such that the remaining term continues to be 10 years) on each anniversary date of the agreement unless either party provides the other with notice to the contrary at least 60 days prior to such anniversary date. To date, Vulcan Ventures has not requested to use any of these channels. However, in the future it is possible that Vulcan Ventures could require us to carry programming that is less profitable to us than the programming that we would otherwise carry and our results would suffer accordingly.

Equity Put Rights

CC VIII.As part of ourthe acquisition of the cable systems owned by Bresnan Communications Company Limited Partnership in February 2000, CC VIII, ourCharter Holdings’ indirect limited liability company subsidiary, issued, after adjustments, 24,279,94324,273,943 Class A preferred membership units (collectively, the “CC VIII interest”) with a value and an initial capital account of approximately $630 million to certain sellers affiliated with AT&T Broadband, subsequently owned by Comcast Corporation (the “Comcast sellers”). While held by the Comcast sellers, the CC VIII interest was entitled to a 2% priority return on its initial capital account and such priority return was entitled to preferential distributions from available cash and upon liquidation of CC VIII. While held by the Comcast sellers, the CC VIII interest generally did not share in the profits and losses of CC VIII. Mr. Allen granted the Comcast sellers the right to sell to him the CC VIII interest for approximately $630 million plus 4.5% interest annually from February 2000 (the “Comcast put right”). In April 2002, the Comcast sellers exercised the Comcast put right in full, and this transaction was consummated on June 6, 2003. Accordingly, Mr. Allen has become the holder of the CC VIII interest, indirectly through an affiliate. Consequently, subject to the matters referenced in the next paragraph, Mr. Allen generally thereafter will be allocated his pro rata share (based on number of membership interests outstanding) of profits or losses of CC VIII. In the event of a liquidation of CC VIII, Mr. Allen would be entitled to a priority distribution with respect to the 2% priority return (which will continue to accrete). Any remaining distributions in liquidation would be distributed to CC V Holdings, LLC and Mr. Allen in proportion to CC V Holdings, LLC’s capital account and Mr. Allen’s capital account (which will equal the initial capital account of the Comcast sellers of approximately $630 million, increased or decreased by Mr. Allen’s pro rata share of CC VIII’s profits or losses (as computed for capital account purposes) after June 6, 2003). The limited liability company agreement of CC VIII does not provide for a mandatory redemption of the CC VIII interest.

An issue has arisen as to whether the documentation for the Bresnan transaction was correct and complete with regard to the ultimate ownership of the CC VIII interest following consummation of the Comcast put right. Specifically, under the terms of the Bresnan transaction documents that were entered into in June 1999, the Comcast sellers originally would have received, after adjustments, 24,273,943 Charter Holdco membership units, but due to an FCC regulatory issue raised by the Comcast sellers shortly before closing, the Bresnan transaction was modified to provide that the Comcast sellers instead would receive the preferred equity interests in CC VIII represented by the CC VIII interest. As part of the last-minute changes to the Bresnan transaction documents, a draft amended version of the Charter Holdco limited liability company agreement was prepared, and contract provisions were drafted for that agreement that would have required an automatic exchange of the CC VIII interest for 24,273,943 Charter

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Holdco membership units if the Comcast sellers exercised the Comcast put right and sold the CC VIII interest to Mr. Allen or his affiliates. However, the provisions that would have required this automatic exchange did not appear in the final version of the Charter Holdco limited liability company agreement that was delivered and executed at the closing of the Bresnan transaction. The law firm that prepared the documents for the Bresnan transaction brought this matter to the attention of Charter and representatives of Mr. Allen in 2002.

Thereafter, the board of directors of Charter formed a Special Committee (currently comprised of Messrs. Merritt, Tory Wangberg and Merritt)Wangberg) to investigate the matter and take any other appropriate action on behalf of Charter with respect to this matter. After conducting an investigation of the relevant facts and circumstances, the Special Committee determined that a “scrivener’s error” had occurred in February 2000 in connection with the preparation of the last-minute revisions to the Bresnan transaction documents and that, as a result, Charter should seek the reformation of the Charter Holdco limited liability company agreement, or alternative relief, in order to restore and ensure the obligation that the CC VIII interest be automatically exchanged for Charter Holdco units. The Special Committee further determined that, as part of such contract reformation or alternative relief, Mr. Allen should be required to contribute the CC VIII interest to Charter Holdco in exchange for 24,273,943 Charter Holdco membership units. The Special Committee also recommended to the board of directors of Charter that, to the extent the contract reformation is achieved, the board of directors should consider whether the CC VIII interest should ultimately be held by Charter Holdco or Charter Holdings or another entity owned directly or indirectly by them.

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Mr. Allen disagrees with the Special Committee’s determinations described above and has so notified the Special Committee. Mr. Allen contends that the transaction is accurately reflected in the transaction documentation and contemporaneous and subsequent company public disclosures.

The parties engaged in a process of non-binding mediation to seek to resolve this matter, without success. The Special Committee is evaluating what further actions or processes it may undertake to resolve this dispute. To accommodate further deliberation, each party has agreed to refrain from initiating legal proceedings over this matter until it has given at least ten days’ prior notice to the other. In addition, the Special Committee and Mr. Allen have determined to utilize the Delaware Court of Chancery’s program for mediation of complex business disputes in an effort to resolve the CC VIII interest dispute. If the Special Committee and Mr. Allen are unable to reach a resolution through that mediation process or to agree on an alternative dispute resolution process, the Special Committee intends to seek resolution of this dispute through judicial proceedings in an action that would be commenced, after appropriate notice, in the Delaware Court of Chancery against Mr. Allen and his affiliates seeking contract reformation, declaratory relief as to the respective rights of the parties regarding this dispute and alternative forms of legal and equitable relief. The ultimate resolution and financial impact of the dispute are not determinable at this time.

Rifkin.On September 14, 1999, Mr. Allen and Charter Holdco entered into a put agreement with certain sellers of the Rifkin cable systems that received a portion of their purchase price in the form of 3,006,202 Class A preferred membership units of Charter Holdco. This put agreement allowed these holders to compel Charter Holdco to redeem their Class A preferred membership units at any time before September 14, 2004 at $1.00 per unit, plus accretion thereon at 8% per year from September 14, 1999. Mr. Allen had guaranteed the redemption obligation of Charter Holdco. These units were put to Charter Holdco for redemption, and were redeemed on April 18, 2003 for a total price of approximately $3.9 million.

Mr. Allen also was a party to a put agreement with certain sellers of the Rifkin cable systems that received a portion of their purchase price in the form of shares of Class A common stock of Charter. Under this put agreement, such holders have the right to sell to Mr. Allen any or all of such shares of Charter Class A common stock at $19 per share (subject to adjustments for stock splits, reorganizations and similar events), plus interest at a rate of 4.5% per year, compounded annually from November 12, 1999. Approximately 4.6 million shares were put to Mr. Allen under these agreements prior to their expiration on November 12, 2003.

Falcon.Mr. Allen also was a party to a put agreement with certain sellers of the Falcon cable systems (including Mr. Nathanson, one of our directors) that received a portion of their purchase price in the form of shares of Class A common stock of Charter. Under the Falcon put agreement, such holders had the right to sell to Mr. Allen any or all shares of Charter Class A common stock received in the Falcon acquisition at $25.8548 per share (subject to adjustments for stock splits, reorganizations and similar events), plus interest at a rate of 4.5% per year, compounded annually from November 12, 1999. Approximately 19.4 million shares were put to Mr. Allen under these agreements prior to their expiration on November 12, 2003.

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Previous Funding Commitment of Vulcan Inc.

Effective April 14, 2003, our subsidiary, Charter Communications VII, LLC, entered into a commitment letter with Vulcan Inc., which is an affiliate of Paul Allen, under which Vulcan Inc. agreed to lend, under certain circumstances, or cause an affiliate to lend initially to Charter Communications VII, LLC, or another subsidiary of Charter Holdings, up to $300 million, which amount included a subfacility of up to $100 million for the issuance of letters of credit. No amounts were ever drawn under the commitment letter. In November 2003, we terminated the commitment. We incurred expenses to Vulcan Inc. totaling $5 million in connection with the commitment (including an extension fee) prior to termination.

Allocation of Business Opportunities with Mr. Allen

As described under “ —“— Third Party Business Relationships in which Mr. Allen has or had an Interest” in this section, Mr. Allen and a number of his affiliates have interests in various entities that provide services or programming to our subsidiaries. Given the diverse nature of Mr. Allen’s investment activities and interests, and to avoid the possibility of future disputes as to potential business, Charter and Charter Holdco, under the terms of their respective organizational documents, may not, and may not allow their subsidiaries, to engage in any business transaction outside the cable transmission business except for the Digeo, Inc. joint venture; a joint venture to develop a digital video recorder set-top terminal; an existing investment in Cable Sports Southeast, LLC, a provider of regional sports programming; as an owner of the business of Interactive Broadcaster Services Corporation or, Chat TV, an investment in @Security Broadband Corp., a company developing broadband security applications; and incidental businesses engaged in as of the closing of Charter’s initial public offering in November 1999. This restriction will remain in effect until all of the shares of Charter’s high-vote Class B common stock have been converted into shares of Charter Class A common stock due to Mr. Allen’s equity ownership falling below specified thresholds.

Should Charter or Charter Holdco or any of their subsidiaries wish to pursue, or allow their subsidiaries to pursue, a business transaction outside of this scope, it must first offer Mr. Allen the opportunity to pursue the particular business transaction. If he decides not to pursue the business transaction and consents to Charter or its subsidiaries engaging in the business transaction, they will be able to do so. In any such case, the restated certificate of incorporation of Charter and the limited liability company agreement of Charter Holdco would need to be amended accordingly to modify the current restrictions on the ability of such entities to engage in any business other than the cable transmission business. The cable transmission business means the business of transmitting video, audio, including telephony, and data over cable systems owned, operated or managed by Charter, Charter Holdco or any of their subsidiaries from time to time.

Under Delaware corporate law, each director of Charter, including Mr. Allen, is generally required to present to Charter, any opportunity he or she may have to acquire any cable transmission business or any company whose principal business is the ownership, operation or management of cable transmission businesses, so that we may determine whether we wish to pursue such opportunities. However, Mr. Allen and the other directors generally will not have an obligation to present other types of business opportunities to Charter and they may exploit such opportunities for their own account.

Also, conflicts could arise with respect to the allocation of corporate opportunities between us and Mr. Allen and his affiliates in connection with his investments in businesses in which we are permitted to engage under Charter’s restated certificate of incorporation and our subsidiaries’ limited liability company agreement.incorporation. Certain of the indentures of ourCharter and its subsidiaries require the applicable issuer of notes to obtain, under certain circumstances, approval of the board of directors of Charter and, where a transaction or series of related transactions is valued at or in excess of $50 million, a fairness opinion with respect to transactions in which Mr. Allen has an interest. Related party transactions are approved by our Audit Committee in compliance with the listing requirements applicable to NASDAQ national market listed companies. We have not instituted any other formal plan or arrangement to address potential conflicts of interest.

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The restrictive provisions of the organizational documents described above may limit our ability to take advantage of attractive business opportunities. Consequently, our ability to offer new products and services outside of the cable transmission business and enter into new businesses could be adversely affected, resulting in an adverse effect on our growth, financial condition and results of operations.

Third Party Business Relationships in whichWhich Mr. Allen has or had an Interest

As previously noted, Mr. Allen has and has had extensive investments in the areas of media and technology. We have a number of commercial relationships with third parties in which Mr. Allen has an interest. Mr. Allen or his affiliates own equity interests or warrants to purchase equity interests in various entities with which we do business or which

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provide us with products, services or programming. Mr. Allen owns 100% of the equity of Vulcan Ventures Incorporated and Vulcan Inc. and is the president of Vulcan Ventures. Mr. Savoy serves asMs. Jo Allen Patton is a consultant to,director and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Vulcan Inc. and is a former vice presidentdirector and directorVice President of Vulcan Ventures. Mr. Lance Conn is Executive Vice President of Vulcan Inc. and Vulcan Ventures. The various cable, media, Internet and telephony companies in which Mr. Allen has invested may mutually benefit one another. We can give no assurance, nor should you expect, that any of these business relationships will be successful, that we will realize any benefits from these relationships or that we will enter into any business relationships in the future with Mr. Allen’s affiliated companies.

Mr. Allen and his affiliates have made, and in the future likely will make, numerous investments outside of us and our business. We cannot assure you that, in the event that we or any of our subsidiaries enter into transactions in the future with any affiliate of Mr. Allen, such transactions will be on terms as favorable to us as terms we might have obtained from an unrelated third party.

TechTV, Inc.

TechTV, Inc. (“TechTV”) operatesoperated a cable television network that offersoffered programming mostly related to technology. Pursuant to an affiliation agreement that originated in 1998 and that terminates in 2008, TechTV has provided us with programming for distribution via our cable systems. The affiliation agreement provides, among other things, that TechTV must offer Charter certain terms and conditions that are no less favorable in the affiliation agreement than are given to any other distributor that serves the same number of or fewer TechTV viewing customers. Additionally, pursuant to the affiliation agreement, we arewere entitled to incentive payments for channel launches through December 31, 2003. For the year ended December 31, 2003, we recorded approximately $1 million from TechTV related to launch incentives as a reduction of programming expense and paid approximately $80,600 to TechTV in license fees under the affiliation agreement.

In March 2004, Charter Holdco entered into agreements with Vulcan Programming and TechTV, which providesprovide for (i) Charter Holdco and TechTV to amend the affiliation agreement which, among other things, revises the description of the TechTV network content, provides for Charter Holdco to waive certain claims against TechTV relating to alleged breaches of the affiliation agreement and provides for TechTV to make payment of outstanding launch receivables due to Charter Holdco under the affiliation agreement, (ii) Vulcan Programming to pay approximately $10 million and purchase over a 24-month period, at fair market rates, $2 million of advertising time across various cable networks on Charter cable systems in consideration of the agreements, obligations, releases and waivers under the agreements and in settlement of the aforementioned claims and (iii) TechTV to be a provider of content relating to technology and video gaming for Charter’s interactive television platforms through December 31, 2006 (exclusive for the first year). For the year ended December 31, 2004, we recognized approximately $5 million of the Vulcan Programming payment as an offset to programming expense and paid approximately $2 million to Tech TV under the affiliation agreement.

We believe that Vulcan Programming, which is 100% owned by Mr. Allen, owned an approximate 98% equity interest in TechTV as of December 31, 2003.at the time Vulcan Programming sold TechTV to an unrelated third party in May 2004. Until September 2003, Mr. Savoy, a former Charter director, was the president and director of Vulcan Programming and was a director of TechTV. Mr. Wangberg, one of ourCharter’s directors, was the chairman, chief executive officer and a director of TechTV. Although Mr. Wangberg resigned as the chief executive officer of TechTV in July 2002, he remains2002. He remained a director of TechTV.TechTV along with Mr. Allen is a director ofuntil Vulcan Programming sold TechTV.

Oxygen Media Corporation

Oxygen Media LLC (“Oxygen”) provides programming content aimed at the female audience for distribution over cable systems and satellite. On July 22, 2002, Charter Holdco entered into a carriage agreement with Oxygen, whereby Charter Holdcowe agreed to carry programming content from Oxygen, pursuant to whichOxygen. Under the carriage agreement, we currently make Oxygen programming available to approximately 5 million of our video customers. The term of the carriage

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agreement iswas retroactive to February 1, 2000, the date of launch of Oxygen programming by Charter Holdcous, and runswas to run for a period of five years from that date. As the number of customers receiving the Oxygen programming increases, Charter Holdco receives volume discounts. For the year ended December 31, 2003,2004, we paid Oxygen approximately $9$13 million for programming content.

In addition, Oxygen pays Charter Holdcous marketing support fees for customers launched after the first year of the term of the carriage agreement up to an amounta total of $4 million. We recorded approximately $1 million related to these launch incentives as a reduction of programming expense for the year ended December 31, 2003.2004.

Concurrently with the execution of the programmingcarriage agreement, weCharter Holdco entered into an equity issuance agreement pursuant to which Oxygen’s parent company, Oxygen Media Corporation (“Oxygen Media”), granted a subsidiary of Charter Holdco a warrant to purchase 2.4 million shares of Oxygen Media common stock of Oxygen Media for an exercise price of $22.00 per share. In February 2005, this warrant expired unexercised. Charter Holdco willwas also to receive unregistered shares of Oxygen Media common stock with a guaranteed fair market value on the date of issuance of $34 million, on or prior to February 2, 2005, with the exact date to be determined by Oxygen Media. Media, but this commitment was later revised as discussed below.

We currently recognize the guaranteed value of the investment over the life of the programmingcarriage agreement as a reduction of programming expense. For the year ended December 31, 2003,2004, we recorded approximately $9$13 million as a reduction of programming expense. The carrying value of our investment in Oxygen was approximately $19$32 million as of December 31, 2003.2004.

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Mr. William Savoy, a director of Charter,In August 2004, Charter Holdco and Oxygen entered into agreements that amended and renewed the carriage agreement. The amendment to the carriage agreement (a) revises the number of our customers to which Oxygen programming must be carried and for which we must pay, (b) releases Charter Holdings, servedHoldco from any claims related to the failure to achieve distribution benchmarks under the carriage agreement, (c) requires Oxygen to make payment on outstanding receivables for marketing support fees due to us under the carriage agreement; and (d) requires that Oxygen provide its programming content to us on economic terms no less favorable than Oxygen provides to any other cable or satellite operator having fewer subscribers than us. The renewal of the carriage agreement (a) extends the period that we will carry Oxygen programming to our customers through January 31, 2008, and (b) requires license fees to be paid based on customers receiving Oxygen programming, rather than for specific customer benchmarks.

In August 2004, Charter Holdco and Oxygen also amended the equity issuance agreement to provide for the issuance of 1 million shares of Oxygen Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference of $33.10 per share plus accrued dividends to Charter Holdco in place of the $34 million of unregistered shares of Oxygen Media common stock. Oxygen Media delivered these shares in March 2005. The preferred stock is convertible into common stock after December 31, 2007 at a conversion ratio, the numerator of which is the liquidation preference and the denominator which is the fair market value per share of Oxygen Media common stock on the board of directors of Oxygen until September 2003. conversion date.

As of December 31, 2003,2004, through Vulcan Programming, Mr. Allen owned an approximate 31% interest in Oxygen assuming no exercises of outstanding warrants.

warrants or conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities. Ms. Jo Allen Patton is a director and the President of Vulcan Programming. Mr. Lance Conn is a Vice President of Vulcan Programming. Marc Nathanson has an indirect beneficial interest of less than 1% in Oxygen.

Portland Trail Blazers

On October 7, 1996, the former owner of our Falcon cable systems entered into a letter agreement and a cable television agreement with Trail Blazers Inc. for the cable broadcast in the metropolitan area surrounding Portland, Oregon of pre-season, regular season and playoff basketball games of the Portland Trail Blazers, a National Basketball Association basketball team. Mr. Allen is the 100% owner of the Portland Trail Blazers and Trail Blazers Inc. After the acquisition of the Falcon cable systems in November 1999, we continued to operate under the terms of these agreements until their termination on September 30, 2001. Under the letter agreement, Trail Blazers Inc. was paid a fixed fee for each customer in areas directly served by the Falcon cable systems. Under the cable television agreement, we shared subscription revenues with Trail Blazers Inc. We paid approximately $135,200$96,100 for the year ended December 31, 20032004 in connection with the cable broadcast of Portland Trail Blazers basketball games under the October 1996 cable television agreement.agreement and subsequent local cable distribution agreements.

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Charter Holdco executed a Software License Agreement with Click2learn, Inc. (“Click2Learn”) effective June 30, 2002. Since October 1999 Charter Holdco has purchased professional services, software and maintenance from Click2learn, a company which provides enterprise software for organizations seeking to capture, manage and disseminate knowledge throughout their extended enterprise. Mr. Allen is the founder of Click2learn. As of December 31, 2003, Mr. Allen owned an approximate 21% interest in Click2learn through 616,120 shares held of record by Vulcan Ventures and 387,096 shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant issued to Vulcan Ventures. Mr. Allen owns 100% of Vulcan Ventures. For the year ended December 31, 2003, we paid approximately $57,100 to Click2learn.


Digeo, Inc.

In March 2001, Charter Ventures and Vulcan Ventures Incorporated formed DBroadband Holdings, LLC for the sole purpose of purchasing equity interests in Digeo. In connection with the execution of the broadband carriage agreement, DBroadband Holdings, LLC purchased an equity interest in Digeo funded by contributions from Vulcan Ventures Incorporated. The equity interest is subject to a priority return of capital to Vulcan Ventures up to the amount contributed by Vulcan Ventures on Charter Ventures’ behalf. After Vulcan Ventures recovers its amount contributed and any cumulative loss allocations, Charter Ventures has a 100% profit interest in DBroadband Holdings, LLC. Charter Ventures is not required to make any capital contributions, including capital calls, and may require Vulcan Ventures, through January 24, 2004, to make certain additional contributions through DBroadband Holdings, LLC to acquire additional equity in Digeo as necessary to maintain Charter Ventures’ pro rata interest in Digeo in the event of certain future Digeo equity financings by the founders of Digeo. These additional equity interests are also subject to a priority return of capital to Vulcan Ventures up to amounts contributed by Vulcan Ventures on Charter Ventures’ behalf. DBroadband Holdings, LLC is therefore not included in our consolidated financial statements. Pursuant to an amended version of this arrangement, in 2003, Vulcan Ventures contributed a total of $29 million to Digeo, $7 million of which was contributed on Charter Ventures’ behalf, subject to Vulcan Ventures’ aforementioned priority return. Since the formation of DBroadband Holdings, LLC, Vulcan Ventures has contributed approximately $56 million on Charter Ventures’ behalf.

On March 2, 2001, a subsidiary of Charter, Charter Communications Ventures, LLC (“Charter Ventures”) entered into a broadband carriage agreement with Digeo Interactive, LLC (“Digeo Interactive”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Digeo, Inc. (“Digeo”), an entity controlled by Paul Allen. The carriage agreement provided that Digeo Interactive would provide to Charter a “portal” product, which would function as the television-based Internet portal (the initial point of entry to the Internet) for Charter’s customers who received Internet access from Charter. The agreement term was for 25 years and Charter agreed to use the Digeo portal exclusively for six years. Before the portal product was delivered to Charter, Digeo terminated development of the portal product.

On September 27, 2001, Charter and Digeo Interactive amended the broadband carriage agreement. According to the amendment, Digeo Interactive would provide to Charter the content for enhanced “Wink” interactive television services, known as Charter Interactive Channels (“i-channels”). In order to provide the i-channels, Digeo Interactive sublicensed certain Wink technologies to Charter. Charter is entitled to share in the revenues generated by the i-channels. Currently, our digital video customers who receive i-channels receive the service at no additional charge.

On September 28, 2002, Charter entered into a second amendment to its broadband carriage agreement with Digeo Interactive. This amendment supersedes the amendment of September 27, 2001. It provides for the development by Digeo Interactive of future features to be included in the Basic i-TV service provided by Digeo and for Digeo’s development of an interactive “toolkit” to enable Charter to develop interactive local content. Furthermore, Charter may request that Digeo Interactive manage local content for a fee. The amendment provides for Charter to pay for development of the Basic i-TV service as well as license fees for customers who receive the service, and for Charter and Digeo to split certain revenues earned from the service. In 2003,2004, we paid Digeo Interactive approximately $4$3 million for customized development of the i-channels and the local content tool kit. We received no revenues under the broadband carriage agreement in 2003.

We are now working with This amendment expired pursuant to its terms on December 31, 2003. Digeo Interactive is continuing to provide the Basic i-TV service on a month-to-month basis.

On June 30, 2003, Charter Holdco entered into an agreement with Motorola, Inc. for the purchase of 100,000 digital video recorder (“DVR”) units. The software for these DVR units is being supplied by Digeo Interactive, LLC under a license agreement entered into in April 2004. Under the license agreement Digeo Interactive granted to Charter Holdco the right to use Digeo’s proprietary software for the number of DVR units that Charter deploys from a maximum of 10 headends through year-end 2004. This maximum number of headends was increased from 10 to 15 pursuant to a letter agreement executed on June 11, 2004 and the date for entering into license agreements for units deployed was extended to June 30, 2005. The number of headends was increased from 15 to 20 pursuant to a letter agreement dated August 4, 2004, from 20 to 30 pursuant to a letter agreement dated September 28, 2004 and from 30 to 50 headends by a letter agreement in February 2005. The license granted for each unit deployed under the agreement is valid for five years. In addition, Charter will pay certain other fees including a per-headend license fee and maintenance fees. Maximum license and maintenance fees during the term of the agreement are expected to be approximately $7 million. The agreement provides that Charter is entitled to receive contract terms, considered on the deployment ofwhole, and license fees, considered apart from other contract terms, no less favorable than those accorded to any other Digeo customer. Charter paid approximately $474,400 in license and maintenance fees in 2004.

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In April 2004, we launched DVR service (using units containing the Digeo software) in our Rochester, Minnesota market using a broadband media center for our customers that will includeis an integrated set-top terminal that includeswith a cable converter, and a DVR hard drive withand connectivity to other consumer electronics devices (such as stereos, MP3 players, and digital cameras). The DVR capability will

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enable customers to store video and audio files, and to pause, schedule, rewind and store television programs. We began an initial trial of the first version of Digeo’s media center in the third quarter of 2002 in St. Louis.

On June 30, 2003,In May 2004, Charter Holdco entered into an agreementa binding term sheet with MotorolaDigeo Interactive for the development, testing and purchase of 100,000 of these broadband media centers, subject70,000 Digeo PowerKey DVR units. The term sheet provided that the parties would proceed in good faith to Charter’snegotiate, prior to year-end 2004, definitive agreements for the development, testing and approvalpurchase of product performancethe DVR units and functionality. It is contemplated that the parties would enter into a license agreement for Digeo’s proprietary software for these set-top terminals wouldon terms substantially similar to the terms of the license agreement described above. In November 2004, Charter Holdco and Digeo Interactive executed the license agreement and in December 2004, the parties executed the purchase agreement, each on terms substantially similar to the binding term sheet. Product development and testing are continuing. Total purchase price and license and maintenance fees during the term of the definitive agreements are expected to be supplied to Motorola by Digeo. License fees for Digeo to license such softwareapproximately $41 million. The definitive agreements are terminable at no penalty to Charter and support fees for the broadband media center and relevant content and support servers are currently under negotiation.

In March 2001, Charter Ventures and Vulcan Ventures Incorporated formed DBroadband Holdings, LLC for the sole purpose of purchasing equity interests in Digeo. In connection with the execution of the broadband carriage agreement, DBroadband Holdings, LLC purchased an equity interest in Digeo funded by contributions from Vulcan Ventures Incorporated. The equity interest is subject to a priority return of capital to Vulcan Ventures up to the amount contributed by Vulcan Ventures on Charter Ventures’ behalf. Charter Ventures has a 100% profit interest in DBroadband Holdings, LLC. Vulcan Ventures also agreed to make, through January 24, 2004, certain additional contributions through DBroadband Holdings, LLC to acquire additional equity in Digeo as necessary to maintain Charter Ventures’ pro rata interest in Digeo in the event of certain future Digeo equity financings by the founders of Digeo. These additional equity interests are also subject to a priority return of capital to Vulcan Ventures up to amounts contributed by Vulcan Ventures on Charter Ventures’ behalf. DBroadband Holdings, LLC is therefore not included in our consolidated financial statements. Pursuant to an amended version of this arrangement, in 2003, Vulcan Ventures contributed a total of $29 million to Digeo, $7 million of which was contributed on Charter Ventures’ behalf, subject to Vulcan Ventures’ aforementioned priority return. Since the formation of DBroadband Holdings, LLC, Vulcan Ventures has contributed approximately $224 million to Digeo, of which approximately $56 million was contributed on Charter Ventures’ behalf.circumstances.

We believe that Vulcan Ventures, an entity controlled by Mr. Allen, owns an approximate 60%51% equity interest in Digeo, Inc. Messrs., on a fully-converted basis. Mr. Allen is a director of Digeo, and Vogel are directors of Digeo. Mr. SavoyVogel was a director and served on the compensation committee of Digeo until September 2003.in 2004. During 2004, Mr. Vogel ownsheld options to purchase 10,000 shares of Digeo common stock.

Other Miscellaneous Relationships

Viacom Networks

Pursuant to certain affiliation agreements with networks of Viacom, Inc. (“Viacom”), including MTV, MTV2, Nickelodeon, VH1, TVLand, CMT, Spike TV, Comedy Central, Viacom Digital Suite, CBS-owned and operated broadcast stations, Showtime, The Movie Channel, and Flix, Viacom provides Charter with programming for distribution via our cable systems. The affiliation agreements provide for, among other things, rates and terms of carriage, advertising on the Viacom networks, which Charter can sell to local advertisers and marketing support. For the year ended December 31, 2004, Charter paid Viacom approximately $194 million for programming. Charter recorded approximately $8 million as receivables from Viacom networks related to launch incentives for certain channels and marketing support, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2004. From April 1994 to July 2004, Mr. Dolgen served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Viacom Entertainment Group.

ADC Telecommunications Inc.

Charter and Charter Holdco purchase certain equipment for use in our business from ADC Telecommunications, which provides broadband access and network equipment. Mr. Wangberg serves as a director for ADC Telecommunications. For the year ended December 31, 2004, we paid $344,800 to ADC Telecommunications under this arrangement.

HDNet and HDNet Movies Network

On January 10, 2003, Charter Holdcowe signed an agreement to carry two around-the-clock, high definitionhigh-definition networks, HDNet and HDNet Movies. HDNet Movies delivers a commercial-free schedule of full-length feature films converted from 35mm to high definition,high-definition, including titles from an extensive library of Warner Bros. Films.films. HDNet Movies will feature a mix of theatrical releases, made-for-TV movies, independent films and shorts. The HDNet channel features a variety of HDTV programming, including live sports, sitcoms, dramas, action series, documentaries, travel programs, music concerts and shows, special events, and news features including the popular HDNet World Report. HDNet also offers a selection of classic and recent television series. We paid HDNet and HDNet Movies approximately $21,900$609,100 in 2003.2004. We believe that entities controlled by MarkMr. Cuban owned approximately 85%81% of HDNet as of December 31, 2003.2004. As of December 31, 2003, Mr.2004, we believe that Mark Cuban, co-founder and president of HDNet, owned approximately 6.4%19,000,000 shares, or 6.2% of the outstanding Class Atotal common stock of Charter.equity in Charter based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on May 21, 2003.

Affiliate Leases and AgreementsLease Agreement

David L. McCall, who served as Senior Vice President — Operations — Eastern Division during 2002 and through January 2003, is a partner in a partnership that leases office space to us under a lease agreement, which expires December 31, 2010. The partnership received approximately $189,200$43,400 pursuant to such lease and related agreements for the year ended December 31, 2003. In addition, during 2003 we paid approximately $381,300 for construction services to a construction company controlled by Mr. McCall’s brother under a construction agreement, which expired December 31, 2003. We also paid approximately $373,800 during 2003 for construction services to a construction company controlled by Mr. McCall’s son under several agreements, the last of which expired January 31, 2004.

Companies controlled by Mr. Nathanson, a director of Charter, leased certain warehouse space in Riverside, California, to our subsidiaries. For the year ended December 31, 2003, total rent paid for the Riverside warehouse space was approximately $16,600, under a lease agreement, which expired March 15, 2003.

109106


ManagementCarriage Fees of Enstar Limited Partnerships

Enstar Cable Corporation,We have carried The Outdoor Channel on a month-to-month basis since the managerexpiration of the Enstar limited partnerships through a managementan affiliation agreement engaged Charter Holdcoin July 2002. We paid approximately $1 million to manage the Enstar limited partnerships. Pursuant to the management agreement, Charter Holdco provides management services to the Enstar limited partnerships in exchangeThe Outdoor Channel during 2004. In December 2003, Mr. Merritt became director of Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc., an affiliate of The Outdoor Channel, Inc.

Payment for management fees. The Enstar limited partnerships also purchase basic and premium programming for their systems at cost from Charter Holdco. For the year ended December 31,Relative’s Services

Since June 2003, Charter Holdco earned approximately $469,300 by providing management services to the Enstar limited partnerships.

AllMr. Vogel’s brother-in-law has been an employee of the executive officers of Charter, Charter Holdco and Charter Holdings act as officers of Enstar Communications Corporation.has received a salary commensurate with his position in the engineering department.

Indemnification Advances

Pursuant to Charter’s by-lawsbylaws (and the employment agreements of certain of our current and former officers), Charter is obligated (subject to certain limitations) to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any officer, director or employee against all expense, liability and loss (including, among other things, attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred or suffered by such officer, director or employee as a result of the fact that he or she is a party or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer or employee of Charter. In addition, Charter is obligated to pay, as an advancement of its indemnification obligation, the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by any officer, director or employee in defending any such action, suit or proceeding in advance of its final disposition, subject to an obligation to repay those amounts under certain circumstances. Pursuant to these indemnification arrangements and as an advancement of costs, Charter has reimbursed certain of its current and former directors and executive officers a total of approximately $8 million and $3 million in respect of invoices received in 2003 and 2002, respectively,2004, in connection with their defense of certain legal actions described herein. See “Item 3. Legal Proceedings.” Those current and former directors and officers include: Paul G. Allen, David C. Andersen, David G. Barford, Margaret A. Bellville, Mary Pat Blake, J. Christian Fenger, Kent D. Kalkwarf, Ralph G. Kelly, Jerald L. Kent, Paul E. Martin, David L. McCall, Ronald L. Nelson, Nancy B. Peretsman, John C. Pietri, William D. Savoy, Steven A. Schumm, Curtis S. Shaw, William J. Shreffler,Shreffer, Stephen E. Silva, James Trey Smith and Carl E. Vogel. These amounts have beenwere submitted to Charter’s director and officer insurance carrier for reimbursement. The carrier has raised various objections to portions of these amounts, and Charter is in negotiationshave been reimbursed consistent with the carrier regarding their reimbursement.

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PART IVterms of the Securities Class Action and Derivative Action Settlements described in “Item 3. Legal Proceedings.” On or about February 22, 2005, Charter filed lawsuits against the four former officers who were indicted and pled guilty as part of the government investigation conducted by the United States Attorney’s Office. These suits seek to recover fees and related expenses that Charter advanced these former officers under the indemnification provisions described above.

Item 14.Principal AccountingFeesAccounting Fees and ServicesServices.

Audit fees, audit-related fees and all other fees we incurred related to services provided by KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) and discussed below represent all fees paid as part of the Charter engagement, including audits performed for Charter.

Audit Fees

During the years ended December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, we incurred fees and related expenses tofor professional services rendered by KPMG for the audits of our, our parent company’s and our subsidiariessubsidiaries’ financial statements (including one parent company and three subsidiaries that are also public registrants), for the review of our and our subsidiariessubsidiaries’ interim financial statements and five offering memorandums and registration statement filings for the applicable yearin 2004 and two offering memorandums and registration statement filings in 2003 totaling approximately $6.2 million and $3.2 million, respectively. Included in 2004 are fees and $6.1related expenses of $1.9 million respectively.for Charter’s audit of internal control over financial reporting required under Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404.

Audit-Related Fees

We incurred fees to KPMG of approximately $0.4$0.1 million and $0.3$0.4 million during the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The services in 2004 primarily related to the audit of our 401(k) plan and 2002, respectively.advisory services associated with our Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 implementation. In 2003, these services primarily related to the audit of cable systems sold to Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC and advisory services associated with our Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 implementation. In 2002, these services primarily related to due diligence related to acquisitions.

107


All Other Fees

We incurred fees for other professional services rendered by KPMG of approximately $0 and $0.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. In 2002, these services primarily related to a review of the accounts payable process and litigation support.None.

Charter’s Audit Committee appoints, retains, compensates and oversees the registered public accountants (subject, if applicable, to board of directorsdirector and/or shareholder ratification), and approves in advance all fees and terms for the audit engagement and non-audit engagements where non-auditnonaudit services are not prohibited by Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended with registered public accountants. This authority extends over all audit and non-audit engagements of Charter and its subsidiaries, including us. Pre-approvalsPreapprovals of non-audit services are sometimes delegated to a single member of Charter’sthe Audit Committee. However, any pre-approvals made by Charter’s Audit Committee’s designee are presented at Charter’sits Audit Committee’s next regularly scheduled meeting. Charter’s Audit Committee has an obligation to consult with management on these matters. Charter’s Audit Committee approved 100% of the KPMG fees for the years ended December 31, 20032004 and 2002.2003. Each year, including 2003,2004, with respect to the proposed audit engagement, Charter’s Audit Committee reviews the proposed risk assessment process in establishing the scope of examination and the reports to be rendered.

In its capacity as a committee of theCharter’s Board, Charter’s Audit Committee oversees the work of the registered public accounting firm (including resolution of disagreements between management and the public accounting firm regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services. The registered public accounting firm reports directly to Charter’s Audit Committee. In performing its functions, Charter’s Audit Committee undertakes those tasks and responsibilities that, in its judgment, most effectively contribute to and implement the purposes of Charter’s Audit Committee charter. For more detail onof Charter’s Audit Committee’s authority and responsibilities, see Charter’s Audit Committee charter set forth in Appendix A of Charter’s 2003its 2004 Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on June 24, 2003.25, 2004.

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PART IV

Item 15.Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K.Schedules.

(a)  The following documents are filed as part of this annual report:

 (1)  Financial Statements.
 
    A listing of the financial statements, notes and reports of independent public accountants required by Item 8 begins on page F-1 of this annual report.
 
 (2)  Financial Statement SchedulesSchedules.

111


 
    No financial statement schedules are required to be filed by Items 8 and 15(d) because they are not required or are not applicable, or the required information is set forth in the applicable financial statements or notes thereto.
 
 (3)  The index to the Exhibits begins on page 114111 of this annual report.
 
    We agree to furnish to the SEC, upon request, copies of any long-term debt instruments that authorize an amount of securities constituting 10% or less of the total assets of Charter Holdings and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

     (b) Reports on Form 8-K

          None.

112109


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation have duly caused this annual report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

     
  CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC
  Registrant
  
By: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC., Sole Manager
Date: March 25, 200431, 2005 By: /s/ Carl E. VogelRobert P. May
   
   Carl E. VogelRobert P. May
   Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
     
  CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS CAPITAL CORPORATION
  Registrant
     
Date: March 25, 200431, 2005 By: /s/ Carl E. VogelRobert P. May
   
   Carl E. VogelRobert P. May
   Interim President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of Charter Communications, Inc. and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

     
Signature
 Title
 Date
/s/ Paul G. Allen
Paul G. Allen
 Chairman of the Board of Directors,March 31, 2005

Charter Communications, Inc. March 25, 2004
Paul G. Allen
     
/s/ Carl E. VogelRobert P. May
Interim President, Chief ExecutiveMarch 31, 2005

Carl E. Vogel
 President, Chief Executive Officer, Director (Principal Executive Officer),
Robert P. MayCharter Communications, Inc., Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation March 25, 2004
     
/s/ Michael P. Huseby
Michael P. Huseby
Derek Chang
 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) Senior Vice President and ControllerInterim March 25, 200431, 2005

Co-Chief Financial Officer
Derek Chang(Co-Principal Financial Officer)
     
/s/ Paul E. Martin
Interim Co-Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice PresidentMarch 31, 2005

Paul E. Martin
 (and Corporate Controller (Co-Principal Financial Officer
Paul E. Martinand Principal Accounting Officer) March 25, 2004
     
/s/ Charles M. LillisW. Lance Conn

Charles M. Lillis
 Director, Charter Communications, Inc. March 25, 200431, 2005
W. Lance Conn
     
/s/ David C. MerrittJonathan L. Dolgen

David C. Merritt
 Director, Charter Communications, Inc. March 25, 200431, 2005
Jonathan L. Dolgen
     
/s/ Marc B. NathansonDavid C. Merritt

Marc B. Nathanson
 Director, Charter Communications, Inc. March 25, 200431, 2005
David C. Merritt
     
/s/ NancyMarc B. PeretsmanNathanson

Nancy B. Peretsman
 Director, Charter Communications, Inc. March 25, 200431, 2005
Marc B. Nathanson
     
/s/ William D. SavoyJo Allen Patton

William D. Savoy
 Director, Charter Communications, Inc. March 25, 200431, 2005
Jo Allen Patton
     
/s/ John H. Tory

John H. Tory
 Director, Charter Communications, Inc. March 25, 200431, 2005
John H. Tory
     
/s/ Larry W. Wangberg

Larry W. Wangberg
 Director, Charter Communications, Inc. March 25, 200431, 2005
Larry W. Wangberg

113110


Exhibit Index

(Exhibits     (Exhibits are listed by numbers corresponding to the Exhibit Table of Item 601 in Regulation S-K).

   
Exhibit
 Description
2.1(a) Purchase and Contribution Agreement, entered into as of June 1999, by and among BCI (USA), LLC, William Bresnan, Blackstone BC Capital Partners L.P., Blackstone BC Offshore Capital Partners L.P., Blackstone Family Investment Partnership III L.P., TCID of Michigan, Inc. and TCI Bresnan LLC and Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.11 to Amendment No. 2 to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on September 28, 1999 (File No. 333-83887)).
   
2.1(b) First Amendment to Purchase and Contribution Agreement dated as of February 14, 2000, by and among BCI (USA), LLC, William J. Bresnan, Blackstone BC Capital Partners L.P., Blackstone BC Offshore Capital Partners, L.P., Blackstone Family Media III L.P. (as assignee of Blackstone Family Investment III, L.P.), TCID of Michigan, Inc., TCI Bresnan, LLC and Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC. (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.11(a) to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on February 29, 2000 (File No. 000-27927)).
   
2.2(a)2.2 Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2001, between High Speed Access Corp. and Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (including as Exhibit A, the Form of Voting Agreement, as Exhibit B, the form of Management Agreement, as Exhibit C, the form of License Agreement, and as Exhibit D, the Form of Billing Letter Agreement) (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Amendment No. 6 to Schedule 13D filed by Charter Communications, Inc. and others with respect to High Speed Access Corp., filed on October 1, 2001 (File No. 005-56431)).
   
2.3(a) Asset Purchase Agreement, dated August 29, 2001, by and between Charter Communications Entertainment I, LLC, Interlink Communications Partners, LLC, and Rifkin Acquisitions Partners, LLC and Enstar Income Program II-1, L.P., Enstar Income Program II-2, L.P., Enstar Income Program IV-3, L.P., Enstar Income/Growth Program Six-A, L.P., Enstar IV/PBD Systems Venture, and Enstar Cable of Macoupin County (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the current report of Form 8-K filed by Enstar IV-2, L.P. on September 13, 2001 (File No. 000-15706)).
   
2.3(b) Letter of Amendment, dated September 10, 2001, by and between Charter Communications Entertainment I, LLC, Interlink Communications Partners, LLC, and Rifkin Acquisitions Partners, LLC and Enstar Income Program II-1, L.P., Enstar Income Program II-2, L.P., Enstar Income Program IV-3, L.P., Enstar Income/Growth Program Six-A, L.P., Enstar IV/PBD Systems Venture, and Enstar Cable of Macoupin County (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the current report of Form 8-K filed by Enstar IV-2, L.P. on September 13, 2001 (File No. 000-15706)).
   
2.3(c) Letter of Amendment, dated April 10, 2002, by and between Charter Communications Entertainment I, LLC, Interlink Communications Partners, LLC, and Rifkin Acquisitions Partners, LLC and Enstar Income Program II-1, L.P., Enstar Income Program II-2, L.P., Enstar Income Program IV-3, L.P., Enstar Income/Growth Program Six-A, L.P., Enstar IV/PBD Systems Venture, and Enstar Cable of Macoupin County (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Enstar Income Program IV-1, L.P. on April 22, 2002 (File No. 000-15705)).
   
2.4 Asset Purchase Agreement, dated April 10, 2002, by and between Charter Communications Entertainment I, LLC, and Enstar Income Program II-1, L.P. (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Enstar Income Program II-1, L.P. on April 26, 2002 (File No. 000-14508)).
   
2.5Purchase Agreement, dated May 29, 2003, by and between Falcon Video Communications, L.P. and WaveDivision Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Charter Communications, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K filed on May 30, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
2.6Asset Purchase Agreement, dated September 3, 2003, by and between Charter Communications VI, LLC, The Helicon Group, L.P., Hornell Television Service, Inc., Interlink Communications Partners, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Charter Communications, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K/A filed on September 3, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
3.1 Certificate of Formation of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Amendment No. 2 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on June 22, 1999 (File No. 333-77499)).
   
3.2 Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, dated as of October 30, 2001 (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holding Capital Corporation on March 29, 2002 (File No. 333-77499)).
   
3.3 Certificate of Incorporation of Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation (Incorporated(incorporated by

111


ExhibitDescription
reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 2 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on June 22, 1999 (File No. 333-77499)).
   
3.4(a) By-laws of Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Amendment No. 2 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on June 22, 1999 (File No. 333-77499)).
   
3.4(b) Amendment to By-Laws of Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation, dated as of October 30,

114


Exhibit
Description
2001 (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4(b) to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation on March 29, 2002 (File No. 333-77499)).
   
4.1 Indenture relating to the 8.250% Senior Notes due 2007, dated as of March 17, 1999, between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and Harris Trust and Savings Bank (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1(a) to Amendment No. 2 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on June 22, 1999 (File No. 333-77499)).
   
4.2 Indenture relating to the 8.625% Senior Notes due 2009, dated as of March 17, 1999, among Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and Harris Trust and Savings Bank (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2(a) to Amendment No. 2 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on June 22, 1999 (File No. 333-77499)).
   
4.3 Indenture relating to the 9.920% Senior Discount Notes due 2011, dated as of March 17, 1999, among Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and Harris Trust and Savings Bank (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3(a) to Amendment No. 2 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on June 22, 1999 (File No. 333-77499)).
   
4.4 Indenture relating to the 10.00% Senior Notes due 2009, dated as of January 12, 2000, between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and Harris Trust and Savings Bank (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1(a) to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on January 25, 2000 (File No. 333-95351)).
   
4.5 Indenture relating to the 10.25% Senior Notes due 2010, dated as of January 12, 2000, among Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and Harris Trust and Savings Bank (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2(a) to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on January 25, 2000 (File No. 333-95351)).
   
4.6 Indenture relating to the 11.75% Senior Discount Notes due 2010, dated as of January 12, 2000, among Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and Harris Trust and Savings Bank (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3(a) to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on January 25, 2000 (File No. 333-95351)).
   
4.7 Indenture dated as of January 10, 2001 between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee governing 10 3/4% senior notes due 2009 (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2(a) to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on February 2, 2001 (File No. 333-54902)).
   
4.8 Indenture dated as of January 10, 2001 between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee governing 11 1/8% senior notes due 2011 (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2(b) to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on February 2, 2001 (File No. 333-54902)).
   
4.9 Indenture dated as of January 10, 2001 between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee governing 13 1/2% senior discount notes due 2011 (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2(c) to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on February 2, 2001 (File No. 333-54902)).
   
4.10(a) Indenture dated as of May 15, 2001 between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee governing 9.625% Senior Notes due 2009. (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(a) to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on June 1, 2001 (File No. 000-27927)).
   
4.10(b) First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 14, 2002 between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC,

112


ExhibitDescription
Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee governing 9.625% Senior Notes due 2009 (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(a) to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on January 15, 2002 (File No. 000-27927)).
   
4.10(c) Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 25, 2002 between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee governing 9.625% Senior Notes due 2009 (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 6, 2002 (File No. 000-27927)).

115


   
Exhibit
Description
4.11(a) Indenture dated as of May 15, 2001 between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee governing 10.000% Senior Notes due 2011. (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(a) to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on June 1, 2001 (File No. 000-27927)).
   
4.11(b) First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 14, 2002 between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee governing 10.000% Senior Notes due 2011 (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(a) to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on January 15, 2002 (File No. 000-27927)).
   
4.11(c) Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 25, 2002 between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee governing 10.000% Senior Notes due 2011 (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 6, 2002 (File No. 000-27927)).
   
4.12 Indenture dated as of May 15, 2001 between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee governing 11.750% Senior Discount Notes due 2011. (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4(a) to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on June 1, 2001 (File No. 000-27927)).
   
4.13(a) Indenture dated as of January 14, 2002 between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee governing 12.125% Senior Discount Notes due 2012 (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4(a) to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on January 15, 2002 (File No. 000-27927)).
   
4.13(b) First Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 25, 2002 between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee governing 12.125% Senior Discount Notes due 2012 (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 6, 2002 (File No. 000-27927)).
   
10.1Consulting Agreement, dated as of March 10, 1999, by and between Vulcan Northwest Inc., Charter Communications, Inc. (now called Charter Investment Inc.) and Charter Communications Holdings, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Amendment No. 4 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on July 22, 1999 (File No. 333-77499)).
10.2Letter Agreement, dated September 21, 1999, by and among Charter Communications, Inc., Charter Investment, Inc., Charter Communications Holding Company, Inc. and Vulcan Ventures Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Amendment No. 3 to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on October 18, 1999 (File No. 333-83887)).
10.3(a)First Amended and Restated Mutual Services Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2000, by and between Charter Communications, Inc., Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(b) to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on February 2, 2001 (File No. 333-54902)).
10.3(b)Letter Agreement, dated June 19, 2003, by and among Charter Communications, Inc., Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC and Charter Investment, Inc. regarding Mutual Services Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.5(b) to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 5, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.3(c)Second Amended and Restated Mutual Services Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2003 between Charter Communications, Inc. and Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5(a) to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 5, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.4Form of Management Agreement, dated as of November 9, 1999, by and between Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC and Charter Communications, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(d) to Amendment No. 3 to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on October 18, 1999 (File No. 333-83887)).
10.5Management Agreement, dated as of November 12, 1999, by and between CC VI Operating Company, LLC and Charter Communications, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(d) to Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on April 18, 2000 (File No. 333-77499)).
10.6Management Agreement, dated as of November 12, 1999 by and between Falcon Cable Communications, LLC and Charter Communications, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(e) to Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on April 18, 2000 (File No. 333-77499)).
10.7Form of Exchange Agreement, dated as of November 12, 1999 by and among Charter Investment, Inc., Charter Communications, Inc., Vulcan Cable III Inc. and Paul G. Allen (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to

116


Exhibit
Description
Amendment No. 3 to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on October 18, 1999 (File No. 333-83887)).
10.8Exchange Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2000, by and among Charter Communications, Inc., BCI (USA), LLC, William J. Bresnan, Blackstone BC Capital Partners L.P., Blackstone BC Offshore Capital Partners L.P., Blackstone Family Media, III L.P. (as assignee of Blackstone Family Investment III L.P.), TCID of Michigan, Inc., and TCI Bresnan LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on February 29, 2000 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.9(a)+Charter Communications Holdings, LLC 1999 Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Amendment No. 4 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on July 22, 1999 (File No. 333-77499)).
10.9(b)+Assumption Agreement regarding Option Plan, dated as of May 25, 1999, by and between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Amendment No. 6 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on August 27, 1999 (File No. 333-77499)).
10.9(c)+Form of Amendment No. 1 to the Charter Communications Holdings, LLC 1999 Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10(c) to Amendment No. 4 to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 1, 1999 (File No. 333-83887)).
10.9(d)+Amendment No. 2 to the Charter Communications Holdings, LLC 1999 Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4(c) to the annual report on Form 10-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on March 30, 2000 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.9(e)+Amendment No. 3 to the Charter Communications 1999 Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14(e) to the annual report of Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on March 29, 2002 (File No. 000-27927).
10.9(f)+Amendment No. 4 to the Charter Communications 1999 Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10(f) to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 15, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.10(a)+Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on May 15, 2001 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.10(b)+Amendment No. 1 to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11(b) to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 15, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.10(c)+Amendment No. 2 to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on November 14, 2001 (File No. 000-27927).
10.10(d)+Amendment No. 3 to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan effective January 2, 2002 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15(c) to the annual report of Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on March 29, 2002 (File No. 000-27927).
10.10(e)+Amendment No. 4 to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11(e) to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 15, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.10(f)+Amendment No. 5 to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11(f) to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 15, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.10(g)+Description of Long-Term Incentive Program to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11(g) to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on March 15, 2004 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.11(a)+Letter Agreement, dated May 25, 1999, between Charter Communications, Inc. and Marc Nathanson (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on January 25, 2000 (File No. 333-95351)).
10.11(b)+Letter Agreement, dated March 27, 2000, between CC VII Holdings, LLC and Marc Nathanson, amending the Letter Agreement dated May 25, 1999 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13(b) to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 15, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.12+Employment Agreement, dated as of October 8, 2001, by and between Carl E. Vogel and Charter Communications, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on November 14, 2001 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.13+Employment Agreement, dated as of October 18 2001, by and between Stephen E. Silva and Charter Communications, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on November 14, 2001 (File No. 000-27927)).

117


Exhibit
Description
10.14+Employment Offer Letter, dated December 2, 2003 by and between Charter Communications, Inc. and Derek Chang (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on March 15, 2004 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.15+Employment Offer Letter, dated December 17, 2003 by and between Charter Communications, Inc. and Michael Huseby (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on March 15, 2004 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.16+Employment Agreement between Charter Communications, Inc. and Margaret A. “Maggie” Bellville, entered into as of April 27, 2003 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on November 3, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.17(a)First Amendment to Credit Agreement, among Charter Communications Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings LLC and certain lenders and agents named therein, dated as of June 28, 1999 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(a) to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on January 25, 2000 (File No. 333-95351)).
10.17(b)Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, among Charter Communications Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings LLC and certain lenders and agents named therein dated as of December 14, 1999 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(b) to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on January 25, 2000 (File No. 333-95351)).
10.17(c)Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, among Charter Communications Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and certain lenders and agents named therein, dated as of March 18, 2000 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(c) to the annual report on Form 10-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on March 30, 2000 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.17(d)Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, among Charter Communications Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and certain lenders and agents named therein, dated as of June 19, 2003 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 5, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.18(a)Form of Credit Agreement, among Falcon Cable Communications, LLC, certain guarantors and several financial institutions or entities named therein, dated as of June 30, 1998, as amended and restated as of November 12, 1999, (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to Amendment No. 3 to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on October 18, 1999 (File No. 333-83887)).
10.18(b)Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 1998, as amended and restated as of November 12, 1999, as further amended and restated as of September 26, 2001, among Falcon Cable Communications, LLC, certain guarantors, and several financial institutions or entities named therein. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on November 14, 2001 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.19(a)Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of February 2, 1999, as amended and restated as of February 14, 2000 by and among CC VIII Operating, LLC, as borrower, CC VIII Holdings, LLC, as guarantor, and several financial institutions or entities named therein (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18(a) to the annual report on Form 10-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on March 30, 2000 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.19(b)Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, among CC VIII Operating, LLC, as borrower, CC VIII Holdings, LLC, as guarantor, and several financial institutions or entities named therein, dated as of February 2, 1999, as amended and restated as of January 2, 2001 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the annual report on Form 10-K filed by Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation on April 2, 2001 (File No. 333-77499)).
10.19(c)Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, among CC VIII Operating, LLC, as borrower, CC VIII Holdings, LLC, as guarantor, and certain lenders and agents named therein, dated as of February 2, 1999, as amended and restated as of January 3, 2002 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on January 24, 2002 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.20Credit Agreement, among CC VI Holdings, LLC, CC VI Operating Company, LLC and several financial institutions or entities named therein, dated as of November 12, 1999, (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 29, 1999 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.21Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement for Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC made as of August 31, 2001 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on November 14, 2001 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.22Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement for CC VIII, LLC, dated as of March 31, 2003 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 15, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.23Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Charter Communications Operating, LLC,

118


Exhibit
Description
dated as of June 19, 2003 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 5, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.24 Indenture, dated as of April 9, 1998, by and among Renaissance Media (Louisiana) LLC, Renaissance Media (Tennessee) LLC, Renaissance Media Capital Corporation, Renaissance Media Group LLC and United States Trust Company of New York, as trustee (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registration statement on Forms S-4 of Renaissance Media Group LLC, Renaissance Media (Tennessee) LLC, Renaissance Media (Louisiana) LLC and Renaissance Media Capital Corporation filed on June 12, 1998 (File No. 333-56679)).
   
10.25(a)10.2 Indenture relating to the 10.25% Senior Notes due 2010, dated as of September 23, 2003, among CCH II, LLC, CCH II Capital Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications Inc. filed on September 26, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.3Indenture relating to the 83/4% Senior Notes due 2013, dated as of November 10, 2003, by and among CCO Holdings, LLC, CCO Holdings Capital Corp. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Charter Communications, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K filed on November 12, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.4Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Charter Communications Operating, LLC, CCO Holdings, LLC and certain lenders and agents named therein dated April 27, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to Amendment No. 2 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of CCH II, LLC filed on May 5, 2004 (File No. 333-111423)).
10.5Indenture relating to the 8% senior second lien notes due 2012 and 8 3/8% senior second lien notes due 2014, dated as of April 27, 2004, by and among Charter Communications Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to Amendment No. 2 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of CCH II, LLC filed on May 5, 2004 (File No. 333-111423)).
10.6Indenture relating to the Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2010 dated as of December 10, 1998, by15, 2004 among CCO Holdings, LLC, CCO Holdings Capital Corp. and among Avalon Cable of Michigan Holdings, Inc., Avalon Cable LLC and Avalon Cable Holdings Finance, Inc.Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as issuers and The Bank of New York, as trustee for the Notes (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.110.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of CCO Holdings, LLC filed on December 21, 2004 (File No. 333-112593)).
10.7Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement dated December 15, 2004 by and among CCO Holdings, LLC, CCO Holdings Capital Corp, on the one hand, and Credit Suisse First Boston LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc, on the other hand, as representatives (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current

113


ExhibitDescription
report on Form 8-K of CCO Holdings, LLC filed on December 21, 2004 (File No. 333-112593)).
10.8Consulting Agreement, dated as of March 10, 1999, by and between Vulcan Northwest Inc., Charter Communications, Inc. (now called Charter Investment Inc.) and Charter Communications Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Amendment No. 4 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on July 22, 1999 (File No. 333-77499)).
10.9Form of Management Agreement, dated as of November 9, 1999, by and between Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(d) to Amendment No. 3 to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on October 18, 1999 (File No. 333-83887)).
10.10Management Agreement, dated as of November 12, 1999, by and between CC VI Operating Company, LLC and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(d) to Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Avalon CableCharter Communications Holdings, LLC Avalon Cableand Charter Communications Holdings Finance, Inc., Avalon Cable of Michigan Holdings, Inc. and Avalon Cable of Michigan, Inc.Capital Corporation filed on May 28, 1999April 18, 2000 (File Nos. 333-75415 and 333-75453)No. 333-77499)).
   
10.25(b)10.11 Supplemental Indenture,Management Agreement, dated as of March 26,November 12, 1999 by and among Avalonbetween Falcon Cable of Michigan Holdings, Inc., Avalon CableCommunications, LLC and Avalon Cable Holdings Finance,Charter Communications, Inc., as issuers, Avalon Cable of Michigan, Inc., as guarantor, and The Bank of New York, as trustee for the Notes (Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.210.2(e) to Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Avalon CableCharter Communications Holdings, LLC Avalon Cableand Charter Communications Holdings Finance, Inc., Avalon Cable of Michigan Holdings, Inc. and Avalon Cable of Michigan, Inc.Capital Corporation filed on May 28, 1999April 18, 2000 (File No. 333-75415 and 333-75453)333-77499)).
   
10.26(a)10.12(a) Commitment letter,First Amended and Restated Mutual Services Agreement, dated April 14, 2003, from Vulcan Inc. toas of December 21, 2000, by and between Charter Communications, VII,Inc., Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.2810.2(b) to the annual reportregistration statement on Form 10-K filed byS-4 of Charter Communications Inc.Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on April 15, 2003February 2, 2001 (File No. 000-27927)333-54902)).
   
10.26(b)10.12(b) Letter from Vulcan Inc.Agreement, dated June 30,19, 2003, amending the Commitment Letter, dated April 14, 2003 (Incorporatedby and among Charter Communications, Inc., Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC and Charter Investment, Inc. regarding Mutual Services Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.3(b)10.5(b) to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 5, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
   
10.26(c)10.12(c) NoticeSecond Amended and Restated Mutual Services Agreement, dated as of Termination of Commitment, dated November 14,June 19, 2003 (Incorporatedbetween Charter Communications, Inc. and Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8(c)10.5(a) to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 5, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.13(a)Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement for Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC made as of August 31, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on November 14, 2001 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.13(b)Letter Agreement between Charter Communications, Inc. and Charter Investment Inc. and Vulcan Cable III Inc. amending the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC, dated as of November 22, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 30, 2004 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.14Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement for CC VIII, LLC, dated as of March 31, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 15, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.15Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Charter Communications Operating, LLC, dated as of June 19, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 5, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.16Amended and Restated Management Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2003, between Charter Communications Operating, LLC and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 5, 2003 (File No. 333-83887)).
10.17(a)+Charter Communications Holdings, LLC 1999 Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Amendment No. 4 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of CCOCharter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on FebruaryJuly 22, 1999 (File No. 333-77499)).
10.17(b)+Assumption Agreement regarding Option Plan, dated as of May 25, 1999, by and between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Amendment No. 6 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on August 27, 1999 (File No. 333-77499)).
10.17(c)+Form of Amendment No. 1 to the Charter Communications Holdings, LLC 1999 Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10(c) to Amendment No. 4 to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 1, 1999 (File No. 333-83887)).
10.17(d)+Amendment No. 2 to the Charter Communications Holdings, LLC 1999 Option Plan (incorporated by reference

114


ExhibitDescription
to Exhibit 10.4(c) to the annual report on Form 10-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on March 30, 2000 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.17(e)+Amendment No. 3 to the Charter Communications 1999 Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14(e) to the annual report of Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on March 29, 2002 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.17(f)+Amendment No. 4 to the Charter Communications 1999 Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10(f) to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 15, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.18(a)+Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on May 15, 2001 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.18(b)+Amendment No. 1 to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11(b) to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 15, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.18(c)+Amendment No. 2 to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on November 14, 2001 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.18(d)+Amendment No. 3 to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan effective January 2, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15(c) to the annual report of Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on March 29, 2002 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.18(e)+Amendment No. 4 to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11(e) to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 15, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.18(f)+Amendment No. 5 to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11(f) to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 15, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.18(g)+*Description of Long-Term Incentive Program to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan.
10.19(a)+Letter Agreement, dated May 25, 1999, between Charter Communications, Inc. and Marc Nathanson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on January 25, 2000 (File No. 333-95351)).
10.19(b)+Letter Agreement, dated March 27, 2000, between CC VII Holdings, LLC and Marc Nathanson, amending the Letter Agreement dated May 25, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13(b) to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 15, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.20(a)+Employment Offer Letter, dated December 2, 2003 by and between Charter Communications, Inc. and Derek Chang (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on March 15, 2004 (File No. 333-112593)000-27927)).
10.20(b)+Amendment to Employment Offer Letter, dated January 27, 2005, by and between Charter Communications, Inc. and Derek Chang (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed January 28, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.21+Separation Agreement and Release for Margaret A. Bellville, dated as of September 16, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on November 4, 2004 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.22+Executive Services Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2005, between Charter Communications, Inc. and Robert P. May (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on January 21, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.23+Separation Agreement and Release for Steven A. Schumm, dated as of February 8, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on February 11, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.24+Separation Agreement and Release for Carl E. Vogel, dated as of February 17, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on February 22, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.25+Separation Agreement and Release for Thomas A. Cullen, dated as of March 15, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on March 16, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)).
10.26+Description of Charter Communications, Inc. 2005 Executive Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 to the annual report on Form 10-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on March 3, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)).
   
14.1 Code of Conduct adopted January 28, 2003 (Incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 to the annual report on

115


ExhibitDescription
Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 15, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
   
21.1* Subsidiaries of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC.
   
31.1* Certificate of Interim Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
   
31.2* Certificate of ChiefInterim Co-Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.3*Certificate of Interim Co-Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
   
32.1* Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief(Interim Chief Executive Officer).
   
32.2* Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief(Interim Co-Chief Financial Officer).
32.3*Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Interim Co-Chief Financial Officer).


* Document Attached
 
+ Management compensatory plan or arrangement

119116


INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   
Page
Audited Financial Statements  
Page
Registered Public Accounting Firm F-2
2003 F-3
2002 F-4
2002 F-5
2002 F-6
 F-7

F-1


Report of Independent Auditors’ ReportRegistered Public Accounting Firm

To theThe Board of Directors
Charter Communications Holdings, LLC:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and subsidiaries (the “Company”)Company) as of December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in member’s equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the three years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003.2004. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditingthe standards generally accepted inof the United States of America.Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and subsidiaries as of December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003,2004, in conformity with accounting principlesU.S. generally accepted in the United States of America.accounting principles.

As discussed in Notenote 3 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142,Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

As discussed in Notenote 7 to the consolidated financial statements, effective September 30, 2004, the Company adopted EITF Topic D-108,Use of the Residual Method to Value Acquired Assets Other than Goodwill.

As discussed in note 16 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure — an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123.

/s/ KPMG LLP

St. Louis, Missouri
March 1, 20042005

F-2


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in millions)
                
 December 31,
 December 31, 
 2003
 2002
 2004 2003 
ASSETS
  
CURRENT ASSETS:  
Cash and cash equivalents $85 $310  $546 $85 
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $17 and $19, respectively 189 253 
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $15 and $17, respectively 186 189 
Receivables from related party 56 50   56 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 21 40  20 21 
 
 
 
 
      
Total current assets 351 653  752 351 
 
 
 
 
      
INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES:  
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $3,834 and $2,550, respectively 6,808 7,460 
Franchises, net of accumulated amortization of $3,445 and $3,452, respectively 13,680 13,727 
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $5,142 and $3,834, respectively 6,110 6,808 
Franchises 9,878 13,680 
 
 
 
 
      
Total investment in cable properties, net 20,488 21,187  15,988 20,488 
 
 
 
 
      
 
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS 309 316  344 309 
     
 
 
 
 
  
Total assets $21,148 $22,156  $17,084 $21,148 
 
 
 
 
      
LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S EQUITY
 
 
LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $1,128 $1,250  $1,112 $1,179 
Payables to related party 19  
 
 
 
 
      
Total current liabilities 1,128 1,250  1,131 1,179 
 
 
 
 
      
 
LONG-TERM DEBT 17,873 17,288  18,474 17,873 
 
 
 
 
      
LOANS PAYABLE — RELATED PARTIES 37 73 
LOANS PAYABLE – RELATED PARTY 29 37 
 
 
 
 
      
DEFERRED MANAGEMENT FEES — RELATED PARTY 14 14 
DEFERRED MANAGEMENT FEES – RELATED PARTY 14 14 
 
 
 
 
      
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES 738 932  493 687 
 
 
 
 
      
MINORITY INTEREST 719 693  656 719 
 
 
 
 
      
MEMBER’S EQUITY: 
Member’s equity 696 2,011 
 
MEMBER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT): 
Member’s equity (deficit)  (3,698) 696 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (57)  (105)  (15)  (57)
 
 
 
 
      
Total member’s equity 639 1,906 
 
 
 
 
  
Total liabilities and member’s equity $21,148 $22,156 
Total member’s equity (deficit)  (3,713) 639 
 
 
 
 
      
 
Total liabilities and member’s equity (deficit) $17,084 $21,148 
     

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-3


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars in millions)
                   
 Year Ended December 31,
 Year Ended December 31, 
 2003
 2002
 2001
 2004 2003 2002 
REVENUES $4,819 $4,566 $3,807  $4,977 $4,819 $4,566 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
             
COSTS AND EXPENSES:  
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) 1,952 1,807 1,486  2,080 1,952 1,807 
Selling, general and administrative 940 963 826  971 940 963 
Depreciation and amortization 1,479 1,439 2,693  1,495 1,453 1,436 
Impairment of franchises  4,638   2,433  4,638 
Gain on sale of system  (21)   
Option compensation expense (income), net 4 5  (5)
(Gain) loss on sale of fixed assets  (86) 5 3 
Option compensation expense, net 31 4 5 
Special charges, net 21 36 18  104 21 36 
Unfavorable contracts and other settlements  (72)     (5)  (72)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 4,303 8,888 5,018  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  7,023 4,303 8,888 
       
 
Income (loss) from operations 516  (4,322)  (1,211)  (2,046) 516  (4,322)
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES:  
Interest expense, net  (1,486)  (1,425)  (1,247)  (1,618)  (1,486)  (1,425)
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities, net 65  (115)  (50) 69 65  (115)
Gain on debt exchange, net 187   
Loss on equity investments    (49)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt  (21) 187  
Other, net  (10) 3  (3) 2  (10) 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
  (1,244)  (1,537)  (1,349) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   (1,568)  (1,244)  (1,537)
       
 
Loss before minority interest, income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change  (728)  (5,859)  (2,560)  (3,614)  (728)  (5,859)
 
MINORITY INTEREST  (29)  (16)  (16) 20  (29)  (16)
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
Loss before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change  (757)  (5,875)  (2,576)  (3,594)  (757)  (5,875)
INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) BENEFIT  (13) 216 27 
 
INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE) 35  (13) 216 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Loss before cumulative effect of accounting change  (770)  (5,659)  (2,549)  (3,559)  (770)  (5,659)
 
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE, NET OF TAX   (540)  (24)  (840)   (540)
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Net loss $(770) $(6,199) $(2,573) $(4,399) $(770) $(6,199)
 
 
 
 
 
 
        

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-4


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBER’S EQUITY
(DEFICIT)
(dollars in millions)
                      
 Accumulated   Accumulated Total 
 Other Total Member’s Other Member’s 
 Member's Comprehensive Member's Equity Comprehensive Equity 
 Equity
 Income (Loss)
 Equity
 (Deficit) Income (Loss) (Deficit) 
BALANCE, December 31, 2000 $9,156 $ $9,156 
Capital contribution 1,681  1,681 
Distributions to parent company  (97)   (97)
Changes in fair value of interest rate agreements   (39)  (39)
Option compensation income  (5)   (5)
Unrealized loss on marketable securities available for sale   (1)  (1)
Net loss  (2,573)   (2,573)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BALANCE, December 31, 2001 8,162  (40) 8,122  $8,162 $(40) $8,122 
Capital contribution 95  95  95  95 
Distributions to parent company  (52)   (52)  (52)   (52)
Changes in fair value of interest rate agreements   (65)  (65)   (65)  (65)
Option compensation expense 5  5 
Other, net 5  5 
Net loss  (6,199)   (6,199)  (6,199)   (6,199)
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BALANCE, December 31, 2002 2,011  (105) 1,906  2,011  (105) 1,906 
Distributions to parent company  (548)   (548)  (548)   (548)
Changes in fair value of interest rate agreements  48 48   48 48 
Option compensation expense 4  4 
Other, net  (1)   (1) 3  3 
Net loss  (770)   (770)  (770)   (770)
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
BALANCE, December 31, 2003 $696 $(57) $639  696  (57) 639 
Changes in fair value of interest rate agreements  42 42 
Other, net 5  5 
Net loss  (4,399)   (4,399)
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
BALANCE, December 31, 2004 $(3,698) $(15) $(3,713)
       

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-5


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in millions)
                      
 Year Ended December 31,
 Year Ended December 31, 
 2003
 2002
 2001
 2004 2003 2002 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:  
Net loss $(770) $(6,199) $(2,573) $(4,399) $(770) $(6,199)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows from operating activities:  
Minority interest 29 16 16   (20) 29 16 
Depreciation and amortization 1,479 1,439 2,693  1,495 1,453 1,436 
Impairment of franchises  4,638   2,433  4,638 
Option compensation expense (income), net 4 5  (5)
Option compensation expense, net 27 4 5 
Special charges, net 85   
Noncash interest expense 410 387 288  315 410 387 
Loss on equity investments   49 
Loss (gain) on derivative instruments and hedging activities, net  (65) 115 50 
Gain on debt exchange, net  (187)   
Gain on sale of system  (21)   
(Gain) loss on derivative instruments and hedging activities, net  (69)  (65) 115 
(Gain) loss on sale of assets  (86) 5 3 
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt 18  (187)  
Deferred income taxes 13  (216)  (27)  (42) 13  (216)
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net  540 24  840  540 
Unfavorable contracts and other settlements  (72)     (5)  (72)  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions: 
Other, net  (3)   
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions: 
Accounts receivable 62 18  (62)  (3) 62 18 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 13 19  (17)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses and other  (109) 57 108 
Prepaid expenses and other assets  (4) 13 19 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other  (83)  (109) 58 
Receivables from and payables to related party, including deferred management fees  (40)  (79)  (37)  (68)  (40)  (79)
Other operating activities  1 9 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Net cash flows from operating activities 746 741 516  431 746 741 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:  
Purchases of property, plant and equipment  (804)  (2,095)  (2,795)  (893)  (804)  (2,095)
Change in accounts payable and accrued expenses related to capital expenditures  (41)  (49)  (103)
Proceeds from sale of system 91   
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures  (33)  (41)  (49)
Proceeds from sale of systems 744 91  
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired   (140)  (1,710)    (140)
Purchases of investments  (8)  (10)  (10)  (6)  (8)  (10)
Other investing activities  (3) 2  (14)
Other, net  (3)  (3) 2 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
             
Net cash flows from investing activities  (765)  (2,292)  (4,632)  (191)  (765)  (2,292)
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
             
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:  
Borrowings of long-term debt 739 4,107 6,675  3,147 739 4,107 
Repayments of long-term debt  (1,369)  (2,135)  (4,290)  (4,860)  (1,369)  (2,135)
Proceeds from issuance of debt 529   
Repayments to parent companies  (8)  (36)  (116)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 2,050 529  
Payments for debt issuance costs  (42)  (40)  (69)  (108)  (42)  (40)
Repayments to related parties  (36)  (116) 189 
Capital contributions  95 1,579    95 
Distributions  (27)  (52)  (97)   (27)  (52)
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
Net cash flows from financing activities  (206) 1,859 3,987  221  (206) 1,859 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
             
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  (225) 308  (129) 461  (225) 308 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period 310 2 131  85 310 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period $85 $310 $2  $546 $85 $310 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
CASH PAID FOR INTEREST $1,069 $1,033 $941  $1,264 $1,069 $1,033 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
NONCASH TRANSACTIONS:  
Issuance of debt by CCH II, LLC $1,572 $ $  $ $1,572 $ 
Retirement of debt 1,257     1,257  
CCH II, LLC notes distributed to retire parenty company debt 521   
Exchange of assets for acquisition   25 
Transfer of equity interests to the Company   102 
CCH II, LLC notes distributed to retire parent company debt  521  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-6


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 2002 AND 2001
2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

Charter Communications Holdings, LLC (“Charter Holdings”) is a holding company whose primary assets at December 31, 20032004 are equity interests in its cable operating subsidiaries. Charter Holdings is a subsidiary of Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (“Charter Holdco”), which is a subsidiary of Charter Communications, Inc. (“Charter”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Charter Holdings and all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries. Charter Holdings and itswholly owned subsidiaries arewhere the underlying operations reside, collectively referred to herein as the “Company.” All significant intercompany accounts and transactions and balancesamong consolidated entities have been eliminated in consolidation.eliminated. The Company is a broadband communications company operating in the United States. The Company offers its customers traditional cable video programming (analog and digital video) as well as high-speed data services and, in some areas, advanced broadband services such as high definition television, video on demand telephony and interactive television.telephony. The Company sells its cable video programming, high-speed data and advanced broadband services on a subscription basis. The Company also sells local advertising on satellite-delivered networks.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Areas involving significant judgments and estimates include capitalization of labor and overhead costs; depreciation and amortization costs; impairments of property, plant and equipment, franchises and goodwill; income taxes; and contingencies. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Restatement of 2001 Results.In 2002, the Company restated its consolidated financial statements for 2001 and prior. The restatements were primarily related to the following categories: (i) launch incentives from programmers; (ii) customer incentives and inducements; (iii) capitalized labor and overhead costs; (iv) customer acquisition costs; (v) rebuild and upgrade of cable systems; (vi) deferred tax liabilities/franchise assets; and (vii) other adjustments. These adjustments reduced revenue by $146 million and decreased consolidated net loss by $21 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 and increased member’s equity by $772 million as of January 1, 2001. In addition, as a result of certain of these adjustments, the Company’s statements of cash flow was also restated at the time. Net cash flows from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2001 was reduced by $21 million.

Reclassifications.Certain 2002 and 2001prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 20032004 presentation.

2. Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company recognized income from operationsincurred net loss of $516$4.4 billion, $770 million and $6.2 billion in 2004, 2003 and incurred losses from operations of $4.3 billion and $1.2 billion in 2002, and 2001, respectively. The Company’s net cash flows from operating activities were $431 million, $746 million $741 million and $516$741 million for the years ending December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

The Company has a significant level of debt. The Company’s long-term financing as of December 31, 2004 consists of $5.5 billion of credit facility debt and 2001, respectively. $13.3 billion principal amount of high-yield notes. In each of 2005 and 2006, $30 million of the Company’s debt will mature. In 2007 and beyond, significant additional amounts will become due under the Company’s remaining long-term debt obligations.

The Company has historically required significant cash to fund capital expenditures and debt service costs. Historically, the Company has funded these requirements through cash flows from operating activities, borrowingborrowings under theits credit facilities, of the Company’s subsidiaries, equity contributions from Charter Holdco, bysales of assets, issuances of debt securities and by cash on hand. TheHowever, the mix of funding sources changes from period to period, but for the year ended December 31, 2003, approximately 77% of the Company’s funding requirements were satisfied from cash flows from operating activities and 23% was from cash on hand.period. For the year ended December 31, 2003,2004, the Company received $91generated $431 million of net cash flows from operating activities, after paying cash interest of $1.3 billion. In addition, the Company generated approximately $744 million from the sale of the Port Orchard, Washington cable system. Additionally,assets, substantially all of which was used to fund operations, including capital expenditures. Finally, the Company had net cash flows used infrom financing activities of $206$221 million, reflecting a net repaymentwhich included, among other things, the proceeds from the issuance in December 2004 of $550 million of CCO Holdings, LLC (“CCO Holdings”) notes. This debt issuance and reducedcash flows from operating activities were the primary reasons cash on hand increased by $225 million.$461 million to $546 million at December 31, 2004. The cash on hand was used to repay outstanding borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility, through a series of transactions executed in February 2005.

The Company expects that cash on hand, cash flows from operating activities and the fundsamounts available under its subsidiaries’ credit facilities will be adequate to meet its 2004and Charter’s cash needs. However, theseneeds in 2005. Cash flows from operating activities and amounts available under the Company’s credit facilities may not be sufficient to fund the Company’s operations and satisfy its and Charter’s principal repayment obligations that come due in 2006 and, the Company believes, will not be sufficient to fund its operations and satisfy such repayment obligations thereafter.

F-7


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

It is likely that Charter and the Company will require additional funding to repay debt maturing after 2006. The Company has been advised that Charter is working with its financial advisors to address such funding requirements. However, there can be no assurance that such funding will be available. Although Mr. Allen and his affiliates have purchased equity from Charter and Charter Holdco in the past, Mr. Allen and his affiliates are not obligated to purchase equity from, contribute to or loan funds to Charter, Charter Holdco or the Company in the future.

Credit Facilities and Covenants

The Company’s ability to operate depends upon, among other things, its continued access to capital, including credit under the Charter Operating credit facilities. These credit facilities, along with the Company’s and its subsidiaries indentures, are subject to certain restrictive covenants, portionssome of which arerequire the Company to maintain specified financial ratios and meet financial tests and to provide audited financial statements with an unqualified opinion from the Company’s independent auditors. As of December 31, 2004, the Company was in compliance with the covenants under its indentures and credit facilities and the indentures of its subsidiaries and the Company expects to remain in compliance with those covenants for the next twelve months. As of December 31, 2004, the Company had borrowing availability under the credit facilities of $804 million, none of which was restricted due to covenants. Continued access to the Company’s credit facilities is subject to the operating resultsCompany remaining in compliance with the applicable covenants of these credit facilities, including covenants tied to the Company’s subsidiaries. The Company expects to maintain compliance with these covenants in 2004.operating performance. If the Company’s actual operating performance results do not result in compliancenon-compliance with these covenants, or if any of certain other events of noncompliance occur,non-compliance under these credit facilities or indentures governing the Company’s debt occurs, funding under the credit facilities may not be available and defaults on some or potentially all of the Company’s debt obligations could occur. An event of default under the covenants governing any of the Company’s debt instruments could result in the acceleration of its payment obligations under that debt and, under certain circumstances, in cross-defaults under its other debt obligations, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

F-7The Charter Operating credit facilities require the Company to redeem the CC V Holdings notes within 45 days after the first date that the Charter Holdings leverage ratio is less than 8.75 to 1.0. In satisfaction of this requirement, CC V Holdings, LLC has called for redemption all of its outstanding notes, at 103.958% of principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, which is expected to be March 14, 2005. The total cost of the redemption including accrued and unpaid interest is expected to be approximately $122 million. The Company intends to fund the redemption with borrowings under the Charter Operating credit facilities.

Parent Company Debt Obligations

Any financial or liquidity problems of our parent companies could cause serious disruption to the Company’s business and have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Charter’s ability to make interest payments on its convertible senior notes, and, in 2006 and 2009, to repay the outstanding principal of its convertible senior notes of $156 million and $863 million, respectively, will depend on its ability to raise additional capital and/or on receipt of payments or distributions from Charter Holdco or its subsidiaries, including CCH II, LLC (“CCH II”), CCO Holdings and Charter Operating. The indentures governing the CCH II notes, CCO Holdings notes, and Charter Operating notes, however, restrict these entities and their subsidiaries from making distributions to their parent companies (including Charter, Charter Holdco and Charter Holdings) for payment of principal on the parent company debt obligations, in each case unless there is no default under the applicable indenture and a specified leverage ratio test is met at the time of such event. CCH II, CCO Holdings and Charter Operating meet the applicable leverage ratio test under each of their respective indentures, and as a result are not prohibited from making any such distributions to their respective direct parent at this time.

Charter is required to register by April 21, 2005 its recently issued 5.875% convertible notes due 2009. If these convertible notes are not registered by such date, Charter will incur liquidated damages as defined in the related indenture. In conjunction with issuing these convertible notes, Charter also filed a registration statement to sell up to 150 million shares of Charter’s Class A common stock pursuant to a share lending agreement. These shares

F-8


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 2002 AND 20012002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

occur. Additionally, no assurances canare required to be given thatregistered by April 1, 2005. If such shares are not registered by such date, Charter will incur liquidated damages as defined in the Company will not experience liquidity problems because of adverse market conditions or other unfavorable events.related indenture.

Specific Limitations at Charter which is the manager of the Company, has a significant amount of debt, which will mature in 2005 and 2006. Charter’s ability to make interest payments, or principal payments at maturity in 2005 and 2006, on its convertible senior notes is dependent on its ability to obtain additional financing and on the Company’s and its other subsidiaries making distributions, loans, or payments to Charter Holdco, and on Charter Holdco paying or distributing such funds to Charter. Because Charter is the Company’s manager, any financial or liquidity problems of Charter would be likely to cause serious disruption to the Company’s business and to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and results. Any such event would likely adversely impact the Company’s credit rating, and its relations with customers and suppliers, which could in turn further impair its ability to obtain financing and operate its business.Holdings

The indentures governing the Company’sCharter Holdings notes permit the CompanyCharter Holdings to make distributions up to its formulaic capacity to Charter Holdco for payment of interest or principal on Charter’sthe convertible senior notes, only if, after giving effect to the distribution, the CompanyCharter Holdings can incur additional debt under the leverage ratio of 8.75 to 1.0, there is no default under theCharter Holdings’ indentures and other specified tests are met. However, inFor the event thatquarter ended December 31, 2004, there was no default under Charter Holdings’ indentures and other specified tests were met. In addition, Charter Holdings met the Company could not incur any additional debt under theleverage ratio of 8.75 to 1.0 based on December 31, 2004 financial results. As a result, distributions from Charter Holdings to Charter or Charter Holdco are not currently restricted. Such distributions will again be restricted, however, if Charter Holdings fails to meet its leverage ratio test. In the past, Charter Holdings has from time to time failed to meet this leverage ratio test and there can be no assurance that Charter Holdings will satisfy this test in the future.

During periods when such distributions are restricted, the indentures governing the CompanyCharter Holdings notes permit the CompanyCharter Holdings and its subsidiaries to make specified investments in Charter Holdco or Charter, up to its formulaic capacity, ifan amount determined by a formula, as long as there is no default under the indentures. There were no defaults under the Company’s indentures and other specified tests were met for the year ending December 31, 2003. However, the Company did not meet the leverage ratio test at December 31, 2003, and as a result, distributions from the Company to Charter will be restricted until that test is met. As of December 31, 2003,2004, Charter Holdco had $41$106 million in cash on hand and iswas owed $37$29 million in intercompany loans from its subsidiaries, which arewere available to Charter Holdco to servicepay interest on Charter’s 4.75% convertible senior notes, which is scheduledexpected to be approximately $43$7 million in 2004.2005. In addition, Charter has $144 million of U.S government securities pledged as security for the six interest payments on Charter’s 5.875% convertible senior notes.

On October 1, 2003 the Company closed on the saleSale of its Port Orchard, Washington system for approximately $91 million, resulting in a $21 million gain recorded as gain on sale of system in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. OnAssets

In March 1, 2004, the Company closed the sale of certain cable systems in Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia withto Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC. The Company anticipates thatclosed the sale of an additional closing for a cable system in New York will occur duringto Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC in April 2004. These transactions resulted in a $104 million pretax gain recorded as a gain on sale of assets in the first halfCompany’s consolidated statements of 2004. After giving effectoperations. Subject to post-closing contractual adjustments, the total net proceeds from the sale of the New York system, netall of these systems were approximately $733 million. The proceeds will be approximately $735 million, subject to post-closing adjustments. The Company will use these proceedswere used to repay bank debt.

The Company’s long-term financing structure asa portion of December 31, 2003 includes $7.2 billion of credit facility debt and $10.6 billion of high-yield notes. Approximately $188 million of this financing matures during 2004, and the Company expects to fund this through availabilityamounts outstanding under its credit facilities. Note 9 summarizes the Company’s current availability under its credit facilities and its long-term debt.facilities.

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates market value.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, including all material, labor and certain indirect costs associated with the construction of cable transmission and distribution facilities. Costs associated with initial customer installations and the additions of network equipment necessary to enable advanced services are capitalized. Costs capitalized as part of initial customer installations include materials, labor, and certain indirect costs. These indirectIndirect costs are associated with the activities of the Company’s personnel who assist in connecting and activating the new service and consist of compensation and overheadindirect costs associated with these support functions. OverheadIndirect costs

F-8


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

primarily include employee benefits and payroll taxes, direct variable costs associated with capitalizable activities, consisting primarily of installation and construction vehicle costs, the cost of dispatch personnel and indirect costs directly attributable to capitalizable activities. The costs of disconnecting service at a customer’s dwelling or reconnecting service to a previously installed dwelling are charged to operating expense in the period incurred.

F-9


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

Costs for repairs and maintenance are charged to operating expense as incurred, while plant and equipment replacement and betterments, including replacement of cable drops from the pole to the dwelling, are capitalized.

Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line composite method over management’s estimate of the useful lives of the related assets as follows:

   
Cable distribution systems 7-157-20 years
Customer equipment and installations 3-5 years
Vehicles and equipment 1-5 years
Buildings and leasehold improvements 5-15 years
Furniture and fixtures 5 years

Franchises

Franchise rights represent the value attributed to agreements with local authorities that allow access to homes in cable service areas acquired through the purchase of cable systems. Management estimates the fair value of franchise rights at the date of acquisition and determines if the franchise has a finite life or an indefinite lifeindefinite-life as defined by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142,Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. On January 1, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 142, which eliminates the amortization of goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets. Accordingly, beginningEffective January 1, 2002, all franchises that qualify for indefinite lifeindefinite-life treatment under SFAS No. 142 are no longer amortized against earnings but instead are tested for impairment annually as of October 1, or more frequently as warranted by events or changes in circumstances (See(see Note 7). The Company concluded that 99% of its franchises qualify for indefinite-life treatment; however, certain franchises did not qualify for indefinite-life treatment due to technological or operational factors that limit their lives. These franchise costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over 10 years. Costs incurred in renewing cable franchises are deferred and amortized over 10 years.

Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 142, costs incurred in obtaining and renewing cable franchises were deferred and amortized using the straight-line method over a period of 15 years. Franchise rights acquired through the purchase of cable systems were generally amortized using the straight-line method over a period of 15 years. The period of 15 years was management’s best estimate of the useful lives of the franchises and assumed that substantially all of those franchises that expired during the period would be renewed but not indefinitely. The Company evaluated the recoverability of franchises for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicated that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

Other Noncurrent Assets

Other noncurrent assets primarily include goodwill, deferred financing costs and investments in equity securities. Costs related to borrowings are deferred and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the terms of the related borrowings. As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, other noncurrent assets include $194 million and $205 million of deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $113 million and $91 million, respectively.

Investments in equity securities are accounted for at cost, under the equity method of accounting or in accordance with SFAS No. 115,Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. The CompanyCharter recognizes losses for any decline in value considered to be other than temporary. Certain marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and reported at market value with unrealized gains and losses recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss.

F-9The following summarizes investment information as of and for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003:

                     
          Gain (loss) for 
  Carrying Value at  the Years Ended 
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2004  2003  2004  2003  2002 
Equity investments, under the cost method $8  $30  $(3) $(2) $ 
Equity investments, under the equity method  24   10   6   2   (2)
Marketable securities, at market value              2 
                
                     
  $32  $40  $3  $  $ 
                

F-10


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 2002 AND 20012002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

The following summarizes investment information as of and for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002:

                 
          Gain (loss) for the
  Carrying Value at Years Ended
  December 31,
 December 31,
  2003
 2002
 2003
 2002
Equity investments, under the cost method $30  $17  $(2) $ 
Equity investments, under the equity method  10   14   2   (2)
Marketable securities, at market value           2 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
  $40  $31  $  $ 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Valuation of Property, Plant and Equipment

The Company evaluates the recoverability of property, plant and equipment for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Such events or changes in circumstances could include such factors as impairment of the Company’s indefinite life franchise under SFAS No. 142, changes in technological advances, fluctuations in the fair value of such assets, adverse changes in relationships with local franchise authorities, adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating results. If a review indicates that the carrying value of such asset is not recoverable from estimated undiscounted cash flows, the carrying value of such asset is reduced to its estimated fair value. While the Company believes that its estimates of future cash flows are reasonable, different assumptions regarding such cash flows could materially affect its evaluations of asset recoverability. No impairment of property, plant and equipment occurred in 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001.2002.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments in accordance with SFAS No. 133,Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended,amended. For those instruments which became effective forqualify as hedging activities, related gains or losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. For all other derivative instruments, the Company on January 1, 2001.related gains or losses are recorded in the income statement. The Company uses interest rate risk management derivative instruments, such as interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements (collectively referred to herein as interest rate agreements) as required under the terms of the credit facilities of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Company’s policy is to manage interest costs using a mix of fixed and variable rate debt. Using interest rate swap agreements, the Company agrees to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount. Interest rate cap agreements are used to lock in a maximum interest rate should variable rates rise, but enable the Company to otherwise pay lower market rates. Interest rate collar agreements are used to limit exposure to and benefits from interest rate fluctuations on variable rate debt to within a certain range of rates. The Company does not hold or issue any derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues from residential and commercial video and high-speed data services are recognized when the related services are provided. Advertising sales are recognized at estimated realizable values in the period that the advertisements are broadcast. Local governmental authorities impose franchise fees on the Company ranging up to a federally mandated maximum of 5% of gross revenues as defined in the franchise agreement. Such fees are collected on a monthly basis from the Company’s customers and are periodically remitted to local franchise authorities. Franchise fees collected and paid are reported as revenues on a gross basis with a corresponding operating expense pursuant to Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 01-14,Income Statement Characterization of Reimbursements Received for ‘Out of Pocket’ Expenses Incurred..

F-10


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

Programming Costs

The Company has various contracts to obtain analog, digital and premium video programming from program suppliers whose compensation is typically based on a flat fee per customer. The cost of the right to exhibit network programming under such arrangements is recorded in operating expenses in the month the programming is available for exhibition. Programming costs are paid each month based on calculations performed by the Company and are subject to adjustment based on periodic audits performed by the programmers. Additionally, certainCertain programming contracts contain launch incentives to be paid by the programmers. The Company receives these payments related to the promotion and activation of the programmer’s cable television channel and recognizes the launch incentives on a straight-line basis over the life of the programming agreement as a reduction of programming expense. This offset to programming expense was $59 million, $62 million $57 million and $35$57 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, respectively. Programming costs included in the accompanying statementsstatement of operations were $1.2$1.3 billion, $1.2 billion and $963 million$1.2 billion for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, respectively. As of December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, the deferred amount of launch incentives, included in other long-term liabilities, totaled $148$106 million and $210$170 million, respectively.

F-11


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs associated with marketing the Company’s products and services are generally expensed as costs are incurred. Such advertising expense was $72 million, $62 million $60 million and $43$60 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has historically accounted for stock-based compensation in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25,Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations, as permitted by SFAS No. 123,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. On January 1, 2003, the Company adopted the fair value measurement provisions of SFAS No. 123 using the prospective method under which the Company will recognize compensation expense of a stock-based award to an employee over the vesting period based on the fair value of the award on the grant date consistent with the method described in Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 28,Accounting for Stock Appreciation Rights and Other Variable Stock Option or Award Plans. Adoption of these provisions resulted in utilizing a preferable accounting method as the consolidated financial statements will present the estimated fair value of stock-based compensation in expense consistently with other forms of compensation and other expense associated with goods and services received for equity instruments. In accordance with SFAS No. 148,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation Transition and Disclosure,the fair value method will bewas applied only to awards granted or modified after January 1, 2003, whereas awards granted prior to such date will continue to bewere accounted for under APB No. 25, unless they arewere modified or settled in cash. Management believes the adoption of these provisions will not have a material impact on the consolidated results of operations or financial condition of the Company. The ongoing effect on consolidated results of operations or financial condition will be dependent upon future stock-based compensation awards granted by the Company.

F-11


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

SFAS No. 123 requires pro forma disclosure of the impact on earnings as if the compensation expense for these plans had been determined using the fair value method. The following table presents the Company’s net loss as reported and the pro forma amounts that would have been reported using the fair value method under SFAS No. 123 for the years presented:

                    
 Year Ended December 31,
 Year Ended December 31, 
 2003
 2002
 2001
 2004 2003 2002 
Net loss $(770) $(6,199) $(2,573) $(4,399) $(770) $(6,199)
Add back stock-based compensation expense (income) related to stock options included in reported net loss 4 5  (5)
Add back stock-based compensation expense related to stock options included in reported net loss 31 4 5 
Less employee stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all employee stock option awards  (30)  (105)  (100)  (33)  (30)  (105)
Effects of unvested options in stock option exchange (see Note 16) 48   
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
Pro forma $(796) $(6,299) $(2,678) $(4,353) $(796) $(6,299)
 
 
 
 
 
 
        

The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following weighted average assumptions were used for grants during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, respectively: risk-free interest rates of 3.0%3.3%, 3.6%3.0%, and 4.7%3.6%; expected volatility of 93.6%92.4%, 64.2%93.6% and 56.2%64.2%; and expected lives of 3.54.6 years, 3.34.5 years and 3.74.3 years, respectively. The valuations assume no dividends are paid.

Unfavorable Contracts and Other Settlements

The Company recognized $5 million of benefit for the year ended December 31, 2004 related to changes in estimated legal reserves established as part of previous business combinations, which, based on an evaluation of current facts and circumstances, are no longer required.

The Company recognized $72 million of benefit for the year ended December 31, 2003 as a result of the settlement of estimated liabilities recorded in connection with prior business combinations. The majority of this benefit (approximately $52 million) is due to the renegotiation of a major programming contract, for which a liability had been recorded for the above market portion of the agreement in conjunction with the Falcon acquisition in 1999 and

F-12


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

the Bresnan acquisition in 2000. The remaining benefit relates to the reversal of previously recorded liabilities, which based on an evaluation of current facts and circumstances, are no longer required.

Income Taxes

Charter Holdings is a single member limited liability company not subject to income tax. Charter Holdings holds all operations through indirect subsidiaries. The majority of these indirect subsidiaries are limited liability companies that are also not subject to income tax. However, certain of Charter Holdings’ indirect subsidiaries are corporations that are subject to income tax. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’sthese indirect corporate subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities and expected benefits of utilizing net operating loss carryforwards. The impact on deferred taxes of changes in tax rates and tax law, if any, applied to the years during which temporary differences are expected to be settled, are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period of enactment (see Note 18).

Minority Interest

Minority interest on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets represents $694$656 million and $668$694 million of preferred membership interests in CC VIII, LLC (“CC VIII”), an indirect subsidiary of Charter Holdings, as of December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, respectively. The preferred membership interests in CC VIII accrete at 2% per annum and since June 6, 2003, share pro rata in the profits of CC VIII. As more fully described in Note 19, this preferred interest arises from the approximately $630 million of preferred membership units issued by CC VIII in connection with the Bresnan acquisition in February, 2000. As of December 31, 2003, and December 31, 2002, minority interest also includes $25 million of preferred interest in Charter Helicon, LLC, another indirect subsidiary of Charter Holdings, issued in connection with the Helicon acquisition. The preferred interest in Charter Helicon, LLC accrues interest at 10% per annum. As of December 31, 2004, the preferred interest was reclassified to other long-term liabilities.

Segments

SFAS No. 131,Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, established standards for reporting information about operating segments in annual financial statements and in interim financial reports issued to shareholders. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial

F-12


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

information is available that is evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decisionmaker,decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance of the segment.

The Company’s operations are managed on the basis of geographic divisional operating segments. The Company has evaluated the criteria for aggregation of the geographic operating segments under paragraph 17 of SFAS No. 131 and believes it meets each of the respective criteria set forth. The Company delivers similar products and services within each of its geographic divisional operations. Each geographic and divisional service area utilizes similar means for delivering the programming of the Company’s services; have similarity in the type or class of customer receiving the products and services; distributes the Company’s services over a unified network; and operates within a consistent regulatory environment. In addition, each of the geographic divisional operating segments has similar economic characteristics. In light of the Company’s similar services, means for delivery, similarity in type of customers, the use of a unified network and other considerations across its geographic divisional operating structure, management has determined that the Company has one reportable segment, broadband services.

4. Acquisitions

On February 28, 2002, CC Systems, LLC, a subsidiary of the Company, and High Speed Access Corp. (“HSA”) closed the Company’s acquisition from HSA of the contracts and associated assets, and assumed related liabilities, that served certain of the Company’s high-speed data customers. At closing, the Company paid approximately $78 million in cash and delivered 37,000 shares of HSA’s Series D convertible preferred stock and all the warrants to buy HSA common stock owned by the Company. An additional $2 million of purchase price was retained to secure indemnity claims. The purchase price has been allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on fair values, as determined in the fourth quarter of 2002 by a third-party valuation expert, including approximately $8 million assigned to intangible

F-13


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

assets and amortized over an average useful life of three years and approximately $54$52 million assigned to goodwill. In 2003, as part of the finalization of the HSA acquisition, goodwill was reduced to $52 million. The finalization of the purchase price did not have a material effect on amortization expense previously reported. During the period from 1997 to 2000, certain subsidiaries of the Company entered into Internet-access related service agreements with HSA, and both Vulcan Ventures and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries made equity investments in HSA. (See(see Note 19 for additional information).

In April 2002, Interlink Communications Partners, LLC, Rifkin Acquisition Partners, LLC and Charter Communications Entertainment I, LLC, each an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Charter Holdings, completed the purchase of certain assets of Enstar Income Program II-2, L.P., Enstar Income Program IV-3, L.P., Enstar Income/Growth Program Six-A, L.P., Enstar Cable of Macoupin County and Enstar IV/PBD Systems Venture, serving approximately 21,600 (unaudited) customers, for a total cash purchase price of $48 million. In September 2002, Charter Communications Entertainment I, LLC purchased all of Enstar Income Program II-1, L.P.’s Illinois cable systems, serving approximately 6,400 (unaudited) customers, for a cash purchase price of $15 million. Enstar Communications Corporation, a direct subsidiary of Charter Holdco, is a general partner of the Enstar limited partnerships but does not exercise control over them. The purchase prices were allocated to assets acquired based on fair values, including $41 million assigned to franchises and $4 million assigned to other intangible assets amortized over a useful life of three years.

The 2002 acquisitions were funded primarily from borrowings under the credit facilities of the Company’s subsidiaries.

During the second and third quarters in 2001, the Company acquired cable systems in two separate transactions. In connection with the acquisitions, the Company paid a total cash consideration of $1.8 billion, transferred a cable system valued at $25 million, issued 505,664 shares of Charter Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock valued at $51 million, and in the first quarter of 2003 issued 39,595 additional shares of Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock to certain sellers subject to certain holdback provisions of the acquisition agreement valued at $4 million. The purchase prices were allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on fair values, including amounts assigned to franchises of $1.5 billion.

F-13


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

The transactions described above were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, and, accordingly, the results of operations of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities have been included in the consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition. The purchase prices were allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on fair values.

The summarized operating results of the Company that follow are presented on a pro forma basis as if the following had occurred on January 1, 2001: all acquisitions and dispositions completed during 2001; the issuance of Charter Holdings senior notes and senior discount notes in January 2002 and 2001; and the issuance of Charter Holdings senior notes and senior discount notes in May 2001. Adjustments have been made to give effect to amortization of franchises acquired prior to July 1, 2001, interest expense, minority interest, and certain other adjustments. Pro forma results for the year ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 would not differ significantly from historical results.

     
  Year Ended December 31, 2001
  (in millions)
Revenues $3,969 
Loss from operations  (1,211)
Loss before minority interest, income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change  (2,642)
Net loss  (2,645)

The unaudited pro forma financial information has been presented for comparative purposes and does not purport to be indicative of the consolidated results of operations had these transactions been completed as of the assumed date or which may be obtained in the future.

5. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts is summarized as follows for the years presented:

                    
 Year Ended December 31,
 Year Ended December 31, 
 2003
 2002
 2001
 2004 2003 2002 
Balance, beginning of year $19 $33 $12  $17 $19 $33 
Acquisitions of cable systems   1 
Charged to expense 79 108 95  92 79 108 
Uncollected balances written off, net of recoveries  (81)  (122)  (75)  (94)  (81)  (122)
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
Balance, end of year $17 $19 $33  $15 $17 $19 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        

6. Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consists of the following as of December 31, 20032004 and 2002:2003:

               
 2003
 2002
 2004 2003 
Cable distribution systems $9,461 $8,910  $6,555 $6,304 
Land, buildings and leasehold improvements 524 521 
Customer equipment and installations 3,497 3,157 
Vehicles and equipment 657 579  419 415 
Buildings and leasehold improvements 518 524 
Furniture and fixtures 263 242 
     
 
 
 
 
  
 10,642 10,010  11,252 10,642 
Less: accumulated depreciation  (3,834)  (2,550)  (5,142)  (3,834)
 
 
 
 
      
 $6,808 $7,460  
 
 
 
 
  $6,110 $6,808 
     

F-14


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

The Company periodically evaluates the estimated useful lives used to depreciate its assets and the estimated amount of assets that will be abandoned or have minimal use in the future. A significant change in assumptions

F-14


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

about the extent or timing of future asset retirements, or in the Company’s use of new technology and upgrade programs, could materially affect future depreciation expense.

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 20012002 was $1.5 billion, $1.4$1.5 billion and $1.2$1.4 billion respectively.

7. Franchises and Goodwill

The Company constructs and operates its cable systems under non-exclusive franchises that are granted by state or local government authorities for varying lengths of time. As of December 31, 2003, the Company had approximately 4,400 franchises in areas located throughout the United States. The Company obtained these franchises primarily through acquisitions of cable systems accounted for as purchase business combinations. These acquisitions have primarily been for the purpose of acquiring existing franchises and related infrastructure and, as such, the primary asset acquired by the Company has historically been cable franchises.

On January 1, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 142, which eliminates the amortization of indefinite livedindefinite-lived intangible assets. Accordingly, beginning January 1, 2002, all franchises that qualify for indefinite lifeindefinite-life treatment under SFAS No. 142 are no longer amortized against earnings but instead will beare tested for impairment annually based on valuations, or more frequently as warranted by events or changes in circumstances. During the first quarter of 2002, the Company had an independent appraiser perform valuations of its franchises as of January 1, 2002. Based on the guidance prescribed in EITFEmerging Issues Task Force (“EITF’’) Issue No. 02-7,Unit of Accounting for Testing of Impairment of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, franchises wereare aggregated into essentially inseparable asset groups to conduct the valuations. The asset groups generally representedrepresent geographic clustersclustering of the Company’s cable systems into groups by which management then believed representedsuch systems are managed. Management believes such grouping represents the highest and best use of those assets.

The Company’s valuations, which are based on the present value of projected after tax cash flows, result in a value of property, plant and equipment, franchises, customer relationships and its total entity value. The value of goodwill is the difference between the total entity value and amounts assigned to the other assets.

Franchises, for valuation purposes, are defined as the future economic benefits of the right to solicit and service potential customers (customer marketing rights), and the right to deploy and market new services such as interactivity and telephony to the potential customers (service marketing rights). Fair value wasis determined based on estimated discounted future cash flows using assumptions that are consistent with internal forecasts. As a result,The franchise after-tax cash flow is calculated as the after-tax cash flow generated by the potential customers obtained and the new services added to those customers in future periods. The sum of the present value of the franchises’ after-tax cash flow in years 1 through 10 and the continuing value of the after-tax cash flow beyond year 10 yields the fair value of the franchise. Prior to the adoption of EITF Topic D-108,Use of the Residual Method to Value Acquired Assets Other than Goodwill, discussed below, the Company determined that franchises were impaired and recordedfollowed a residual method of valuing its franchise assets, which had the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle of $540 million (approximately $572 million before tax effects of $32 million). As required by SFAS No. 142,including goodwill with the standard has not been retroactively applied to the results for the period prior to adoption.franchise assets.

The Company performed its annual impairment assessment as of October 1, 2002 using an independent third-party appraiser and followingfollows the guidance of EITF Issue 02-17,Recognition of Customer Relationship Intangible Assets Acquired in a Business Combination,in valuing customer relationships. Customer relationships, for valuation purposes, represent the value of the business relationship with existing customers and are calculated by projecting future after-tax cash flows from these customers including the right to deploy and market additional services such as interactivity and telephony to these customers. The present value of these after-tax cash flows yield the fair value of the customer relationships. Substantially all acquisitions occurred prior to January 1, 2002. The Company did not record any value associated with the customer relationship intangibles related to those acquisitions. For acquisitions subsequent to January 1, 2002 the Company did assign a value to the customer relationship intangible, which is amortized over its estimated useful life.

In September 2004, EITF Topic D-108 was issued in October 2002 andwhich requires the considerationdirect method of assumptionsseparately valuing all intangible assets and does not permit goodwill to be included in franchise assets. The Company performed an impairment assessment as of September 30, 2004, and adopted EITF Topic D-108 in that marketplace participants would consider, such as expectationsassessment resulting in a total franchise impairment of future contract renewalsapproximately $3.3 billion. The Company recorded a cumulative effect of accounting change of $840 million (approximately $875 million before tax effects of $16 million and other benefits relatedminority interest effects of $19 million) for the year ended December 31, 2004 representing the portion of the Company’s total franchise impairment attributable to no longer including goodwill with franchise assets. The effect of the adoption was to increase net loss by $840 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. The remaining $2.4 billion of the total franchise impairment was attributable to the intangible asset. Reviseduse of lower projected growth rates and the resulting revised estimates of future cash flows and the use of a lower projected long-term growth rate in the Company’s valuation, and was recorded as impairment of franchises in the Company’s accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2004. Sustained analog video

F-15


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

customer losses by the Company in the third quarter of 2004 primarily as a result of increased competition from direct broadcast satellite providers and decreased growth rates in the Company’s high-speed data customers in the third quarter of 2004, in part, as a result of increased competition from digital subscriber line service providers led to recognitionthe lower projected growth rates and the revised estimates of a $4.6 billion impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2002.

The independent third-party appraiser’s valuations as of January 1, 2002,future cash flows from those used at October 1, 2002 and October 1, 2003 yielded total enterprise values of approximately $30 billion, $25 billion and $25 billion, respectively, which included approximately $2.4 billion, $3.1 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively, assigned to customer relationships. SFAS No. 142 does not permit the recognition of intangible assets not previously recognized. Accordingly, the impairment included approximately $572 million and $3.1 billion, before tax effects, attributable to customer relationships as of January 1, 2002 and October 1, 2002, respectively. 2003.

The valuation completed at October 1, 2003 showed franchise values in excess of book value and thus resulted in no impairment. Additionally,The Company’s annual impairment assessment as of October 1, 2002, based on revised estimates from January 1, 2002 of future cash flows and projected long-term growth rates in the Company’s valuation, led to the recognition of a $4.6 billion impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2002.

As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, indefinite-lived and finite-lived intangible assets are presented in the following table:

                         
  December 31, 
  2004  2003 
  Gross      Net  Gross      Net 
  Carrying  Accumulated  Carrying  Carrying  Accumulated  Carrying 
  Amount  Amortization  Amount  Amount  Amortization  Amount 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:                        
Franchises with indefinite lives $9,845  $  $9,845  $13,606  $  $13,606 
Goodwill  52      52   52      52 
                   
                         
  $9,897  $  $9,897  $13,658  $  $13,658 
                   
Finite-lived intangible assets:                        
Franchises with finite lives $37  $4  $33  $107  $33  $74 
                   

For the year ended December 31, 2004, the net carrying amount of indefinite-lived intangible assets was reduced by $490 million as a result of the sale of cable systems, primarily the Port Orchard, Washington cable system on October 1, 2003, net carrying valuesale to Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC, discussed in Note 2. Additionally, in the first and fourth quarters of 2004, approximately $29 million and $8 million, respectively, of franchises that were reduced by $42 million.

In determining whether its franchises have an indefinite life,previously classified as finite-lived were reclassified to indefinite-lived, based on the Company considered the exclusivityCompany’s renewal of thethese franchise its expected costs of franchise renewals, and the technological state of the associated cable systems with a view to whether or not the Company isassets in compliance with any technology upgrading requirements. Certain

F-15


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

franchises did not qualify for indefinite-life treatment due to technological or operational factors that limit their lives. These franchise costs will be amortized on a straight-line basis over 10 years.

The effect of the adoption of SFAS No. 142 as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 is presented in the following table:

                         
  December 31,
  2003
 2002
  Gross     Net Gross     Net
  Carrying Accumulated Carrying Carrying Accumulated Carrying
  Amount
 Amortization
 Amount
 Amount
 Amortization
 Amount
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:                        
Franchises with indefinite lives $17,018  $3,412  $13,606  $17,076  $3,428  $13,648 
Goodwill  52      52   54      54 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
  $17,070  $3,412  $13,658  $17,130  $3,428  $13,702 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Finite-lived intangible assets:                        
Franchises with finite lives $107  $33  $74  $103  $24  $79 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

2004. Franchise amortization expense for each of the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 was $4 million, $9 million and $9 million, respectively, which represents the amortization relating to franchises that did not qualify for indefinite-life treatment under SFAS No. 142, including costs associated with franchise renewals. The Company expects that amortization expense on franchise assets will decrease tobe approximately $4$3 million annually based on its ability in 2003 to renew franchise agreementsfor each of the Company previously classified as having finite lives without substantial costs.next five years. Actual amortization expense to be reported in future periods could differ from these estimates as a result of new intangible asset acquisitions or divestitures, changes in useful lives and other relevant factors. Franchise amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2001 was $1.5 billion.

As required by SFAS No. 142, the standard has not been retroactively applied to the results for the period prior to adoption. A reconciliation of net loss for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, as if SFAS No. 142 had been adopted as of January 1, 2001, is presented below:

             
  Year Ended December 31,
  2003
 2002
 2001
NET LOSS:            
Reported net loss $(770) $(6,199) $(2,573)
Add back: amortization of indefinite-lived franchises        1,453 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Adjusted net loss $(770) $(6,199) $(1,120)
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

F-16


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 2002 AND 20012002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

8. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following as of December 31, 20032004 and 2002:2003:

         
  2003
 2002
Accounts payable $150  $182 
Capital expenditures  93   134 
Accrued interest  270   234 
Programming costs  268   282 
Franchise related fees  70   70 
State sales tax  61   67 
Other accrued expenses  216   281 
   
 
   
 
 
  $1,128  $1,250 
   
 
   
 
 
         
  2004  2003 
Accounts payable – trade $140  $150 
Accrued capital expenditures  60   93 
Accrued expenses:        
Interest  310   270 
Programming costs  278   319 
Franchise related fees  67   70 
State sales tax  47   61 
Other  210   216 
       
         
  $1,112  $1,179 
       

9. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following as of December 31, 20032004 and 2002:2003:

                            
 2003
 2002
 2004 2003 
 Face Accreted Face Accreted Face Accreted Face Accreted 
 Value
 Value
 Value
 Value
 Value Value Value Value 
Long-Term Debt
  
Charter Holdings:  
March 1999 
8.250% senior notes due 2007 451 450 600 599  $451 $451 $451 $450 
8.625% senior notes due 2009 1,244 1,242 1,500 1,497  1,244 1,243 1,244 1,242 
9.920% senior discount notes due 2011 1,108 1,082 1,475 1,307  1,108 1,108 1,108 1,082 
January 2000 
10.000% senior notes due 2009 640 640 675 675  640 640 640 640 
10.250% senior notes due 2010 318 318 325 325  318 318 318 318 
11.750% senior discount notes due 2010 450 400 532 421  450 448 450 400 
January 2001 
10.750% senior notes due 2009 874 873 900 900  874 874 874 873 
11.125% senior notes due 2011 500 500 500 500  500 500 500 500 
13.500% senior discount notes due 2011 675 517 675 454  675 589 675 517 
May 2001 
9.625% senior notes due 2009 (includes January 2002 additional bond issue) 640 638 700 698 
10.000% senior notes due 2011 (includes January 2002 additional bond issue) 710 708 875 873 
9.625% senior notes due 2009 640 638 640 638 
10.000% senior notes due 2011 710 708 710 708 
11.750% senior discount notes due 2011 939 717 1,018 693  939 803 939 717 
January 2002 
12.125% senior discount notes due 2012 330 231 450 280  330 259 330 231 
CCH II: 
CCH II, LLC: 
10.250% senior notes due 2010 1,601 1,601    1,601 1,601 1,601 1,601 
CCO Holdings: 
8-3/4% senior notes due 2013 500 500   
Renaissance: 
10.00% senior discount notes due 2008 114 116 114 113 
CC V Holdings: 
CCO Holdings, LLC: 
8 3/4% senior notes due 2013 500 500 500 500 
Senior floating rate notes due 2010 550 550   
Charter Operating: 
8% senior second-lien notes due 2012 1,100 1,100   
8 3/8% senior second-lien notes due 2014 400 400   
Renaissance Media Group LLC: 
10.000% senior discount notes due 2008 114 116 114 116 
CC V Holdings, LLC: 
11.875% senior discount notes due 2008 113 113 180 163  113 113 113 113 

F-17


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 2002 AND 20012002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

                            
 2003
 2002
 2004 2003 
 Face Accreted Face Accreted Face Accreted Face Accreted 
 Value
 Value
 Value
 Value
 Value Value Value Value 
Other long-term debt   1 1 
Credit Facilities
  
Charter Operating 4,459 4,459 4,542 4,542  5,515 5,515 4,459 4,459 
CC VI 868 868 926 926 
CC VI Operating   868 868 
Falcon Cable 856 856 1,155 1,155    856 856 
CC VIII Operating 1,044 1,044 1,166 1,166    1,044 1,044 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
          
 $18,434 $17,873 $18,309 $17,288                 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  $18,772 $18,474 $18,434 $17,873 
         

The accreted values presented above representrepresents the face value of the notes less the original issue discount at the time of sale plus the accretion to the balance sheet date.

In April 2004, the Company’s indirect subsidiaries, Charter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., sold $1.5 billion of senior second-lien notes in a private transaction. Additionally, Charter Operating amended and restated its $5.1 billion credit facilities, among other things, to defer maturities and increase availability under those facilities to approximately $6.5 billion, consisting of a $1.5 billion six-year revolving credit facility, a $2.0 billion six-year term loan facility and a $3.0 billion seven-year term loan facility. Charter Operating used the additional borrowings under the amended and restated credit facilities, together with proceeds from the sale of the Charter Operating senior second-lien notes to refinance the credit facilities of its subsidiaries, CC VI Operating Company, LLC (“CC VI Operating”), Falcon Cable Communications, LLC (“Falcon Cable”), and CC VIII Operating, LLC (“CC VIII Operating”), all in concurrent transactions. In addition, Charter Operating was substituted as the lender in place of the banks under those subsidiaries’ credit facilities. These transactions resulted in losses on extinguishment of debt of $21 million.

In September 2003, Charter, Charter Holdings and their indirect subsidiary, CCH II LLC (“CCH II”) purchased, in a non-monetary transaction, a total of approximately $609 million principal amount of Charter’s outstanding convertible senior notes and approximately $1.3 billion principal amount of the senior notes and senior discount notes issued by Charter Holdings from institutional investors in a small number of privately negotiated transactions. As consideration for these securities, CCH II issued approximately $1.6 billion principal amount of 10.25% notes due 2010, achievingand realized approximately $294 million of debt discount. CCH II also issued an additional $30 million principal amount of 10.25% notes for an equivalent amount of cash and used the proceeds for transaction costs and for general corporate purposes. This transaction resulted in the Company recording a gain on extinguishment of debt of $187 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. See discussion of the CCH II notes below for more details.

March 1999 Charter Holdings Notes.The March 1999 Charter Holdings notes were issued under three separate indentures, each dated asare general unsecured obligations of March 17, 1999, among Charter Holdings and Charter Communications Capital Corporation (“Charter Capital”), as the issuers, and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee. Charter Holdings and Charter Capital exchanged these notes for new March 1999 Charter Holdings notes with substantially similar terms, except that the new March 1999 Charter Holdings notes are registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, do not bear legends restricting their transfer and are not subject to further registration or special interest obligations.

The March 1999 Charter Holdings notes are general unsecured obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital.. The March 1999 8.250% Charter Holdings notes mature on April 1, 2007, and as of December 31, 2003,2004, there was $451 million in total principal amount outstanding. The March 1999 8.625% Charter Holdings notes mature on April 1, 2009 and as of December 31, 2003,2004, there was $1.2 billion in total principal amount outstanding. The March 1999 9.920% Charter Holdings notes mature on April 1, 2011 and as of December 31, 2003,2004, the total principal amount outstanding and accreted value was $1.1 billion. Cash interest on the March 1999 9.920% Charter Holdings notes will notbegan to accrue prior toon April 1, 2004.

The March 1999 Charter Holdings notes are senior debtsdebt obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. They rank equally with all other current and future unsubordinated obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, including the January 2000, January 2001, May 2001 and January 2002 Charter Holdings notes.Capital. They are structurally subordinated to the obligations of Charter Holdings’ subsidiaries, including the CCH II notes, the CCO Holdings LLC (“CCO Holdings”) notes, the Renaissance notes, the CC V Holdings notes, the Charter Operating credit facilities and the credit facilities.Charter Operating notes.

Charter Holdings and Charter Capital will not have the right to redeem the March 1999 8.250% Charter Holdings notes prior to their maturity date on April 1, 2007. On or after April 1, 2004, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital may redeem some or all of the March 1999 8.625% Charter Holdings notes and the March 1999 9.920% Charter Holdings notes at any time, in each case, at a premium. The optional redemption price declines to 100% of the principal amount of March 1999 Charter Holdings notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, for redemption on or after April 1, 2007.

F-18


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

In the event that a specified change of control event occurs, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital must offer to repurchase any then outstanding March 1999 Charter Holdings notes at 101% of their principal amount or accreted value, as applicable, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

F-18


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

The indentures governing the March 1999 Charter Holdings senior notes contain restrictive covenants that limit certain transactions or activities by Charter Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries. All but twoSubstantially all of Charter Holdings’ direct and indirect subsidiaries are currently restricted subsidiaries.

January 2000 Charter Holdings Notes.The January 2000 Charter Holdings notes were issued under three separate indentures, each dated as of January 12, 2000, among Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, as the issuers, and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee. In June 2000, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital exchanged these notes for new January 2000 Charter Holdings notes, with substantially similar terms, except that the new January 2000 Charter Holdings notes are registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, do not bear legends restricting their transfer and are not subject to further registration or special interest obligations.

The January 2000 Charter Holdings notes are general unsecured obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. The January 2000 10.00% Charter Holdings notes mature on April 1, 2009, and as of December 31, 2003,2004, there was $640 million in total principal amount of these notes outstanding. The January 2000 10.25% Charter Holdings notes mature on January 15, 2010 and as of December 31, 2003,2004, there was $318 million in total principal amount of these notes outstanding. The January 2000 11.75% Charter Holdings notes mature on January 15, 2010 and as of December 31, 2003,2004, the total principal amount outstanding was $450 million and the total accreted value of these notes was approximately $400$448 million. Cash interest on the January 2000 11.75% Charter Holdings notes will notbegan to accrue prior toon January 15, 2005.

The January 2000 Charter Holdings notes are senior debtsdebt obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. They rank equally with all other current and future unsubordinated obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, including the March 1999, January 2001, May 2001 and January 2002 Charter Holdings notes.Capital. They are structurally subordinated to the obligations of Charter Holdings’ subsidiaries, including the CCH II notes, the CCO Holdings notes, the Renaissance notes, the CC V Holdings notes, the Charter Operating credit facilities and the credit facilities.Charter Operating notes.

Charter Holdings and Charter Capital will not have the right to redeem the January 2000 10.00% Charter Holdings notes prior to their maturity date on April 1, 2009. On or after January 15, 2005, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital may redeem some or all of the January 2000 10.25% Charter Holdings notes and the January 2000 11.75% Charter Holdings notes at any time, in each case, at a premium. The optional redemption price declines to 100% of the principal amount of the January 2000 Charter Holdings notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, for redemption on or after January 15, 2008.

In the event that a specified change of control event occurs, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital must offer to repurchase any then outstanding January 2000 Charter Holdings notes at 101% of their total principal amount or accreted value, as applicable, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

The indentures governing the January 2000 Charter Holdings notes contain substantially identical events of default, affirmative covenants and negative covenants as those contained in the indentures governing the March 1999 Charter Holdings notes.

January 2001 Charter Holdings Notes.The January 2001 Charter Holdings notes were issued under three separate indentures, each dated as of January 10, 2001, each among Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, as the issuers, and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee. In March 2001, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital exchanged these notes for new January 2001 Charter Holdings notes, with substantially similar terms, except that the new January 2001 Charter Holdings notes are registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, do not bear legends restricting their transfer, and are not subject to further registration or special interest obligations.

The January 2001 Charter Holdings notes are general unsecured obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. The January 2001 10.750% Charter Holdings notes mature on October 1, 2009, and as of December 31, 2003,2004, there was $874 million in total principal amount of these notes outstanding. The January 2001 11.125% Charter Holdings notes mature on January 15, 2011 and as of December 31, 2003,2004, there was $500 million in total principal amount outstanding. The January 2001 13.500% Charter Holdings notes mature on January 15, 2011 with a total principal amount at maturity of $675 million. As of December 31, 2003,2004, the total accreted value of these

F-19


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

13.500% notes was approximately $517$589 million. Cash interest on the January 2001 13.500% Charter Holdings notes will not accrue prior to January 15, 2006.

The January 2001 Charter Holdings notes are senior debtsdebt obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. They rank equally with all other current and future unsubordinated obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, including the March 1999, January 2000, May 2001 and January 2002 Charter Holdings notes.Capital. They are structurally subordinated to the obligations of Charter Holdings’ subsidiaries, including the CCH II notes, the CCO Holdings notes, the Renaissance notes, the CC V Holdings notes, the Charter Operating credit facilities and the credit facilities.Charter Operating notes.

F-19


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

Charter Holdings and Charter Capital will not have the right to redeem the January 2001 10.750% Charter Holdings notes prior to their maturity date on October 1, 2009. On or after January 15, 2006, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital may redeem some or all of the January 2001 11.125% Charter Holdings notes and the January 2001 13.500% Charter Holdings notes at any time, in each case, at a premium. The optional redemption price declines to 100% of the principal amount of the January 2001 Charter Holdings notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, for redemption on or after January 15, 2009.

In the event that a specified change of control event occurs, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital must offer to repurchase any then outstanding January 2001 Charter Holdings notes at 101% of their total principal amount or accreted value, as applicable, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

The indentures governing the January 2001 Charter Holdings notes contain substantially identical events of default, affirmative covenants and negative covenants as those contained in the indentures governing the March 1999 and January 2000 Charter Holdings notes.

May 2001 Charter Holdings Notes.The May 2001 Charter Holdings notes were issued under three separate indentures, each among Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, as the issuers, and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee. In September 2001, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital exchanged substantially all of these notes for new May 2001 Charter Holdings notes, with substantially similar terms, except that the new May 2001 Charter Holdings notes are registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, do not bear legends restricting their transfer, and are not subject to further registration or special interest obligations.

The May 2001 Charter Holdings notes are general unsecured obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. The May 2001 9.625% Charter Holdings notes mature on November 15, 2009, and as of December 31, 2003,2004, combined with the January 2002 additional bond issue, discussed below, there was $640 million in total principal amount outstanding. The May 2001 10.000% Charter Holdings notes mature on May 15, 2011 and as of December 31, 2003,2004, combined with the January 2002 additional bond issue, discussed below, there was $710 million in total principal amount outstanding. The May 2001 11.750% Charter Holdings notes issued in the total principal amount at maturity of $1.0 billion mature on May 15, 2011 and as of December 31, 2003,2004, the total principal amount outstanding was $939 million and the total accreted value of the 11.750% notes was approximately $717$803 million. Cash interest on the May 2001 11.750% Charter Holdings notes will not accrue prior to May 15, 2006.

The May 2001 Charter Holdings notes are senior debtsdebt obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. They rank equally with all other current and future unsubordinated obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, including the March 1999, January 2000, January 2001 and January 2002 Charter Holdings notes.Capital. They are structurally subordinated to the obligations of Charter Holdings’ subsidiaries, including the CCH II notes, the CCO Holdings notes, the Renaissance notes, the CC V Holdings notes, the Charter Operating credit facilities and the credit facilities.Charter Operating notes.

Charter Holdings and Charter Capital will not have the right to redeem the May 2001 9.625% Charter Holdings notes prior to their maturity date on November 15, 2009. Before May 15, 2004, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital may redeem up to 35% of the May 2001 10.000% Charter Holdings notes and the May 2001 11.750% Charter Holdings notes, in each case, at a premium with proceeds of certain offerings of equity securities. In addition, onOn or after May 15, 2006, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital may redeem some or all of the May 2001 10.000% Charter Holdings notes and the May 2001 11.750% Charter Holdings notes at any time, in each case, at a

F-20


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

premium. The optional redemption price declines to 100% of the principal amount of the May 2001 Charter Holdings notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, for redemption on or after May 15, 2009.

In the event that a specified change of control event occurs, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital must offer to repurchase any then outstanding May 2001 Charter Holdings notes at 101% of their total principal amount or accreted value, as applicable, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

The indentures governing the May 2001 Charter Holdings notes contain substantially identical events of default, affirmative covenants and negative covenants as those contained in the indentures governing the March 1999, January 2000 and January 2001 Charter Holdings notes.

January 2002 Charter Holdings Notes.The January 2002 Charter Holdings notes were issued under three separate indentures, each among Charter Holdings and Charter Capital, as the issuers, and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee, two of which were supplements to the indentures for the May 2001 Charter Holdings notes. In July 2002, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital exchanged substantially all of these notes for new January 2002 Charter Holdings notes, with substantially similar terms, except that the new January 2002 notes are registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, do not bear legends restricting their transfer and are not subject to further registration or special interest obligations.

The January 2002 Charter Holdings notes are general unsecured obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. The January 2002 Charter Holdings notes consistedconsist of $350 million in total principal amount of 9.625% senior notes due 2009, $300 million in total principal amount of 10.000% senior notes due 2011 (both combined with their respective May 2001 issue in the tabular presentation above) and $330 million in total principal amount at maturity of 12.125% senior discount notes due 2012.

The January 2002 12.125% senior discount notes mature on January 15, 2012, and as of December 31, 2003,2004, the total principal amount outstanding was $330 million and the total accreted value of these notes was approximately $231$259 million. Cash interest on the January 2002 12.125% Charter Holdings notes will not accrue prior to January 15, 2007.

F-20


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

The January 2002 Charter Holdings notes are senior debtsdebt obligations of Charter Holdings and Charter Capital. They rank equally with the current and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt of Charter Holdings, including the March 1999, January 2000, January 2001 and May 2001 Charter Holdings notes.Holdings. They are structurally subordinated to the obligations of Charter Holdings’ subsidiaries, including the CCH II notes, the CCO Holdings notes, the Renaissance notes, the CC V Holdings notes, the Charter Operating credit facilities and the credit facilities.Charter Operating notes.

The Charter Holdings 12.125% senior discount notes are redeemable at the option of the issuers at amounts decreasing from 106.063% to 100% of accreted value beginning January 15, 2007. At any time prior to January 15, 2005, the issuers may redeem up to 35% of the total principal amount of the 12.125% senior discount notes at a redemption price of 112.125% of the accreted value under certain conditions.

In the event that a specified change of control event occurs, Charter Holdings and Charter Capital must offer to repurchase any then outstanding January 2002 Charter Holdings notes at 101% of their total principal amount or accreted value, as applicable, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

The indentures governing the January 2002 Charter Holdings notes contain substantially identical events of default, affirmative covenants and negative covenants as those contained in the indentures governing the March 1999, January 2000, January 2001 and May 2001 Charter Holdings notes.

CCH II Notes.In September 2003, CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp. jointly issued $1.6 billion total principal amount of 10.25% senior notes due 2010. The CCH II notes are general unsecured obligations of CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp. They rank equally with all other current or future unsubordinated obligations of CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp. The CCH II notes are structurally subordinated to all obligations of subsidiaries of CCH II, including the CCO Holdings notes, the Renaissance notes, the CC V Holdings notes, the Charter Operating credit facilities and the credit facilities.

F-21


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)
Charter Operating notes.

Interest on the CCH II notes accrues at 10.25% per annum from September 23, 2003 or, if interest already has been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interestand is payable semi-annually in arrears on each March 15 and September 15, commencing on March 15, 2004.

At any time prior to September 15, 2006, the issuers of the CCH II notes may redeem up to 35% of the total principal amount of the CCH II notes on a pro rata basis at a redemption price equal to 110.25% of the principal amount of CCH II notes redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.

On or after September 15, 2008, the issuers of the CCH II notes may redeem all or a part of the notes at a redemption price that declines ratably from the initial redemption price of 105.125% to a redemption price on or after September 15, 2009 of 100.0% of the principal amount of the CCH II notes redeemed, plus, in each case, any accrued and unpaid interest.

In the event of specified change of control events, CCH II must offer to purchase the outstanding CCH II notes from the holders at a purchase price equal to 101% of the total principal amount of the notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.

The indenture governing the CCH II notes contains restrictive covenants that limit certain transactions or activities by CCH II and its restricted subsidiaries. Substantially all of CCH II’s direct and indirect subsidiaries are currently restricted subsidiaries.

CCO Holdings Notes.

8 3/4% Senior Notes due 2013

In November 2003, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. jointly issued $500 million total principal amount of 8-3/8 3/4% senior notes due 2013. The CCO Holdings notes are general unsecured obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. They rank equally with all other current or future unsubordinated obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. The CCO Holdings notes are structurally

F-21


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

subordinated to all obligations of itsCCO Holdings’ subsidiaries, including the Renaissance notes, the CC V Holdings notes, the Charter Operating credit facilities.facilities and the Charter Operating notes.

Interest on the CCO Holdings senior notes accrues at 8-3/8 3/4% per year from November 10, 2003 or, if interest already has been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interestand is payable semi-annually in arrears on each May 15 and November 15, commencing on May 15, 2004.15.

At any time prior to November 15, 2006, the issuers of the CCO Holdings senior notes may redeem up to 35% of the total principal amount of the CCO Holdings senior notes to the extent of public equity proceeds they have received on a pro rata basis at a redemption price equal to 108.75% of the principal amount of CCO Holdings senior notes redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.

On or after November 15, 2008, the issuers of the CCO Holdings senior notes may redeem all or a part of the notes at a redemption price that declines ratably from the initial redemption price of 104.375% to a redemption price on or after November 15, 2011 of 100.0% of the principal amount of the CCO Holdings senior notes redeemed, plus, in each case, any accrued and unpaid interest.

In the event of specified change of control events, CCO Holdings must offer to purchase the outstanding CCO Holdings senior notes from the holders at a purchase price equal to 101% of the total principal amount of the notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.

Senior Floating Rate Notes Due 2010

In December 2004, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. jointly issued $550 million total principal amount of senior floating rate notes due 2010.

Interest on the CCO Holdings senior floating rate notes accrues at the LIBOR rate plus 4.125% annually, from December 15, 2004 or, if interest already has been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest is reset and payable quarterly in arrears on each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15, commencing on March 15, 2005.

At any time prior to December 15, 2006, the issuers of the senior floating rate notes may redeem up to 35% of the notes in an amount not to exceed the amount of proceeds of one or more public equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus a premium equal to the interest rate per annum applicable to the notes on the date notice of redemption is given, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, provided that at least 65% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes issued remains outstanding after the redemption.

The issuers of the senior floating rate notes may redeem the notes in whole or in part at the issuers’ option from December 15, 2006 until December 14, 2007 for 102% of the principal amount, from December 15, 2007 until December 14, 2008 for 101% of the principal amount and from and after December 15, 2008, at par, in each case, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The indentures governing the CCO Holdings senior notes contain restrictive covenants that limit certain transactions or activities by CCO Holdings and its restricted subsidiaries. Substantially all of CCO Holdings’ direct and indirect subsidiaries are currently restricted subsidiaries.

Charter Operating Notes.On April 27, 2004, Charter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. jointly issued $1.1 billion of 8% senior second-lien notes due 2012 and $400 million of 8 3/8% senior second-lien notes due 2014, for total gross proceeds of $1.5 billion. Interest on the Charter Operating notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on each April 30 and October 30, commencing on October 30, 2004.

The Charter Operating notes were sold in a private transaction that was not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. The Charter Operating notes are not expected to have the benefit of any exchange or other registration rights, except in specified limited circumstances. On the issue date of the Charter Operating notes, because

F-22


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

of restrictions contained in the Charter Holdings indentures, there were no Charter Operating note guarantees, even though Charter Operating’s immediate parent, CCO Holdings, and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries were obligors and/or guarantors under the Charter Operating credit facilities.

Upon the occurrence of the guarantee and pledge date (generally, the fifth business day after the Charter Holdings leverage ratio is certified to be below 8.75 to 1.0), CCO Holdings and those subsidiaries of Charter Operating that are then guarantors of, or otherwise obligors with respect to, indebtedness under the Charter Operating credit facilities and related obligations will be required to guarantee the Charter Operating notes. The note guarantee of each such guarantor will be:

•  a senior obligation of such guarantor;
•  structurally senior to the outstanding senior notes of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (except in the case of CCO Holdings’ note guarantee, which ranks equally with such senior notes), the outstanding senior notes of CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp., the outstanding senior notes and senior discount notes of Charter Holdings, the outstanding convertible senior notes of Charter and any future indebtedness of parent companies of CCO Holdings (but subject to provisions in the Charter Operating indenture that permit interest and, subject to meeting the 4.25 to 1.0 leverage ratio test, principal payments to be made thereon); and
•  senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor.

As a result of the above leverage ratio test being met, CCO Holdings and certain of its subsidiaries provided the additional guarantees described above during the first quarter of 2005.

All the subsidiaries of Charter Operating (except CCO NR Sub, LLC, and certain other subsidiaries that are not deemed material and are designated as nonrecourse subsidiaries under the Charter Operating credit facilities) are restricted subsidiaries of Charter Operating under the Charter Operating notes. Unrestricted subsidiaries generally will not be subject to the restrictive covenants in the Charter Operating indenture.

In the event of specified change of control events, Charter Operating must offer to purchase the Charter Operating notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the total principal amount of the Charter Operating notes repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

The indenture governing the Charter Operating senior notes contains restrictive covenants that limit certain transactions or activities by Charter Operating and its restricted subsidiaries. Substantially all of Charter Operating’s direct and indirect subsidiaries are currently restricted subsidiaries.

Renaissance Notes.In connection with the acquisition of Renaissance in April 1999, the Company assumed $163 million principal amount at maturity of 10.000% senior discount notes due 2008 of which $49 million was repurchased in May 1999. The Renaissance notes did not require the payment of interest until April 15, 2003. From and after April 15, 2003, the Renaissance notes bear interest, payable semi-annually, in cash, on April 15 and October 15, commencing on October 15, 2003. The Renaissance notes are due on April 15, 2008.

CC V Holdings Notes.Charter Holdco acquired CC V Holdings in November 1999 and assumed CC V Holdings’ outstanding 11.875% senior discount notes due 2008 with an accreted value of $113 million as of December 31, 2003. Commencing December 1, 2003, cash interest on the CC V Holdings 11.875% notes will be payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year.

F-22


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)
In February 2005, these notes were called with an anticipated redemption date of March 14, 2005.

High-Yield Restrictive Covenants; Limitation on Indebtedness.The indentures governing the notes of the Company’s subsidiaries contain certain covenants that restrict the ability of Charter Holdings, Charter Capital, CCH II, CCH II Capital Corp., CCO Holdings, CCO Holdings Capital Corp., Charter Operating, Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., the CCVCC V Holdings notes issuers, Renaissance Media Group, and all of their restricted subsidiaries to:

F-23


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

  incur additional debt;
 
  pay dividends on equity or repurchase equity;
 
grant liens;
  make investments;
 
  sell all or substantially all of their assets or merge with or into other companies;
 
  sell assets;
 
  enter into sale-leasebacks;
 
  in the case of restricted subsidiaries, create or permit to exist dividend or payment restrictions with respect to the bond issuers, guarantee their parent companies debt, or issue specified equity interests; and
 
  engage in certain transactions with affiliates.affiliates; and
•  grant liens.

Charter Operating Credit Facilities.In April 2004, Charter Operating amended and restated its $5.1 billion credit facilities, among other things, to defer maturities and increase availability under those facilities to approximately $6.5 billion, consisting of a $1.5 billion revolving credit facility with a maturity date in 2010; a $2.0 billion Term A loan facility of which 12.5% matures in 2007, 30% matures in 2008, 37.5% matures in 2009 and 20% matures in 2010; and a $3.0 billion Term B loan facility which is repayable in 27 equal quarterly installments aggregating in each loan year to 1% of the original amount of the Term B facility, with the remaining balance due at final maturity in 2011. Charter Operating used the additional borrowings under the amended and restated credit facilities, together with proceeds from the sale of the Charter Operating senior second-lien notes to refinance the credit facilities of its subsidiaries, CC VI Operating, Falcon Cable, and CC VIII Operating,, all in concurrent transactions. In addition, Charter Operating was substituted as the lender in place of the banks under those subsidiaries’ credit facilities.

Amounts outstanding under the Charter Operating credit facilities bear interest, at Charter Operating’s election, at a base rate or the Eurodollar rate (2.07% to 2.28% as of December 31, 2004), as defined, plus a margin for Eurodollar loans of up to 3.00% for the Term A facility and revolving credit facility, and up to 3.25% for the Term B facility, and for base rate loans of up to 2.00% for the Term A facility and revolving credit facility, and up to 2.25% for the Term B facility. A quarterly commitment fee of up to .75% is payable on the average daily unborrowed balance of the revolving credit facilities.

The obligations under the Charter Operating credit facilities (the “Obligations”) are guaranteed by Charter Operating’s immediate parent company, CCO Holdings, and the subsidiaries of Charter Operating, except for immaterial subsidiaries and subsidiaries precluded from guaranteeing by reason of the provisions of other indebtedness to which they are subject (the “non-guarantor subsidiaries”, primarily Renaissance and CC V Holdings and their subsidiaries). The Obligations are also secured by (i) a lien on all of the assets of Charter Operating and its subsidiaries (other than assets of the non-guarantor subsidiaries), to the extent such lien can be perfected under the Uniform Commercial Code by the filing of a financing statement, and (ii) by a pledge by CCO Holdings of the equity interests owned by it in Charter Operating or any of Charter Operating’s subsidiaries, as well as intercompany obligations owing to it by any of such entities. Upon the Charter Holdings Leverage Ratio (as defined in the indenture governing the Charter Holdings senior notes and senior discount notes) being under 8.75 to 1.0, the Charter Operating credit facilities require that the 11.875% notes due 2008 issued by CC V Holdings, LLC be redeemed. Because such Leverage Ratio was determined to be under 8.75 to 1.0, in February 2005, CC V Holdings has called for redemption of such notes with an anticipated redemption date of March 14, 2005. Following such redemption and provided the Leverage Ratio of Charter Holdings remains under 8.75 to 1.0, CC V Holdings and its subsidiaries (other than non-guarantor subsidiaries) will guarantee the Obligations and grant a lien on all of their assets as to which a lien can be perfected under the Uniform Commercial Code by the filing of a financing statement.

The Charter Communications Operating LLC (“Charter Operating”) credit facilities were amended and restated previously as of June 19, 2003 to allow for the insertion of intermediate holding companies between Charter Holdings and Charter Operating. In exchange for the lenders’ consent to the organizational restructuring, Charter Operating’s pricing increased by 50 basis points across all levels in the pricing grid then in effect under the Charter Operating credit facilities.

Obligations under the Charter Operating credit facilities are guaranteed by Charter Holdings, CCO Holdings and by Charter Operating’s subsidiaries, other than the non-recourse subsidiaries, subsidiaries precluded from so guaranteeing by reason of the provisions of other indebtedness to which they are subject, and immaterial subsidiaries. The non-recourse subsidiaries include CCO NR Holdings,F-24


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC and subsidiaries contributed to CCO NR Holdings, LLC by Charter HoldingsAND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in the recent organizational restructuring that occurred in June and July of 2003, including the CC V/CC VIII Companies, the CC VI Companies and the CC VII Companies and their respective subsidiaries. The obligations under the Charter Operating credit facilities are secured by pledges of all equity interests in Charter Operating’s direct subsidiaries, all equity interests owned by its guarantor subsidiaries in their respective subsidiaries, and intercompany obligations owing to Charter Operating and/or its guarantor subsidiaries by their affiliates. The obligations are also secured by a pledge of CCO Holdings’ equity interests in all of its direct subsidiaries (including Charter Operating) as collateral under these credit facilities.millions, except where indicated)

The Charter Operating credit facilities provide for borrowings of up to $5.1 billion and provide for four term facilities: two Term A facilities with a total principal amount of $1.1 billion that matures in September 2007, each with different amortization schedules, one that began in June 2002 and one beginning in September 2005; and two Term B facilities with a total principal amount of $2.7 billion, of which $1.8 billion matures in March 2008 and $884 million matures in September 2008. The amortization of the principal amount of the Term B term loan facilities is substantially “back-ended,” with more than 90% of the principal balance due in the year of maturity. The Charter Operating credit facilities also provide for two revolving credit facilities, in a total amount of $1.3 billion, one which will reduce annually beginning in March 2004 and one which will reduce quarterly beginning in September 2005, with a maturity date in September 2007. Supplemental credit facilities in the amount of $100 million may be available from lenders within or outside the lending group that agree to provide it. Amounts under the Charter Operating credit facilities, bearas amended in 2003, bore interest at the Eurodollar rate or the base rate, each as defined, plus a margin of up to 3.0% for Eurodollar loans (3.15% to 3.92% as of December 31, 2003 and 3.13% to 4.58% as of December 31, 2002)2003) and 2.0% for base rate loans. A quarterly commitment fee of between 0.25% and 0.375% per annum iswas payable on the unborrowed balance of the revolving credit facilities.

As of December 31, 2003,2004, outstanding borrowings under the Charter Operating credit facilities were approximately $4.5$5.5 billion and the unused total potential availability was $681 million, although financial covenants limited the availability under these facilities to $213 million as of December 31, 2003.

F-23


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)
$804 million.

CC VI Operating Credit Facilities.The obligationsAs discussed above, in April 2004, Charter Operating was substituted as the lender in place of the banks for the CC VI Operating Credit Facilities.

Prior to April 2004, amounts under the CC VI Operating credit facilities are guaranteed by CC VI Operating’s parent, CC VI Holdings, LLC, and by the subsidiaries of CC VI Operating other than immaterial subsidiaries. The obligations under the CC VI Operating credit facilities are secured by pledges of all equity interests owned by CC VI Operating and its guarantor subsidiaries in other persons, and by intercompany obligations owing CC VI Operating and/or its guarantor subsidiaries by their affiliates, but are not secured by other assets of CC VI Operating or its subsidiaries. The obligations under the CC VI Operating credit facilities are also secured by pledges by CC VI Holdings of all equity interests it holds in other persons, and intercompany obligations owing to it by its affiliates, but are not secured by the other assets of CC VI Holdings.

The CC VI Operating credit facilities provide for two term facilities, one with a principal amount of $380 million that matures May 2008 (Term A), and the other with a principal amount of $372 million that matures November 2008 (Term B). The CC VI Operating credit facilities also provide for a $350 million reducing revolving credit facility with a maturity date in May 2008. Supplemental credit facilities in the amount of approximately $300 million may be available until December 31, 2004 from lenders within or outside the lending group that agree to provide it. Amounts under the CC VI Operating credit facilities bearbore interest at the Eurodollar rate or the base rate, each as defined, plus a margin of up to 2.5% for Eurodollar loans (2.40% to 3.66% as of December 31, 2003 and 2.62% to 4.31% as of December 31, 2002)2003) and 1.5% for base rate loans. A quarterly commitment fee of 0.25% per year iswas payable on the unborrowed balance of the Term A facility and the revolving facility.

As of December 31, 2003, outstanding borrowings under the CC VI Operating credit facilities were $868 million and unused total potential availability was $234 million, although financial covenants limited the availability under these facilities to $119 million as of December 31, 2003.

Falcon Cable Credit Facilities.The obligations underAs discussed above, in April 2004, Charter Operating was substituted as the lender in place of the banks for the Falcon credit facilities are guaranteed by the direct parent of Falcon Cable Communications, Charter Communications VII, LLC, and by the subsidiaries of Falcon Cable Communications (except for certain excluded subsidiaries). The obligations under the Falcon credit facilities are secured by pledges of all of the equity interests in the guarantor subsidiaries of Falcon Cable Communications, but are not secured by other assets of Falcon Cable Communications or its subsidiaries. The obligations under the Falcon credit facilities are also secured by a pledge of the equity interests of Charter Communications VII in Falcon Cable Communications and intercompany obligations owingCredit Facilities.

Prior to Charter Communications VII by Falcon Cable Communications and its guarantor subsidiaries, but are not secured by the other assets of Charter Communications VII.

The Falcon credit facilities provide for two term facilities, one with a principal amount of $190 million that matures June 2007 (Term B), and the other with the principal amount of $285 million that matures December 2007 (Term C). The Falcon credit facilities also provide for a reducing revolving facility of up to approximately $60 million (maturing in December 2006), a reducing supplemental facility of up to approximately $105 million (maturing in December 2007) and a second reducing revolving facility of up to $670 million (maturing in June 2007). Supplemental credit facilities in the amount of up to $486 million may also be available from lenders within or outside the lending group that agree to provide it. AmountsApril 2004, amounts under the Falcon Cable credit facilities bearbore interest at the Eurodollar rate or the base rate, each as defined, plus a margin of up to 2.25% for Eurodollar loans (2.40% to 3.42% as of December 31, 2003 and 2.69% to 4.07% as of December 31, 2002)2003) and up to 1.25% for base rate loans. A quarterly commitment fee of between 0.25% and 0.375% per year iswas payable on the unborrowed balance of the revolving facilities.

As of December 31, 2003, outstanding borrowings were $856 million and unused total potential availability was $454 million, although financial covenants limited the availability under these facilities to $366 million as of December 31, 2003.

CC VIII Operating Credit Facilities.The obligations underAs discussed above, in April 2004, Charter Operating was substituted as the lender in place of the banks for the CC VIII Operating credit facilities are guaranteed by the parent company of CC VIII Operating, CC VIII Holdings, LLC, and by the subsidiaries of CC VIII Operating other than immaterial subsidiaries. The obligations under the CC VIII Operating credit facilities are secured by pledges of all equity interests owned by CC VIII Operating and its guarantor subsidiaries in other persons, and by intercompany obligations owingCredit Facilities.

Prior to CC VIII Operating and/or its guarantor subsidiaries by their affiliates, but are not

F-24


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

secured by other assets of CC VIII Operating or its subsidiaries. The obligations under the CC VIII Operating credit facilities are also secured by pledges of equity interests owned by CC VIII Holdings in other persons, and by intercompany obligations owing to CC VIII Holdings by its affiliates, but are not secured by the other assets of CC VIII Holdings.

The CC VIII Operating credit facilities provide for borrowings of up $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2003. The CC VIII Operating credit facilities provide for two term facilities, a Term A facility with a reduced current total principal amount of $375 million, that continues reducing quarterly until it reaches maturity in June 2007, and a Term B facility with a principal amount of $490 million, that continues reducing quarterly until it reaches maturity in February 2008. The amortization of the principal amount of the Term B term loan facilities is substantially “back-ended,” with more than 90% of the principal balance due in the year of maturity. The CC VIII Operating credit facilities also provide for two reducing revolving credit facilities, in the total amount of $542 million, which reduce quarterly beginning in June 2002 and September 2005, respectively, with maturity dates in June 2007. Supplemental facilities in the amount of approximately $300 million may be available from lenders within or outside the lending group that agree to provide it. AmountsApril 2004, amounts under the CC VIII Operating credit facilities bear interest at the Eurodollar rate or the base rate, each as defined, plus a margin of up to 2.50% for Eurodollar loans (2.15% to 3.66% as of December 31, 2003 and 2.89% to 4.54% as of December 31, 2002)2003) and up to 1.50% for base rate loans. A quarterly commitment fee of 0.25% iswas payable on the unborrowed balance of the revolving credit facilities.

As of December 31, 2003, outstanding borrowings were $1.0 billion, and unused total potential availability was $363 million although financial covenants limited the availability under these facilities to $130 million.

Charter Operating Credit FacilityFacilities Restrictive Covenants.Each of theThe Charter Operating credit facilities of the Company’s subsidiaries contain representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants similar to those described above with respect to the indentures governing the Company’s notes, and the notes of the Company’s subsidiaries, information requirements, events of default and financial covenants. The financial covenants, as defined, measure performance against standards set for leverage, debt service coverage, and operating cash flow coverage of cash interest expense on a quarterly basis or as applicable. Additionally, the credit facilities contain provisions requiring mandatory loan prepayments under specific circumstances, including when significant amounts of assets are sold and the proceeds are not promptly reinvested in assets useful in the business of the borrower within a specified period. The Charter Operating credit facilityfacilities also providesprovide that in the event that any indebtedness of CCO Holdings remains outstanding on the date, which is six months prior to the scheduled final maturity, the term loans under the Charter Operating credit facilityfacilities will mature and the revolving credit facilities will terminate on such date. The events of default under the Charter Operating credit facilities include, among other things:

•  the failure to make payments when due or within the applicable grace period,
•  the failure to comply with specified covenants, including but not limited to a covenant to deliver audited financial statements with an unqualified opinion from the Company’s independent auditors,
•  the failure to pay or the occurrence of events that cause or permit the acceleration of other indebtedness owing by CCO Holdings, Charter Operating or Charter Operating’s subsidiaries in amounts in excess of $50 million in aggregate principal amount,
•  the failure to pay or the occurrence of events that result in the acceleration of other indebtedness owing by certain of CCO Holdings’ direct and indirect parent companies in amounts in excess of $200 million in aggregate principal amount,

F-25


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

•  Paul Allen and/or certain of his family members and/or their exclusively owned entities (collectively, the “Paul Allen Group’’) ceasing to have the power, directly or indirectly, to vote at least 35% of the ordinary voting power of Charter Operating,
•  the consummation of any transaction resulting in any person or group (other than the Paul Allen Group) having power, directly or indirectly, to vote more than 35% of the ordinary voting power of Charter Operating, unless the Paul Allen Group holds a greater share of ordinary voting power of Charter Operating,
•  certain of Charter Operating’s indirect or direct parent companies having indebtedness in excess of $500 million aggregate principal amount which remains undefeased three months prior to the final maturity of such indebtedness, and
•  Charter Operating ceasing to be a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of CCO Holdings, except in certain very limited circumstances.

In the event of a default under the Company’s subsidiaries’ credit facilities or notes, the subsidiaries’ creditors could elect to declare all amounts borrowed, together with accrued and unpaid interest and other fees, to be due and payable. In such event, the subsidiaries’ credit facilities and indentures that were so accelerated or were otherwise in default willwould not permit the Company’s subsidiaries to distribute funds to Charter Holdco or the Company to pay interest or principal on the notes. A default under the covenants governing any of the Company’s debt instruments could result in the acceleration ofnotes or its payment obligations under that debt and, under certain circumstances, in cross-defaults under the Company’s other debt obligations, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.parent companies’ notes. In addition, the lenders under the Company’s credit facilities could foreclose on their collateral, which includes equity interests in the Company’s subsidiaries, and exercise other rights of secured creditors. In any such case, the Company might not be able to repay or make any payments on its notes or its parent companies’ notes. Additionally, such aan acceleration or payment default under Charter Operating’s credit facilities would cause a cross-default in the indentures governing the Charter Holdings notes, CCH II notes, CCO Holdings notes, Charter Operating notes and Charter’s convertible senior notes and would trigger the cross-default provision of the Charter Operating Credit Agreement. Any default under any of the subsidiaries’ credit facilities or notes might adversely affect the holders of the Company’s notes and the Company’s growth, financial condition and results of operations and could force the Company to examine all options, including seeking the protection of the bankruptcy laws.

Based upon outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2003,2004, the amortization of term loans, scheduled reductions in available borrowings of the revolving credit facilities, and the maturity dates for all senior and subordinated notes

F-25


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

and debentures, total future principal payments on the total borrowings under all debt agreements as of December 31, 2003,2004, are as follows:

        
Year
 Amount
 Amount 
2004 $188 
2005 426  $30 
2006 999  30 
2007 2,531  731 
2008 3,761  857 
2009 4,178 
Thereafter 10,529  12,946 
 
 
    
 $18,434     
 
 
  $18,772 
   

For the amounts of debt scheduled to mature during 2004,2005, it is management’s intent to fund the repayments from borrowings on the Company’s revolving credit facility. The accompanying consolidated balance sheet reflects this intent by presenting all debt balances as long-term while the table above reflects actual debt maturities as of the stated date.

10. Comprehensive Loss

Certain marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and reported at market value with unrealized gains and losses recorded as accumulated other comprehensive loss on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. TheAdditionally, the Company reports changes in the fair value of interest rate agreements designated as hedging instruments of the variability of cash flows associated with floating-rate debt obligations, that meet the effectiveness

F-26


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

criteria of SFAS No. 133,Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 and 2001 was $4.4 billion, $722 million $6.3 billion and $2.6$6.3 billion, respectively.

11. Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company uses interest rate risk management derivative instruments, such as interest rate swap agreements and interest rate collar agreements (collectively referred to herein as interest rate agreements) as required under the terms ofto manage its credit facilities.interest costs. The Company’s policy is to manage interest costs using a mix of fixed and variable rate debt. Using interest rate swap agreements, the Company agreeshas agreed to exchange, at specified intervals through 2007, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount. Interest rate collar agreements are used to limit the Company’s exposure to and benefits from interest rate fluctuations on variable rate debt to within a certain range of rates.

Effective January 1, 2001, the Company adopted SFAS No. 133. Interest rate agreements are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2003 and 2002 as either an asset or liability measured at fair value. In connection with the adoption of SFAS No. 133, the Company recorded a loss of $24 million as the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle.

The Company does not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading purposes. The Company does, however, have certain interest rate derivative instruments that have been designated as cash flow hedging instruments. Such instruments are those that effectively convert variable interest payments on certain debt instruments into fixed payments. For qualifying hedges, SFAS No. 133 allows derivative gains and losses to offset related results on hedged items in the consolidated statementsstatement of operations. The Company has formally documented, designated and assessed the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, net gain (loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities includes gains of $4 million and $8 million and losses of $14 million and $2 million, respectively, which represent cash flow hedge ineffectiveness on interest rate hedge agreements arising from differences between the critical terms of the agreements and the related hedged obligations. Changes in the fair value of interest rate agreements designated as hedging instruments of the variability of cash flows associated with floating-rate debt obligations that meet the effectiveness criteria SFAS No. 133 are reported in accumulated other

F-26


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

comprehensive loss. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, a gain of $42 million and $48 million and losses of $65 million and $39 million, respectively, related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The amounts are subsequently reclassified into interest expense as a yield adjustment in the same period in which the related interest on the floating-rate debt obligations affects earnings (losses).

Certain interest rate derivative instruments are not designated as hedges as they do not meet the effectiveness criteria specified by SFAS No. 133. However, management believes such instruments are closely correlated with the respective debt, thus managing associated risk. Interest rate derivative instruments not designated as hedges are marked to fair value, with the impact recorded as gain (loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities in the Company’s statementsconsolidated statement of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, net gain (loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities includes gains of $65 million, $57 million and losses of $101 million and $48 million, respectively, for interest rate derivative instruments not designated as hedges.

As of December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, the Company had outstanding $2.7 billion, $3.0 billion and $3.4 billion and $3.3 billion and $520$20 million, $520 million and $520 million, respectively, in notional amounts of interest rate swaps and collars, respectively. The notional amounts of interest rate instruments do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties and, thus, are not a measure of exposure to credit loss. The amounts exchanged are determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the contracts.

12. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company has estimated the fair value of its financial instruments as of December 31, 20032004 and 20022003 using available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment, however, is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company would realize in a current market exchange.

F-27


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

The carrying amounts of cash, receivables, payables and other current assets and liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments. The Company is exposed to market price risk volatility with respect to investments in publicly traded and privately held entities.

The fair value of interest rate agreements represents the estimated amount the Company would receive or pay upon termination of the agreements. Management believes that the sellers of the interest rate agreements will be able to meet their obligations under the agreements. In addition, some of the interest rate agreements are with certain of the participating banks under the Company’s credit facilities, thereby reducing the exposure to credit loss. The Company has policies regarding the financial stability and credit standing of major counterparties. Nonperformance by the counterparties is not anticipated nor would it have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

The estimated fair value of the Company’s notes credit facilities and interest rate agreements at December 31, 20032004 and 20022003 are based on quoted market prices, and the fair value of the credit facilities is based on dealer quotations and discounted cash flow analysis using an incremental borrowing rate for similar types of borrowing arrangements, respectively.

F-27


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)
quotations.

A summary of the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s debt and related interest rate agreements at December 31, 20032004 and 20022003 is as follows:

                                
 2003
 2002
 2004 2003 
 Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Carrying Fair 
 Value
 Value
 Value
 Value
 Value Value Value Value 
Debt
  
Charter Holdings debt $8,316 $7,431 $9,222 $3,867  $8,579 $7,669 $8,316 $7,431 
CCH II debt 1,601 1,680    1,601 1,698 1,601 1,680 
CCO Holdings debt 500 510    1,050 1,064 500 510 
Charter Operating debt 1,500 1,563   
Credit facilities 7,227 6,949 7,789 6,367  5,515 5,502 7,227 6,949 
Other 229 238 277 212  229 236 229 238 
Interest Rate Agreements
  
Assets (Liabilities)        
Liabilities 
Swaps  (171)  (171)  (258)  (258) 69 69 171 171 
Collars  (8)  (8)  (34)  (34) 1 1 8 8 

The weighted average interest pay rate for the Company’s interest rate swap agreements was 7.25%8.07% and 7.40%7.25% at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and 2002, respectively. The Company’s interest rate collar agreements are structured so that if LIBOR falls below 5.3%, the Company pays 6.7%. If the LIBOR rate is between 5.3% and 8.0%, the Company pays LIBOR. The LIBOR rate is capped at 8.0%, if LIBOR is between 8.0% and 9.9%. If the LIBOR rate rises above 9.9%, the cap is removed.

13. Revenues

Revenues consist of the following for the years presented:

             
  Year Ended December 31,
  2003
 2002
 2001
Video $3,461  $3,420  $2,971 
High-speed data  556   337   148 
Advertising sales  263   302   197 
Commercial  204   161   123 
Other  335   346   368 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
  $4,819  $4,566  $3,807 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

14. Operating Expenses

Operating expenses consist of the following for the years presented:

             
  Year Ended December 31,
  2003
 2002
 2001
Programming $1,249  $1,166  $963 
Advertising sales  88   87   64 
Service  615   554   459 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
  $1,952  $1,807  $1,486 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
             
  Year Ended December 31, 
  2004  2003  2002 
Video $3,373  $3,461  $3,420 
High-speed data  741   556   337 
Advertising sales  289   263   302 
Commercial  238   204   161 
Other  336   335   346 
          
             
  $4,977  $4,819  $4,566 
          

F-28


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 2002 AND 20012002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

14. Operating Expenses

Operating expenses consist of the following for the years presented:

             
  Year Ended December 31, 
  2004  2003  2002 
Programming $1,319  $1,249  $1,166 
Advertising sales  98   88   87 
Service  663   615   554 
          
             
  $2,080  $1,952  $1,807 
          

15. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of the following for the years presented:

                        
 Year Ended December 31,
 Year Ended December 31, 
 2003
 2002
 2001
 2004 2003 2002 
General and administrative $833 $810 $689  $849 $833 $810 
Marketing 107 153 137  122 107 153 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 $940 $963 $826  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  $971 $940 $963 
       

Components of selling expense are included in general and administrative and marketing expense.

16. Stock Compensation Plans

StockCharter grants stock options, restricted stock and other incentive compensation are granted pursuant to the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan of Charter (the “2001 Plan”). Prior to 2001, options were granted under the 1999 Option Plan of Charter Holdco (the “1999 Plan”).

The 1999 Plan provided for the grant of options to purchase membership units in Charter Holdco to current and prospective employees and consultants of Charter Holdco and its affiliates and current and prospective non-employee directors of Charter. Options granted generally vest over five years from the grant date, with 25% vesting 15 months after the anniversary of the grant date and ratably thereafter. Options not exercised accumulate and are exercisable, in whole or in part, in any subsequent period, but not later than 10 years from the date of grant. Membership units received upon exercise of the options are automatically exchanged into Class A common stock of Charter on a one-for-one basis.

The 2001 Plan provides for the grant of non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, performance units and performance shares, share awards, phantom stock and/or shares of restricted stock (not to exceed 3,000,000), as each term is defined in the 2001 Plan. Employees, officers, consultants and directors of Charterthe Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates are eligible to receive grants under the 2001 Plan. Options granted generally vest over four years from the grant date, with 25% vesting on the anniversary of the grant date and ratably thereafter. Generally, options expire 10 years from the grant date.

The 2001 Plan allows for the issuance of up to a total of 90,000,000 shares of Charter Class A common stock (or units convertible into Charter Class A common stock). The total shares available reflect a July 2003 amendment to the 2001 Plan approved by the board of directors and the shareholders of Charter to increase available shares by 30,000,000 shares. In 2001, any shares covered by options that terminated under the 1999 Plan were transferred to the 2001 Plan, and no new options can be granted under the 1999 Plan.

During July and October 2003, in connection with new employment agreements and related option agreements entered into by Charter, certain executives and directors were awarded a total of 80,603 shares of restricted Charter Class A common stock. The shares vest monthly over a twelve-month period beginning on the date of grant. During September and October 2001, in connection with new employment agreements and related option agreements entered into by Charter, certain executives of Charter were awarded a total of 256,000 shares of restricted Charter Class A common stock, of which 140,063 shares had been cancelled as of December 31, 2003. The shares vested 25% upon grant, with the remaining shares vesting monthly over a three-year period beginning after the first anniversary of the date of grant. As of December 31, 2003, deferred compensation remaining to be recognized in future periods totaled $0.2 million.

F-29


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 2002 AND 20012002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

In the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, certain directors were awarded a total of 182,932 and 80,603 shares, respectively, of restricted Charter Class A common stock of which 25,705 shares had been cancelled as of December 31, 2004. The shares vest one year from the date of grant. In December 2003 and January 2004, in connection with new employment agreements, certain officers were awarded 50,000 and 50,000 shares, respectively, of restricted Charter Class A common stock of which 50,000 shares had been cancelled as of December 31, 2004. The shares vest annually over a four-year period beginning from the date of grant. As of December 31, 2004, deferred compensation remaining to be recognized in future period totaled $0.4 million.

A summary of the activity for the Company’s stock options, excluding granted shares of restricted Charter Class A common stock, for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, is as follows (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

                                          
 2003
 2002
 2001
 2004 2003 2002 
 Weighted Weighted Weighted Weighted Weighted Weighted 
 Average Average Average Average Average Average 
 Exercise Exercise Exercise Exercise Exercise Exercise 
 Shares
 Price
 Shares
 Price
 Shares
 Price
 Shares Price Shares Price Shares Price 
Options outstanding, beginning of period 53,632 $14.22 46,558    $17.10 28,482 $19.24  47,882 $12.48 53,632 $14.22 46,558 $17.10 
Granted 7,983 $3.53 13,122 $4.88 29,395 $16.01  9,405 4.88 7,983 3.53 13,122 4.88 
Exercised  (165) $3.96  $  (278) $19.23   (839) 2.02  (165) 3.96   
Cancelled  (13,568) $14.10  (6,048) $16.32  (11,041) $19.59   (31,613) 15.16  (13,568) 14.10  (6,048) 16.32 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
                        
Options outstanding, end of period 47,882 $12.48 53,632 $14.22 46,558 $17.10  24,835 $6.57 47,882 $12.48 53,632 $14.22 
             
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                         
Weighted average remaining contractual life 8 years 8 years 9 years  8 years 8 years 8 years 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
                        
Options exercisable, end of period 22,861 $16.36 17,844 $17.93 9,994 $18.51  7,731 $10.77 22,861 $16.36 17,844 $17.93 
             
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                         
Weighted average fair value of options granted $2.71 $2.89 $9.15  $3.71 $2.71 $2.89 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2003:2004:

                         
  Options Outstanding
 Options Exercisable
      Weighted-         Weighted-  
      Average Weighted-     Average Weighted-
      Remaining Average     Remaining Average
Range of Number Contractual Exercise Number Contractual Exercise
Exercise Prices
 Outstanding
 Life
 Price
 Exercisable
 Life
 Price
  (in thousands)         (in thousands)        
  $1.11 — $2.85  9,809  9 years $2.31   1,718  9 years $2.49 
  $3.91 — $9.13  6,309  9 years $5.52   319  8 years $9.13 
$11.99 — $19.47  20,243  7 years $14.65   12,191  7 years $15.34 
$20.00 — $23.09  11,521  6 years $21.19   8,633  6 years $20.83 
                         
  Options Outstanding  Options Exercisable 
      Weighted-          Weighted-    
      Average  Weighted-      Average  Weighted- 
      Remaining  Average      Remaining  Average 
Range of Number  Contractual  Exercise  Number  Contractual  Exercise 
Exercise Prices Outstanding  Life  Price  Exercisable  Life  Price 
  (in thousands)          (in thousands)         
$1.11 — $1.60  3,144  8 years $1.52   782  8 years $1.45 
$2.85 — $4.56  7,408  8 years  3.45   2,080  8 years  3.28 
$5.06 — $5.17  8,857  9 years  5.14   533  9 years  5.06 
$9.13 — $13.68  2,264  7 years  11.08   1,481  7 years  11.28 
$13.96 — $23.09  3,162  5 years  19.63   2,855  5 years  19.59 

On January 1, 2003, the Company adopted the fair value measurement provisions of SFAS No. 123, under which the Company recognizes compensation expense of a stock-based award to an employee over the vesting period based on the fair value of the award on the grant date. Adoptiondate.Adoption of these provisions resulted in utilizing a preferable accounting method as the consolidated financial statements present the estimated fair value of stock-based

F-30


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

compensation in expense consistently with other forms of compensation and other expense associated with goods and services received for equity instruments. In accordance with SFAS No. 123, the fair value method will be applied only to awards granted or modified after January 1, 2003, whereas awards granted prior to such date will continue to be accounted for under APB No. 25, unless they are modified or settled in cash. The ongoing effect on consolidated results of operations or financial condition will be dependent upon future stock based compensation awards granted. The Company recorded $4$31 million of option compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2003.2004.

Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123, the Company used the intrinsic value method prescribed by APB No. 25,Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,, to account for the option plans. Option compensation expense of

F-30


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

$5 million and net option compensation benefit of $5 million for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2002, and 2001, respectively, was recorded in the consolidated statements of operations since the exercise prices of certain options were less than the estimated fair values of the underlying membership interests on the date of grant. A reversal of previously recognized option compensation expense of $22 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 was recorded in the consolidated statements of operations primarily in connection with the waiver of the right to approximately seven million options by Charter’s former President and Chief Executive Officer as part of his September 2001 separation agreement. This was partially offset by expense recorded because exercise prices on certain options were less than the estimated fair values of Charter’s stock at the time of grant. Estimated fair values were determined by the Company using the valuation inherent in the companies acquired by Paul G. Allen in 1998 and valuations of public companies in the cable television industry adjusted for factors specific to the Company. Compensation expense is being recorded with the method described in FASB Interpretation No. 28 over the vesting period of the individual options that varies between four and five years. As of December 31, 2003, no deferred compensation remained to be recognized in future periods. No stock option compensation expense was recorded for the options granted after November 8, 1999, since the exercise price was equal to the estimated fair value of the underlying membership interests or shares of Charter Class A common stock on the date of grant. Since the membership units are exchangeable into Class A common stock of Charter on a one-for-one basis, the estimated fair value was equal to the quoted market values of Charter Class A common stock.

In January 2004, Charter commencedbegan an option exchange program in which employees of Charter andthe Company offered its subsidiaries were offeredemployees the right to exchange all stock options (vested and unvested) issued under the 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan and 2001 Stock Incentive Plan that had an exercise price over $10 per share for shares of restricted Charter Class A common stock or, in some instances, cash. Based on a sliding exchange ratio, which varied depending on the exercise price of an employees outstanding options, if an employee would have received more than 400 shares of restricted stock in exchange for tendered options, Charter issued that employee shares of restricted stock in the exchange. If, based on the exchange ratios, an employee would have received 400 or fewer shares of restricted stock in exchange for tendered options, Charter instead paid the employee cash in an amount equal to the number of shares the employee would have received multiplied by $5.00. The offer applied to options (vested and unvested) to purchase a total of 22,929,573 shares of Charter Class A common stock, or approximately 48% of Charter’s 47,882,365 total options issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2003. Participation by employees was voluntary. Those members of Charter’s board of directors who were not also employees of Charterthe Company or any of its subsidiaries were not eligible to participate in the exchange offer.

In the closing of the exchange offer on February 20, 2004, Charter accepted for cancellation eligible options to purchase approximately 18,137,664 shares of Charterits Class A common stock. In exchange, Charter granted 1,966,686 shares of restricted stock, including 460,777 performance shares to eligible employees of the rank of senior vice president and above, and paid a total cash amount of approximately $4 million (which amount includes applicable withholding taxes) to those employees who received cash rather than shares of restricted stock. The grants of restricted stock were effective as ofwas granted on February 25, 2004. Employees tendered approximately 79% of the options eligible to be exchanged under the program.

Based on the results above, theThe cost to the Company of the Stock Option Exchange Programstock option exchange program was approximately $12$10 million, with a 2004 cash compensation expense of approximately $4 million and a non-cash compensation expense of approximately $8$6 million to be expensed ratably over the three-year vesting period of the restricted stock in the exchange.

In January 2004, the Compensation Committee of the board of directors of Charter approved Charter’s Long-Term Incentive Program (“LTIP”), which is a program administered under the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. EmployeesUnder the LTIP, employees of Charter and its subsidiaries whose pay classifications exceed a certain level are eligible to receive stock options, and more senior level employees are eligible to receive stock options and performance shares. Under the LTIP, theThe stock options vest 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant. The performance shares are earnedvest on the third anniversary of the grant date and shares of Charter Class A common stock are issued, conditional upon Charter’s performance against financial performance measures and customer growth targets established by Charter’s management and approved by its board of directors as of the time of the award. No awards were madeCharter granted 6.9 million shares in January 2004 under this program and recognized expense of $8 million in the LTIPfirst three quarters of 2004. However, in 2003.the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company reversed the entire $8 million of expense based on the Company’s assessment of the probability of achieving the financial performance measures established by Charter and required to be met for the performance shares to vest.

F-31


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 2002 AND 20012002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

17. Special Charges

In the fourth quarter of 2002, the Company recordedbegan a special charge of $35 million, of which $31 million was associated with its workforce reduction program and the consolidation of its operations from three divisions and ten regions into five operating divisions, elimination ofeliminating redundant practices and streamlining its management structure. The remainingCompany has recorded special charges as a result of reducing its workforce and consolidating administrative offices in 2003 and 2004. The activity associated with this initiative is summarized in the table below.

                 
              Total 
  Severance/          Special 
  Leases  Litigation  Other  Charge 
Special Charges $31  $  $5  $36 
                
Balance at December 31, 2002  31             
                 
Special Charges  26  $  $(5) $21 
Payments  (43)            
                
Balance at December 31, 2003  14             
                 
Special Charges  12  $92  $  $104 
Payments  (20)            
                
Balance at December 31, 2004 $6             
                

For the year ended December 31, 2002 special charges include $4 million related to legal and other costs associated with Charter’s ongoing grand jury investigation, shareholder lawsuits and SEC investigation. The $31Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) investigation and $1 million chargeassociated with severance costs related to realignment activities, included severance costs of $28 million related to approximately 1,400 employees identified for termination as of December 31, 2002 and lease termination costs of $3 million. During the year ended December 31, 2003, an additional 1,400 employees were identified for termination and additional severance costs of $20 million and additional lease costs of $6 million were recorded in special charges. In total, approximately 2,600 employees were terminated during the year ended December 31, 2003. Severance payments are generally made over a period of up to twelve months with approximately $39 million paid during the year ended December 31, 2003. The Company paid $4 million in lease termination costs during the year ended December 31, 2003. As of December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, a liability of approximately $14 million and $31 million, respectively, is recorded on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets related to the realignment activities.2001 restructuring plan. For the year ended December 31, 2003, the additional severance and lease costs were offset by a $5 million settlement from the Internet service provider Excite@Home related to the conversion of high-speed data customers to Charter Pipeline service in 2001.

During For the year ended December 31, 2001, the Company recorded $18 million in2004, special charges that represent $15include approximately $85 million, representing the aggregate value of the Charter Class A common stock and warrants to purchase Charter Class A common stock contemplated to be issued as part of a settlement of consolidated federal and state class actions and federal derivative action lawsuits and approximately $10 million of litigation costs associated with the transition of approximately 145,000 (unaudited) data customers from the Excite@Home Internet servicerelated to the Charter Pipeline Internet service.

In December 2001, the Company implementedtentative settlement of a restructuring plan to reduce its workforce in certain markets and reorganize its operating divisions from two to three and operating regions from twelve to ten. The restructuring plan was completed during the first quarter of 2002, resulting in the termination of approximately 320 employees and severance costs of $4 millionnational class action suit, all of which $1 million was recorded inare subject to final documentation and court approval (see Note 20). For the first quarter of 2002 andyear ended December 31, 2004, special charges were offset by $3 million was recordedreceived from a third party in the fourth quartersettlement of 2001.a dispute.

18. Income Taxes

The CompanyCharter Holdings is a single member limited liability company not subject to income tax. The CompanyCharter Holdings holds all operations through indirect subsidiaries. The majority of these indirect subsidiaries are limited liability companies that are also not subject to income tax. However, certain of the Company’sCharter Holdings’ indirect subsidiaries are corporations andthat are subject to income tax.

For the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company recorded income tax expense realized through increases in deferred tax liabilities and federal and state income taxes related to our indirect corporate subsidiaries. For the years ended December 31, 20022004 and 20012002, the Company recorded income tax benefit for its indirect corporate subsidiaries related to differences in accounting for franchises.

F-32


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 2002 AND 20012002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

Current and deferred income tax expense (benefit) is as follows:

                      
 December 31,
 December 31, 
 2003
 2002
 2001
 2004 2003 2002 
Current expense:  
Federal income taxes $1 $ $  $2 $1 $ 
State income taxes 1 2   4 1 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
Current income tax expense 2 2   6 2 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
Deferred expense (benefit): 
 
Deferred benefit: 
Federal income taxes 10  (219)  (24)  (50) 10  (219)
State income taxes 1  (31)  (3)  (7) 1  (31)
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) 11  (250)  (27)
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Total income tax expense (benefit) $13 $(248) $(27)
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense:  (57) 11  (250)
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
Total income (benefit) expense $(51) $13 $(248)
       

The Company recorded the portion of the income tax benefit associated with the adoption of EITF Topic D-108 and SFAS No.142 as a $16 million and a $32 million reduction of the cumulative effect of accounting change on the accompanying statement of operations for the yearyears ended December 31, 2002.2004 and December 31, 2002, respectively.

The Company’s effective tax rate differs from that derived by applying the applicable federal income tax rate of 35%, and average state income tax rate of 5% for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 20012002 as follows:

                        
 December 31,
 December 31, 
 2003
 2002
 2001
 2004 2003 2002 
Statutory federal income taxes $(265) $(2,056) $(902) $(1,258) $(265) $(2,056)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit  (38)  (294)  (129)  (180)  (38)  (294)
Losses allocated to limited liability companies not subject to income taxes 290 2,105 1,005  1,367 290 2,105 
Valuation allowance provided 26  (3)  (1) 20 26  (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
Income tax expense (benefit) $13 $(248) $(27)
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Income tax (benefit) expense  (51) 13  (248)
Less: cumulative effect of accounting change 16  32 
       
 
Income tax (benefit) expense $(35) $13 $(216)
       

F-33


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 2002 AND 20012002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

The tax effects of these temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 20032004 and 2002, which are included in long-term liabilities,2003 for the indirect corporate subsidiaries of the Company which are included in long-term liabilities are presented below:below.

               
 December 31,
 December 31, 
 2003
 2002
 2004 2003 
Deferred tax assets:  
Net operating loss carryforward $80 $71  $95 $80 
Other 6 9  8 6 
 
 
 
 
      
 
Total gross deferred tax assets 86 80  103 86 
Less: valuation allowance  (51)  (25)  (71)  (51)
 
 
 
 
      
 
Net deferred tax assets $35 $55  $32 $35 
     
 
 
 
 
  
Deferred tax liabilities:  
Property, plant & equipment $(42) $(67) $(39) $(42)
Franchises  (260)  (240)  (201)  (260)
 
 
 
 
      
 
Gross deferred tax liabilities  (302)  (307)  (240)  (302)
     
 
 
 
 
  
Net deferred tax liabilities $(267) $(252) $(208) $(267)
 
 
 
 
      

As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company has deferred tax assets of $103 million and $86 million, respectively, which primarily relate to tax net operating loss carryforwards of certain of its indirect corporate subsidiaries. These tax net operating loss carryforwards (generally expiring in years 20042005 through 2023)2024) of $80$95 million, are subject to certain return limitations. Valuation allowances of $51$71 million and $25$51 million exist with respect to these carryforwards as of December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, respectively.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Management believes that the deferred tax assets will be realized prior to the expiration of the tax net operating loss carryforwards in 20042005 through 2023,2024, except for those tax net operating loss carryforwards that may be subject to certain limitations. Because of the uncertainty associated in realizing the deferred tax assets associated with the potentially limited tax net operating loss carryforwards, valuation allowances have been established except for deferred tax assets available to offset deferred tax liabilities.

Charter Holdco is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service for the tax years ending December 31, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2000.2003. The results of the Company (excluding the indirect corporate subsidiaries) for these years are subject to this examination. Management does not expect the results of this examination to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

19. Related Party Transactions

The following sets forth certain transactions in which the Company and the directors, executive officers and affiliates of the Company are involved. Unless otherwise disclosed, management believes that each of the transactions described below was on terms no less favorable to the Company than could have been obtained from independent third parties.

Charter has entered intois a party to management arrangements with Charter Holdco and certain of its subsidiaries. Under these agreements, Charter provides management services for the cable systems owned or operated by its subsidiaries. The management services include such services as centralized customer billing services, data processing and related support, benefits administration and coordination of insurance coverage and self-insurance programs for medical,

F-34


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 2002 AND 20012002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

support, benefits administration and coordination of insurance coverage and self-insurance programs for medical, dental and workers’ compensation claims. Costs associated with providing these services are billed and charged directly to the Company’s operating subsidiaries and are included within operating costs in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Such costs totaled $202 million, $210 million $176 million and $119$176 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, respectively. All other costs incurred on the behalf of the Company’s operating subsidiaries are considered a part of the management fee and are recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expense, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, the management fee charged to the Company’s operating subsidiaries approximated the expenses incurred by Charter Holdco and Charter on behalf of the Company’s operating subsidiaries. The credit facilities of the Company’s operating subsidiaries prohibit payments of management fees in excess of 3.5% of revenues until repayment of the outstanding indebtedness. In the event any portion of the management fee due and payable is not paid, it is deferred by Charter and accrued as a liability of such subsidiaries. Any deferred amount of the management fee will bear interest at the rate of 10% per annum,year, compounded annually, from the date it was due and payable until the date it is paid.

Mr. Allen, the controlling shareholder of Charter, and a number of his affiliates have interests in various entities that provide services or programming to Charter’s subsidiaries. Given the diverse nature of Mr. Allen’s investment activities and interests, and to avoid the possibility of future disputes as to potential business, Charter and Charter Holdco, under the terms of their respective organizational documents, may not, and may not allow itstheir subsidiaries to engage in any business transaction outside the cable transmission business except for certain existing approved investments. Should Charter or itsCharter Holdco or any of their subsidiaries wish to pursue, or allow their subsidiaries to pursue, a business transaction outside of this scope, it must first offer Mr. Allen the opportunity to pursue the particular business transaction. If he decides not to pursue the business transaction and consents to Charter or its subsidiaries to engageengaging in the business transaction, they will be able to do so. The cable transmission business means the business of transmitting video, audio, including telephony, and data over cable systems owned, operated or managed by Charter, Charter Holdco or itsany of their subsidiaries from time to time.

Mr. Allen or his affiliates own or have owned equity interests or warrants to purchase equity interests in various entities with which the Company does business or which provides it with products, services or programming. Among these entities are TechTV Inc.L.L.C. (“TechTV”), Oxygen Media Corporation (“Oxygen Media”), Digeo, Inc. (“Digeo”), Click2learn, Inc., Trail Blazer Inc., Action Sports Cable Network (“Action Sports”) and Microsoft Corporation. In addition, Mr. Allen and Mr.William Savoy, a former Charter director, were directors of USA Networks, Inc. (“USA Networks”), who operates the USA Network, The Sci-Fi Channel, Trio, World News International and Home Shopping Network, owning approximately 5% and less than 1%, respectively, of the common stock of USA Networks. In 2002, Mr. Allen and Mr. Savoy sold their common stock and are no longer directors of the USA Network. In May 2004, TechTV was sold to an unrelated third party. Mr. Allen owns 100% of the equity of Vulcan Ventures Incorporated (“Vulcan Ventures”) and Vulcan Inc. and is the president of Vulcan Ventures. Ms. Jo Allen Patton is a director and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Vulcan Inc. and is a director and Vice President of Vulcan Ventures. Mr. Lance Conn is Executive Vice President of Vulcan Inc. and Vulcan Ventures. Mr. Savoy was a vice president and a director of Vulcan Ventures until his resignation in September 2003. Mr. Savoy will remain2003 and he resigned as a memberdirector of the board of directors of Charter.Charter in April 2004. The various cable, media, Internet and telephony companies in which Mr. Allen has invested may mutually benefit one another. The agreements governing the Company’s relationship with Digeo, Inc. are an example of a cooperative business relationship among Mr. Allen’s affiliated companies. The Company can give no assurance, nor should you expect, that any of these business relationships will be successful, that the Company will realize any benefits from these relationships or that the Company will enter into any business relationships in the future with Mr. Allen’s affiliated companies.

Mr. Allen and his affiliates have made, and in the future likely will make, numerous investments outside of the Company and its business. The Company cannot assure that, in the event that the Company or any of its subsidiaries enter into transactions in the future with any affiliate of Mr. Allen, such transactions will be on terms as favorable to the Company as terms it might have obtained from an unrelated third party. Also, conflicts could arise with respect to the allocation of corporate opportunities between the Company and Mr. Allen and his affiliates. The Company has not instituted any formal plan or arrangement to address potential conflicts of interest.

High Speed Access Corp. (“(“High Speed Access”) was a provider of high-speed Internet access services over cable modems. During the period from 1997 to 2000, certain Charter entities entered into Internet-access related service agreements, and both Vulcan Ventures and certain of Charter’s subsidiaries made equity investments in High Speed Access.

F-35


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 2002 AND 20012002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

agreements, and both Vulcan Ventures, an entity owned by Mr. Allen, and Charter Holdco made equity investments in High Speed Access.

On February 28, 2002, Charter Holdings’Charter’s subsidiary, CC Systems, purchased from High Speed Access the contracts and associated assets, and assumed related liabilities, that served the Company’s customers, including a customer contact center, network operations center and provisioning software. Immediately prior to the asset purchase, Vulcan Ventures beneficially owned approximately 37%, and the Company beneficially owned approximately 13%, of the common stock of High Speed Access (including the shares of common stock which could be acquired upon conversion of the Series D preferred stock, and upon exercise of the warrants owned by Charter Holdco). Following the consummation of the asset purchase, neither the Company nor Vulcan Ventures Charter nor the Company beneficially owned any securities of, or were otherwise affiliated with, High Speed Access.

The Company receives or will receive programming for broadcast via its cable systems from TechTV (now G4), USA Networks, Oxygen Media, Trail Blazers Inc. and Action Sports. The Company pays a fee for the programming service generally based on the number of customers receiving the service. Such fees for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 20012002 were each less than 1% of total operating expenses with the exception of USA Networks which was 2%, 2% and 3%2% of total operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, respectively. In addition, the Company receives commissions from USA Networks for home shopping sales generated by its customers. Such revenues for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 20012002 were less than 1% of total revenues. On November 5, 2002, Action Sports announced that it was discontinuing its business. The Company believes that the failure of Action Sports will not materially affect the Company’s business or results of operations.

Tech TV.The Company receives from TechTV programming for distribution via its cable system pursuant to an affiliation agreement. The affiliation agreement provides, among other things, that TechTV must offer Charter certain terms and conditions that are no less favorable in the affiliation agreement than are given to any other distributor that serves the same number of or fewer TechTV viewing customers. Additionally, pursuant to the affiliation agreement, the Company was entitled to incentive payments for channel launches through December 31, 2003.

In March 2004, Charter Holdco entered into agreements with Vulcan Programming and TechTV, which provide for (i) Charter Holdco and TechTV to amend the affiliation agreement which, among other things, revises the description of the TechTV network content, provides for Charter Holdco to waive certain claims against TechTV relating to alleged breaches of the affiliation agreement and provides for TechTV to make payment of outstanding launch receivables due to Charter Holdco under the affiliation agreement, (ii) Vulcan Programming to pay approximately $10 million and purchase over a 24-month period, at fair market rates, $2 million of advertising time across various cable networks on Charter cable systems in consideration of the agreements, obligations, releases and waivers under the agreements and in settlement of the aforementioned claims and (iii) TechTV to be a provider of content relating to technology and video gaming for Charter’s interactive television platforms through December 31, 2006 (exclusive for the first year). For the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company recognized approximately $5 million of the Vulcan Programming payment as an offset to programming expense and paid approximately $2 million to Tech TV under the affiliation agreement.

Oxygen.Concurrently with the execution of a carriage agreement, Charter Holdco entered into an equity issuance agreement pursuant to which Oxygen Media LLC’s (“Oxygen”) parent company, Oxygen Media Corporation (“Oxygen Media”), granted a subsidiary of Charter HoldingsHoldco a warrant to purchase 2.4 million shares of common stock of Oxygen Media for an exercise price of $22.00 per share. In February 2005, the warrant expired unexercised. Charter Holdco willwas also to receive unregistered shares of Oxygen Media common stock with a guaranteed fair market value on the date of issuance of $34 million, on or prior to February 2, 2005 with the exact date to be determined by Oxygen Media. Media, but this commitment was later revised as discussed below.

The Company currently recognizes the guaranteed value of the investment over the life of the programmingcarriage agreement as a reduction of programming expense. For the yearyears ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company recorded approximately $13 million, $9 million, and $6 million, respectively, as a reduction of programming expense. The carrying value of the Company’s investment in Oxygen was approximately $19 million as of December 31, 2003.

As discussed in Note 4, in April 2002, Interlink Communications Partners, LLC, Rifkin Acquisition Partners, LLC and Charter Communications Entertainment I, LLC, each an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, completed the cash purchase of certain assets of Enstar Income Program II-2, L.P., Enstar Income Program IV-3, L.P., Enstar Income/Growth Program Six-A, L.P., Enstar Cable of Macoupin County and Enstar Income IV/PBD Systems Venture, serving approximately 21,600 (unaudited) customers, for a total cash sale price of approximately $48 million. In September 2002, Charter Communications Entertainment I, LLC purchased all of Enstar Income Program II-1, L.P.’s Illinois cable systems, serving approximately 6,400 (unaudited) customers, for a cash sale price of $15 million. Enstar Communications Corporation, a direct subsidiary of Charter Holdco, is a general partner of the Enstar limited partnerships but does not exercise control over them. All of the executive officers of Charter and Charter Holdco act as officers of Enstar Communications Corporation.

Charter Holdco entered into various broadband carriage agreements with Digeo Interactive, LLC (“Digeo Interactive”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Digeo. These agreements provide for the development by Digeo Interactive of future features to be included in the Basic i-TV service provided by Digeo and for Digeo’s development of an interactive “toolkit” to enable the Company to develop interactive local content. Furthermore, the Company may request that Digeo Interactive manage local content for a fee. The agreement provides for the Company to pay for development of the Basic i-TV service as well as license fees for customers who receive the service, and for the Company and Digeo to split certain revenues earned from the service. In 2003, the Company paid Digeo Interactive approximately $4 million for customized development of the i-channels and the local content tool kit. The Company received no revenues under the broadband carriage agreement in 2003.

On June 30, 2003, Charter Holdco entered into an agreement with Motorola for the purchase of 100,000 broadband media centers, subject to the Company’s testing and approval of product performance and functionality. It is contemplated that the software for these broadband media centers would be supplied to Motorola by Digeo. License

F-36


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 2002 AND 20012002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

carrying value of the Company’s investment in Oxygen was approximately $32 million and $19 million as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

In August 2004, Charter Holdco and Oxygen entered into agreements that amended and renewed the carriage agreement. The amendment to the carriage agreement (a) revises the number of the Company’s customers to which Oxygen programming must be carried and for which the Company must pay, (b) releases Charter Holdco from any claims related to the failure to achieve distribution benchmarks under the carriage agreement, (c) requires Oxygen to make payment on outstanding receivables for marketing support fees for Digeo to license such softwaredue to the Company under the affiliation agreement; and support(d) requires that Oxygen provide its programming content to the Company on economic terms no less favorable than Oxygen provides to any other cable or satellite operator having fewer subscribers than the Company. The renewal of the carriage agreement (a) extends the period that the Company will carry Oxygen programming to its customers through January 31, 2008, and (b) requires license fees to be paid based on customers receiving Oxygen programming, rather than for specific customer benchmarks.

In August 2004, Charter Holdco and Oxygen also amended the equity issuance agreement to provide for the broadband media centersissuance of 1 million shares of Oxygen Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference of $33.10 per share plus accrued dividends to Charter Holdco on February 1, 2005 in place of the $34 million of unregistered shares of Oxygen Media common stock. Oxygen Media will deliver these shares in March 2005. The preferred stock is convertible into common stock after December 31, 2007 at a conversion ratio, the numerator of which is the liquidation preference and relevant content and support services are currently under negotiation.the denominator which is the fair market value per share of Oxygen Media common stock on the conversion date.

Digeo, Inc. In March 2001, Charter Communications Ventures LLC (“Charter Ventures”), the Company’s indirect subsidiary, and Vulcan Ventures Incorporated formed DBroadband Holdings, LLC (“DBroadband”) for the sole purpose of purchasing equity interests in Digeo. In connection with the execution of the broadband carriage agreement, DBroadband Holdings, LLC purchased an equity interest in Digeo funded by contributions from Vulcan Ventures.Ventures Incorporated. The equity interest is subject to a priority return of capital to Vulcan Ventures up to the amount contributed by Vulcan Ventures on Charter Ventures’ behalf. After Vulcan Ventures recovers its amount contributed and any cumulative loss allocations, Charter Ventures has a 100% profit interest in DBroadband.DBroadband Holdings, LLC. Charter Ventures is not required to make any capital contributions, including capital calls, and may require Vulcan Ventures, also agreed to make, through January 24, 2004, to make certain additional contributions through DBroadband Holdings, LLC to acquire additional equity in Digeo as necessary to maintain Charter Ventures’ pro rata interest in Digeo in the event of certain future Digeo equity financings by the founders of Digeo. These additional equity interests are also subject to a priority return of capital to Vulcan Ventures up to amounts contributed by Vulcan Ventures on Charter Ventures’ behalf. DBroadband Holdings, LLC is therefore not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The Company believes that Pursuant to an amended version of this arrangement, in 2003, Vulcan Ventures contributed a total of $29 million to Digeo, $7 million of which was contributed on Charter Ventures’ behalf, subject to Vulcan Ventures’ aforementioned priority return. Since the formation of DBroadband Holdings, LLC, Vulcan Ventures has contributed approximately $56 million on Charter Ventures’ behalf.

On June 30, 2003, Charter Holdco entered into an entity controlledagreement with Motorola, Inc. for the purchase of 100,000 digital video recorder (“DVR’’) units. The software for these DVR units is being supplied by Mr. Allen, owns an approximate 60% equity interestDigeo Interactive, LLC under a license agreement entered into in April 2004. Under the license agreement Digeo Inc. Messrs. AllenInteractive granted to Charter Holdco the right to use Digeo’s proprietary software for the number of DVR units that Charter deploys from a maximum of 10 headends through year-end 2004. This maximum number of headends was increased from 10 to 15 pursuant to a letter agreement executed on June 11, 2004 and Vogelthe date for entering into license agreements for units deployed was extended to June 30, 2005. The number of headends was increased again from 15 to 20 pursuant to a letter agreement dated August 4, 2004, from 20 to 30 pursuant to a letter agreement dated September 28, 2004 and from 30 to 50 headends by a letter agreement in February 2005. The license granted for each unit deployed under the agreement is valid for five years. In addition, Charter will pay certain other fees including a per-headend license fee and maintenance fees. Maximum license and maintenance fees during the term of the agreement are directors of Digeo. Mr. Savoy was a director and servedexpected to be approximately $7 million. The agreement provides that Charter is entitled to receive contract terms, considered on the compensation committeewhole, and license fees, considered apart from other contract terms, no less favorable than those accorded to any other Digeo customer. Charter paid $474,400 in license and maintenance fees in 2004.

F-37


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

In April 2004, the Company launched DVR service (using units containing the Digeo software) in its Rochester, Minnesota market using a broadband media center that is an integrated set-top terminal with a cable converter, DVR hard drive and connectivity to other consumer electronics devices (such as stereos, MP3 players, and digital cameras).

In May 2004, Charter Holdco entered into a binding term sheet with Digeo Interactive for the development, testing and purchase of 70,000 Digeo PowerKey DVR units. The term sheet provided that the parties would proceed in good faith to negotiate, prior to year-end 2004, definitive agreements for the development, testing and purchase of the DVR units and that the parties would enter into a license agreement for Digeo’s proprietary software on terms substantially similar to the terms of the license agreement described above. In November 2004, Charter Holdco and Digeo Interactive executed the license agreement and in December 2004, the parties executed the purchase agreement, each on terms substantially similar to the binding term sheet. Product development and testing is continuing. Total purchase price and license and maintenance fees during the term of the definitive agreements are expected to be approximately $41 million. The definitive agreements are terminable at no penalty to Charter in certain circumstances.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Digeo, until September 2003. Mr. Vogel owns optionsDigeo Interactive, provides interactive channel (i-channel) service to purchase 10,000 sharesCharter on a month-to-month basis. In the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, Charter paid Digeo Interactive $3 million, $4 million and $3 million, respectively, for customized development of Digeo common stock.i-channels and an interactive “toolkit” to enable Charter to develop interactive local content.

On January 10, 2003, Charterthe Company signed an agreement to carry two around-the-clock, high definitionhigh-definition networks, HDNet and HDNet Movies. HDNet Movies delivers a commercial-free schedule of full-length feature films converted from 35mm to high-definition, including titles from an extensive library of Warner Bros. films. HDNet Movies will feature a mix of theatrical releases, made-for-TV movies, independent films and shorts. The HDNet channel features a variety of HDTV programming, including live sports, sitcoms, dramas, action series, documentaries, travel programs, music concerts and shows, special events, and news features including HDNet World Report. HDNet also offers a selection of classic and recent television series. The Company paid HDNet and HDNet Movies approximately $0.6 million in 2004. The Company believes that entities controlled by Mr. Cuban owned approximately 81% of HDNet as of December 31, 2004. As of December 31, 2004, the Company believes that Mark Cuban, co-founder and president of HDNet, owns 85%owned approximately 6.2% of HDNet and HDNet Movies as of December 31, 2003. As of December 31, 2003 Mr. Cuban, owns an approximate 6.4%the total common equity interest in Charter.

Certain related parties, including members of Charter’s board of directors and management, hold interests inCharter based on a Schedule 13G filed with the Company’s senior notes and discount notes of approximately $60 million of face value at December 31,SEC on May 21, 2003.

As part of the acquisition of the cable systems owned by Bresnan Communications Company Limited Partnership in February 2000, CC VIII, anLLC, Charter Holdings’ indirect limited liability company subsidiary, of Charter Holdings, issued, after adjustments, 24,279,94324,273,943 Class A preferred membership units (collectively, the “CC VIII interest”) with a value and an initial capital account of approximately $630 million to certain sellers affiliated with AT&T Broadband, subsequently owned by Comcast Corporation (the “Comcast sellers”). While held by the Comcast sellers, the CC VIII interest was entitled to a 2% priority return on its initial capital account and such priority return was entitled to preferential distributions from available cash and upon liquidation of CC VIII. While held by the Comcast sellers, the CC VIII interest generally did not share in the profits and losses of CC VIII. Mr. Allen granted the Comcast sellers the right to sell to him the CC VIII interest for approximately $630 million plus 4.5% interest annually from February 2000 (the “Comcast put right”). In April 2002, the Comcast sellers exercised the Comcast put right in full, and this transaction was consummated on June 6, 2003. Accordingly, Mr. Allen has become the holder of the CC VIII interest, indirectly through an affiliate. Consequently, subject to the matters referenced in the next paragraph, Mr. Allen generally thereafter will be allocated his pro rata share (based on number of membership interests outstanding) of profits or losses of CC VIII. In the event of a liquidation of CC VIII, Mr. Allen would be entitled to a priority distribution with respect to the 2% priority return (which will continue to accrete). Any remaining distributions in liquidation would be distributed to CC V Holdings, LLC and Mr. Allen in proportion to CC V Holdings, LLC’s capital account and Mr. Allen’s capital account (which will equal the initial capital account of the Comcast sellers of approximately $630 million, increased or decreased by Mr. Allen’s pro rata share of CC VIII’s profits or losses (as computed for capital account purposes) after June 6, 2003). The limited liability company agreement of CC VIII does not provide for a mandatory redemption of the CC VIII interest.

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CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

An issue has arisen as to whether the documentation for the Bresnan transaction was correct and complete with regard to the ultimate ownership of the CC VIII interest following consummation of the Comcast put right. Specifically, under the terms of the Bresnan transaction documents that were entered into in June 1999, the Comcast sellers originally would have received, after adjustments, 24,273,943 Charter Holdco membership units, but due to an FCC regulatory issue raised by the Comcast sellers shortly before closing, the Bresnan transaction was modified

F-37


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

to provide that the Comcast sellers instead would receive the preferred equity interests in CC VIII represented by the CC VIII interest. As part of the last-minute changes to the Bresnan transaction documents, a draft amended version of the Charter Holdco limited liability company agreement was prepared, and contract provisions were drafted for that agreement that would have required an automatic exchange of the CC VIII interest for 24,273,943 Charter Holdco membership units if the Comcast sellers exercised the Comcast put right and sold the CC VIII interest to Mr. Allen or his affiliates. However, the provisions that would have required this automatic exchange did not appear in the final version of the Charter Holdco limited liability company agreement that was delivered and executed at the closing of the Bresnan transaction. The law firm that prepared the documents for the Bresnan transaction brought this matter to the attention of Charter and representatives of Mr. Allen in 2002.

Thereafter, the board of directors of Charter formed a Special Committee (currently comprised of Messrs. Merritt, Tory Wangberg and Merritt)Wangberg) to investigate the matter and take any other appropriate action on behalf of Charter with respect to this matter. After conducting an investigation of the relevant facts and circumstances, the Special Committee determined that a “scrivener’s error” had occurred in February 2000 in connection with the preparation of the last-minute revisions to the Bresnan transaction documents and that, as a result, Charter should seek the reformation of the Charter Holdco limited liability company agreement, or alternative relief, in order to restore and ensure the obligation that the CC VIII interest be automatically exchanged for Charter Holdco units. The Special Committee further determined that, as part of such contract reformation or alternative relief, Mr. Allen should be required to contribute the CC VIII interest to Charter Holdco in exchange for 24,273,943 Charter Holdco membership units. The Special Committee also recommended to the board of directors of Charter that, to the extent the contract reformation is achieved, the board of directors should consider whether the CC VIII interest should ultimately be held by Charter Holdco or Charter Holdings or another entity owned directly or indirectly by them.

Mr. Allen disagrees with the Special Committee’s determinations described above and has so notified the Special Committee. Mr. Allen contends that the transaction is accurately reflected in the transaction documentation and contemporaneous and subsequent company public disclosures.

The parties engaged in a process of non-binding mediation to seek to resolve this matter, without success. The Special Committee is evaluating what further actions or processes it may undertake to resolve this dispute. To accommodate further deliberation, each party has agreed to refrain from initiating legal proceedings over this matter until it has given at least ten days’ prior notice to the other. In addition, the Special Committee and Mr. Allen have determined to utilize the Delaware Court of Chancery’s program for mediation of complex business disputes in an effort to resolve the CC VIII interest dispute. If the Special Committee and Mr. Allen are unable to reach a resolution through that mediation process or to agree on an alternative dispute resolution process, the Special Committee intends to seek resolution of this dispute through judicial proceedings in an action that would be commenced, after appropriate notice, in the Delaware Court of Chancery against Mr. Allen and his affiliates seeking contract reformation, declaratory relief as to the respective rights of the parties regarding this dispute and alternative forms of legal and equitable relief. The ultimate resolution and financial impact of the dispute are not determinable at this time.

F-38F-39


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 2002 AND 20012002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

20. Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

The following table summarizes the Company’s payment obligations as of December 31, 20032004 for its contractual obligations.

                                          
 Total
 2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008
 Thereafter
 Total 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Thereafter 
Contractual Obligations
  
Operating Lease Obligations (1) $70 $17 $14 $11 $7 $5 $16 
Operating and Capital Lease Obligations (1) $88 $23 $17 $13 $10 $7 $18 
Programming Minimum Commitments (2) 1,949 320 329 355 386 317 242  1,579 318 344 375 308 234  
Other (3) 282 63 47 39 24 25 84  272 62 50 47 25 21 67 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                
 
Total $2,301 $400 $390 $405 $417 $347 $342  $1,939 $403 $411 $435 $343 $262 $85 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                


(1) The Company leases certain facilities and equipment under noncancellable operating leases. Leases and rental costs charged to expense for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and 2001, were $23 million, $30 million $31 million and $25$31 million, respectively.
 
(2) The Company pays programming fees under multi-year contracts ranging from three to six years typically based on a flat fee per customer, which may be fixed for the term or may in some cases, escalate over the term. Programming costs included in the accompanying statementsstatement of operations were $1.2$1.3 billion, $1.2 billion and $963 million$1.2 billion for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, respectively. Certain of the Company’s programming agreements are based on a flat fee per month or have guaranteed minimum payments. The table sets forth the aggregate guaranteed minimum commitments under the Company’s programming contracts.
 
(3) “Other” represents other guaranteed minimum commitments, which consist primarily of commitments to the Company’s billing services vendors.

The following items are not included in the contractual obligation table due to various factors discussed below. However, the Company incurs these costs as part of its operations:

  The Company also rents utility poles used in its operations. Generally, pole rentals are cancelable on short notice, but the Company anticipates that such rentals will recur. Rent expense incurred for pole rental attachments for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and 2001, was $43 million, $40 million $41 million and $33$41 million, respectively.
 
  The Company pays franchise fees under multi-year franchise agreements based on a percentage of revenues earned from video service per year. The Company also pays other franchise related costs, such as public education grants under multi-year agreements. Franchise fees and other franchise-related costs included in the accompanying statementsstatement of operations were $164 million, $162 million $160 million and $144$160 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, respectively.
 
  The Company also has $153$166 million in letters of credit, primarily to its various worker’s compensation, property casualty and general liability carriers as collateral for reimbursement of claims. These letters of credit reduce the amount the Company may borrow under its credit facilities.

Litigation

Fourteen putative federal class action lawsuits (the “Federal Class Actions”) have beenwere filed against Charter and certain of its former and present officers and directors in various jurisdictions allegedly on behalf of all purchasers of Charter’s securities during the period from either November 8 or November 9, 1999 through July 17 or July 18, 2002. Unspecified damages arewere sought by the plaintiffs. In general, the lawsuits allegealleged that Charter utilized

F-39F-40


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 2002 AND 20012002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

misleading accounting practices and failed to disclose these accounting practices and/or issued false and misleading financial statements and press releases concerning Charter’s operations and prospects. The Federal Class Actions were specifically and individually identified in public filings made by Charter prior to the date of this annual report.

In October 2002, Charter filed a motion with the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (the “Panel”) to transfer the Federal Class Actions to the Eastern District of Missouri. On March 12, 2003, the Panel transferred the six Federal Class Actions not filed in the Eastern District of Missouri to that district for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings with the eight Federal Class Actions already pending there. The Panel’s transfer order assigned the Federal Class Actions to Judge Charles A. Shaw. By virtue of a prior court order, StoneRidge Investment Partners LLC became lead plaintiff upon entry of the Panel’s transfer order. StoneRidge subsequently filed a Consolidated Amended Complaint. The Court subsequently consolidated the Federal Class Actions into a single action (the “Consolidated Federal Class Action”) for pretrial purposes. On June 19, 2003, following a pretrialstatus and scheduling conference with the parties, the Court issued a Case Management Order setting forth a schedule for the pretrial phase of the consolidated class action.Consolidated Class Action. Motions to dismiss the Consolidated Amended Complaint have beenwere filed. On February 10, 2004, in response to a joint motion made by StoneRidge and defendants, Charter, Vogel and Allen, the court entered an order providing, among other things, that: (1) the parties who filed such motion engage in a mediation within ninety (90) days; and (2) all proceedings in the Consolidated Federal Class Actions arewere stayed until May 10, 2004. On May 11, 2004, the Court extended the stay in the Consolidated Federal Class Action for ninety (90)an additional sixty (60) days. On July 12, 2004, the parties submitted a joint motion to again extend the stay, this time until September 10, 2004. The Court granted that extension on July 20, 2004. On August 5, 2004, Stoneridge, Charter and the individual defendants who were the subject of the suit entered into a Memorandum of Understanding setting forth agreements in principle to settle the Consolidated Federal Class Action. These parties subsequently entered into Stipulations of Settlement dated as of January 24, 2005 (described more fully below) which incorporate the terms of the August 5, 2004 Memorandum of Understanding.

On September 12, 2002, a shareholders derivative suit (the “State Derivative Action”) was filed in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri state court(the “Missouri State Court”) against Charter and its then current directors, as well as its former auditors. A substantively identical derivative action was later filed and consolidated into the State Derivative Action. The plaintiffs allege that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties by failing to establish and maintain adequate internal controls and procedures. Unspecified damages, allegedly on Charter’s behalf, arewere sought by the plaintiffs.

On March 12, 2004, an action substantively identical to the State Derivative Action was filed in the Missouri State Court, against Charter and certain of its current and former directors, as well as its former auditors. The plaintiffs in that case alleged that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties by failing to establish and maintain adequate internal controls and procedures. Unspecified damages, allegedly on Charter’s behalf, were sought by plaintiffs. On July 14, 2004, the Court consolidated this case with the State Derivative Action.

Separately, on February 12, 2003, a shareholders derivative suit (the “Federal Derivative Action”), was filed against Charter and its then current directors in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. The plaintiff allegesin that suit alleged that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties and grossly mismanaged Charter by failing to establish and maintain adequate internal controls and procedures. Unspecified damages, allegedly

As noted above, Charter entered into Memoranda of Understanding on August 5, 2004 setting forth agreements in principle regarding settlement of the Consolidated Federal Class Action, the State Derivative Action(s) and the Federal Derivative Action (the “Actions”). Charter and various other defendants in those actions subsequently entered into Stipulations of Settlement dated as of January 24, 2005, setting forth a settlement of the Actions in a manner consistent with the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding. The Stipulations of Settlement, along with the various supporting documentation, were filed with the Court on February 2, 2005. The Settlements provide that, in exchange for a release of all claims by plaintiffs against Charter and its former and present officers and directors named in the Actions, Charter will pay to the plaintiffs a combination of cash and equity collectively valued at $144 million, which will include the fees and expenses of plaintiffs’ counsel. Of this amount, $64 million will be paid in cash (by Charter’s behalf,insurance carriers) and the balance will be paid in shares of Charter Class A common stock having an aggregate value of $40 million and ten-year warrants to purchase shares of Charter Class A common stock

F-41


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

having an aggregate warrant value of $40 million. The warrants would have an exercise price equal to 150% of the fair market value (as defined) of Charter Class A common stock as of the date of the entry of the order of final judgment approving the settlement. In addition, Charter expects to issue additional shares of its Class A common stock to its insurance carrier having an aggregate value of $5 million. As a result, in the second quarter of 2004, the Company recorded a $149 million litigation liability within other long-term liabilities and a $64 million insurance receivable as part of other non-current assets on its consolidated balance sheet and an $85 million special charge on its consolidated statement of operations. Additionally, as part of the settlements, Charter will also commit to a variety of corporate governance changes, internal practices and public disclosures, some of which have already been undertaken and none of which are sought byinconsistent with measures Charter is taking in connection with the plaintiffs.recent conclusion of the SEC investigation described below. Documents related to the settlement of the Actions have now been executed and filed. On February 15, 2005, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri gave preliminary approval to the settlement of the Actions. The settlement of each of the lawsuits remains conditioned upon, among other things, final judicial approval of the settlements following notice to the class, and dismissal, with prejudice, of the consolidated derivative actions now pending in Missouri State Court, which are related to the Federal Derivative Action.

In addition to the Federal Class Actions, the State Derivative Action (s), the new Missouri State Court derivative action and the Federal Derivative Action, six putative class action lawsuits have been filed against Charter and certain of its then current directors and officers in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Class Actions”). The lawsuits were filed after the filing of a Schedule 13D amendment by Mr. Allen indicating that he was exploring a number of possible alternatives with respect to restructuring or expanding his ownership interest in Charter. Charter believes the plaintiffs speculated that Mr. Allen might have been contemplating an unfair bid for shares of Charter or some other sort of going private transaction on unfair terms and generally alleged that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties by participating in or acquiescing to such a transaction. The lawsuits, which are substantively identical, were brought on behalf of Charter’s securities holders as of July 29, 2002, and seeksought unspecified damages and possible injunctive relief. The Delaware Class Actions are substantively identical. NoHowever, no such transaction by Mr. Allen has been presented. Plaintiffs’ counsel has granted the defendants an indefinite extensionOn April 30, 2004, orders of time to respond to the only complaint that has been serveddismissal without prejudice were entered in each of the Delaware Class Actions.

The lawsuits discussed above are each in preliminary stages. No reserves have been established for potential losses or related insurance recoveries on these matters because Charter is unable to predict the outcome. Charter has advised the Company that Charter intends to vigorously defend the lawsuits.

In August of 2002, Charter became aware of a grand jury investigation being conducted by the United StatesU.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri into certain of its accounting and reporting practices, focusing on how Charter reported customer numbers and its reporting of amounts received from digital set-top terminal suppliers for advertising. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has publicly stated that Charter is not currently a target of the investigation. Charter haswas also been advised by the U.S. Attorney’s Office that no current officer or member of its board of directors including its Chief Executive Officer, is a target of the investigation. On July 24, 2003, a federal grand jury charged four former officers of Charter with conspiracy and mail and wire fraud, alleging improper accounting and reporting

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CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

practices focusing on revenue from digital set-top terminal suppliers and inflated customer account numbers. On July 25, 2003, oneEach of the indicted former officers who was indicted entered apled guilty plea.to single conspiracy counts related to the original mail and wire fraud charges and are awaiting sentencing. Charter has advised the Company that Charterit is fully cooperating with the investigation.

On November 4, 2002, Charter received an informal, non-public inquiry from the staff of the SEC. The SEC subsequently issued a formal order of investigation dated January 23, 2003, and subsequent relatedsubsequently served document and testimony subpoenas.subpoenas on Charter and a number of its former employees. The investigation and subpoenas generally concernconcerned Charter’s prior reports with respect to its determination of the number of customers, and various of its other accounting policies and practices including its capitalization of certain expenses and dealings with certain vendors, including programmers and digital set-top terminal suppliers. Charter has advised the Company that Charter is fully cooperating withOn July 27, 2004, the SEC staff.and Charter reached a final agreement to settle the investigation. In the Settlement Agreement and Cease and Desist Order, Charter agreed to entry of an administrative order prohibiting any future violation of United States securities laws and requiring certain other remedial internal practices and public disclosures. Charter neither admitted nor denied any wrongdoing, and the SEC assessed no fine against Charter.

Charter is generally required to indemnify each of the named individual defendants in connection with thesethe matters described above pursuant to the terms of its Bylawsbylaws and (where applicable) such individual defendants’ employment agreements. Pursuant to the terms of certain employment agreements and inIn accordance with the Bylaws of Charter,these documents, in connection with the pending grand jury investigation, the now

F-42


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

settled SEC investigation and the above described lawsuits, some of Charter’s current and former directors and its current and former officers have been advanced certain costs and expenses incurred in connection with their defense.

On February 22, 2005, Charter has liability insurance coverage that it believes is available for these matters, where applicable, and subject tofiled suit against four of its former officers who were indicted in the terms, conditions and limitationscourse of the respective policies. There is no assurance that current coverage will be sufficientgrand jury investigation. These suits seek to recover the legal fees and other related expenses advanced to these individuals by Charter for all claims described above or any future claims that may arise.the grand jury investigation, SEC investigation and class action and related lawsuits.

In October 2001, two customers, Nikki Nicholls and Geraldine M. Barber, filed a class action suit against Charter Holdco in South Carolina Court of Common Pleas (“South(the “South Carolina Class Action”), purportedly on behalf of a class of Charter Holdco’s customers, alleging that Charter Holdco improperly charged them a wire maintenance fee without request or permission. They also claimed that Charter Holdco improperly required them to rent analog and/or digital set-top terminals even though their television sets were “cable ready.” A substantively identical case was filed in the Superior Court of Athens — Clarke County, Georgia by Emma S. Tobar on March 26, 2002 (the “Georgia Class Action”), alleging a nationwide class for these claims. Charter Holdco removed this casethe South Carolina Class Action to the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina in November 2001, and moved to dismiss the suit in December 2001. The federal judge remanded the case to the South Carolina Court of Common Pleas in August 2002 without ruling on the motion to dismiss. The plaintiffs subsequently moved for a default judgment, arguing that upon return to state court, Charter Holdco should have, but did not file a new motion to dismiss. The state court judge granted the plaintiff’s motion over Charter’sCharter Holdco’s objection in September 2002. Charter Holdco immediately appealed that decision to the South Carolina Court of Appeals and the South Carolina Supreme Court, but those courts have ruled that until a final judgment iswas entered against Charter Holdco, they lacklacked jurisdiction to hear the appeal.

In January 2003, the Court of Common Pleas granted the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. In October and November 2003, Charter Holdco filed motions (a) asking that court to set aside the default judgment, and (b) seeking dismissal of plaintiffs’ suit for failure to state a claim. In January 2004, the Court of Common Pleas granted in part and denied in part Charter’sCharter Holdco’s motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim. It also took under advisement Charter’sCharter Holdco’s motion to set aside the default judgment.

Charter is unable In April 2004, the parties to predictboth the outcomeGeorgia and South Carolina Class Actions participated in a mediation. The mediator made a proposal to the parties to settle the lawsuits. In May 2004, the parties accepted the mediator’s proposal and reached a tentative settlement, subject to final documentation and court approval. As a result of the lawsuits andtentative settlement, the government investigations described above. An unfavorable outcomeCompany recorded a special charge of $9 million in its consolidated statement of operations in the lawsuits orfirst quarter of 2004. On July 8, 2004, the government investigations described above could haveSuperior Court of Athens — Clarke County, Georgia granted a material adverse effectmotion to amend the Tobar complaint to add Nicholls, Barber and April Jones as plaintiffs in the Georgia Class Action and to add any potential class members in South Carolina. The court also granted preliminary approval of the proposed settlement on that date. On August 2, 2004, the Company’s consolidated financial conditions, results of operations or its liquidity, including its ability to comply with the Company’s debt covenants.

In additionparties submitted a joint request to the matters set forth above,South Carolina Court of Common Pleas to stay the South Carolina Class Action pending final approval of the settlement and on August 17, 2004, that court granted the parties’ request. On November 10, 2004, the court granted final approval of the settlement, rejecting positions advanced by two objectors to the settlement. On December 13, 2004 the court entered a written order formally approving that settlement. On January 11, 2005, certain class members appealed the order entered by the Georgia court. Those objectors voluntarily dismissed their appeal with prejudice on February 8, 2005. On February 9, 2005, the South Carolina Court of Common Pleas entered a court order of dismissal for the South Carolina Class Action. Additionally, one of the objectors to this settlement recently filed a similar, but not identical, lawsuit.

Furthermore, Charter is also party to other lawsuits and claims that arose in the ordinary course of conducting its business. In the opinion of management, after taking into account recorded liabilities, the outcome of these other lawsuits and claims willare not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, or results of operations.

F-41


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)
operations or its liquidity.

Regulation in the Cable Industry

The operation of a cable system is extensively regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), some state governments and most local governments. The FCC has the authority to enforce its regulations through the imposition of substantial fines, the issuance of cease and desist orders and/or the imposition of other administrative sanctions, such as the revocation of FCC licenses needed to operate certain transmission facilities

F-43


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

used in connection with cable operations. The 1996 Telecom Act altered the regulatory structure governing the nation’s communications providers. It removed barriers to competition in both the cable television market and the local telephone market. Among other things, it reduced the scope of cable rate regulation and encouraged additional competition in the video programming industry by allowing local telephone companies to provide video programming in their own telephone service areas.

The 1996 Telecom Act required the FCC to undertake a number of implementing rulemakings. Moreover, Congress and the FCC have frequently revisited the subject of cable regulation. Future legislative and regulatory changes could adversely affect the Company’s operations.

21. Employee Benefit Plan

The Company’s employees may participate in the Charter Communications, Inc. 401(k) Plan. Employees that qualify for participation can contribute up to 50% of their salary, on a pre-tax basis, subject to a maximum contribution limit as determined by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company matches 50% of the first 5% of participant contributions. The Company made contributions to the 401(k) plan totaling $7 million, $8$7 million and $9$8 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, respectively.

22. Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In December 2003,2004, the FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board issued FASB Interpretationthe revised SFAS No. 46 (revised December 2003),123,Consolidation of Variable Interest EntitiesShare — Based Payment(“FIN 46R”), which addresses howthe accounting for share-based payment transactions in which a business enterprise should evaluate whether it has a controlling financial interestcompany receives employee services in an entity through means other than voting rights and accordingly should consolidateexchange for (a) equity instruments of that company or (b) liabilities that are based on the entity. FIN 46R replaces FASB Interpretation No. 46,Consolidationfair value of Variable Interest Entities, which was issued in January 2003. The Companythe company’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of such equity instruments. This statement will be required to apply FIN 46R to variable interests in variable interest entities created after December 31, 2003. For variable interests in variable interest entities created before December 31,effective for the Company beginning July 1, 2005. Because the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 on January 1, 2003, the FIN 46R will be applied beginning on March 31, 2004. For any variable interest entities that must be consolidated under FIN 46R that were created before December 31, 2003, the assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests of the variable interest entity initially would be measured at their carrying amounts with any difference between the net amount addedCompany does not expect this revised standard to the balance sheet and any previously recognized interest being recognized as the cumulative effect of an accounting change. If determining the carrying amounts is not practicable, fair value at the date FIN 46R first applies may be used to measure the assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interest of the variable interest entity. The Company has identified DBroadband Holdings, LLC as a variable interest entity in accordance with FIN 46R. As the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity (as defined by FIN 46R), DBroadband Holdings, LLC has not been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In future periods, the Company will continue to reassess its relationship with DBroadband Holdings, LLC to ensure proper recognition of the relationship in accordance with FIN 46R. See Note 19 for additional information.

In December 2003, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104,Revenue Recognition. SAB No. 104 revises or rescinds portions of interpretative guidance on revenue recognition. SAB No. 104 became effective immediately upon release and requires registrants to either restate prior financial statements or report a change in accounting principle. The adoption of SAB No. 104 did not have a material impact on its financial statements.

The Company does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, if adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidatedaccompanying financial statements.

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CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

23. Parent Company Only Financial Statements

As the result of limitations on, and prohibitions of, distributions, substantially all of the net assets of the consolidated subsidiaries are restricted forfrom distribution to Charter Holdings, the Company.parent company (see Note 9). The following condensed parent-only financial

F-42


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

statements of the CompanyCharter Holdings account for the investment in its subsidiaries under the equity method of accounting. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and notes thereto.

Charter Communications Holdings, LLC (Parent Company Only)
Condensed Balance Sheet

                
 December 31,
 December 31, 
 2003
 2002
 2004 2003 
ASSETS
  
Accounts receivable $11 $ 
Receivable from related party $5 $121  11 5 
Investment in subsidiaries 8,954 11,040  4,913 8,954 
Other assets 131 167  94 131 
 
 
 
 
      
 $9,090 $11,328  
 
 
 
 
  $5,029 $9,090 
LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S EQUITY
 
     
LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
Current liabilities $135 $151  $163 $135 
Long-term debt 8,316 9,222  8,579 8,316 
Other long-term liabilities  49 
Member’s equity 639 1,906 
Member’s equity (deficit)  (3,713) 639 
 
 
 
 
      
Total liabilities and member’s equity $9,090 $11,328 
 
 
 
 
  
Total liabilities and member’s equity (deficit) $5,029 $9,090 
     

Condensed Statement of Operations

                     
 Year Ended December 31,
 Year Ended December 31, 
 2003
 2002
 2001
 2004 2003 2002 
Interest expense $(942) $(895) $(748) $(893) $(942) $(895)
Interest income  20 27    20 
Gain on debt exchange, net 187     187  
Equity in losses of subsidiaries  (15)  (5,324)  (1,851)
Equity in losses in subsidiaries  (3,506)  (15)  (5,324)
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Net loss $(770) $(6,199) $(2,572) $(4,399) $(770) $(6,199)
 
 
 
 
 
 
        

F-43F-45


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 2002 AND 20012002
(dollars in millions, except where indicated)

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

            
             Year Ended December 31, 
 2003
 2002
 2001
 2004 2003 2002 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:  
Net loss $(770) $(6,199) $(2,572) $(4,399) $(770) $(6,199)
Noncash interest expense 351 349 259  283 351 349 
Equity in losses of subsidiaries 15 5,324 1,851  3,506 15 5,324 
Gain on debt exchange, net  (187)      (187)  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities  8  (97) 7  32 8  (97)
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
Net cash flows from operating activities  (583)  (623)  (455)  (578)  (583)  (623)
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:  
Investments in subsidiaries  (10)  (359)  (4,266)
Investment in subsidiaries   (10)  (359)
Loans to subsidiaries   (821)  (1,649)    (821)
Repayment on loans to subsidiaries 59 447 1,548   59 447 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
Net cash flows from investing activities 49  (733)  (4,367)  49  (733)
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES  
Net proceeds from debt offering  895 3,250 
Proceeds from issuance of debt   895 
Payments for debt issuance costs   (20)  (67)    (20)
Repayments of long-term debt    (272)
Capital contributions  87 1,579    87 
Distributions from subsidiaries 561 444 422  578 561 444 
Distributions  (27)  (52)  (97)
Distributions to parent companies   (27)  (52)
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Net cash flows from financing activities 534 1,354 4,815  578 534 1,354 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   (2)  (7)
 
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS    (2)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year  2 9    2 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year $ $ $2  $ $ $ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        

F-44F-46