UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 20-F
(Mark One) | ||
o | REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
OR | ||
þ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 | ||
OR | ||
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934 | |
For such transition period from to |
Commission file number: 000-30004
PRIMACOM AG
Federal Republic of Germany
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
An der Ochsenwiese 3
55124 Mainz
011 49 6131 944.0
(Address of principal executive offices)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Name of each exchange on which registered | |
None | Not Applicable |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
Bearer Ordinary Shares, with no nominal value
(Title of Class)
American Depositary Shares, each representing one-half of one Ordinary Share
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report: 19,798,552
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such report) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:
Item 17 o Item 18 þ
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I
ITEM 1. | IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS |
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. | OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE |
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. | KEY INFORMATION |
In addition to historical information, this annual report includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to our future prospects, developments and business strategies and are based on analyses of forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this annual report, and we do not undertake to publicly update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “predict”, “project”, “will” and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. Most of these statements are contained in sections entitled “Item 3.D Risk Factors”, “Item 3.A Selected Financial Data”, “Item 4.B Business Overview” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and other sections of this annual report.
These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual future results, performance and achievements to be materially different from those suggested or described in this annual report. Many of the factors that will determine these results, performance and achievements are beyond our control. Such factors, among others, include:
• | our ability to negotiate with our existing lenders and to secure adequate financing, | |||
• | the speed and cost at which we are able to implement our cable television network upgrades and build broadband networks, | |||
• | the response from our subscribers to the new services and products offered to them on our existing networks and our upgraded broadband networks, | |||
• | our ability to extend our contracts with housing associations in Germany under commercially acceptable terms, | |||
• | changes in technology, | |||
• | changes in the competitive environment for cable television network and broadband network operators, | |||
• | changes in governmental regulation of the German, Dutch and European Union telecommunications markets. |
The risks described above and in the other sections of this annual report are not exhaustive. We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks, uncertainties and other factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all such risks, nor can we assess the impact of all such risks on our business or the extent to which any risk, or combination of risks, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements as a prediction or guarantee of actual results.
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A. | Selected Financial Data |
The selected consolidated statements of operations and cash flow data set forth below for the years ended December 31 2002, 2003 and 2004 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data set forth below as of December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 have been derived from our consolidated financial statements, included elsewhere in this annual report, which have been prepared in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”) and audited by Ernst & Young, independent auditors. The selected consolidated data presented below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this annual report.
The Deutsche Mark and the Euro had legal tender status through a transition period which ended February 28, 2002. Our consolidated financial statements for 1999 through 2004 were originally prepared in Euro. The selected consolidated financial data is not comparable to financial data of other companies that report in Euros and that restate amounts from currencies other than the Deutsche Mark.
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||||||||
(€'000 except per share and operations data) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of Operations Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | 124,343 | 165,496 | 182,042 | 197,948 | 210,713 | |||||||||||||||
Operating costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operations | 30,794 | 43,669 | 51,386 | 50,140 | 55,649 | |||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 27,981 | 34,878 | 31,694 | 28,807 | 29,673 | |||||||||||||||
Corporate overhead | 17,219 | 18,207 | 17,457 | 12,020 | 21,646 | |||||||||||||||
Debt refinancing | — | — | 2,432 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 75,530 | 118,360 | 95,943 | 87,587 | 82,521 | |||||||||||||||
Total | 151,524 | 215,114 | 198,912 | 178,554 | 189,489 | |||||||||||||||
Operating profit (loss) | (27,181 | ) | (49,618 | ) | (16,870 | ) | 19,394 | 21,224 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible Second Secured Loan non-cash interest | — | — | 31,079 | 42,060 | 48,950 | |||||||||||||||
Other bank interest and other interest | 26,173 | 62,768 | 78,342 | 71,039 | 73,839 | |||||||||||||||
Total | 26,173 | 62,768 | 109,421 | 113,099 | 122,789 | |||||||||||||||
Other (income) expense | (1,690 | ) | 5,649 | 993 | 42 | 2,851 | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and other items | (51,664 | ) | (118,035 | ) | (127,284 | ) | (93,747 | ) | (104,416 | ) | ||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit | (4,258 | ) | 15,381 | (10,980 | ) | (24,291 | ) | (9,031 | ) | |||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before minority interest and equity earning | (55,922 | ) | (102,654 | ) | (138,264 | ) | (118,038 | ) | (113,447 | ) | ||||||||||
Minority interest in net income of subsidiaries | (94 | ) | (88 | ) | (63 | ) | (61 | ) | (83 | ) | ||||||||||
Equity loss in affiliate | (128 | ) | (420 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | (56,144 | ) | (103,162 | ) | (138,327 | ) | (118,099 | ) | (113,530 | ) | ||||||||||
Extraordinary loss, net of income tax | (8,180 | ) | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of change in accounting Principle, net of income tax | — | (946 | ) | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | (64,324 | ) | (104,108 | ) | (138,327 | ) | (118,099 | ) | (113,530 | ) | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) per share | ||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations | (2.85 | ) | (5.21 | ) | (6.99 | ) | (5.97 | ) | (5.73 | ) | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) | (3.26 | ) | (5.26 | ) | (6.99 | ) | (5.97 | ) | (5.73 | ) |
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Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||||||||
(€'000 except per share and operations data) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data (at period end) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | 1,108,376 | 1,125,006 | 1,085,718 | 1,005,762 | 926,938 | |||||||||||||||
Total debt | 754,333 | 852,660 | 909,255 | 946,381 | 989,972 | |||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | 838,994 | 954,814 | 1,052,403 | 1,090,341 | 1,124,928 | |||||||||||||||
Shareholders’ equity/deficit | 269,184 | 169,992 | 33,042 | (84,930 | ) | (198,424 | ) | |||||||||||||
Cash Flow Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 11,685 | 15,321 | 31,091 | 42,233 | 34,814 | |||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (387,759 | ) | (80,552 | ) | (37,012 | ) | (32,470 | ) | (33,642 | ) | ||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 372,350 | 63,521 | 3,790 | (5,313 | ) | (5,189 | ) | |||||||||||||
Capital expenditures (excluding acquisitions) | 99,817 | 68,636 | 36,861 | 32,701 | 33,745 | |||||||||||||||
Operations Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Homes passed(1) | 1,916,870 | 1,964,868 | 1,977,958 | 1,956,871 | 1,970,326 | |||||||||||||||
Ready for service homes(2) | 412,538 | 440,883 | 448,088 | 463,153 | 493,036 | |||||||||||||||
Number of television subscribers | 1,299,926 | 1,304,494 | 1,305,769 | 1,302,303 | 1,271,306 | |||||||||||||||
Number of Internet subscribers(3) | 20,489 | 34,078 | 53,545 | 86,338 | 124,828 | |||||||||||||||
Number of digital television subscribers | 4,570 | 11,875 | 11,628 | 12,183 | 11,566 | |||||||||||||||
Total revenue generating units | 1,325,185 | 1,351,235 | 1,371,774 | 1,405,862 | 1,427,418 | |||||||||||||||
Analog Video penetration(4) | 67.8 | % | 66.4 | % | 66.0 | % | 66.6 | % | 64.5 | % | ||||||||||
Internet penetration(5) | 3.9 | % | 7.0 | % | 11.9 | % | 18.6 | % | 25.3 | % | ||||||||||
Digital penetration(6) | 1.1 | % | 2.7 | % | 2.6 | % | 2.6 | % | 2.3 | % | ||||||||||
EBITDA (€’000)(7) | 48,349 | 68,742 | 79,073 | 106,981 | 103,745 | |||||||||||||||
EBITDA margin(8) | 38.9 | % | 41.5 | % | 43.4 | % | 54.0 | % | 49.2 | % |
(1) | At end of the period in 2004, 1,346,725 homes were passed by coaxial cable networks and approximately 623,601 were homes passed by fiber optic cable networks. | |
(2) | Upgraded from the fiber node to the home (862 MHz and two-way capable). | |
(3) | Includes 3,203 dial-up customers at December 31, 2001. We have not had dial-up customers at or after December 31, 2002. | |
(4) | Analog television subscribers as a percentage of homes passed. | |
(5) | High-speed Internet subscribers as a percentage of ready for service homes. | |
(6) | Number of digital subscribers as a percentage of ready for service homes. | |
(7) | We define EBITDA as earnings (loss) before discontinued operations, equity earnings (loss) in affiliates, extraordinary items, cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, minority interests, gain (loss) on disposal of fixed assets, net interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization. Other participants in the cable television and broadband industries also use EBITDA, defined in a similar but often not exactly comparable manner, as a measure of performance. We believe that EBITDA is a useful supplement to net income and other income statement data in understanding cash flows generated from operations that are available for taxes, debt service and capital expenditures and because it is the most commonly used measure to analyze and compare cable television and broadband companies on the basis of operating performance, leverage and liquidity. EBITDA is not a US GAAP measure of income (loss) or cash flow from operations and should not be considered as an alternative to net income as an indication of our financial performance or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. | |
(8) | EBITDA margin is EBITDA divided by revenues. | |
The following schedule reconciles EBITDA to our US GAAP financial statements: |
Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | |||||||||||||||||
(€ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Operating profit (loss) | (27,181 | ) | (49,618 | ) | (16,870 | ) | 19,394 | 21,224 | |||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 75,530 | 118,360 | 95,943 | 87,587 | 82,521 | ||||||||||||||||
EBITDA | 48,349 | 68,742 | 79,073 | 106,981 | 103,745 | ||||||||||||||||
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Exchange rate information
Effective January 1, 1999, Germany and ten other members of the European Union introduced the Euro as their official currency and established fixed conversion rates between their existing sovereign currencies and the Euro. Currency exchanges traded the Euro beginning January 4, 1999. Beginning on January 1, 2002, the Euro became the official currency of all member countries. There was a transition period, which ended February 28, 2002 during which the Deutsche Mark was used alongside the Euro.
The table below sets forth, for the periods and dates indicated, information concerning the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar against the Euro, based on the noon buying rate and expressed in U.S. dollar per Euro.
U.S. dollar per Euro | ||||||||||||||||
Period-end | Average | |||||||||||||||
Calendar Year | Rate | Rate(1) | High | Low | ||||||||||||
1999 | 0.9930 | 0.9445 | 0.9984 | 0.8466 | ||||||||||||
2000 | 1.0652 | 1.0881 | 1.2092 | 0.9676 | ||||||||||||
2001 | 0.8901 | 0.8993 | 0.9535 | 0.8370 | ||||||||||||
2002 | 1.0485 | 0.9495 | 1.0485 | 0.8594 | ||||||||||||
2003 | 1.2597 | 1.1411 | 1.2597 | 1.0361 | ||||||||||||
2004 | 1.3538 | 1.2438 | 1.3625 | 1.1801 |
(1) | The average of the noon buying rate on the last business day of each month during the year. |
The following table sets forth, for the period indicated, information concerning the noon buying rate of U.S. dollar per Euro.
U.S. dollar per Euro | ||||||||||||
Period-end | ||||||||||||
Month | Rate | High | Low | |||||||||
September 2004 | 1.2417 | 1.2417 | 1.2052 | |||||||||
October 2004 | 1.2746 | 1.2783 | 1.2271 | |||||||||
November 2004 | 1.3259 | 1.3288 | 1.2703 | |||||||||
December 2004 | 1.3538 | 1.3625 | 1.3224 | |||||||||
January 2005 | 1.3049 | 1.3476 | 1.2954 | |||||||||
February 2005 | 1.3274 | 1.3274 | 1.2773 | |||||||||
March, 2005 | 1.2969 | 1.3465 | 1.2877 |
On March 31, 2005, the noon buying rate of U.S. dollar per Euro was€1 = $1.2969.
The rates stated above are provided solely for the convenience of the reader and are not necessarily the exchange rates, if any, we used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. No representation is made that Deutsche Mark or Euro could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars at these rates or at any other rates, or at all.
B. | Capitalization and Indebtedness |
Not applicable.
C. | Reasons for Offer and Use of Proceeds |
Not applicable.
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D. | Risk Factors |
Risks associated with our business
On April 16, 2004 the previous management and supervisory board signed a financing transaction (the “Proposed Asset Sale and Purchase Transaction”) which envisaged, (i) the transfer of substantially all of the Company’s assets to a special purpose vehicle, BK Breitband Kabelnetz Holding GmbH (“BBKH”), an investment vehicle established by certain of the Company’s creditors, (ii) the transfer to BBKH of all the Company’s liabilities under the Second Secured Credit Facility and the repayment by BBKH of all PrimaCom Management GmbH’s liabilities under the Senior Credit Facility (through a new loan facility to be entered into by BBKH), (iii) payment of a cash consideration of€5 million, which if it or any part of it becomes available for such a purpose, is to be distributed to the Company’s shareholders at the end of the liquidation of the Company and (iv) the liquidation of the Company.
As notified in our Ad Hoc notice — Form 6K of July 12, 2004 the “Proposed Asset Sale and Purchase Transaction” failed to receive the required majority of shareholders’ votes at the Company’s Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting held on June 8, 2004 and therefore the proposed financing was cancelled. Also at the meeting shareholders approved several changes of members in the Company’s supervisory board and commissioned the appointment of an independent investigator to investigate several matters relating to the “Proposed Asset Sale and Purchase Transaction” and to investigate and provide an expert opinion on whether the validity of the Second Secured Credit Facility could be challenged under German usury and immorality laws.
Subsequent to the annual shareholders’ meeting, the supervisory board appointed a new management board. Since then the new management board has continued and is continuing discussions with its creditors under the Senior Credit Facility and under the Second Secured Credit Facility in order to find a solution to the needed refinancing of the Company. In parallel the new management board commissioned further expert opinions to support and compliment the work performed by the independent investigator.
A summary of the findings of the independent investigator can be accessed on the Company’s web site.
On December 9 2004 the Company issued an Ad Hoc notice disclosing that PrimaCom AG and PrimaCom Management GmbH had filed a law suit at the District Court Mainz against the holders of the Second Secured Loan under the Second Secured Credit Facility. The principal amount of the second secured loan is€375,000,000 (plus an amount of accrued capitalized interest). The law suit asked the court determine whether PrimaCom AG and PrimaCom Management GmbH are obligated to pay the interest of the Second Secured Loan or whether the Second Secured Lenders are not able to enforce possible existing interest claims.
The Ad Hoc notice explained that the law suit is based on expert opinions obtained from the renowned accounting partnership (Wirtschaftsprüfersozietät) LKC Kemper Czarske v. Gronau Berz — functioning as independent investigator — as well as from Prof. Dr. Armbrüster on usurious credit and additionally on an expert opinion from a renowned insolvency office — that the Second Secured Loan has an equity character.
Should the law suit be successful in all points then no interest would have to be paid over the entire term of the second secured loan and interest already paid would be refundable to the Company.
On December 21, 2004 PrimaCom Management GmbH filed a further affirmative action claim at the District Court Frankfurt am Main against the Second Secured Lenders. In the affirmative action claim the court was asked to declare on whether the pledges of shares in certain of the Company’s subsidiaries as collateral for the Second Secured Loan are invalid and/or currently not enforceable.
Both court cases are currently pending.
As a consequence of the above developments and in particular due to the claimed equity character of the Second Secured Loan, it is not permissible under German insolvency law to continue to make interest payments as long as, and until a solution to the Company’s financial crisis is found. Therefore the Company did not make the scheduled interest payment for on the Second Secured Loan which was due on December 31, 2004 and was served with a notice of default on January 6, 2005. This also triggered a cross default of our Senior Credit Facility. During the 60 day standstill period governed by the inter-creditor agreement, the Company received waivers from the Senior
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Lenders for the cross default under the Senior Credit Facility and since then on a monthly basis, in order for the Company to be able to make use of the Senior Credit Facility on a monthly revolving basis. In addition a claim was filed by the Second Secured Lenders in London for a declaration that the provisions of the SSFA which oblige PrimaCom to pay interest to the Second Secured Lenders are valid and enforceable. However this case has been stayed pending the outcome of the German proceedings referred to above.
On March 8, 2005 following expiration of the standstill period the Second Secured Lenders served PrimaCom AG with a notice of default and demand in which they have declared all of the Second Secured Loan immediately due and payable together with accrued interest and all other sums due under the Second Secured Credit Facility Agreement. In a separate letter PrimaCom Management GmbH, who are guarantors of the Second Secured Loan, was notified of the above event of default. Under the terms of the inter-creditor agreement the Second Secured Lenders will be entitled, on July 6, 2005, to accelerate and enforce their claims on PrimaCom Management GmbH on expiry of 180 days following the original default notice.
Since March 8, 2005 for PrimaCom AG and from July 7, 2005 for PrimaCom Management GmbH the Second Secured Lenders are / will be entitled to petition or apply or vote in favour of any resolution for the winding up, dissolution, administration of or voluntary arrangement or insolvency proceedings in relation to PrimaCom AG and PrimaCom Management GmbH respectively. We believe that such enforcement action will be difficult given the pending court cases in Germany mentioned above and in any case that an assessment of the risks must be considered in light of any remedies or actions available to the Senior Lenders (whose claims to recoveries rank before those of the Second Secured Lenders).
In 2005, in addition to interest payments on the Senior Loan, PrimaCom Management GmbH will be required, due to the Senior Credit Facility amortization schedule, to make repayments of principal of approximately€57.0 mil. during 2005. We do not anticipate that operating cash flows of the Company will be sufficient to meet this schedule and therefore the Company will have a liquidity problem in the second half of 2005. In order to address the liquidity issue and provide a secure basis for the Company going forward, the Management board commissioned a Frankfurt investment Company to sell the Company’s 100% subsidiary Multikabel. The proceeds of the sale will be used to repay the Senior Loan.
Under the terms of our loan agreements, the sale of Multikabel requires the permission of both the Senior and Second Secured lenders. We have requested this permission from both lenders and have received the consent of the Senior Lenders. Despite our request for permission the Second Secured Lenders have obtained injunctions in England forbidding us to sell Multikabel without their consent. So far no consent has been forthcoming.
In order to find a consensual solution the Management board made an offer to the Second Secured Lenders to buy out the Second Secured Loan. The offer was rejected.
In summary the future of the Company will depend largely on the successful completion of the Multikabel sale process and repayment of the Senior Loan as a first step and as a second step either reaching agreement with the Second Secured Lenders on a consensual solution to discharge the Second Secured Loan or on the successful completion of the court cases filed in Germany by the Company.
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Our substantial debt creates financial risk, including the risk of insolvency
We are highly leveraged and the ratio of our indebtedness to our equity has increased as we have incurred additional indebtedness and, as a result of our continued net losses, we have incurred a shareholders’ deficit. In addition to provisions pursuant to which the filing of insolvency proceedings can occur when a debtor cannot pay its obligations as they become due, which are common to most jurisdictions, German law requires a company to commence insolvency proceedings if it becomes over-indebted. We would be treated as being over-indebted if we have negative equity based on accounting principles generally accepted in Germany (German GAAP), due to our total liabilities exceeding our total assets. Over-indebtedness is evaluated on an individual entity basis for the PrimaCom group. These evaluations are performed first on the basis of the respective German GAAP balance sheets of the relevant companies and if the relevant test is not passed, in a second step on the basis of a German GAAP adjusted balance sheet. This adjusted balance sheet would substitute going-concern values for the book values reflected in the German GAAP balance sheet included in our financial statements. The difference between these two balance sheets relates to hidden reserves that have to be taken into account and various assets that have to be valued differently. If we or any of our subsidiaries were over-indebted on this second basis, the affected entity would be required to file insolvency proceedings without undue delay, but in no event later than three weeks after the determination is made. The test for over-indebtedness is performed with reference to our year-end balance sheet, unless there are reasons, including increased operating costs, which trigger a requirement to perform the analysis during a fiscal year. We cannot assure you that we, or any of our subsidiaries, will not at any time in the future become over-indebted and required to file insolvency proceedings as a result of our over-indebtedness or for other reasons. If we or PrimaCom Management GmbH, or one of our other subsidiaries which is an obligor under our credit facilities were to file insolvency proceedings, the filing would constitute an event of default under our credit facilities and could lead to the acceleration of the date of the required payment of those facilities, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial position and our ability to continue our business operations.
Our substantial leverage limits our ability to obtain additional financing and makes us more vulnerable to an economic downturn
In the second quarter 2003, our shareholders’ equity on a consolidated basis became negative. Prior to that our debt to equity ratio had increased constantly. As of December 2001, we had a debt to equity ratio of 5.0:1 whereas this ratio increased as per December 2002 to 27.5:1. In addition to the insolvency risk described above, our degree of leverage also has other important consequences. For example, the current degree of leverage limits our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, product development or other general corporate purposes, and acquisitions. It also makes us more vulnerable to a downturn in business or the economy generally. The dramatic and continued reduction in the market values of the securities of companies in the telecommunications and media sectors has, in all but a few instances, limited access of participants in these sectors from accessing the capital markets and significantly reduced both the number of financial institutions willing to provide credit facilities to participants in those sectors and the amount of credit the remaining institutions are willing to extend. These developments have directly affected us and substantially increased the risks associated with our substantial leverage.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash from operations to fund our operating expenses, debt service obligations and capital expenditures
As of December 31, 2004, we had approximately€989,972,000 in bank and other debt outstanding and approximately€198,424,000 of shareholders’ deficit as compared to€946,381,000 in bank and other debt and€84,930,000 of shareholders’ deficit as of December 31, 2003. Significantly all of our cash flow from operations is dedicated to servicing this debt. This limits the amount of cash flow that may be used for selective planned capital expenditures and possible acquisitions. If our cash flow from operations is less than what we budgeted in our business plan, we may be forced to:
• | restructure or refinance our debt (including on terms that may be even less favorable to us than our current debt) and seek new investors to increase shareholders’ equity; |
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• | further reduce or delay capital expenditures; | |||
• | sell assets on terms that would otherwise be unacceptable to us; or | |||
• | forgo business opportunities. |
Any of these actions could prevent us from obtaining some or all of the benefits expected from our business strategy.
In addition, we may not have sufficient cash from our operations to make future payments to meet the scheduled amortization on our senior facility that are required. The facility reduction schedule reduced the available commitment at quarterly intervals starting on March 31, 2003. If this and other future principal payments cannot be refinanced, extended or paid with proceeds of other transactions such as new raising of equity or debt capital, we could be declared in default of our loan obligations, in which case our debts under these instruments could become immediately payable.
Currently, we own 100% of PrimaCom Management GmbH which, in turn, owns, directly or indirectly, all our other operating subsidiaries and partnerships. However, our convertible second secured term loan facility gives the lenders the right to convert the outstanding debt under this facility into up to 65% of the shares of PrimaCom Management GmbH, on December 31, 2004 and thereafter. These lenders have advised us that they do not intend to exercise their option. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance this facility on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. For a description of our debt instruments see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospectus—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
We expect to incur net losses in the near term, and the value of our business and our securities will likely decline if we are unable to generate net profits in the future
We incurred net losses of approximately€113,530,000 in the year ended December 31, 2004 and€118,099,000 in the year ended December 31, 2003. Unless we can significantly reduce our indebtedness, we expect to continue to incur net losses. As part of our strategy to attempt to generate net profits, we intend to continue to upgrade our networks on a very selective basis and develop new products including broadband services, which will give rise to additional capital expenditure and increase our already substantial interest expense. This planned selective upgrading and our product development efforts will allow us to provide value-added services, which we believe will permit us to selectively increase our revenues per subscriber in the future. At the same time, we will seek to reduce operating expenses, including by installing our own head-ends to receive programming directly from satellites instead of through the network of Kabel Deutschland, especially in those instances where our delivery fees from Kabel Deutschland have increased. A more detailed description of our signal delivery agreements with Kabel Deutschland is provided in “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and “Item 4. Information on the Company—Business—Strategy”. We cannot assure you that this strategy will be successful or that we will be able to generate net profits in the future. Our inability to generate net profits in the future may have a significant negative impact on the value of our business and the securities you own.
Our debt instruments contain restrictive covenants which may be breached and which may pose potential financial and operating problems
Our operating and financial flexibility and liquidity is limited by restrictions imposed by our existing debt instruments. These contain financial and operating covenants including, among other things, maintenance of identified financial ratios, as well as limitations on our ability to sell all or substantially all of our assets and engage in mergers, consolidations and other acquisitions. If we fail to comply with the covenants and other provisions of these debt instruments, our debts under these instruments could become payable prior to their scheduled payment date.
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We have no governmental franchises and primarily serve our subscribers through concession agreements with housing associations in Germany, and if we are unable to successfully extend these agreements on commercially reasonable terms, this failure may negatively impact our business
Unlike the cable market in the United States, German governmental bodies do not grant franchise areas to cable operators. Instead, we serve our German subscribers primarily under concession contracts with housing associations that administer large housing blocks. We will face strong competition for these concessions, which must be periodically renewed. If we are unable to renew our concessions, or if housing associations are successful in terminating these contracts either upon or before their expiration, the decrease in subscribers could have a material negative impact on our operating results. For more information about these contracts with housing associations, see “Item 4. Information on the Company”.
Our subsidiary in the Netherlands, Multikabel, has been granted franchise areas under the former telecommunications regulations. However, the current regulations do not provide for exclusive franchise areas, and multiple parties may be authorized to build cable networks in the same area. Although this has not happened, we cannot assure you that multiple authorizations will not be granted in the future, pursuant to which competitive services may be offered in the areas in which we operate our network.
Municipal initiatives – often supported by housing associations — to build fiber networks in the larger cities in the Netherlands have led to disagreements between local and national government and may be conflicting with EU regulations.
�� As an alternative to newly granted authorizations to build cable networks, third parties may be granted access to our networks, thus giving them unbundled access to offer competitive services. This can result in migration of subscribers from our services to another, but on a national scale this may also lead to increased service opportunities for Multikabel on cable systems owned by third parties.
Our debt is at variable rates of interest or at rates of cash interest which increase over time, so that rising interest rates could adversely affect our cash flow
Our borrowings under our senior credit facility is at variable rates of interest. We currently have approximately€491,111,000 in indebtedness with floating interest rates. Increases in interest rates would increase our interest expenses under these loans and the costs of refinancing existing indebtedness and of issuing new debt. Accordingly, higher interest rates would adversely affect cash flow and our ability to service our debt. Additionally, the cash coupon of interest under our convertible second secured term loan facility increases over time, which will also adversely affect cash flow and our ability to service our debt.
Because we depend on third parties for some of the broadband services we offer, we may not be able to obtain or replace these services on reasonable terms and we may have problems with these third parties.
We do not produce or own all of the broadband services we offer to our subscribers in the Netherlands and Germany. In addition to not being able to obtain or replace a sufficient number of those services on favorable terms, we face a number of other risks.
In Germany, our competitors hold exclusive rights to programming that we may wish to offer to our subscribers in the future, and may limit the availability of programming to us or may charge us fixed fees regardless of how many subscribers sign up to receive this programming. In addition, regulatory constraints may affect our ability to select programming we may want to provide. If we do not succeed in obtaining a sufficient number of these new services, either independently or with partners, on commercially reasonable terms, demand for our services would be reduced and our revenues would decrease.
Also in the Netherlands, competition on programming content in the television domain is increasing. Multikabel currently offers one of the largest analog/digital packages in the Netherlands, but we can not preclude that new initiatives (DVB-T, DSL-TV) will try to offer exclusive content that is not available for us. Recently
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Multikabel agreed with Canal+ to offer their premium channels over our digital platform. In the course of 2005, this wholesale model will replace the current forced access situation. Unfortunately, Canal+ has not been able to secure the distribution rights for Premier League Dutch soccer after August 2005.
For the provision of our digital television product, Multikabel is currently dependent on Mediakabel. Mediakabel is a consortium of cable companies in which we have a minority interest. During 2005, Multikabel expects to finalize the building of its own digital headend, and will therefore be no longer dependent on Mediakabel for the provisioning of the digital program streams. The Mediakabel operating agreement expires in December 2005.
The significant increases in the number of our broadband Internet subscribers, which we experienced over the past years, have not incurred technical difficulties. But future technical problems — due to either further increases of the number of subscribers or expansion of the speeds offered — could result in a loss of subscription fees for broadband Internet access and have a material adverse effect on the financial results of our Dutch operations.
Lastly, in the Netherlands, we depend on Priority Telecom B.V (“Priority”), a subsidiary of United Pan Europe Communications (UPC), for the provision of our telephony offerings. In the event Priority and its interconnection partners, for example KPN, fail to deliver services to us, the quality of service expected by our subscribers could be materially impacted. This would result in subscriber dissatisfaction and the loss of subscribers and revenue from the sale of this product, which might force us to find an alternative source to support these offerings in the Netherlands. We cannot assure you that, if required, any of such alternative sources could be identified on time or at all and on terms acceptable to us.
Our business plan assumes increasing demand for bandwidth-intensive applications, and if the demand for these services does not increase as expected it would negatively impact our financial performance
Our business plan assumes that the use of Internet, data services, cable or Internet-based telephony services and other bandwidth-intensive applications will further increase in Germany and in the Netherlands in the next few years. We also believe that there will be increasing demand for our telephony services. Based on this assumption, we have invested heavily in the past, but due to the financing constraints, which we are subject to, we intend in the future to invest only selectively in Germany in upgrading our networks to enable them to support broadband services. However, if the use of bandwidth-intensive applications in those countries does not increase as anticipated, or develops more slowly than anticipated, the demand for many of our services might be lower than anticipated, which would have a negative impact on our pricing flexibility, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, based on our experiences in the market for telephony services, we believe that the market for cable telephony services and Internet protocol-based telephony services, also known as voice-over IP, may be particularly difficult because of the high degree of competition, pricing pressures and the existence of incumbent telephony operators. Also, we expect to face competition from wireless telephone carriers and new entrants to the European telephone market.
If we are unable to respond to competitive pressures on a timely basis, implement new technologies or penetrate new markets in response to changing subscriber requirements, or if new or enhanced services offered by us do not receive an acceptable level of market acceptance, we may not be able to compete effectively.
We face increasing competition from satellite or digital terrestrial television and other alternative methods of television signal delivery, which may limit our growth and cause us to lose subscribers
As a result of competition for subscribers from other signal delivery methods, we may be unable to increase our subscriber base or we may lose subscribers. We also face increasing competition from other methods of television signal delivery to the home, including:
• | digital terrestrial; | |||
• | analog and digital satellite-delivered direct-to-home systems; and |
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• | satellite master antenna television systems, particularly in areas of low cable penetration. |
Various companies in Germany and the Netherlands offer satellite digital direct-to-home television operations. These companies may be able to use their substantial financial resources and exclusive entertainment and sports programming contracts to further penetrate the market and compete with us for subscribers. In the Netherlands, licenses have been awarded for digital terrestrial television, which competes with our television offering; the Dutch Digitenne consortium offers digital terrestrial services since the third quarter of 2003, but we have not experienced any significant churn in our analog/digital package so far. We believe that we will face additional competition from digital terrestrial television, which was commercially launched in Berlin area in Germany in January 2003 and in Mainz area in Germany in December 2004.
We may not be able to keep up with the rapid technological changes in the cable television and broadband industries and may incur significant costs of implementing new technologies
To remain competitive, we must continue to introduce new services and enhance and improve the functionality, accessibility and features of our networks. The cable television and broadband industries are subject to:
• | rapid and significant changes in technology; | |||
• | changes in use and customer requirements and preferences; | |||
• | frequent product and service introductions embodying new technologies; and | |||
• | the emergence of new industry standards and practices that could render existing proprietary technology and systems obsolete. |
We cannot predict the effect of technological changes on our business. In addition, we cannot offer any assurance that we will be able to successfully implement new technologies or adapt technologies to customer requirements in a timely manner. Furthermore, the cost of implementing emerging technologies or to change from one technology to another once implementation has started, is significant when compared to the cash we have available after we make payments on our indebtedness and our ability to fund implementation or change will most likely be dependent upon our ability to obtain additional financing.
Our program suppliers may offer programming to our competitors exclusively or on more favorable terms, and may require minimum payments for some programming events, all of which could negatively impact our business
Program suppliers may offer programming exclusively or on more favorable terms (both as to price and availability) to our competitors. We will continue to face this competitive risk even if we succeed in increasing the number of subscribers served by our own head-ends to reduce signal delivery fees payable to Kabel Deutschland, the formerly wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom that was sold to a group of investors lead by Goldman Sachs, Apax and Providence in 2003. This risk may intensify as satellite broadcasters continue to become more established in Germany.
The operating margins and cash flows of our German operations may decline as a result of increases in signal delivery expenses or customer dissatisfaction.
At December 31, 2004, approximately 50% of our subscribers in Germany were served by networks that received programming under signal delivery contracts we have with regional subsidiaries of Kabel Deutschland (and successor private operators) as compared to 51% at December 31, 2003. The increase of signal fees might possibly continue in the future. Any fee increases under programming signal delivery contracts which cannot be captured by increased rates for our subscribers may have an adverse effect on our operating margins and may lead to a loss in subscribers who abandon cable television and instead rely on direct television reception or other reception technologies.
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If payments are assessed on our transmission of analog television programming in Germany, our operating margins and cash flows will suffer unless we can pass these additional costs on to subscribers
Historically, we have been in the business of providing analog television programming to subscribers over our cable television networks in Germany. Like other cable network operators in Germany, we have generally not had to pay program providers for this analog programming. However, some or all of our program providers could require us to pay for analog programming in the future. If this occurs and we are unable to pass these charges on to subscribers, our operating margins and cash flows would suffer.
We may have to pay copyright royalties for retransmitting programming to our subscribers in Germany, which would reduce our German operating margins and cash flows to the extent that they exceed the amounts we have accrued for these royalties
Like all the other German cable network operators, we have to pay copyright royalties for retransmission of programming we received from sources other than Kabel Deutschland and successor private operators. However, GEMA, one of the German copyright collection agencies, has started collecting royalties from cable network retroactively from July 1, 1997. Although our strategy of building our own head-ends will reduce retransmission of the amount of programming we receive from Kabel Deutschland and successor private operators, it will not reduce our royalty payments if we are required to pay copyright royalties on the transmission of programming we receive through our own head-ends. We also have to pay royalties in connection with our digital programming and other products we offer to subscribers over our broadband network. If these royalties exceed the amounts we have accrued or will accrue for this purpose, our net income and cash flows will decrease. If royalties were collected retroactively in amounts in excess of the accruals we have been making since January 1, 2000, our net losses for the periods for which this retroactive payment has to be made would increase.
Extensive government regulation of the broadband industry could restrict the way we operate our business and could hinder our business plans
We are subject to extensive regulatory controls and may, from time to time, not be in compliance with all administrative and licensing requirements of the regulatory authorities. In addition, we may have to comply with amended or additional regulations in the future. Problems related to all of these regulatory matters may restrict our ability to compete effectively. Changes in German federal or state, or Dutch regulation of the licensing, construction and operation of cable television or broadband networks, including the regulations relating to licensing requirements, the operations of Kabel Deutschland and KPN and interconnection arrangements, could restrict our business operations and hinder our business plans.
Under the recent allocation of frequency bands in Germany we may be prevented from transmitting over some of the frequency bands we currently use, in which case our transition to new frequencies could prove to be difficult and more costly than we currently estimate
In May 2002, three new ordinances governing the allocation, use and assignment of frequencies took effect in Germany. The ordinance on the allocation of frequencies addresses the “free use” of frequencies without an individual permit, approval or other regulatory resolution. It allows the free use of frequencies between 9 KHz and 30 MHz in and along conductors in our cable networks under certain conditions. These conditions require that (1) the disturbing radiation emitted by the conductors does not exceed identified limits and (2) the frequencies are not used for security purposes, identified by the German regulatory authority. If the above conditions are not met, then the German regulatory authority will decide on a case-by-case basis whether we may use the given frequency. The authority may also impose on us restrictions or conditions prior to granting permission to use frequencies. In addition, these same conditions apply to frequencies between 30 MHz and 3 GHz since July 1, 2003. These regulations may prevent us from using some or all of the relevant frequency bands to retransmit programming on our cable networks. Should this occur, we may need to make investments in our German networks in order to continue providing our current services.
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If we are deemed to be “market-dominating” by the competition and/or regulatory authorities in Germany or the Netherlands, we will be subject to heightened regulation that could restrict the fees we charge subscribers and restrict our operating flexibility
Under German and Dutch telecommunications and competition law, we are likely to be considered “market-dominating” in those regions in which we are the only cable or broadband operator or, potentially, in which we provide a high percentage of the available cable or broadband products and services. If this occurs, the regulatory authority in those countries may have the right to review our subscriber and/or carriage fees and object to any proposed increases. The authorities could also review and object to other terms of our subscriber or business agreements. If approvals for fee increases or for the introduction of fee packages for new services are delayed or refused, our operating margins, cash flow and competitive position could suffer. In addition, if we are found to be market-dominating, the regulatory authority could require that we provide third parties access to our networks on a large scale or change other aspects of our operations. This may also negatively impact our business and financial results.
German media authorities may require us to offer popular channels in analog mode rather than exclusively in digital mode, which could negatively affect the growth and development of our digital cable television service
The success of our digital service will depend in large part upon our ability to offer high quality digital programming. For instance, we may seek to broaden our digital subscriber base by offering popular programming exclusively through our digital service. However, we may be prevented from implementing this strategy if German media authorities require us to offer this programming in analog mode in addition to digital format. The availability of the same programs in analog format may limit our ability to attract digital subscribers and to increase cable subscription revenues.
We may become subject to Internet regulation in Germany and the Netherlands, which could increase our costs or limit the services we provide to subscribers
The provision of Internet services has, to date, not been materially restricted by regulation in Germany and the Netherlands. However, both in Germany and in the Netherlands, a number of Internet services are subject to regulation with respect to licensing and notification requirements and content. If this does occur, it could result in increased costs and operational complexity.
In addition, the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the Internet is uncertain and may change. In particular, new laws and regulations may be enacted and existing laws and regulations may be applied to the Internet and e-commerce. New and existing laws may cover issues like:
• | value-added sales or other taxes; | |||
• | user privacy; | |||
• | pricing controls; | |||
• | characteristics and quality of products and services; | |||
• | consumer protection; | |||
• | cross-border commerce; | |||
• | libel and defamation; | |||
• | electronic signatures; | |||
• | transmission security; | |||
• | copyright, trademark and patent infringement; | |||
• | spam, phishing and other cyber crime offences; |
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• | traffic data retention (archiving log files) and content filtering; | |||
• | notice and take down systems; | |||
• | lawful interception. |
Any new laws and regulations or the uncertainty associated with their enactment could increase our costs and hinder the development of our business and limit the growth of our revenues.
Because we do not insure a substantial portion of our underground cable networks, we may have to bear the full costs of any damage to those uninsured networks, which may have a negative effect on our financial performance
Any catastrophe affecting a significant portion of our underground cable networks could result in substantial uninsured losses and could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. While we carry general liability insurance on our properties, we do not insure a substantial portion of our underground cable networks in Germany and we carry only minimal insurance on the underground portion of our cable networks in the Netherlands. We intend to continue to carry only general liability insurance on our properties.
United States shareholders may have difficulties in making claims for any breach of their rights because neither we nor most of the members of our management or supervisory boards are in the United States
It may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us or on the members of our management and supervisory boards or to enforce in United States courts against us and them judgments obtained in United States courts based upon civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States. We have been advised by counsel that enforceability in Germany of civil liabilities based on the laws of the United States, including the federal securities laws, is subject to restrictions or may not be obtained in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of United States courts. Accordingly, civil judgments obtained in the United States may be unenforceable in Germany. These difficulties are significant because we are organized as a joint stock corporation under the laws of Germany and a majority of the members of our management and supervisory board reside outside of the United States. In addition, all of our assets and all or a substantial portion of the assets of many of the members of our management and supervisory board are also located outside of the United States.
Risks relating to Liberty’s ownership in us
The interests of Liberty, our largest shareholder, may differ significantly from your interests and the interests of our other shareholders
As of December 31, 2004, Liberty Media International (“Liberty”) owned directly and indirectly through subsidiaries approximately 26.7% of our shares. As long as Liberty continues to have a significant portion of our shares, and depending on the number of shares represented by other shareholders at our shareholders’ meetings, Liberty and its affiliates UnitedGlobalCom, Inc. (“UGC”) and UPC could exercise substantial influence over decisions taken at our shareholders’ meetings. Other future shareholder decisions may relate to:
• | mergers or other business combinations; | |||
• | material acquisitions or dispositions of assets; | |||
• | future issuances of shares or other securities; | |||
• | payment of dividends on our shares; and | |||
• | significant amendments to our articles of association |
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The interests of Liberty in deciding matters and the factors each considers in exercising their influence could be different from your interests and the interests of our other shareholders.
Liberty’s ownership and the resulting interests of UGC and UPC in us may deter third parties from seeking to acquire control of us, including transactions that may be economically beneficial to us and our shareholders and any perception that Liberty’s shareholding in us is available for sale may cause a reduction in the market price of our shares
Liberty’s ownership and the interests of its affiliates UGC and UPC in us reduce the likelihood that a third party would be able to obtain majority control over us unless Liberty sells its shares. As a result, Liberty’s interest may have the effect of discouraging a third party from initiating a takeover bid for our shares or otherwise attempting to gain control over us, including transactions that may be economically beneficial to us and our shareholders.
ITEM 4. | INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY |
A. | History and Development of the Company |
Our legal and commercial name is PrimaCom AG and we were incorporated on December 30, 1998 upon the completion of the merger of our predecessor companies, KabelMedia and Süweda. We are a stock corporation organized under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. Our principal executive offices are located at An der Ochsenwiese 3, Mainz 55124, Germany. Our telephone number is +49 6131-9440. We maintain a website atwww.primacom.de. Information contained in our website does not constitute a part of this annual report.
A description of our principal capital expenditures during the year 2004 and information concerning the principal capital expenditures currently in progress and the method of financing is included in “Item 5. B. Liquidity and Capital Resources”.
B. | Business Overview |
Who we are
Since KabelMedia’s inception in 1992, we have primarily owned, operated and acquired cable television networks in Germany. On September 18, 2000, with the acquisition of Multikabel, we expanded our operations from Germany to the Netherlands. As of December 31, 2004 we owned and operated cable television and broadband networks passing 1,970,326 homes and available to approximately 1,427,418 revenue-generating customers as follows:
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Germany | The Netherlands | |||||||
Cable networks (up to 450 MHz) | ||||||||
Cable television homes passed | 1,346,725 | — | ||||||
Analog television subscribers | 834,577 | — | ||||||
Broadband network (862 MHz) | ||||||||
Homes passed by fiber | 281,793 | 341,808 | ||||||
Ready for service homes | 167,183 | 325,853 | ||||||
Analog television subscribers | 122,333 | 314,396 | ||||||
Digital television subscribers | 5,237 | 6,329 | ||||||
Internet subscribers | 10,352 | 114,476 | ||||||
Telephony subscribers | — | 18,862 | ||||||
Data communications subscribers(1) | — | 856 | ||||||
Total revenue generating subscribers | 972,499 | 454,919 |
(1) | Includes 406 schools served by our Kennisnet product. |
We believe that we are the fifth largest private cable network operator in Germany in terms of the number of direct subscribers and the first and one of the largest private operators of broadband networks in Germany.
In Germany, we are currently offering our broadband subscribers digital television, pay-per-view and high-speed Internet services to complement our basic cable television offering. We currently offer our Dutch subscribers digital television, high-speed Internet access and telephony services, in addition to our analog cable television offering. We also offer business subscribers in The Netherlands leased line data communications services and have designated communications services in place for schools (bundles of television and internet services).
There are two analog cable television services: a basic package (including 15 analog television channels and 39 radio channels) and a standard package (including 42 television channels simultaneously broadcasted in analog and digital, as well as 39 analog radio channels).
Our strategy
Our objective is to enhance the value of our business by expanding and promoting our broadband service offering, capitalizing on more efficient usage of our existing networks in the German and Dutch cable television markets and, to a lesser extent, selectively continuing to upgrade our cable television networks in Germany. Our business strategy focuses on the following specific goals:
• | Generate net profits by deferring capital expenditure while enhancing internal revenue growth.As part of our strategy to generate profits in the future, we have deferred significant upgrades of our existing networks in Germany while seeking to generate increased revenues by selectively increasing subscription rates for our basic cable television services, primarily in conjunction with the introduction of new programs and through the continued use of marketing programs designed to increase subscriber penetration of both our basic cable services and of our broadband services to those customers already passed by our broadband networks. In particular, we intend over time to increase monthly service rates for basic cable television in the new German states (the former East Germany) to levels similar to those in the old German states (the former West Germany). Our ability to do so, however, will strongly depend on our competitors’ pricing. In the Netherlands, we now have greater pricing flexibility because on January 31, 2003 we became exempt from pricing regulations imposed by local municipalities on our basic level of cable television services. We intend to add programs in order to generate higher monthly subscription fees for our basic cable television product. We will also focus on increasing the efficiency of our existing operations. In the Netherlands, where broadband services have been offered |
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for a longer period of time and have achieved greater customer acceptance, we intend to continue to build-out our networks to new areas and to enhance our network to permit us to deliver more products and services. | ||||
• | Expand and promote our broadband service offering.We intend to generate increased revenue by aggressively marketing our broadband Internet access products and our digital television products in both Germany and in the Netherlands. We will seek to identify opportunities to enhance and re-price our broadband products in order to reach a larger customer base. We will examine the possibility of bundling video, data and voice products into one offering as a means of increasing sales. We are aggressively pursuing opportunities to supply our digital services to other cable operators. | |||
• | Launch new services over existing cable infrastructure.In September 2002, our Dutch operations finalized its technical pilot and started rolling out a hybrid IP/PSTN (“Internet Protocol/Public Switched Telephone Network”) based telephony product. Starting in 2003, this service was rolled out city-by-city, primarily bundled with our broadband Internet access product. | |||
• | Strengthen customer orientation.We believe that customer orientation is important to our business in two ways: maintaining or developing direct customer service, billing and marketing relationships with the subscribers of our cable and broadband services will enhance our ability to sell additional products and services and generate incremental revenue. On the other hand, a good and trustful relationship with the housing associations is important to establish basic services and to implement new models for the distribution of new products, such as Internet or video-on-demand. We will continue to use a regional operating structure designed to generate a subscriber-focused business orientation. Each of our operating regions is managed by a regional manager who is responsible for both subscriber and technical services and local ongoing relationships with housing associations. We believe that this regional operating structure enables us to be more responsive to subscriber needs and to maintain strong relationships with the housing associations and our subscribers. This structure is complemented by a corporate sales office which addresses the needs of our national accounts and which frequently benchmarks sales results in all regions. | |||
• | Increase revenues by increasing programming available to our subscribers over our cable networks.We plan to generate additional carriage fee revenues by entering into agreements with certain programming providers who will pay us carriage fees for making their programming available to our subscribers. | |||
• | Improve efficiency and margins by streamlining operations.We believe clustering strategy has produced and will continue to produce efficiencies and synergies between our existing networks and acquired cable networks. In accordance with our past practice, upon completion of future acquisitions or asset swaps we will generally implement extensive operational and organizational changes designed to enhance operating cash flow and operating margins. | |||
• | Increase network ownership and reduce signal delivery fees.In Germany, we continue to rely on Kabel Deutschland and successor private operators to deliver programming signal to our cable networks serving approximately 50% of our subscribers. We intend to continue to reduce our dependence on Kabel Deutschland and successor private operators by continuing to construct our own head-ends and infrastructure where appropriate. We believe that selectively installing our own head-ends and related infrastructure will reduce our signal delivery fees and have a positive effect on our operating results and quality of service. | |||
• | Focus on attracting new subscribers.We have selectively passed new homes and interconnected our various systems in and around cities in Germany. The passing of these new homes may provide us with opportunities to market our products and services and then to connect new subscribers to our broadband network. We also believe that this build-out and marketing strategy complements our consolidation activities because smaller cable operators may not have the technical or financial resources to compete in the broadband market and, as a result, may be more inclined to cooperate with us. |
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• | Extend the customer basis for new services.While we intend to very selectively upgrade a portion of our German networks over the next five years, we plan to bring our services to non-upgraded homes. This may involve the implementation of a cable-independent back channel (such as a telephone line), but in return will allow us to capitalize on our experience regarding new services in areas where the networks are fragmented. |
Our subscribers
We have subscribers in four primary operating regions in Germany and in one operating region in the Netherlands. At December 31, 2004, we served our subscribers in Germany from networks operated at level 2, level 3, level 4 (non B-1), and level 4 (B-1) as well as from broadband networks. We served our subscribers in the Netherlands almost exclusively from broadband networks. A description of the levels referred to in the table below is set forth in the section captioned “—Our Networks—Germany”.
Sachsen/ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sachsen- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Osnabrück/ | Wiesbaden | Anhalt/ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Berlin | Aachen | Mainz | Thüringen | Multikabel | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cable networks (up to 450 MHz) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cable Television homes passed. | 238,446 | 270,848 | 336,784 | 500,647 | — | 1,346,725 | |||||||||||||||||||
Analog subscribers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 2 subscribers | 66,231 | 20,158 | 62,072 | 222,032 | — | 370,493 | |||||||||||||||||||
Level 3 subscribers | 42,772 | 19,776 | 12,249 | 108,695 | — | 183,492 | |||||||||||||||||||
Level 4 subscribers (non B-1) | 74,194 | 2,795 | 10,585 | 8,624 | — | 96,198 | |||||||||||||||||||
Level 4 subscribers (B-1) | — | 104,036 | 80,358 | — | — | 184,394 | |||||||||||||||||||
Broadband networks (862 MHz) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Homes passed by fiber | 1,979 | 3,755 | 3,494 | 272,565 | 341,808 | 623,601 | |||||||||||||||||||
Ready for service homes | — | — | 3,494 | 163,689 | 325,853 | 493,036 | |||||||||||||||||||
Analog television subscribers | 1,900 | 3,755 | 989 | 115,689 | 314,396 | 436,729 | |||||||||||||||||||
Digital television subscribers | — | — | 90 | 5,147 | 6,329 | 11,566 | |||||||||||||||||||
Internet subscribers | — | — | 137 | 10,215 | 114,476 | 124,828 | |||||||||||||||||||
Data communication subscribers | — | — | — | — | 856 | 856 | |||||||||||||||||||
Telephony subscribers | — | — | — | — | 18,862 | 18,862 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue generating subscribers | 185,097 | 150,520 | 166,480 | 470,402 | 454,919 | 1,427,418 |
Germany. We serve our subscribers primarily under long-term public concession agreements with local governmental authorities and under private concession agreements with housing associations that administer large housing blocks. Many of our private concession agreements with housing associations provide that we are the exclusive provider of cable services in the concession area. We have direct billing and servicing relationships with approximately 77%, of our subscribers. We have indirect billing and servicing relationships with approximately 23%, of our subscribers, whereby governmental authorities and housing associations receive broadcasting signal from us and are responsible for billing and collecting subscription fees. Most of our indirect billing relationships are with recently acquired subscribers and we intend to establish direct relationships with these subscribers in the future.
The Netherlands. Our Dutch subscribers reside in approximately 40 municipalities across the province of Noord-Holland, which is located in the northwest region of the Netherlands and north of Amsterdam. We provide our services under operating agreements with local municipalities, but generally without any regulation or influence on content and tariffs. In accordance with Dutch regulation, these contracts may not designate us as the exclusive
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provider of cable services in these regions. We believe, however, that we are the sole cable operator in each of the local neighborhoods in which we conduct business. We maintain direct servicing relationships with all of our cable subscribers in the Netherlands. The billing of our analog cable services is handled directly by us, as well as the billing of our digital and Internet services. We also manage the billing internally for our business product offerings like data communications (leased lines). The dial switching for our telephony services is outsourced, but the invoicing and collection is handled by us. The default paying method for all our residential services is direct debit; subscribers that have allowed us to collect through direct debit do not receive a bill. Telephony subscribers are referred to a secured web-site where they can acquire personalized and detailed calling information like phone numbers called, voice minutes used and conveyance tariffs.
Our networks
Germany
As described below, we operate a combination of level 2, level 3, level 4 (non B-1) and level 4 (B-1) cable networks, as well as broadband networks in Germany. We intend to upgrade a portion of our cable networks to broadband networks over the next five years.
Cable Television networks. Deutsche Telekom’s historic monopoly position in the German cable industry and the fact they only constructed networks to the outside of a subscriber’s home or apartment building most of the time, has resulted in the development of a dual ownership network structure serving cable subscribers, whereby Kabel Deutschland typically owns the network from the head-end to the subscriber connection point and private operators typically own the in-house cabling. This dual ownership structure is distinct from the single ownership cable structure prevalent in the United States and in most European Union countries, in which private operators own the network in its entirety, from the head-end to the in-house cabling. Cable networks in Germany are therefore divided into categories, referred to as levels, depending on the function the cable network has in the delivery of cable services to subscribers.
Level 4 networks. A network where the cable operator’s role is limited to extending the cable network from the end of Kabel Deutschland’s principal transmission line (or that of another private cable operator who has purchased a Deutsche Telekom operating company) at the front door of the home to the subscriber is known as a level 4 network. In a level 4 network, the operator’s role is limited to concluding and renewing subscription agreements, installing the wiring in the home, billing, collecting and servicing subscribers. Level 4 networks are the result of the exercise by Deutsche Telekom of its historical right of first refusal with respect to a coverage area. In these coverage areas, Kabel Deutschland and successor private operators continue to own and operate the head-end and the principal transmission lines. Cable network operators are required to pay Kabel Deutschland a signal delivery fee pursuant to agreements known as signal delivery contracts.
A variation in operating a level 4 network, which developed in the old German states while Deutsche Telekom enjoyed its network monopoly prior to August 1, 1996, is the so-called B-1 co-operation model. Because of its monopoly position, Deutsche Telekom was able to grant exclusive licenses to cable television operators in discrete geographic areas, which enabled those operators to operate a level 4 network. Under the terms of these exclusive licenses and based on the size of the geographic area covered by the license, the cable operator committed
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itself to enrolling a pre-determined number of subscribers. Licensing fees owed to Deutsche Telekom were typically calculated on the basis of this pre-determined number of subscribers, whether or not the cable operator actually succeeded in enrolling the subscribers.
Level 3 networks. A network where the cable network operator has entered into a signal delivery contract with Kabel Deutschland and successor private operators in lieu of owning and operating its own head-end is known as a level 3 network. In addition to performing the tasks of an operator under a level 4 agreement, the operator is responsible for delivering a signal from the connection point of Kabel Deutschland’s or successor private operator’s networks to the front-door of the subscriber. In a level 3 network, cable network operators are required to pay Kabel Deutschland and successor private operators a fee for access to its network or for signal delivery.
Level 2 networks. A network where the cable network operator owns and operates the entire cable network, from the head-end to the in-house connection, is known as a level 2 network. Level 2 networks are like the networks operated by cable network operators in the United States and the United Kingdom. Under a level 2 network, cable network operators do not pay signal delivery fees to Kabel Deutschland and successor private operators, but receive programming using terrestrial antennas and satellite dishes in their own head-ends.
Substantially all of our cable television networks are capable of distributing more than 40 channels and are constructed using star architecture. Our cable television networks in Germany have the following technical characteristics:
• | television signal is received by a Kabel Deutschland connection point or the connection point of a private cable operator (level 3 and 4 networks) or by terrestrial antennae or satellite receivers at one of our head-ends (level 2 networks); | |||
• | received signal is delivered to the home through coaxial cable using bandwidths of up to 450 MHz; and | |||
• | transmitting of signal is one-way for our analog cable subscribers. |
Broadband networks. We believe we were the first operator in Germany to begin upgrading its cable television networks to broadband networks and we are one of the largest cable operators of broadband networks in Germany. We pass approximately 1,630,000 homes and have upgraded approximately 167,000 homes in the city of Mainz and the Sachsen/Sachsen-Anhalt/Thüringen region. We intend to continue to upgrade selected portions of our German networks over the next five years and to focus our upgrading activity on regions with higher subscriber density.
Our above mentioned upgraded interactive broadband networks are 862 MHz two-way, high-speed networks capable of delivering analog and digital cable television, telecommunications and high-speed Internet and data services, including interactive services. The following diagram summarizes the technical characteristics of our broadband network.
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Interactive 862 MHz Broadband Network with 65 MHz Return Path
Superior television head-end, digital playout facilities and Internet server platform. | Fiber backbone to within approximately 500 meters from the home | Two-way capable coaxial cable to wall outlet | Modem set-top box |
Our upgraded network in the city of Leipzig and other portions of the Sachsen/Sachsen-Anhalt/Thüringen region are the model for our continuing network upgrades with the exception of the digital playout facilities. We intend to use the existing digital playout facilities and Internet servers located at the Leipzig head-end to support Internet services, the tiering of digital channels and pay-per-view services not only in the city of Mainz and the Sachsen/Sachsen-Anhalt/Thüringen region but also in other regions in which we upgrade our networks. Ultimately, we intend to install the necessary equipment at the Leipzig head-end to support our future telephone offering. Our fiber backbone consists of a main ring that connects the upgraded cities and larger city-parts to the master headend, and of smaller fiber structures that bring fiber from the main ring to the fiber node areas that typically serve between 500 and 1000 homes. As we continue to add more of these fiber structures, the fiber optic matrix will cover increasingly more portions of the city inside the main fiber loop.
Fiber nodes are located at various points within this fiber optic matrix. Each fiber node contains an optical receiver and transmitter where the optical signal received from the head-end is converted to an electrical signal which is transmitted over coaxial cable to the home and where electrical signal received by coaxial cable from the home is converted to an optic signal and sent to the head-end. Coaxial cables run from the nodes to the wall outlets of homes. Each fiber node serves between 500 and 1,000 subscribers. Our digital set-top boxes enable subscribers to receive digital television and high-speed Internet services. Subscribers who do not have a digital set-top box but purchase high-speed Internet services will use a stand-alone cable modem. The network provides a 65 MHz return path.
In those portions of a city where we do not have existing coaxial cable, we lay coaxial cable from the fiber nodes to the homes of new subscribers. Within the coaxial network, we have either replaced (in those cases where we had existing coaxial networks) or installed (in those cases where we built new coaxial networks) new electronic equipment that increases the total bandwidth of the network to 862 MHz and allows for signals to be sent in from the subscriber to the head-end in the return path that uses the bandwidth up to 65 MHz. As we continue our network upgrade, we intend to use the architecture described above. As a result, there may be instances where our fiber optic matrix covers portions of a city which are served by other cable operators and where, prior to the upgrade, we did not pass any homes and did not have any subscribers. We believe that passing these new homes will allow us to attract new subscribers.
We believe that the clustering strategy which we have been pursuing will also be beneficial in the context of our network upgrade as it will enable us to achieve economies of scale. By focusing our upgrade on our most densely populated clusters of network subscribers, we expect to minimize upgrade costs per home. For example, we expect that the digital playout facilities and Internet servers in Leipzig will serve the other regions we are planning to
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upgrade, thereby reducing capital expenditure requirements in those regions. We further believe our upgrade plans in Germany will reduce our dependence on Kabel Deutschland or successor private network operators who have purchased cable assets from Deutsche Telekom, for signal delivery. We believe that reducing our signal delivery fees will have a positive effect on our operating results and that greater control of our network will have a positive effect on our programming flexibility, our quality of service, and our penetration among broadband subscribers
The Netherlands
The vast majority of our network in the Netherlands is a fully upgraded, two-way broadband network with a 60 Megahertz (MHz) return path capable of delivering a full range of broadband services including digital television, high-speed Internet access and telephony services. Approximately 7,900 connections of the 340,000 homes — with 7,250 subscribers — are not connected with the upgraded network. These subscribers are located in two small cities in the south eastern part of our service area that are not contiguous to the rest of our network; they receive program signals from a third-party head-end
Our networks in the Netherlands serve communities in the province of Noord-Holland in the northwestern part of the country, including the business areas surrounding Schiphol airport but not the main cities in this region, i.e. Amsterdam, Zaanstad, Hilversum, Alkmaar and Haarlem. Networks in the Netherlands are typically owned in their entirety by network operators, thus we own substantially all of our distribution system from the head-end to the subscriber’s home connection point, except for approximately 200 kilometers of fiber optic cabling which we lease.
Our network in the Netherlands has the following characteristics:
• | A regional head-end located in Alkmaar receives television and radio signal, converts this signal to optical signal and transmits it to the fiber optic backbone. The ISP platform and other central systems are also located in this head-end. A digital head-end is currently under construction and will gradually replace the digital signal feeds we are receiving from Mediakabel until December 2005. | |||
• | A fiber optic backbone, which passes the network region with 1,500 km of own fiber optic cabling (and 200 km leased fiber) and transmits optical signal to 32 fiber hubs and 620 fiber nodes. | |||
• | Fiber nodes convert optical signal to electrical signal of up to 862 MHz and distribute this signal via coaxial cable to subscriber homes. Some of the hubs receive additional local radio and television channels, supplementing signal received from the head-end. | |||
• | Amplifiers maintain the signal on its way from a node to a multitap, from which it goes to individual homes. In most cases two amplifiers are sufficient, but in some cases as many as six may be needed. | |||
• | Almost 75% of the multitaps are equipped with Citycom modems, which make it possible to remotely switch on and off the signal to individual subscribers. | |||
• | Modems or media terminal adaptors and set-top boxes are located on the premises of customers who receive high-speed Internet access, telephony or digital programming. | |||
• | Telecommunications services are provided to business customers using our Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) technology and Ethernet-protocol network. |
Netcool is implemented as the central fault management platform. Netcool collects fault information from various element managers and network nodes. Multikabel also uses applications like Rosa, mostly for analog, ITM-SC (SDH management system created by Lucent), MKMS (DOCSIS/Packet Cable management system developed by Multikabel) and Alarmpoint. Alopa is used as an OSS application. The headend, hubs and fiber nodes with more than 150 connections on each node have an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) In order to prevent outsiders hacking into the Multikabel network, new routers resistant to hacking and a new routering design have been implemented in 2004.
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Programming and product offerings
Germany
Basic cable television. We offer two primary packages of basic cable television programming services: a ground package and a standard package. The ground package consists generally of network and public terrestrial television signal available over the air in the concession area, and typically includes between three and eight channels, depending on the service area. The standard package consists primarily of satellite-delivered programming, and includes an average of 32 television channels and 29 radio channels and a digital offer of ARD/ZDF/Premiere, depending on the service area. Additionally, in some markets, we offer either one or two additional packages of basic cable television programming service. 93.4% of our subscribers subscribe to at least the standard package of service.
The following sets forth the programming of nationwide channels typically offered in our standard analog package. Not all programs are available in certain service areas.
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Channel | Description | Channel | Description | |||
3Sat | ARD/ZDF, ORF and SRG news and sports | ORB | Regional news, sports and entertainment | |||
ARD | General interest | Phoenix | Documentary and political events | |||
ARD/ZDF digital | General interest and entertainment | Premiere Digital | Pay TV | |||
ARTE | Cultural arts | Pro Sieben | News and entertainment | |||
Bayern 3 | Regional news, sports and entertainment | QVC German | Teleshopping | |||
BR-Alpha | Cultural and educational programming | Regional B1 | Regional news | |||
DSF | German sports | RTL | 24-hour entertainment | |||
TV Travel Shop | Travelchannel | RTL 2 | Entertainment for young people | |||
Eurosport | European sports | SAT 1 | 24-hour entertainment | |||
Home Shopping Europe | Teleshopping | Super RTL | Entertainment | |||
HR TV | Regional news, sports and entertainment | SWR | Regional news, sports and entertainment | |||
Kabel 1 | Entertainment and movies | Tele 5 | Entertainment | |||
Kika | Programming for children | Viva | 24-hour music television | |||
MDR 3 | Regional news, sports and entertainment | Viva 2 | 24-hour music television | |||
MTV | Music videos | Vox | News and entertainment | |||
MTV2 | Music videos | WDR | Regional news, sports and entertainment | |||
n-tv | News and information | ZDF | General interest | |||
Nord 3 | Regional news, sport and entertainment | |||||
News and information | News and information |
We receive approximately 50% our programming directly from broadcasters via our own head-end and the remaining 50% indirectly from broadcasters through signal delivery contracts with Kabel Deutschland and successor private operators.
Current broadband product offering. We currently offer the following broadband services to subscribers in Leipzig and in those areas of the Sachsen/Sachsen-Anhalt/Thüringen region that are connected to our upgraded networks:
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Current broadband product offering — Digital television. We believe that we were the first German cable operator to offer digital services to our subscribers. We launched our digital television services in the city of Leipzig between October and November 2000. As of December 31, 2004, our digital offering was available to approximately 167,000 homes which serve approximately 122,000 analog television subscribers, and approximately 5,237 digital set-top boxes had been installed in subscriber homes and were paying customers. We intend to continually expand and improve the range of channels included in our digital television offering.
Ourprimatv digital product offers channels in digital format and 19 different packages with additional digital channels as follows:
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primatv Basis | ARD Digital | ZDF vision | Additional Channels | |||
Das Erste | ZDF | Astro TV | ||||
Bayerisches FS | ZDFdokukanal | Bahn TV | ||||
BR-alpha | ZDFinfokanal | Bibel TV | ||||
EinsExtra | ZDFtheaterkanal | CNN | ||||
EinsFestival | EuroNews | Home Shopping- | ||||
EinsMuXx | Eurosport | Europe | ||||
Hessen Fernsehen | K 1010 | |||||
MDR Fernsehen | 3sat | Leipzig Fernsehen | ||||
NDR Fernsehen | arte | MTV | ||||
RBB Berlin | Kinderkanal | MTV2 POP | ||||
RBB Brandenburg | Phoenix | n-tv | ||||
SR Fernsehen | QVC | |||||
Südwest BW | Raze TV | |||||
Südwest RP | SpiKa | |||||
WDR Fernsehen | Tele 5 | |||||
TW1 | ||||||
TV5 | ||||||
Viva | ||||||
Viva plus |
primatv Maxi*: | Unterhaltung | Silverline, SciFi, 13TH STREET, erotik first, Kinowelt TV, Motors TV, Star Blitz | ||||
Trend | Club, Extreme Sports Channel, Fashion TV, Trace, ESPN Classic Sport, Vitalissimo | |||||
Kultur | BBC World, Sailing Channel, Wein TV, PLANET, Einstein.tv, Xtra-Music 47 digitale Radiosender | |||||
Erotik | the adult channel | |||||
Additional offers | MTV-Package | MTV 2, MTV base, MTVhits!, VH-1, VH-1 Classic | ||||
GoldStar Extra | GoldStar TV, Heimatkanal (until October 2004) | |||||
Movies & More/hotX | Pay-per-view | |||||
Foreign languages | ||||||
primatv International | Turkish Standard | |||||
ATV 2, Show TV, TGRT, FoxKids Play, | ||||||
Turkish Premium | ||||||
Turkish Standard + SinemaTURK, LiG TV | ||||||
Turkish Erotic | ||||||
Rouge TV | ||||||
Spanish | ||||||
TVE internacional, 24 horas, Nostalgia, Documentales | ||||||
Polish | ||||||
TV Polonia, FoxKids Play | ||||||
Russian | ||||||
NTV Mir, Moskau Open World, FoxKids Play | ||||||
Vietnamese | ||||||
VTV4 | ||||||
Romanian | ||||||
ProTV International | ||||||
Arabic | ||||||
EDtv, Business Channel, Sports Channel, Dubai Arabic Radio | ||||||
English | ||||||
BBC Prime, FoxKids Play | ||||||
Hindi | ||||||
ATN, SET Asia |
* | Subscribers can subscribe to these four packages for a combined price which is generally lower than the cumulative individual prices of each package. |
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The basic offeringprimatv Basis is currently priced at a promotional monthly subscription rate. The set-top box rental is included in the monthly subscription fee and a one-time installation fee is charged if our service team installs the set-top box.primatv Basis contains non-crypted digital channels. Access to these channels is available on all compatible set-top-boxes. We rent a set-top box to our customers for a monthly fee.
Customers can also subscribe toprimatv Maxi (which includesprimatv Unterhaltung,primatv Trend,primatv Kultur andprimatv Erotik) for a package discount, one packages as offered by MTV and several stand-alone-channels and foreign language programs (Turkish, Spanish, Polish, Russian, Vietnamese, Romanian, Arabic, English, Hindi). As we introduce further and improved programming and as use of our digital package service increases, we expect to target selective rate increases for our digital offering. Customers using a set-top box also have access to our electronic program guide.Current broadband product offering—Pay-per-view. Digital subscribers also have access to up to 15 pay-per-view channels. The movies can be ordered by subscribers using their remote control.
Current broadband product offering—primaspeedInternet access. We launched high-speed Internet services to both residential and business subscribers in the fourth quarter of 1999. By December 31, 2004, we provided high-speed Internet service to 10,352 subscribers. Under the nameprimaspeed time-based tariffs were launched, which targets customers who use the telephone line forInternet access , who tend to avoid using volume based tariffs. In November 2004, the entire product range was improved and under the nameprimaspeed 4000 a new premium tariff was launched, which targets primarily business customers and professional private users. Also in November 2004, the portfolio was expanded in the low consumer end with the introduction of a new time based newcomer tariff with no monthly fee.
• | primaspeed Free. This package offers subscribers high-speed Internet access at up to twice the speed of Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or up to 128 kilobits per second (Kbps) (64 Kbps upstream) with no fixed monthly fee. The billing of this service is based exclusively upon the online used time. In this tariff, subscriber can buy the modem at favorable conditions. With the purchase of the modem, the subscriber additionally receives the first 50 online hours free, which he can use within the first three months. Along with the Internet access, the subscriber gets an own e-mail account. Subscribers can also use broadband services, a game server and other value-added services. | |||
• | primaspeed Start.This package offers subscribers 24-hour high-speed Internet access at a bandwidth of up to 196 Kbps download and up to 128 Kbps upload. At this tariff, the subscriber can decide whether his usage should be billed according to the data volume or based upon the time online. Depending on the billing modus, the subscriber can either use 500 MByte data volume (at billing modus Volume) respectively 15 hours online time (in the billing modus Time). Additional usage of online time respectively data volume is being billed separately. The subscriber can purchase the cable modem for a€49 one-time fee. During marketing campaigns, this price is being reduced to€1. Along with the Internet access, the subscriber gets an own e-mail account and storage for private homepages. The subscriber can extend separate features of the additional offers modularly for a fee. Subscribers may also access our Internet portal for broadband services, such as a game server and additional value-added services. The customer is charged for additional data volume. | |||
• | primaspeed Easy. This package offers subscribers for a monthly fee a high-speed Internet access at a bandwidth of up to 768 Kbps download and up to 256 Kbps upload. At this tariff, the subscriber can decide whether his usage should be billed according to the data volume or based upon the online time. Depending on the billing modus, the subscriber can either use 2000 MByte data volume (at billing modus Volume) respectively 30 hours online time (at billing modus Time). Additional usage of online time respectively data volume is being billed separately. The subscriber can purchase the cable modem for€49 one-time fee. During marketing campaigns this price is being reduced to€1. Along with the |
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Internet access, the subscriber gets an own e-mail account and storage for private homepages. The subscriber can extend separate features of the additional offers modularly for a fee. Subscribers may also access our Internet portal for broadband services, as well as a game server and additional value-added services. | ||||
• | primaspeed Pro. This package offers subscribers for a monthly fee a high-speed Internet access at a bandwidth of up to 2048 Kbps download and up to 256 Kbps upload. At this tariff the subscriber can decide whether his usage should be billed according to the data volume or based upon the online time. Depending on the billing modus, the subscriber can either use 30,000 MByte data volume (at billing modus Volume) respectively 150 hours online time (at billing modus Time). Additional usage of online time respectively data volume is being billed separately. The subscriber can purchase the cable modem for€49 one-time fee. During marketing campaigns this price is being reduced to€1. Along with the Internet access, the subscriber gets an own e-mail account and storage for private homepages. The subscriber can extend separate features of the additional offers modularly for a fee. Subscribers may also access our Internet portal for broadband services, as well as a game server and additional value-added services. | |||
• | primaspeed 4000. This package offers subscribers for a monthly fee a high-speed Internet access at a bandwidth of up to 4096 Kbps download and up to 256 Kbps upload. This tariff is being billed exclusively by data volume. With the monthly fee, 80 GByte are already included. Additional data volume is being billed separately. The subscriber can purchase the cable modem for€49 one-time fee. During marketing campaigns this price is being reduced to€1. Among the Internet access the subscriber gets an own e-mail account and storage for private homepages. The subscriber can extend separate features of the additional offers modularly. Furthermore in this tariff expanded additional offers as fixed IP-addresses and an increase of the upload bandwidth are available. Subscribers may also access our Internet portal for broadband services, as well as a game server and additional value-added services. | |||
• | Unified messaging service. All packages include our Unified Messaging Service. With this service, subscribers have access via the Internet to their e-mail account. Via the Internet subscribers will also be able to send SMS text messages to German mobile phones. Subscribers are also able to store contacts in the online contact-database and use the personal calendar. |
Current broadband product offering—Data communications.We currently offer, and intend to further promote, fixed data communications products to business subscribers. These products take advantage of the fiber-rich, upgraded portions of our network to offer leased lines and wholesale carrier services.
Future broadband product offerings.We intend to expand our existing broadband product offering to include a range of additional broadband services. Our planned offering of additional broadband products includes the following primary services:
• | Video-on-demand.We intend to develop and introduce a range of video-on-demand services to complement our existing Near Video on Demand (pay-per-view offering). We expect to develop this offering in cooperation with third-party providers of programming and technology, and we intend to introduce these services to our subscribers over the next two years. |
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The Netherlands
Current broadband product offering—Television.Our television offer includes two packages of television programming and has been changed as of January 1, 2005 into an analog basic package and a combined analog/digital standard package. The differences are:
• | Basic package: 15 analog television channels and 39 radio channels | |||
• | Standard package: 42 television channels and 39 radio channels. The television channels are broadcasted both in analog as in digital (simulcast). Subscribers with STB can receive the channels in digital quality. The majority of our television subscribers purchase the standard package (approx. 99.5%). | |||
Both packages carry an installation fee. |
The standard packages include the following channels (with variances in two municipalities).
Channel | Description | Channel | Description | |||
Animal Planet. | Documentary | Nickelodeon/Kin dernet | Children | |||
ARD | General Interest (Germany) | Phoenix/CNE | Chinese channel | |||
Arte | Culture (Germany) | R.O.B. TV/Lokale omroep | Local programming | |||
AT5 | Regional | RAI Uno | General Interest (Italy) | |||
BBC 1 | General Interest (UK) | Reality TV | Documentary | |||
BBC 2 | General Interest (UK) | Regionet/lJmond TV | General Interest (Regional) | |||
BBC World | International news | RTL Television | General Interest | |||
CNBC/Nat. Geographic | News/Documentary | RTL4 | General Interest | |||
CNN | International news | RTL5 | General Interest | |||
Discovery Channel | Documentary | SBS 6 | General Interest | |||
Euronews | International news | Tel Sell | Home shopping | |||
Eurosport | Sports | The Box | Music Videos | |||
France2 | General Interest (France) | TMF | Music videos | |||
Kabelkrant Nieuws TV | Local news | TRT | Turkish channel | |||
Ketnet/Canvas | General Interest (Belgium) | TV Noord-Holland | Local programming | |||
Locale omroep/kabelkrant | Local programming | TV5 | General Interest (France) | |||
MBC | Arabic channel | TVE | General Interest (Spain) | |||
MTV Europe | Music Videos | Veronica/Fox Kids | General Interest/Children | |||
Multiview | Service Channel | VRT TV1 | General Interest (Belgium) | |||
Nederland 1 | General Interest | WDR | General Interest (Germany) | |||
Nederland 2 | General Interest | Yorin | General Interest | |||
Nederland 3 | General Interest | ZDF | General Interest (Germany) | |||
Net 5 | General Interest |
Current broadband product offering — Additional Digital Television Packages. As of January 2005 we offer several additional digital programs in a first tier above the 42 analog/digital channels of the standard package. All the analog programs of the standard package are simultaneously broadcasted in digital. Subscribers who bought a SetTopBox (retailers in our area offer products of Samsung, Panasonic, Nokia and Philips) can receive the digital signals and may wish to subscribe to additional programming. The programs offered include:
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• | Plus Package | |||
Adventure 1 | MTV Hits | |||
MTV 2 | ||||
BBC Prime | MTV Base | |||
Bloomberg | ||||
Music Choice (40 digital music channels) | ||||
Club | ||||
Playboy TV | ||||
Discovery Civilization | Private Blue | |||
Discovery Science | Pro7 | |||
Discovery Travel & Adventure | ||||
Sailing Channel | ||||
E! Entertainment | Sat1 | |||
Eurosport (News) | Sky News | |||
Extreme Sports | ||||
TBN Europe | ||||
Fashion TV | ||||
VH1 | ||||
Hallmark | VH1 Classic | |||
Motors TV | ||||
• | Premium Channels and Extra Channels: |
Subscribers with a STB may also purchase one or more of the following Premium (including ethnic) and Extra Channels (they can do so with and without a subscription to the Plus Package). Premium channels have significantly higher monthly tariffs than the Extra Channels. We have following choices available: |
Premium Channels | Extra Channels | |||
CineNova 1 + 2(until May 2005) | Cartoon Network | |||
Canal+(per April 2005) | Mezzo | |||
TVBS-E | Performance | |||
A-Tivi | TCM | |||
Teve-Sur | Travel Channel | |||
Set Asia | MGM | |||
Zee TV | ||||
Private Gold | ||||
Adult Channel | ||||
Spice Platinum |
Since mid 2002, no pay-per-view/near video-on-demand services are offered and we have also stopped providing interactive games. Perhaps in the future, when subscriber demand has increased considerably, we will reconsider this decision. |
Internet products. Since December 31, 2004, 114,476 residential and SOHO subscribers received always-on, high-speed Internet services from us. This compared to 79,493 subscribers on December 31, 2003. We offer the following packages to our residential subscribers:
• | Easy package: Our “always-on” entrance product, with speeds of 256 Kbps downstream and 64 Kbps upstream, one e-mail account and an acceptable use policy (AUP). |
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• | Family package: This product provides Internet access speeds of 768 Kbps downstream and 128 Kbps upstream, e-mail services and also an AUP regarding download traffic. | |||
• | Power package.This product provides Internet access speeds of 2,560 Kbps downstream and 512 Kbps upstream. Subscribers also have download traffic capacity according to AUP, e-mail services, and home page capability with 15 MB capacity. | |||
• | XL-lerate package. This package provides Internet access speeds of at least 5 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream. Subscribers will also benefit from a higher download capacity (AUP), e-mail services, a home page capability of 20 MB and the possibility of connecting several personal computers. | |||
• | X-tra package. This package provides Internet access speeds of 10 Mbps downstream and 2 Mbps upstream, making this product more attractive for heavy users and game players. E-mail and download facilities are similar to the XL-lerate package. |
Data communications. We offer the following data communications products to business subscribers:
• | CableLink.This service uses existing coax cable connections for data communications with a choice of 256 Kbps, 512 Kbps or 1,024 Kbps at a fixed monthly price depending on the speed and distance between the locations of subscribers. This service offers the security of a virtual private network. | |||
• | QualityLink.This service provides a dedicated fiber connection for data communications (transparent or Ethernet) at a fixed monthly price depending on the speed and distance between the locations of subscribers. The transparent speeds are 2, 34, 155 or 622 Mbps. Ethernet-speeds range from: 512 Kbps, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 50, 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. | |||
• | Internet Link. This product provides Internet access speeds of 256 Kbps, 512 Kbps, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 50 and 100 Mbps (non-overbooked, symmetric upstream and downstream) at a fixed monthly price depending on the speed levels. We distinguish us from competitors by offering a lower price, broader product range and/or faster implementation times. |
School offerings. We offer specially designed communications products to schools in our area, consisting of Internet access with managed router services and television services. Internet speeds downstream/upstream vary from 1,536/360 Kbps to 4,096/1,024 Kbps.
Telephony —We are offering a hybrid Internet protocol (IP)/public switched telephone network (PSTN) based telephony service (VoIP) to the entire upgraded area. This product completes our triple play and offers subscribers an attractive alternative to KPN. Although both penetration and usage of fixed line telephony might decline in the future, the fixed fees of telephony subscription give us an opportunity to gain additional revenues from subscribers. As of December 31, 2004 we had 18,862 subscribers (2003: 4,106 subscribers). In our service area there are currently several streets without any active KPN connection, which means that all residing households have chosen the complete communications package of Multikabel.
QuickNet ADSL services —In not upgraded areas and outside our service area, QuickNet — a 100% affiliate — is offering broadband Internet via Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL). The first mile of the local loop is provided by bbned or Tiscali which take over the line from KPN. QuickNet uses the Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) backbone of bbned and Tiscali but has its own server park. QuickNet ADSL is available in all areas in the Netherlands where bbned or Tiscali has use of the local loop. As of December 31, 2004 QuickNet had 9,608 subscribers (2003: approx. 500).
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Sales, marketing and customer service
Germany
Our sales and customer service function is organized regionally in Germany. We employ account managers to originate and service large account relationships with housing associations and local governmental authorities. In addition, we conduct direct sales at the individual subscriber level via telesales and door-to-door sales; for this purpose we have entered into service contracts with external service providers and several housing associations. We maintain centralized customer call centers in each of our operating regions, which enable us to cost-effectively service a large number of subscribers in each regional cluster. Customer call centers are available to handle new account and service requests. We employ network operations staff and field technicians in each region to handle new subscriber installations and service interruptions. Moreover, we have installed a corporate sales unit which manages key accounts on a national level, maintains relations with national associations of housing corporations, real estate agents and the housing industry association. The corporate sales unit works closely with our regional sales offices.
The Netherlands
Members of our marketing and sales staff (consisting of a Marketing & Corporate Communications unit and an Account & Product Management unit) focus on specific product offerings and work closely together with product development and technical staff to improve the key features of our product offering.
Our marketing program includes the following primary features:
• | Zo! Magazine: This quarterly publication is provided to all residential subscribers and contains general news about Multikabel and about new product offers. New subscribers also receive a welcome package outlining the full range of products available to subscribers. | |||
• | Inzake: This publication for our existing and potential business customers focuses on our commercial leased line and Internet products. | |||
• | MultiView channel: This mosaic television channel appears on all our channels and broadcasts the full range of products available to our subscribers. | |||
• | Multikabel website: Our local (Dutch) website also outlines our products which can be purchased on-line. | |||
• | Direct mail and advertising: We have conducted targeted direct mail and advertising campaigns specifically promoting our analog and digital television services, our Internet and telephony services and our commercial data communications and Internet products. | |||
• | Local ad insertion: Since November 2004 we have been able to conduct a pilot with local ad insertion. This reduces the costs of TV spot advertising significantly. | |||
• | Collective promotional: Together with the largest Dutch cable operators we have actively promoted the benefits of cable networks and services throughout 2004 by means of spot and non-spot advertising. | |||
• | Development of the retail channel: We are promoting the sales of the SetTopBox (including additional digital programming) through the retail channel and are considering offering also our Internet and Telephony services via shops. | |||
• | Outbound sales calls: For digital television, telephony and Internet. | |||
• | Member gets member (MGM) and other discounts, e.g. introductory offerings. | |||
• | Product bundling | |||
• | E-commerce: For the QuickNet ADSL services we utilize all kinds of e-commerce. |
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Product Development is fully integrated within our marketing strategy. New product development is almost always initiated by marketing but it engages all operational divisions in the process. The development of new products and services is often undertaken through flexible and focused project groups, thus reducing time to market.
Our customer call center employs approximately 125 FTE’s. The call center and the help desk are open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends to assist subscribers with new services, billing-related inquiries and to respond to questions about analog and digital television services, Internet and telephony services. The customer call center works with third-party call centers to offer 24-hour use with service interruptions. We employ a team of 30 service technicians, and also hire third-party technicians from time to time.
Since January 2004, we are also invoicing all our analog customers directly. Almost 80% of these customers make use of direct debit facilities. We bill Internet services, digital television and telephony in-house, although we have outsourced the billing for ratings and mediation for Telephony. Billing and collection efforts for the business offerings are carried out internally.
Material contracts
Germany
Copyright royalties for television programming transmitted over our cable television networks. Until 1998, we were able to receive our analog programming, whether directly or indirectly, at no charge from the broadcaster and without any formal agreement or contract with the broadcasters. The applicable provisions of the German Copyright Act (Urheberrechtsgesetz) regarding retransmission of programming were amended in 1998 to implement the EC Directive on Cable and Satellite Broadcasting. This law provides for a so-called compulsory license, which requires the broadcasters to permit cable and broadband network operators to retransmit programming in return for payment of a reasonable fee.
In 1998, the German Copyright Act was amended to require the payment of copyright royalties for the retransmission of copyright-protected television and radio programming by cable and broadband operators. The German Copyright Act does not set forth the amount to be paid. GEMA, one of the German copyright collecting societies, has been mandated by the other German copyright collecting societies to collect these retransmission royalties. GEMA has publicly announced its intention to collect royalty fees for television and radio signal received terrestrially by cable and broadband operators retroactively to July 1, 1997. We have been informed that the license fee for terrestrial retransmission will be assessed if such terrestrial broadcast is received on the network operators’ own head-ends, but not, however, if it is received via Kabel Deutschland signal delivery points, in which case GEMA considers the license fees payable by Kabel Deutschland to cover all retransmission of copyright-protected programming.
In 1999, GEMA entered into a framework agreement with the Association of Private Cable Operators e.V., or ANGA, which, among other things, provides for the collection of license fees retroactively to July 1997. Members of ANGA who accept this framework agreement receive a 20% reduction in the announced standard fees, resulting in a general license fee equal to 4% of the monthly subscription fees received by private operators from subscribers served by level 2 and 3 networks. Value-added taxes are also due on the general license fee.
Since January 2000, we imposed a rate increase to cover the possible imposition of GEMA fees and began accruing for what we consider to be appropriate royalty fees if we had to pay GEMA. Our ability to recover retroactive copyright royalty fees from subscribers may be undermined if we are unable to pass on copyright royalties assessed for past periods.
In May 2003, VG Media, “Gesellschaft zur Verwertung der Urheber- und Leistungsschutzrechte von Medienunternehmen mbH” declared its mandate to collect retransmission royalties for private radio and television societies. Since then GEMA is only in charge of safeguarding the interests of the public radio and television companies.
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We have been a member of ANGA since December 2003 and one affiliate contracted with VG Media as part of the wider ANGA-contract. VG Media does not charge us for fees where we receive signal from other providers, although it does charge us for fees we receive for our programming services provided to third cable network operators. This agreement is effective starting on January 1, 2003. For fees prior to that date, we are still still in negotiations.
For the time period starting January 1, 2003 ANGA negotiated a contract with GEMA. On December 12, 2004, we send GEMA the ANGA-agreement signed by all affiliates with effective starting on January 1, 2003. Until now, the contract is not countersigned by the GEMA and we have still to negotiate the liabilities for July 1, 1997 until December 31, 2002.
Signal delivery payments to the regional companies of Kabel Deutschland and successor private operators for television programming transmitted over our cable television networks. For our level 3 and level 4 networks, we entered into signal delivery contracts with the regional companies of Kabel Deutschland prior to the sale by Kabel Deutschland of some of its cable networks. Where Kabel Deutschland retained its network it remains our contract partner but where it sold networks, successor private cable operators have assumed the obligations of Kabel Deutschland under the signal delivery contracts and have become our contract partners under the same terms as those contained in the original signal delivery contracts. At December 31, 2004, approximately 52.5% of our television subscribers were served by level 3 and level 4 networks, which receive programming pursuant to signal delivery contracts and 47.5% of our customers were served by own head ends. In Leipzig, (historically a level 3 network), we operate our own interactive network, that provides subscribers with our digital package, high-speed Internet and pay-per-view services. Galaxis waived our obligation to purchase the remainder of the set-top boxes. We intend to continue to consolidate connection points and build head-ends to reduce signal delivery fees paid to the regional companies of Kabel Deutschland and successor private operators and to reduce our dependency on the product offering and eliminate certain pricing constraints.
The terms of our signal delivery contracts vary. Most signal delivery contracts are for a fixed period, usually five to ten years, and are subject to negotiated renewal. We typically pay Kabel Deutschland and successor private operators either a flat fee or a fee per subscriber that is determined by reference to a published fee schedule based on the number of homes connected to one connection point. A number of signal delivery contracts provide for price escalation during the first three or five years (Bauzeitenregelung) to ease our initial network development costs. The ceilings in the majority of these escalation clauses of these contracts have been reached. Rate increases by the regional companies of Kabel Deutschland and their successors have resulted in an increase in the aggregate amount of signal delivery fees we pay to Kabel Deutschland and their successors. Due to negotiations with regional companies of Kabel Deutschland and their successors we managed to partially lower the increase. Moreover, we have generally been able to correspondingly increase the monthly subscription rates paid by our subscribers to offset the increase we have paid. We expect that our dependence on signal delivery contracts can be reduced if we continue to increase delivery via our own head ends.
Contracts for digital television programming transmitted over our broadband networks. We have entered into contracts with the majority of the program providers with whom we are required to enter into contracts to obtain programming for our digital television packages and we are negotiating with the remainder. In general, the terms of these contracts are from two to five years and can be automatically extended for additional one year periods. The majority of our agreements provide for the payment of a fixed fee per subscriber per month. Three of our agreements provide for a monthly payment of 50% to 60% of the revenues we generate from the channels that are subject to the agreement.
In the event we wish to terminate our relationship with these program providers, most of our contracts provide for termination by us if
• | less than 30% of our subscribers are interested in subscribing; | |||
• | research conducted by us results in a finding that the delivery of the channel does not meet market expectations; |
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• | the content of the channel violates the statutory requirements of the territory; or | |||
• | if the programmer breaches its obligations under the agreement. In addition, we may terminate the agreements if the programmer fails to deliver transmission during 15 minute periods per day for a total of 14 days during a 90 day period or if we are obliged to do so by a governmental body. |
The contracts generally provide that the programmer may terminate only for an uncured breach of the terms of the contract and upon 30 days written notice to us.
Contract for pay-per-view movies, sports and other events.We have entered into contracts with program providers including Universal Studios International B.V. for pay-per-view movies and other events we offer our subscribers. These contracts are generally for short periods or for specific events and have standard terms. Most of our agreements provide for the payment of a flat fee per program.
Contract for set-top boxes.On April 1, 2000, we entered into an agreement with Galaxis Technology AG, or Galaxis, for the purchase of the set-top boxes required for our digital television offering. Pursuant to this agreement, we agreed to purchase up to 50,000 set-top boxes from Galaxis of which 17,000 have been produced and 14,000 have been delivered. Galaxis has waived our obligation to purchase the remainder of the set-top-boxes. On January 24, 2005 Galaxis filed for insolvency. We have not entered into any agreements with other set-top box manufacturers which require us to purchase a specific number of set-top boxes.
Concession agreements with our subscribers.In order to be able to provide service to our subscribers, we have entered into public concession agreements with local governmental authorities and private concession agreements with housing associations that administer large housing blocks. The agreements with governmental authorities were entered into prior to the enactment of the German Telecommunications Act of August 1, 1996. We are generally not obligated to make payments to local governmental authorities for the use we make of public rights-of-way to deliver our services. Under the German Telecommunications Act, holders of category 3 telecommunications licenses (which includes broadband network operators like us) have the right to use public rights-of-way free of charge for telecommunications lines serving public purposes provided that the use does not unduly restrict the primary use of the public spaces. Local building permits are required before new telecommunications lines are laid or existing telecommunications lines are changed. The German Telecommunications Act established a number of obligations related to this free-of-charge use of public-rights-of-ways. As a result, since August 1, 1996, it has no longer been necessary for us to enter into public concession agreements to obtain rights-of-way on public grounds. Therefore, we are in the process of negotiating new public concession agreements with the local governmental authorities coordinating the planning and construction of the telecommunication lines with respect to the provisions of the German Telecommunications Act. Otherwise we are terminating the extant public concession agreement because of inoperativeness under the German Telecommunications Act.
Private concession agreements with housing associations provide us with access to potential subscribers living in the housing blocks administered by these authorities and also frequently provide us with the right to use the respective private property owned by the housing associations. Individual private concession agreements typically provide access to a relatively small number of homes. As of December 31, 2004, our cable networks operated pursuant to a few hundred public concession agreements with local governmental authorities and more than 3,000 private concession agreements with housing associations.
Our private concession agreements typically contain conditions, such as conditions of service and limitations on commencement and completion of construction. Additionally, most of our concession agreements contain provisions that permit us to raise the prices for our existing level of cable services with reference to general inflation indices and to raise prices to cover increased costs of programming. By timing rate increases to published cost of living increases or the introduction of new or improved programming, we have generally been able to increase the rates for our cable services without the objection of the relevant contracting party.
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Many of our private concession agreements with housing associations provide that we are the exclusive provider of cable services in the concession area. Although we generally do not pay concession fees on any of our cable networks, in some cases we pay housing associations for billing and collecting subscription fees from homes within the applicable apartment blocks under agreements entered into prior to our acquisition of the related cable systems. In some cases, housing associations rather than the subscribers receive the broadcasting signal as part of their signal-delivery agreements with us. In these cases, the housing associations pay subscriber fees to us but are otherwise entirely responsible for the handling of subscriber relationships.
The Netherlands
Analog programming.Generally we are currently not required to pay programming fees for the channels included in our basic and standard analog packages, except for the Discovery Channel and Eurosport. In some instances, we receive programming fees from broadcasters to carry their programming on our networks. We pay royalty fees to BUMA/SENA, the Dutch copyright collection agency, for the retransmission of programming over our network in the Netherlands.
Since July 2004, the following copyright fees have applied for analog distribution:
BUMA/SENA | €2.71 per subscriber per quarter for the basic package; €3.09 per subscriber per quarter for the standard package (including basic package); |
The agreement with Discovery Channel was entered initially into in February 2002 and expired on January 31, 2005. It is automatically renewed for further periods of one year, unless terminated by either party giving a minimum of three months’ notice, and also covers carrying the channel Animal Planet. The agreement with Eurosport was entered into on January 1, 2003 and ends on December 31, 2005. Both agreements cover analogue and digital delivery of programming. We pay€0.17017 per analogue subscriber per quarter for Discovery Channel,€0.15000 for Animal Planet and€0.25491 for Eurosport. Besides simulcasting Discovery Channel and Animal Planet in analogue and digital we broadcast the Discovery channels Civilization, Travel & Adventure and Science exclusively in our digital Plus Package at a cps/month of€0.05000 per channel.
Digital programming. In March 2000, Multikabel acquired a 15.71% share in Mediakabel B.V., a consortium established by a group of Dutch cable television operators in 1997 for the purpose of developing and introducing digital broadcasting services in the Netherlands. Mediakabel provides a full range of operational services to the consortium, in exchange for which each member of the consortium, including Multikabel, pays a fee to Mediakabel based on the number of subscribers in its service area. The services Multikabel receives from Mediakabel will gradually diminish in 2005, since Multikabel has started to build its own digital headend.
Most of our distribution agreements, except that relating to the CineNova premium movie channel (see below), have terms ranging from one to three years, many of which may be renewed at our option.
In February 2000, we entered into a contract with Europe MovieCo Partners Limited for the provision of the CineNova premium movie channel. Pursuant to the agreement, we pay a fixed amount which will increase on October 31 each year to correspond with our subscribers in the franchise area in the Netherlands by October 31, each year, regardless of the actual number of subscribers to the CineNova channel. This agreement has a term of seven years unless earlier terminated or extended. Either party may terminate the agreement with six months notice if the CineNova channel does not have at least 100,000 subscribers in the relevant distribution areas by the end of the fifth year (October 31, 2005). Since this was not the case, Multikabel has activated the early termination clause and therefore the agreement with Europe MovieCo Partners Limited regarding CineNova will terminate in April 2005. The premium movie content of CineNova will be replaced by that the content of Canal+, with which Multikabel entered into a new agreement. Canal+ will be carried in digital format only beginning in January 2006; until then a migration and transition period is agreed upon.
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In 2005, Multikabel started offering its ‘Standard (analog) Package’ in simulcast (analog and digital), for no additional monthly costs to the customer. The distribution of channels in simulcast marked a change in the way some commercial program providers wish to enter into agreements with Multikabel: where in the past Multikabel would receive a distribution fee from these program providers for distribution in the standard analog package, simulcast distribution has started a trend where the distribution fee (carriage fee) is reduced to€0,00 for analog broadcasting in return for the right to digital distribution. For the future this could also involve a fee payable by Multikabel for the right of simulcast distribution.
Together with the new simulcast proposition, we have adapted our digital-only product portfolio from one large package for a fixed price to a smaller package for a substantially lower price with the possibility to purchase additional high-quality channels for prices between€0.50 and€4.00.
In addition, we are negotiating new agreements with some program providers to be able to offer them as stand-alone channels. These agreements involve a fixed price per subscribed customer with a minimum guarantee. The customer price is set by Multikabel.
No changes have been made in the Premium offering, except for a price decrease.
Internet services. In July 2002 we migrated all of our subscribers to our own Internet platform. We purchased and entered into standard maintenance agreements for hardware and software programs relating to the ISP platform servers and support.
In addition, as part of the development of our own Internet platform, we entered into standard transit and peering arrangements with the international carriers (currently Cable & Wireless and Level3 deliver our transit capacity).
We signed a standard framework agreement with Motorola Broadband Communications for the delivery of cable modems for Internet access. We signed a contract with the Planhold Group B.V. who install Internet access at customer premises as well as several other services like breakdowns and installation of media terminal adaptors for telephony.
Telephony.Multikabel entered into wholesale Integrated Service Agreement with Priority Telecom Netherlands B.V. to provide residential telephony services. The agreement is for 5 years. If either party wishes to extend the agreement it must give notice to the other party no later than 6 months before the expiration of the agreement. The parties will then negotiate in good faith to try and agree to a new set of terms and conditions, without any contractual obligation to conclude a new agreement.
Competition in Germany and the Netherlands
The cable television and broadband businesses within Germany and the Netherlands are highly competitive. We compete mainly for subscribers to cable networks.
Competition for subscribers
In our service areas “overbuilding” of secondary cable networks does not occur, except in limited cases in Germany. However, in both countries we do face competition for subscribers from:
• | A growing number of operators who deliver the same or similar packages of television programming and other services on delivery platforms that are different from ours including antennae, Digital Video Broadcasting Terrestrial (DVB-T), DSL-TV and satellite master antenna television systems; and |
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• | Providers of different products and services in those areas where we operate our broadband networks, including Kabel Deutschland and Premiere in Germany and Canal Digitaal (satellite) in the Netherlands, which offer other digital television services and, through Deutsche Telekom in Germany and KPN in the Netherlands, provide high-speed Internet and telephony services. |
Germany
In Germany, the ability of viewers to receive terrestrial broadcast television signal directly through antennae or otherwise, impedes our ability to obtain additional cable television subscribers in areas where our cable networks have already been installed. DVB-T has already been introduced in Berlin and Mainz. The extent to which we are limited in obtaining additional subscribers varies depending on the quality of the reception to the subscriber and the zoning restrictions in the subscriber’s region.
Satellite users obtain programming from one or a number of different satellites, including Astra and Eutelsat, in both Germany and the Netherlands. In order to receive satellite-delivered programming, the consumer must have an outdoor reception dish, which generally is smaller and less expensive than the satellite dish typically used in the United States. Satellite programs services are widely available in Germany and the Netherlands, although the current consumer base in the Netherlands is limited due to high cable penetration.
We also believe that cable television has a number of competitive advantages over satellite services for the following reasons:
• | Cable television does not involve an up-front cost for the purchase of a dish and related equipment like a decoder or set-top box. | |||
• | Satellite dishes are often perceived as unsightly. In Germany, planning or zoning laws and regulations, building rules and building lease contracts often forbid satellite dishes being fixed to buildings where cable television services are available. | |||
• | At present, there is generally a wider range of national, regional and local programming available on cable networks. This is due, in part, to the inability of dishes to receive programming from multiple satellites at any given time or to switch to a further satellite without being realigned by a technician. | |||
• | Cable service operators generally provide a local presence and service to their subscribers. |
During the last three years, Premiere has started providing digital direct-to-home operations in the German market. We believe that digital direct-to-home has not achieved significant penetration in the German market. However, Premiere has exclusive programming, including sports contracts. Therefore, we believe that Premiere can achieve additional market share which may result in a loss of subscribers to cable network operators in Germany, including subscribers to our networks.
In addition to competition with providers of programming using different platforms as described in the preceding paragraphs, we also compete for subscribers with providers of different products and services in those areas where we operate our broadband networks. Since we started offering digital services in 2000, we have been competing with other digital television services. Our primary competitor in Germany is Premiere. Premiere has several exclusive long-term contracts with major film studios, program producers and sports franchises for a substantial amount of entertainment and sports programming. Premiere delivers its product in digital packages via Kabel Deutschland and its successors’ cable television networks and pursuant to an agreement entered into in 2002, via our cable network and direct-to-home via satellite. We believe Premiere has a current market share of approximately 35% of the digital television homes in Germany.
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The Netherlands
DVB-T in the Netherlands was introduced in the first half of 2003 after the Digitenne consortium received a license to operate DVB-T services through 20 odd channels on five multiplexes. Both the interactive system and the conditional access system are integrated into Digitenne’s digital set-top boxes (STB). Despite the problems that have plagued pay-based DVB-T models in Spain and the UK, the Dutch package is subscription based and competes with the incumbent cable operators’ offerings and with Canal Digitaal (satellite). Technical coverage is at a very high level due to the flat geographical shape of the country. The first rollout phase during 2003 included Amsterdam, Haarlem, Hilversum, Alphen a/d Rijn and Almere (with a population of almost 1 million households).
In 2004, the other main cities in the western part of the Netherlands were included in the DVB-T rollout. In the course of 2004, KPN also started to offer DVB-T under the brand name KPN TV with a similar package as Digitenne, offering KPN subscribers of telephony and/or ADSL services bundling discounts. Experiences so far have shown hardly any influence on our base of RTV subscribers and going forward we still anticipate a stable subscriber base. We expect these alternative platforms to sustain a growing number of subscribers, albeit in different markets (e.g. mobile/vacation homes), and therefore, this should not adversely affect our core business. We believe that there is scope for a gradual increase in subscription fees, justified by inflation and the replacement of older, less interesting channels by new, more attractive ones. Another important rationale for such price increases will be the higher pricing level of some of our important peers as well of the combined offering of analog and digital programs in one package.
We believe our cable television offering in the Netherlands can strongly compete with the DVB-T and satellite services for the same reasons as mentioned for Germany on the previous page. Additionally, we think following reasons also adhere to the competitive advantages of our Dutch cable systems:
• | Since almost all of our Dutch cable networks are upgraded, a full range of broadband network products and services are now offered (triple play) which is building subscriber loyalty. | |||
• | On our MSO network we can bundle the services, giving additional functionalities and offering customers discounts. | |||
• | The combination of analog and digital television services in one package has several user benefits. It combines the outstanding digital sound and vision quality with the user-friendliness of analog, especially for households with several TV sets. | |||
• | We offer several programming packages, both in analog and digital. In the near future cable operators will be able to deliver program packages which are exactly tailored to the individual needs of a customer. | |||
• | In 2005, several DSL providers in the Netherlands will start offering triple play over DSL, through the deployment of ADSL2+ and the acquisition of (exclusive) content for DLS TV services. Their strategy is aimed at completely (Internet, telephony and television) taking over the customer. Regarding the DSL television services, the same competitive advantages exist here as with DVB-T and satellite services. | |||
• | We are currently testing ADSL2+ services, with the intention investigating the possibilities to offer high level triple play services outside our cable service area through ADSL2+. |
In the Netherlands we compete with our hybrid IP/PSTN based telephony service with several carrier telephony companies and the Dutch national operator KPN for fixed line telephony services. We will also be competing with several wireless telephony services, many of which have financial resources substantially in excess of our own.
With respect to high-speed Internet access, we compete with other access alternatives, such as ADSL lines, standard dial-up services and dial-up services over digital direct-to-home. We believe high-speed Internet access over broadband networks has several competitive advantages over these alternative Internet service access mechanisms, including capacity, stability, convenience, access speeds and price.
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Although the roll-out of ADSL in our Dutch service area is complete, we have a very strong foothold in the broadband market. Over the past years we have focused sales efforts on the large group of Internet subscribers that currently have only a dial-up account with a competitor. Through the recruitment of these customers into our entrance packages, we are creating a customer base with relatively low initial average revenue per user (ARPU) but with the scope to upgrade these subscribers to one of the more expensive packages over time. With the current level of quality, service, technical performance and brand awareness, we are well positioned to remain a premium provider of broadband Internet services in the Dutch franchise.
The extent to which a cable service is competitive depends, in part, on the quality of the network and the cable operator’s ability to offer a greater variety of programming at competitive prices to consumers than that available through alternative delivery platforms. Advances in communications technology, as well as changes in the marketplace and the regulatory environment, are occurring constantly and their impact can not be predicted.
Litigation
We are currently in negotiations with third parties for the payment of current and past royalty fees. No formal settlement agreement has been reached as to final payment. However, because the expected future payment is probable and can be reasonably estimated, we have accrued approximately€4,189,000,€6,051,000 and€6,218,000 and as of December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
In December 2004, we filed a lawsuit at the District court of Mainz against the holders of the Second Secured Loan. The lawsuit should determine whether we and our subsidiary, PrimaCom Management GmbH, are obligated to pay the interest of the second secured loan. This implies that no interest would have to be paid over the entire term and that interest already paid should be refunded to us. Furthermore, due to the equity character of the second secured loans, as furnished by an expert opinion, it is not possible under German law to continue to make interest payments as long as and until a solution to the financial crisis is found.
In December 2004, we filed an affirmative action claim against the Second Secured Lenders at the District Court of Frankfurt am Main. The court has been asked to declare on whether the pledges of shares of our subsidiaries, as collateral for the second secured loan, are invalid, as at that time the requirements of the German Civil Code have not been met and therefore the security pledges of GmbH shares are, currently, not enforceable.
In February 2001,Eisenhüttenstädter Wohnungsbaugenossenschaft e. G.sought confirmation at the regional court (Landgericht) in Frankfurt (Oder) that its concession agreement with a term of 25 years could be terminated earlier because the agreement contains an invalid standard non-negotiated term regarding the duration of the contract. The court has held that the concession agreement is terminable after 12 years on July 30, 2003. We appealed this decision to the superior court (Oberlandesgericht) in Brandenburg. The appeal was dismissed on April 16, 2002. The pertinent Group Company has appealed the judgement of the superior court to the federal court of justice (Bundesgerichtshof— BGH). On December 6, 2002 the BGH reversed the judgment of the superior court and removed the action for a new hearing and decision since the superior court did not sufficiently analyse the concession agreement and an overall consideration of services, rights and duties is missing. The last hearing at the superior court in Brandenburg was on December 18, 2003. An order to take evidence has been pronounced on January 20, 2004. The next hearing at the superior court in Brandenburg will be on August 16, 2005.
In January 2002,Vereinigte Wohnungsgenossenschaft Arnstadt von 1954 e.G.through which the pertinent Group Company serves 3,018 subscribers sought judicial confirmation that its concession agreement with a term of 25 years could be terminated earlier. The last hearing at the chamber of commerce (Kammer für Handelssachen)in Erfurt was on June 26, 2003. Our intention to reach a settlement failed. On September 4, 2003 the court ordered that the parties have to answer certain questions raised by the court. We complied with the order. A new hearing has been scheduled for June 3, 2005.
In December 2002, we sought judicial confirmation that the 25- years-term concession agreement withWohnungsbaugenossenschaft “Hellersdorfer Kiez” eG,through which we have served 2,058 subscribers, could not
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be terminated earlier. The last hearing at the chamber of commerce (Kammer für Handelssachen) in Berlin was on September 3, 2003. The court ordered the taking of evidence and the appointment of an expert on November 12, 2003. The appointed expert was given instructions at a hearing which took place on January 18, 2005. The report of the expert has not yet been received.
In December 2003 we bought the cable assets fromSchellhammer GmbHin Singen. A contractual withdrawal had been carried out by the pertinent Group Company. Schellhammer filed an action against us in November 2004. A hearing has been scheduled for February 2, 2005. A first hearing took place on February 2, 2005. A judgement should be pronounced on May 3, 2005.
We bought shares ofTKG Eisenhüttenstadt.The European Commission claims an incorrect bid. This could cause an action before the European Court of Justice.
In the Netherlands, Multikabel and Canal+ have waived all their arbitrary and regulatory proceedings about the carriage or “access” fees, following the signing of new distribution agreements. We will start to carry Canal+ on its own digital platform in the spring of 2005.
GKNH, one of our former shareholders, started an arbitration procedure against us about the costs involved with the acquisition of the Company by PrimaCom. These costs were for the account of the former shareholders, but were invoiced to GKNH by the Company. Multikabel recharged these costs to GKNH including VAT. Due to the fact that this former shareholder can not deduct VAT, they disputed the invoice and claim compensation of€483,185.62. The Arbitrary court, after having referred both parties unsuccessfully to the tax authorities for settlement, decided in favor of GKNH in October 2004 and the compensation was paid.
GKNH and 42 other former shareholders of Multikabel have also initiated arbitration against PrimaCom Netherlands Holding BV and PrimaCom AG. This concerns a dispute related to the penalties that the Company should pay because of early repayment of certain Facility Agreements of the Company, as a result of the acquisition of Multikabel by PrimaCom Netherlands Holding. GKNH claims payment of NLG 1,543,881.58 (€700,582.92) from the Company. In turn, the Company counterclaims compensation of the total amount of penalties (€1,025,855) or, alternatively, a part of the penalties (€695,488.06) from GKNH. The first arbitrary hearing was in March 2003; a second one was in June 2004. Arbitrators finally gave their verdict in March 2005 and decided fully in favor of PrimaCom.
A former Multikabel management board member has again summoned us for the civil court for severance payments equal to five years of salaries. In the previous court case the claimer was awarded approximately 25% of the requested payments, but based on a recent Dutch Supreme Court jurisdiction the plaintiff sees reasons for a new case. We expect a decision in the course of 2005.
We are part to routine litigation incidental to the normal conduct of business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of and liabilities in excess of what has been provided for related to these proceedings, in the aggregate, are not likely to be material to the financial condition or results of operations.
Regulation
The provision of analog and digital television, telephone, Internet/data and broadcasting services is regulated in the countries in which we operate. The scope of regulation varies from country to country, although in some significant respects the regulation we are subject to is harmonized under the regulatory structure of the European Union. Below is a summary of the regulatory environment in the European Union, Germany and the Netherlands.
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Regulation in Germany
Obligation to notify; telecommunications services.The new German Telecommunications Act came into force on June 26, 2004. This Act implements the new European framework for electronic communications networks and services into German law. It aims to foster competition in the telecommunications market, to provide incentives for efficient telecommunications infrastructure and to ensure adequate and sufficient services nationwide. Providers of telecommunications services must comply with its provisions. The operation of cable television and broadband networks is defined as telecommunications service and, therefore, falls within the scope of the requirements set forth in the Telecommunications Act.The new Telecommunications Act abolishes the obligation to obtain a licence for the provision of certain telecommunications services.
Instead, any person operating public telecommunications networks and offering telecommunications services for the public must notify the Regulatory Authority for Telecommunications and Posts (“Regulatory Authority”) of the start-up, modification or termination of operations without undue delay. We believe that we have complied with this notification obligation.
Regulation measures; telecommunications services.The Telecommunications Act provides for special regulations regarding telecommunications undertakings with significant market power . These provisions cover, in particular, the regulation of tariffs, business terms and conditions and the granting of open network access, including interconnection obligations. Tariffs for telecommunications services of undertakings with significant market power are subject to the review of the Regulatory Authority. In particular cases, these tariffs have to be based on the costs of efficient service provision. Provided that the Regulatory Authority considers the Company to be an undertaking with significant market power, tariff regulation measures may be imposed on the Company.
Operators of public telecommunications networks are required to submit an offer to interconnect their networks with those of other carriers. Operators of public telecommunications networks with significant market power are required to allow other operators to interconnect with their networks or parts thereof, if the Regulatory Authority has imposed such obligations on these operators. If the Regulatory Authority considers the Company to be an undertaking with significant market power, access obligation can be imposed on the Company. In addition, the Regulatory Authority can impose access and interconnection obligations on undertakings without significant market power if such undertakings control the access to end-users, provided such obligations are necessary to ensure the communication of the users, the provision of services and their interoperability as well as end-to-end connectivity of services.
The Telecommunications Act also contains provisions on conditional access systems. Providers and users of conditional access systems are obliged to allow all broadcasters the use of their systems on the basis of equal,reasonable and non-discriminatory conditions. Any tariffs imposed on broadcasters and end-users for the use of conditional access systems must be notified with the Regulatory Authority. The Regulatory Authority can order compliance with the legal requirements. Similar requirements for conditional access systems are set forth in the State Treaty on Broadcasting. In addition, providers and users of conditional access systems must notify the relevant State Media Authorities about the start of services using conditional access systems. The State Media Authority will then review compliance of such services with applicable laws.
The Telecommunication Customer Protection Ordinance of December 11, 1997 regulates the relationship between providers of telecommunications services and their subscribers. It sets forth several specific obligations for market-dominant providers and various obligations for all other providers. It specifies, for example, rules for invoicing, universal services and quality parameters. The Ordinance also invalidates contractual clauses which attempt to limit subscribers’ rights under the Ordinance. It is expected that a new Telecommunication Customer Protection Ordinance will be adopted in April 2005. According to the draft of the new Telecommunication Customer Protection Ordinance, the Regulatory Authority is entitled to review compliance of the general terms and conditions of operators of public telecommunications networks and providers of telecommunications services for the public with applicable the ordinance.
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Retransmission and channel line-up provisions; media and Internet services. The retransmission of cable television programs within Germany through private cable television and broadband networks is regulated on the basis of the State Treaty on Broadcasting within Germany (“State Broadcasting Treaty”), and the media laws of the various German states (“Länder”). The State Broadcasting Treaty describes the various states’ authority to take decisions with respect to the assignment and use of transmission capacities to be transformed into generally binding law by way of the states’ media legislation. The State Broadcasting Treaty also provides that the retransmission of cable television programs which may be received nationwide and which have been produced in accordance with applicable European legal provisions must be permitted by the federal states within the framework of existing technical capabilities. Operators of cable television networks are obligated to transmit specific programs via digital technology (“must-carry obligation”) as long as the aggregate transmission capacity for these transmissions does not exceed the capacity of four analog television channels. In addition, cable network operators must guarantee that one third of the capacity available in digital technology is used to transmit a diverse selection of programs, including special-interest channels — e.g. foreign language channels that must be included in their choice of programs (“can-carry obligation”). Beyond this, the cable network operator is free to decide which programs it broadcasts (“non-must-carry regulation”). In addition, the Telecommunications Act stipulates that operators of public telecommunications networks established for the distribution of digital television services, which receive wide-screen (the “16:9 format”) television services or programs, shall maintain and redistribute that wide-screen format. State laws generally provide that the simultaneous retransmission of an unchanged and complete cable television program is not subject to any licensing requirement, but does subject the operator to an obligation to report the retransmission to the relevant state media institution. Failure to comply with this reporting obligation may result in a maximum fine of between€250,000 and€500,000, depending on the German state in which the violation occurs.
Broadcasting activity (which is defined to exclude the simultaneous and unchanged retransmission of programming), such as the insertion of local commercials, subjects the cable television or broadband operator to a different regulatory regime. Private broadcasting companies require a broadcasting license issued in accordance with the provisions of the State Broadcasting Treaty and the media laws of the states. While the State Broadcasting Treaty sets forth the framework for the regulation of private broadcasting, the state media laws set forth detailed requirements with respect to diversity of opinion, observation of constitutional principles, protection of minors, professional ethics and restrictions on advertisement.
Private cable television and broadband operators are required to observe channel line-up priorities established by the state media institutions under the state media laws with reference to the technical capabilities of the cable television or broadband networks in connection with the retransmission of cable television programs. Channel line-up refers to the order in which the various television and radio programs are fed into the channels of, and retransmitted through, cable television networks. Generally, the channel line-up priority has been established as follows:
• | programs which have been legally prescribed by the state; | |||
• | programs commonly received within the federal state (i.e., those programs which may otherwise be received without additional antennae); | |||
• | programs which may be received locally with the use of additional antennae; and | |||
• | all other programs. |
In addition, a number of state media laws have established priorities for programs falling within the last-mentioned category for programming produced within the European Union. The European Commission has stated that granting German programs a higher priority than programs from outside Germany could be discriminatory and contrary to European law.
In the past, problems have existed due to the common use of some frequencies by the receiving and distribution systems of cable operators, on the one hand, and aeronautical radio navigation and public safety services on the other hand. After lengthy discussions, the Regulatory Authority announced in July 2000 that a compromise was reached between the Regulatory Authority, the German Air-Traffic Control, Deutsche Telekom and the German Association of Private Cable Operators known as ANGA. Pursuant to this compromise, the air navigation services have relocated some of their operating frequencies and have initiated international coordination of the operating frequencies that are used at three German airports. In addition, Deutsche Telekom has implemented a frequency
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offset. ANGA has requested its members using extended band channel 24 for systems with their own head-end located in the approach areas of German airports, to either change frequency or to ensure that their systems do not exceed the 20 dBpW radiation disturbance limit set out in the settlement.
This compromise has resulted in the adoption of three ordinances governing the allocation, use and assignment of frequencies. These three ordinances entered into force in May 2001. Pursuant to the Ordinance on the Allocation of Frequencies, as amended on October 7, 2004, the free use (i.e., the use without an individual permit, approval or other regulatory resolution) of frequencies between 9 KHz and 30 MHz in and along conductors, including the cable networks we operate, is permitted provided that specified conditions are met. These conditions include that (1) radiation emitted by the conductors must not exceed identified limits and (2) the frequencies are not used for security purposes, as identified by the German Regulatory Authority. If the above conditions are not met with respect to a frequency, the free use is not permitted and the German Regulatory Authority will decide in each particular case whether that frequency may be used and may impose restrictions or conditions on use. This regulation may prevent us from using some or all of the relevant frequency bands to retransmit programming over our cable networks. Should this occur, we may need to make further investments in our German networks in order to continue providing our current services. With respect to frequencies between 30 MHz and 3 GHz, the above conditions for the free use of frequencies in and along conductors are applicable since July 1, 2003.
The German states have signed a State Treaty on Media Services, which has been amended the last time by the State Treaty on Youth Media Protection of September 27, 2003. The State Treaty on Media Services and the Teleservices Act (amended with Act of December 14, 2001) regulate the establishment and operation of various types of Internet and video-on-demand services. The State Treaty on Media Services imposes various obligations on providers of media services, which are defined in the State Treaty on Media Services as information and communication services addressed to the general public. Teleservices are defined in the Teleservices Act as information and communication services for individual use on the basis of telecommunication transmission. Media services include distribution services offering direct sale or lease of objects or services, known as teleshopping, distribution services in the form of television text, radio text or similar text services and other call-services which offer text, sound or pictures in electronically stored form. Providers of these media services include persons who offer their own or third-party media services or who provide access to media services. To the extent that we are considered a provider of media services, we may be subject to obligations under the State Treaty on Media Services. The State Treaty on Media Services includes, among other things, rules on responsibility for content, advertising, data protection and protection of minors. In addition, the State Treaty on Youth Media Protection contains provisions regarding the protection of minors. Providers of teleservices are responsible under general laws for content, which they make available to others.
The State Treaty on Media Services and the Teleservices Act have not, to date, materially affected our ability to make independent business decisions with respect to the rates charged for, or other matters relating to the provision of the services covered. There can be no assurance that legislation will not materially influence our business decisions on these matters in the future.
Data Protection.The German Telecommunications Act, the Teleservices Data Protection Act and the State Treaty on Media Services contain provisions relating to data protection. In addition, the Federal Data Protection Act also applies. These laws set forth the rules on how and under what conditions subscribers’ personal data may be collected, processed, used and forwarded to third parties. Each of these activities requires either the subscribers’ consent or a specific authorization in the relevant laws. Another requirement is that personal data may be collected and processed only for specific purposes, which must be disclosed to the subscribers including the scope and the manner of processing data.
E-Commerce.In December 2001, the German Parliament adopted a new act on electronic commerce. The act consisted of various amendments to the Teleservices Act, the Teleservices Data Protection Act and the Code of Civil Procedure and sought to harmonize these acts with the provisions of the European Union E-Commerce Directive 2000/31/EC.
On January 1, 2002 the German Civil Code was amended. Under the so-called “update of the law of obligation”
(“Schuldrechtsmodernisierungsgesetz”) new rules were established, especially with respect to contract law and
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consumer protection. Therefore, all German enterprises were forced to revise their standard terms by no later than December 31, 2002. We incorporated our new general terms and conditions with effect from January 1, 2003.
Regulation in the Netherlands
Telecommunications and media services.The following regulatory regime applies in the Netherlands.
• | Regulatory framework. The Dutch Telecommunications Act took effect, with the exception of a few provisions, in December 1998 and further liberalized the Dutch telecommunications and cable television sectors. In 2004, a heavily amended new Dutch Telecommunications Act came into force. The Dutch Telecommunications Act governs, among other things, the installation and operation of public communications networks, cable television networks, and the provision of telecommunications services, including the provision of telephony/data services and wholesale Internet services. The provision of media services through cable television networks, and more specifically content, is regulated primarily by the Dutch Media Act, as amended, and the Media Decree. Competition laws and — in some cases — agreements with municipalities also impose restrictions on cable television operators. | |||
Under the Dutch Telecommunications Act, the regulatory authority, known as OPTA (Independent Post and Telecom Authority), is charged with supervision and regulation of companies with significant market power (i.e. KPN Telecom, the Dutch incumbent for fixed telephony) and resolving disputes relating inter alia to the provision of communications networks and services. Appeals must be filed exclusively and in last resort at the Trades and Industry Appeals Tribunal. Under the media law, media service providers are subject to content requirements, which are overseen by theCommissariaat voor de Media(Media Authority). | ||||
• | Registration. The Dutch Telecommunications Act does not require a license for the installation, maintenance or operation of a cable network. Cable network operators need only to register with OPTA. Registration does not give an operator any exclusive rights. Any registered person may install, maintain and operate a cable network alongside an existing duct. The Dutch Telecommunications Act gives cable network operators and providers of other public communications networks, limited rights of way to install and maintain their networks, which are identical to those previously exclusively enjoyed by KPN. | |||
• | Ownership issues.The Dutch Telecommunications Act provides that cables installed in public and/or private grounds which are intended to be used for a public communications network or a cable television network are owned by the provider of the public communications network or cable television network concerned. This provision is necessary because, as a general rule under the Dutch Civil Code, the cables would, by accession, become part of the grounds in which they are installed and the owner of the grounds concerned would own the cables. On June 6, 2003 the (Tax Chamber of) Dutch Supreme Court (“Hoge Raad”) rendered a ruling, which finally settled a lengthy discussion in the Netherlands with regard to the question whether a cable network should be considered as an immovable or a tangible property. The Supreme Court decided that cable networks should be considered as immovable property. This ruling impliesinter aliathat the acquisition of a cable network will be taxable (partly retroactively), with regard to transfer tax and property tax. The extent of the tax liability may ultimately depend oninter aliathe deal-structure agreed by the parties (e.g. share purchase or asset purchase). Furthermore, (legal and/or economical) ownership of cable networks may have altered as a consequence of the ruling. Currently, discussions are taking place between interest groups/lobby groups and the Ministry of Economic Affairs in order to neutralize any adverse consequences of the ruling for interested parties by passing legislation. | |||
• | Programming. Pursuant to the Dutch Telecommunications Act and the Media Act, a cable television network provider must transmit to all its subscribers at least 15 television programs and at least 25 radio programs, called the basic package, including approximately seven mandatory television and nine mandatory radio channels. The Media Authority may grant a total or partial exemption from these obligations if the provider does not have significant market power in its area of coverage. The Media |
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Authority may grant an exemption from the obligation to transmit specified programs if this would impose an unreasonably high financial burden on the provider. | ||||
In the Netherlands, we often purchased cable television networks from local municipalities. Pursuant to the terms of the agreements, we are obliged to provide a basic tier service consisting of the 15 television programs required under the Media Act. | ||||
Cable television operators are allowed to transmit their own programs within the Netherlands upon obtaining a broadcast license from the Media Authority. The licensee must comply with the advertising and sponsorship rules set forth in the media laws, which are consistent with the European Union Television Without Frontiers Directive. | ||||
• | Program council. Each municipality has to establish a program council, which is an independent authority and provides the cable network operator with advice concerning the 15 television programs and 25 radio programs in its basic package. The cable operator is only allowed to deviate from the advice in a limited number of onerous circumstances. The cable network operator may ask the program council for non-binding advice concerning the programs distributed outside the scope of the basic package. When several cable networks are connected and, in principal, function as one cable network, a joint program council may be established. As a result of this provision, we have one joint program council, with the exception of our networks in the municipalities of Laren and Muiden. | |||
• | Monitoring media concentrations. The Dutch government recently assigned the Media Authority a monitoring task with regard to, among other things, media concentrations. The Media Authority has to annually report on issues like vertical concentrations between content producers, content providers and rights owners. Special focus will be on sports and movie rights. The report may authorize OPTA and/or the Dutch Competition Authority to take appropriate measures against offenders. | |||
• | Network access service providers. Under the new Dutch Telecommunications Act, OPTA may impose inter alia access obligations on parties with significant market power. Currently OPTA is looking into several markets to determine whether in those markets limited competition exists and the imposition of certain measures is required. Probably before the summer of 2005, OPTA will have finished its investigation. OPTA recently ruled that, until such time, no access obligations rests on cable television operators. | |||
• | Network access program providers. In addition to the imposition of access obligations, OPTA will be authorized to require designated cable network operators to provide transport capacity to program providers. | |||
• | Price regulation. The Media Act authorizes the appropriate minister to set maximum price levels for basic tier services. This authority has not, however, been exercised in the Netherlands. Furthermore, often the municipality contracts regulate the maximum subscription price for the duration of their contracts with us. This does not apply for nearly all municipalities in the Multikabel area. |
Telephony and Internet/data services.The following regulatory regime applies to telephony and Internet/data services.
• | Regulation framework. Until a few years ago KPN had a monopoly of the fixed telecommunications infrastructure. As described above, the Dutch telecommunications sector has been liberalized and cable television networks may now be used for the provision of all telecommunications services. Number portability was introduced in the Netherlands in 1999. | |||
• | Interconnection. The Dutch Telecommunications Act generally implements European Union telecommunications policy on interconnection. | |||
• | Price regulation. While telephony services offered by a cable company are not currently subject to price regulation, the prices of its competitor, KPN, are. All KPN tariffs for fixed telephony have to be approved beforehand by OPTA. The fact that KPN’s end-user tariffs for all of its basic telephony services (with the exception of international calls, but including ISDN) must be cost orientated may have a negative effect on cable companies’ ability to compete. |
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• | Internet/data services. Under the Dutch Telecommunications Act, Internet/data services are regulated as public communications services. As such, our Dutch operating systems will have to register with OPTA as providers of public telecommunications services and/or networks and our prices for these services are not regulated. |
Regulation in the European Union
All Member States of the European Union (EU) are required to enact national legislation to implement directives issued by the EU. Regulations issued by the EU have had, and will continue to have, a material effect on the way in which cable operators offer services. For example, EU harmonization and liberalization measures were responsible for cable operators being able to offer telephony, Internet and video services.
In 2002, the European Parliament and the Council adopted a new regulatory framework, consisting of six Directives (Framework Directive 2002/21/EC, Access Directive 2002/19/EC, Authorization Directive 2002/20/EC, Universal Service Directive 2002/22/EC, Data Protection Directive 2002/58/EC and Competition Directive 2002/77/EC). This new framework, which also applies to cable television networks, attempts to decrease national variations in regulations and licensing systems and further increase market competition by harmonizing licensing procedures, reducing administrative fees, providing for easier access and interconnection, and reducing regulatory burdens for telecommunications companies. The Member States were required to implement the new regulatory framework by July 24, 2003 and October 31, 2003 respectively. Certain provisions of the regulatory framework, however, are directly applicable even if they are not implemented. We believe that we will benefit from a simpler and more coherent regulatory regime for all of our services in both the Netherlands and Germany.
Video services—Conditional access. In order to enable further competition in pay television services and accelerated development of advanced television services, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament passed the Advanced Television Standards Directive 95/47/EC in 1995, which requires Member States to regulate the offering of conditional access systems, such as program decoders used for the expanded basic tier services offered by many of our operating companies. Providers of conditional access systems are required to make them available on a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory basis to other television service providers, such as broadcasters. This obligation is carried forward in the new Access Directive and adapted to recent technological developments.
Regulation of the Internet and E-Commerce.In 2000, the European Parliament and Council adopted the E-Commerce Directive 200/31/EC. As the provision of Internet access, e-commerce, video-on-demand services, and, in particular, the selling of goods on-line qualify as information society services, the E-Commerce Directive will also have an impact on our business. To harmonize the Member States’ approach to jurisdictional issues, the E-Commerce Directive introduced the rule of the home country of the information service provider. This means that in the so-called coordinated field, a service provider is subject only to the rules and regulations set by its home country. The coordinated field concerns requirements that apply to the taking up of the activity and the pursuit of the activity of a provider of information society services, including the service provider’s liability. However, because of the many exceptions to the rule of the home country (e.g., unfair competition rules), we intend to continue to comply with the relevant laws and regulations, which are in force in Germany and the Netherlands. The E-Commerce Directive also contains provisions regulating the liability of providers of information society services, i.e., providers of mere conduit, caching and hosting services. These provisions prohibit the Member States to impose a general obligation on the providers of mere conduit, caching and hosting services to monitor the information that they transmit.
The Data Protection Directive 2002/58/EC on privacy and electronic communications imposes more stringent requirements on data protection matters, in particular, with regard to electronic and Internet communications. Among other issues addressed in this directive (e.g., use of cookies and other spying devices) are (i) unsolicited communications by automated calling systems, facsimile machines or electronic mail and (ii) the extent to which a network or service operator may use traffic data from its customers for marketing purposes or for
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the provision of value-added services. The directive, which was to be implemented by the Member States before October 31, 2003, requires prior consent from customers before any such activity may be undertaken.
Telephone and Internet/data services
Liberalization of telecommunications services and infrastructure. A central aim of the liberalization process has been to reduce the monopoly power of the incumbent telecommunications operators in order to introduce competition in the European telecommunications market. Liberalization measures have been adopted under the European Union Treaty’s competition rules and harmonization measures have been put in place through the adoption of Open Network Provision Directive 90/387/EEG (Directive on the establishment of the internal market for telecommunications services through the implementation of open network provision) and the Competition Directive 90/388/EEG (Directive on competition in the markets for telecommunications services) of June 28, 1990. On the basis of several amending directives the Member States were obliged to introduce full competition in the telecommunications markets by January 1, 1998. In 2002, the directives have been fully replaced by the new regulatory framework, including the Competition Directive, the Universal Service Directive, the Access Directive and the Authorization Directive. As a result, we may establish and provide telecommunications networks and/or services, including public voice telephone and Internet/data services, through our cable networks.
Competition Directive.Under the Competition Directive, telecommunications operators must offer telecommunications services. Any cable television services within different legal entities if this undertaking is controlled by the relevant Member State or benefit from special rights, is dominant in the provision of networks and/or telephone services and the cable television network has been established under special or exclusive rights. Furthermore, on the basis of the Access Directive, a national regulatory authority can impose obligations for accounting separation on undertakings with significant market power. Under German law, the requirement to separate the accounting for the various telecommunications and cable television operations can be imposed by the Regulatory Authority if an undertaking has significant market power on any one sub-market within the telecommunications market, including the cable television market. We will likely qualify as a market player having significant market power in various cable television markets in Germany and therefore the requirement to separate our accounting system into subsystems for each of the cable television operations and other telecommunications operations can be imposed upon us. The German Regulatory Authority may also impose guidelines on us as to the details of the accounting separation. In the Netherlands, this requirement applies to all telecommunications operators providing both cable television and other telecommunications services under national law, irrespective of the above-mentioned requirements.
Access Directive. The Access Directive stipulates that the operator of public communications networks is obliged to negotiate interconnection with other network operators for the purpose of providing publicly available electronic communications services. The national regulatory authorities may impose the interconnection obligation on undertakings that control access to end-users and/or undertakings with significant market power. In addition, the directive contains provisions on other interconnection standards. As a result, if the principles in the Access Directive are fully applied, we should be able to interconnect with the public fixed network and other major telecommunications networks on reasonable terms in order to provide these services when and if we choose to provide them. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to obtain from incumbent telecommunications operators interconnection on terms and conditions satisfactory to us without protracted negotiations or involvement in time-consuming regulatory proceedings.
The Access Directive will apply to all forms of electronic communications networks, including cable television networks. This means that, on the basis of the national implementing laws, we will also be subject to the obligation to negotiate and grant access to, and interconnection with, our networks if requested by other authorized communications network operators providing publicly available electronic communications services. Moreover, a national regulatory authority may, under certain conditions, impose obligations on us to grant access to, and use of, specific network elements and associated facilities, inter alia in situations where the national regulatory authority considers the Company as an undertaking with significant market power and that denial of access or unreasonable terms and conditions having a similar effect would hinder the emergence of a sustainable competitive market at the retail level, or would not be in the end-user’s interest. In particular, it will be possible to impose network access
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obligations on us to the extent that is necessary to ensure accessibility for end-users to digital radio and television broadcasting services.
Universal Service Directive.The Universal Service Directive contains provisions on number portability, universal services and charges to contribute to the costs of universal service obligations as well as end-users rights, in particular the minimum content of contracts with end-users.
Authorization Directive.The Authorization Directive, which replaces the previous License Directive 97/13/EC, has simplified the authorization process for the establishment of electronic communications networks and the provision of electronic communications networks and services, i.e., cable television networks and services. According to this directive, the provision of electronic communications networks and services may only be subject to a general authorization. Individual licenses will be required only in connection with the assignment of radio frequencies and numbers.
Video services
• | Video services through telecommunications networks. In Germany, the concept of geographic franchise areas does not exist. Most of our operating companies in Germany are one of several operators, which may serve customers in a given geographic area. Operators compete for long term service contracts’ with Housing Associations. In the Netherlands, geographic franchises are awarded. As with the telecommunications sector, the cost of building a network to provide television services is a considerable disincentive to potential new entrants in the television services market. Our operating companies may face competition in the long term in their franchise areas from new entrants providing television services through the infrastructure of incumbent telecommunications operators and potential new entrants.In the Netherlands, for example, where there are no restrictions on the use of telecommunications infrastructure for the provision of cable television services, the incumbent telecommunications operator is testing whether it will be able to provide television services through its fixed networks, although early test results show that available techniques currently do not allow the provision of television services through its fixed networks. | |||
• | Broadcasting. The Television Without Frontiers Directive 89/552/EEC has been adopted in October 1989 and amended by Directive 97/36 EC in June 1997, is intended to introduce freedom of broadcasting in the European Union. Generally, broadcasts emanating from and intended for reception within a country have to respect the laws of that country. Under the directive, EC Member States are required to allow broadcast signal of broadcasters in other Member States to be freely transmitted within their territory so long as the program does not violate the protection of minors. The directive also establishes quotas for the transmission of programming produced in Europe and programs made by European producers who are independent of broadcasters. Television advertising and sponsorship in Member States must comply with specific minimum rules and standards, although Member States may set more detailed and stricter rules for some matters. |
In addition to the Television Without Frontiers Directive, the other primary source of European regulation affecting television broadcasting is the 1989 European Convention on Transfrontier Television, or the Convention. The Convention is effective in those countries that have ratified it. Germany has ratified and the Netherlands has signed but not ratified the Convention.
An amendment to this Convention was agreed by parties to the Convention in October 1998 and entered into force on March 1, 2002. The amendment will bring the Convention into conformity with the Television Without Frontiers Directive’s establishment criteria, which provide that a broadcaster should be regulated primarily by the authorities in the Member State in which the broadcaster is established. Additionally, the amendment stipulates that when a broadcaster’s channel is wholly or principally directed at a country other than where it is established, for the purpose of evading the laws of that country in the areas covered by the Convention, the broadcaster would become subject to the laws of the country of reception. The amendment allows parties to the Convention to designate that some important events (e.g. major sporting events) cannot be broadcast exclusively by a single television station so as to deprive a large proportion of the public of that member country from seeing the event live or on a deferred coverage basis on free-to-air television.
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C. | Organizational Structure |
The following is a list of our significant subsidiaries and our proportion of ownership interest in each subsidiary:
% of Ownership | ||||
Organized under the laws of Germany | ||||
PrimaCom Verwaltungs GmbH | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Management GmbH | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Network & Operations GmbH | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Region Dresden GmbH | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Region Dresden GmbH & Co. KG | 100.0 | |||
Zweite Kabelvision Management Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG(1) | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Angelbachtal GmbH | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Angelbachtal GmbH & Co. KG | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Südwest I GmbH | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Südwest I GmbH & Co. KG | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Region Magdeburg GmbH & Co. KG | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Region Wiesbaden GmbH | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Aachen GmbH | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Kabelprojekt GmbH | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Region Südwest II GmbH(2) | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Projektmanagement GmbH & Co. KG | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Region Leipzig GmbH & Co. KG(3) | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Region Berlin GmbH & Co. KG | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Osnabrück Beteiligungs-GmbH | 76.0 | |||
PrimaCom Osnabrück GmbH & Co. KG | 99.9 | |||
PrimaCom Nord GmbH(2) | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Projektmanagement Verwaltungs GmbH | 100.0 | |||
KabelMedia Erste Fernsehkabelbeteiligungs Verwaltungs GmbH | 100.0 | |||
KabelMedia Erste Fernsehkabelbeteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Berlin GmbH | 100.0 | |||
Kabel-Fernsehen Leipzig Verwaltungs GmbH | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Region Schwerin GmbH & Co. KG | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Region Magdeburg GmbH | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Schwerin GmbH | 100.0 | |||
RFH Regionalfernsehen Harz Verwaltungs-GmbH | 100.0 | |||
RFH Regionalfernsehen Harz GmbH & Co. KG | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Mettlach GmbH & Co. KG | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Nettetal GmbH & Co. KG | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Stormarn GmbH & Co. KG | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Verl GmbH & Co. KG | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Hessen GmbH | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Kabelbetriebsverwaltungsgesellschaft mbH | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Kabelbetriebsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG Region Hoyerswerda | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Kabelbetriebsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG Region Leipzig | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Kabelbetriebsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG Region Plauen | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Kabelbetriebsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG Region Berlin | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Kabelbetriebsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG Region Südwest | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Kabelbetriebsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG Region Nordwest | 100.0 | |||
KABELCOM Halberstadt Gesellschaft für Breitbandkabel-Kommunikation mbH | 72.6 | |||
Decimus GmbH | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Rheinland-Pfalz GmbH | 100.0 | |||
PrimaCom Niedersachsen GmbH | 100.0 | |||
TV Halle Fernsehgesellschaft mbH | 25.0 |
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% of Ownership | ||||
MDF.1 Lokales Fernsehen Magdeburg GmbH(4) | 25.0 | |||
primaTV broadcasting GmbH (5) | 100.0 |
% of Ownership | ||||
Organized under the law of the Netherlands | ||||
PrimaCom Netherlands Holding B.V. | 100.0 | |||
N.V. Multikabel | 100.0 | |||
Communikabel N.V. | 100.0 | |||
QuickNet B.V. | 100.0 | |||
Noord-Holland Digitaal B.V. | 100.0 | |||
Mediakabel B.V. | 15.7 | |||
Educatief Net B.V. | 5.1 |
(1) | pending merger with PrimaCom Region Dresden GmbH & Co. KG since October 1, 2001 | |
(2) | pending merger with PrimaCom Management GmbH since January 1, 2004 | |
(3) | pending merger with PrimaCom Kabelbetriebsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG Region Leipzig since January 1, 2003 | |
(4) | thereof 0.5% ownership held by trustee | |
(5) | ownership held by trustee |
D. | Property and Equipment |
In connection with the operation of our cable networks in Germany, we own or lease property for signal reception sites (antenna towers and head-ends) and business offices. Our central operation center is located in Mainz, Germany. We operate our Wiesbaden/Mainz regional network from an office building of approximately 3,000 square meters that we own in Mainz.
In connection with the operation of our cable networks in the Netherlands, we own real property for signal distribution sites.
In Germany and the Netherlands we own substantially all of our cable and broadband networks and we lease the remaining fiber optic cable pursuant to long-term leases. Our owned cables and those we lease generally are buried in underground ducts or trenches. The physical components of our networks require maintenance and periodic upgrading to keep pace with technological advances.
We believe that our properties, both owned and leased, are in good condition and are suitable and adequate for our business operations.
ITEM 5. | OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS |
A. | Operating Results |
Overview
The following discussion refers to our financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2004 as compared to our financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2003 and our financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2003 as compared to the financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2002. It also contains a discussion of our liquidity and capital resources from January 1, 2004 and for the near future.
We measure our financial performance in large part with reference to EBITDA. We define EBITDA as earnings (loss) before discontinued operations, extraordinary items, cumulative effect of change in accounting
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principle, equity earnings (loss) in affiliate minority interests, gain (loss) on disposal of fixed assets, net interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization. Other participants in the cable and broadband industries also use EBITDA, defined in a similar but often not exactly comparable manner, as measure of performance. We believe that EBITDA is a useful supplement to net income and other income statement data in understanding cash flows generated from operations that are available for taxes, debt service and capital expenditures and because it is the most commonly used measures in the cable television and broadband industries to analyze and compare cable television and broadband companies on the basis of operating performance, leverage and liquidity and because the senior secured credit facility requires us to meet financial tests measured by EBITDA. However, because this term may not be defined by these other companies in exactly the same way as defined by us or may reflect different adjustments, analysis and comparison of these measures may be difficult. EBITDA is not a US GAAP measure of income (loss) or cash flow from operations and should not be considered as an alternative to net income as an indication of its financial performance or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as measures of its liquidity. We include in this report a reconciliation of EBITDA to US GAAP measures. We have historically maintained positive EBITDA and expect to further grow this measure in the future.
Significant Accounting Policies:The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which require us to make estimates and assumptions (see Note 2 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements). We believe the following significant accounting policies involve the most significant judgment and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Impairment of property and equipment and intangible assets:In order to assess impairment of property and equipment and intangible assets under US GAAP, we apply Statement Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”. If management has concluded that impairment indicators exist, we test for impairment by comparing the sum of the future undiscounted cash flows derived from an asset or a group of assets to their carrying value. If the carrying value of the asset or the group of assets exceeds the sum of the future undiscounted cash flows, impairment is considered to exist and an impairment charge will be measured and recorded. An impairment charge is measured using an estimation of the assets’ fair value, typically using a discounted cash flow method. In 2003, the Company recorded a charge of approximately€3.0 million primarily attributable to impairment in both, Germany and the Netherlands on certain long-term assets associated with the digital cable business and€12.9 million in 2002 in the German segment only. In the Netherlands, our subsidiary Multikabel N.V. has a 15.7% investment in Mediakabel B.V. A decision has been taken by the shareholders of Mediakabel to liquidate the company at the end of 2005. The proceeds of the liquidation of Mediakabel are expected to fall below the current book value of the investment and consequently an impairment charge of€1,869,000 was recorded in 2004. In Germany, no impairment charges were recorded in 2004.
The identification of impairment indicators, the estimation of future cash flows and the determination of fair values for assets or groups of assets requires management to make significant judgments concerning the identification and validation of impairment indicators, expected cash flows and applicable discount rates. If actual results differ from these estimates, or if we adjust these estimates in future periods, operating results could be significantly affected. In calculating fair value based on discounted cash flows, the Company makes significant estimates regarding the number of years of future cash flows, discount rates, and revenues, costs, and expenses in future periods. The number of years of future cash flows was based on the remaining useful life of the underlying assets, discount rates were determined based on relevant market data and revenues, costs and expenses were based on the Company’s business plan.
Goodwill:In order to assess impairment of goodwill under US GAAP, we apply SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangibles, which we adopted on January 1, 2002. SFAS No. 142, requires that goodwill (and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives) no longer be amortized, but rather tested annually for impairment or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the goodwill might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value.
On October 1, 2004, we performed an impairment test of goodwill which indicated goodwill was not impaired.
In performing the impairment tests, the Company calculated the fair value of goodwill based on estimated discounted cash flows, which requires management to make significant judgments concerning the expected cash flows
52
and applicable discount rates. If actual results differ from these estimates, or if we adjust these estimates in future periods, operating results could be significantly affected. In calculating fair value based on discounted cash flows, the Company makes significant estimates regarding the number of years of future cash flows, discount rates, and revenues, costs, and expenses in future periods. The number of years of future cash flows and discount rates were determined based on relevant market data and revenues, costs and expenses were based on the Company’s business plan.
Deferred Taxes: Under US GAAP, deferred taxes are recorded for temporary differences, including the future tax benefit of net operating loss carryforwards. In addition, under US GAAP, we record a valuation allowance to reduce our net deferred tax assets to the amount that will more likely than not be realized. We have considered, for US GAAP purposes, future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. In the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax asset in the future in excess of their recorded amounts, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period in which such determination was made. Similarly, should we determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be charged to expense in the period such determination was made. The evaluation of net deferred tax assets requires considerable management judgment.
Years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
Revenues. Revenues primarily include monthly subscription fees and to a lesser extent installation and connection fees related to our basic analog cable television service and high speed Internet access. Revenue also includes monthly subscription fees and to a lesser extent installation and connection fees related to our digital television service, which in turn includes revenue from both near-video and video-on-demand services. We also earn monthly subscription fees for data communication services provided to small-and medium-sized businesses and schools in the Netherlands. Other notable sources of revenue include signal delivery fees charged to other cable television operators for delivery of signal to their networks and carriage fees paid by program producers for the distribution of their programs to our customers.
Revenues increased by 6.4% from€197,948,000 in 2003 to€210,713,000 in 2004. The primary factors, which impacted revenue growth in 2004, were the increases of Internet services and rate increases for basic analog cable television service.
2003 | 2004 | |||||||
Homes passed by coaxial 450 MHz networks | 1,373,863 | 1,346,725 | ||||||
Analog cable television subscribers served by 450 MHz | 891,570 | 834,577 | ||||||
Homes passed by fiber | 583,008 | 623,601 | ||||||
Ready-for-service homes 862 MHz networks | 463,153 | 493,036 | ||||||
Analog cable television subscribers served by 862 MHz | 410,733 | 436,729 | ||||||
Digital television subscribers | 12,183 | 11,566 | ||||||
Internet subscribers | 86,338 | 124,828 | ||||||
Telephony subscribers | 4,106 | 18,862 | ||||||
Data communication subscribers | 932 | 856 | ||||||
Total revenue generating units | 1,405,862 | 1,427,418 | ||||||
For the year ended December 31, 2003, Multikabel contributed€75,643,000 to our revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2004, Multikabel made a contribution to revenues of€88,733,000. Increases in basic cable subscription rates and customers, high-speed Internet access rates and customers, data communication customers and other revenue account for the growth in Multikabel’s revenues. In Germany, revenues decreased by 0.3% from€122,305,000 in 2003 to€121,980,000 in 2004.
Revenues contributed from our basic analog cable television product increased by 1.7% from€152,606,000 in 2003 to€155,244,000 in 2004. Multikabel contributed€42,411,000 of analog cable television revenues in 2004
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compared to€37,616,000 in 2003. The organic growth was derived from an increase in average revenue per subscriber from€10.10 to€11.21. Revenues derived from basic analog cable television in Germany decreased by 1.9% from€114,990,000 in 2003 to€112,833,000 in 2004. Increased monthly average revenues per subscriber from€9.66 in 2003 to€9.69 in 2004 were offset by a reduction in subscribers mainly as a consequence of demographic effects in the eastern part of Germany. We expect the number of subscribers of our basic analog cable television service to remain stable over the coming years in the Netherlands and Germany. Significant increases would only result from acquisitions in Germany and/or the Netherlands, which we do not anticipate due to our financial constraints. We expect to achieve single digit revenue growth through increasing rates for the service to coincide with inflation or improvements in the product offering.
Revenues from high-speed Internet access services increased from€27,956,000 in 2003 to€34,862,000 in 2004. The increase primarily relates to the Netherlands, where we were able to increase the number of overall subscribers.
For the year ended 2003 Multikabel contributed€26,140,000 of high-speed Internet access revenues compared to€32,522,000 in 2004. Strong growth in the subscriber base for this product also made a significant contribution. Total high-speed residential Internet subscribers in the Netherlands increased by 44.0% from 79,493 at December 31, 2003 to 114,476 at December 31, 2004. Penetration of high-speed Internet access customers from ready-for-service homes increased from 24.2% in 2003 to 35.1% in 2004. The average monthly revenue per subscriber decreased from€34.63 in 2003 to€27.55 in 2004 primarily due to the introduction of new lower rate packages in our Netherlands subsidiary to provide attractive pricing to our customers.
In Germany, revenues contributed from the high-speed Internet access service increased by 28.9% from€1,816,000 in 2003 to€2,340,000 in 2004. The primary factor was our increase in average customers provided with high-speed Internet. At December 31, 2003, we served 6,845 Internet customers, compared to 10,352 high-speed Internet customers at December 31, 2004. Penetration of high-speed Internet access customers from ready-for-service homes increased from 5.1% at December 31, 2003 to 6.2% at December 31, 2004.
We expect high-speed Internet access subscribers and therefore, penetration to ready-for-service homes to continue to increase at strong growth rates over the next two to five years in both the Netherlands and Germany. Average monthly revenue per subscriber is expected to be subject to strong competition. However, revenue growth from this sector should therefore remain strong over the next two to five years.
Digital television revenues increased from€1,435,000 in 2003 to€1,596,000 in 2004. Multikabel contributed digital television revenues of€931,000 for 2004 compared to€705,000 for the year 2003. At December 31, 2003, Multikabel served 5,963 digital television subscribers, compared to 6,329 at December 31, 2004. The increase in revenues and subscribers is mainly a result of modified marketing attention. In Germany, revenue from digital television decreased from€730,000 in 2003 to€665,000 in 2004 despite a growth in average monthly revenue per digital subscriber in Germany to€9.83 for 2004 compared to€8.92 for 2003. Subscribers decreased from 6,220 at December 31, 2003 to 5,237 at December 31, 2004 due to demographic shifts in the former East-German states we serve. We do not expect a substantial growth in the digital television revenues in the near future, although we still believe in the migration from analog towards digital. At December 31, 2004 the penetration rate for digital subscribers to ready-for-service homes was 3.1%. The development in digital television subscribers has not met our expectations at this point. We are constantly reviewing the product to either make it more attractive to consumers or to reduce the cost associated with delivering the product.
Other revenues increased from€15,951,000 in 2003 to€19,011,000 in 2004. Included in this category are revenues we receive in the Netherlands for data communication services we provide to small-and medium-sized businesses and schools. Multikabel served 315 small-and medium-sized businesses and 617 schools at the end of 2003, which contributed€6,216,000 of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2003. At December 31,2004, Multikabel served 450 small- and medium-sized businesses and 406 schools, which contributed€4,912,000 to revenue in 2004. We supply 100% of the schools in the Netherlands. We are currently serving a very small percentage of the small-and medium-sized businesses in our franchise area. Throughout 2004, we faced some development pressures due to the economic circumstances in the business market. In the last quarter of 2004, we faced some positive developments and the number of quotations and orders grew. We expect this product offering to
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continue to grow at steady rates for the next few years as our penetration in the market of small- and medium-sized business increases. In addition to the above, other revenue in Germany and the Netherlands increased by€4,364,000 from€9,735,000 in 2003 to€14,099,000 in 2004, principally coming from increased carriage fees in Germany and the ramp-up of telephony in the Netherlands.
The following table reconciles average revenue per subscriber (ARPU) to our US GAAP consolidated financial statements:
Germany | The Netherlands | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2003 | 2004 | 2003 | 2004 | 2003 | 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(€ in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Analog | 114,990 | 112,833 | 37,616 | 42,411 | 152,606 | 155,244 | ||||||||||||||||||
Digital | 730 | 665 | 705 | 931 | 1,435 | 1,596 | ||||||||||||||||||
Internet | 1,816 | 2,340 | 26,140 | 32,522 | 27,956 | 34,862 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other | 4,769 | 6,142 | 11,182 | 12,869 | 15,951 | 19,011 | ||||||||||||||||||
122,305 | 121,980 | 75,643 | 88,733 | 197,948 | 210,713 | |||||||||||||||||||
Average subscribers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Analog | 991,750 | 970,159 | 310,477 | 315,277 | 1,302,227 | 1,285,436 | ||||||||||||||||||
Digital | 6,820 | 5,635 | 4,586 | 6,211 | 11,406 | 11,846 | ||||||||||||||||||
Internet | 5,654 | 8,754 | 62,903 | 98,370 | 68,557 | 107,124 | ||||||||||||||||||
Telephony | — | — | 1,478 | 10,859 | 1,478 | 10,859 | ||||||||||||||||||
Datacommunication | — | — | 885 | 911 | 885 | 911 | ||||||||||||||||||
ARPU (in€) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Analog | 9.66 | 9,69 | 10.10 | 11,21 | 9.77 | 10,06 | ||||||||||||||||||
Digital | 8.92 | 9,83 | 12.81 | 12,49 | 10.48 | 11,23 | ||||||||||||||||||
Internet | 26.77 | 22,28 | 34.63 | 27,55 | 33.98 | 27,12 |
Operations. Operations primarily include signal delivery fees paid to Kabel Deutschland and private successor network operators in Germany which now include Kabel Deutschland for city connections, Internet feed, copyright royalty expense, film license payments, labor and materials relates to the repair and maintenance of our networks and other repair and maintenance expenses relating to our networks. Operating costs increased by 11.0% from€50,140,000 in 2003 to€55,649,000 in 2004. In the Netherlands operating costs increased in support of our volume growth to€19,388,000 in 2004 compared to€14,944,000 in 2003. In our German operations, operating costs increased by 3.0% from€35,196,000 in 2003 to€36,261,000 in 2004, mainly as a result of increase of signal delivery charges.
Selling, general and administrative. Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily include salaries and wages of personnel directly involved in the sales, general and administrative functions of our operating companies, expenses of maintaining our operating offices, marketing expenses, costs of consultants used to support our operating activities, automobile expenses, certain cash management expenses, billing expenses, office supplies and other expenses associated with the operation of our networks and services. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 3.0% from€28,807,000 in 2003 to€29,673,000 in 2004. In the year ended December 31, 2003, selling, general and administrative expenses related to Multikabel was€13,473,000 increasing in support of our volume growth to€15,344,000 for 2004. In our German operations, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by 6.6% from€15,334,000 in 2003 to€14,329,000 in 2004, reflecting the impact of ongoing cost saving programs and lower bad debt expenses in 2004. In addition, we implemented certain organizational changes in 2004 in order to control our selling, general and administrative expenses. As a result, we expect selling, general and administrative expenses to decrease as a percentage in revenues in the future.
Corporate Overhead. Corporate overhead consists of personnel expenses of senior management, financial accounting, information technology, product development, licensing fees paid for our billing, subscriber and financial accounting systems, the cost of our corporate office and legal and accounting expenses related to the
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operation of our corporate office. Non-cash compensation expense related to our stock option plans is also included in corporate overhead.
Corporate overhead increased by 80.1% from€12,020,000 in 2003 to€21,646,000 in 2004. In 2004, the Company recorded charges of approximately€9.5 million in respect of professional fees related to the ongoing efforts to achieve financial restructuring of the Company. Of the€9.5 million,€6.5 million relates to the indemnification by PrimaCom, under the Senior and Second Secured Facility agreements, of costs incurred by the respective bank groups for their legal and accounting advice, together with the corresponding costs of PrimaCom’s own lawyers. The remaining€ 3.0 million is in respect of professional fees related to the special investigation mandated by shareholders at the Company’s AGM in June 2004, the costs of a special audit regarding over-indebtedness, and contract release costs resulting from a change of satellite provider.
Non-cash compensation expenses associated with our stock option plan decreased from€123,000 in 2003 to€36,000 in 2004. The primary factor responsible for the decline was the expiration of the vesting period of options issued at the IPO in February 1999 and a reduction in personnel and associated options.
Depreciation and amortization.Depreciation and amortization decreased by 5.8% from€87,587,000 in 2003 to€82,521,000 in 2004. In 2003 we recorded a charge of approximately€3.0 million largely attributable to impairment in both Germany and the Netherlands on certain long-term assets associated with the digital cable business. No impairment charges were recorded in 2004.
Operating profit.Operating profit increased by€1,830,000 from€19,394,000 in 2003 to€21,224,000 in 2004.
Interest expense.Interest expense includes interest on our revolving credit and convertible second secured borrowings, capital lease obligations and other borrowings, changes in the fair market value of our interest rate derivatives, payment of unused facility fees and the amortization of debt issuance fees paid to obtain borrowings.
In total, average indebtedness increased from€933,122,000 in 2003 to€968,320,000 in 2004. The primary factors responsible for the increase in average indebtedness were increased interest expenses related to the cash and the non-cash interest on the convertible second secured borrowings, the payments of deferred purchase obligations and the investments in selective upgrades of our networks in Germany. Interest expense increased by€9,690,000 or 8.6 % from€113,099,000 in 2003 to€122,789,000 in 2004. The primary factor responsible for the increased interest expense was the higher interest rates associated with the€375.0 million Convertible Second Secured Facility.
The average amount outstanding under the revolving credit agreement decreased from approximately€501,480,000 in 2003 to€493,908,000 in 2004, primarily as a result of the lower overdraft levels and installment payments. The average cash interest rate on the revolving credit bank borrowings decreased from 4.62% in 2003 to 4.43% in 2004.
The convertible second secured bank facility, which was entered into on March 26, 2002 had an initial borrowing of€375.0 million. The accrued non-cash interest was€122,089,000 at December 31, 2004. The average outstanding balance between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2004 was€471,955,000. The average interest rate on the convertible second secured borrowings was 20.0% during the period from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2004. Interest expense also includes non-cash amortization of other capitalized finance and legal fees of€6,693,000 and non-cash interest expense on the convertible second secured borrowings of€48,950,000.
Other income (expense). Other expense includes€814,000 in Germany relating to cost of lawsuits filed in respect of the Second Secured Loan, and in the Netherlands to the write-off of€479,000 non-recoverable VAT related to pre-acquisition expenses, an impairment charge of€1,869,000 relating to the write-down of an investment offset by an income of€311,000 relating to dividend payments received from investments.
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and other items.Loss from operations before income taxes and other items increased by€10,669,000 from€93,747,000 in 2003 to€104,416,000 in 2004 for the reasons discussed in the above sections.
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Income tax benefit (expense).Income tax expense of€9,031,000 was recorded in 2004 compared to€24,291,000 in 2003. The tax expense in 2003 was related to additional valuation allowances related to the net deferred tax assets in Germany. In 2004, the tax expense is primarily due to the limited deductibility of interest expense.
Net loss.Net loss decreased from€118,099,000 in 2003 to€113,530,000 in 2004.
EBITDA. In addition to other measurements, some of which are reflected in our statement of operations data, we measure our financial performance by EBITDA. We define EBITDA as earnings (loss) before extraordinary items, cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, discontinued operations, minority interests, net interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization. A reconciliation between EBITDA and our operating profit or loss is detailed in Item 3 (a) at this filing. We believe that EBITDA is a meaningful measure of performance because this is the most commonly used measure in the cable television and broadband industry to analyze and compare cable television and broadband companies on the basis of operating performance, leverage and liquidity. EBITDA is not a US GAAP measure of income (loss) or cash flow from operations and should not be considered as an alternative to net income as an indication of our financial performance or as alternatives to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA decreased from€106,981,000 for 2003 to€103,745,000 for 2004, mainly due to the extraordinary high level of extra charges related to financial restructuring. As a percent of revenue, EBITDA decreased from 54.1% in 2003 to 49.3% in 2004 respectively. It is our goal to grow EBITDA while preserving our margins in the Netherlands and further improving them in Germany.
Years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
Revenues.Revenues primarily include monthly subscription fees and to a lesser extent installation and connection fees related to our basic analog cable television service and high speed Internet access. Revenue also includes monthly subscription fees and to a lesser extent installation and connection fees related to our digital television service, which in turn includes revenue from both near-video and video-on-demand services. We also earn monthly subscription fees for data communication services provided to small-and medium-sized businesses and schools in the Netherlands. Other notable sources of revenue include signal delivery fees charged to other cable television operators for delivery of signal to their networks and carriage fees paid by program producers for the distribution of their programs to our customers.
Revenues increased by 8.7% from€182,042,000 in 2002 to€197,948,000 in 2003. The primary factors, which impacted revenue growth in 2003, were the increases of Internet services and rate increases for basic analog cable television service.
2002 | 2003 | |||||||
Homes passed by coaxial 450 MHz networks | 1,409,934 | 1,373,863 | ||||||
Analog cable television subscribers served by 450 MHz | 915,026 | 891,570 | ||||||
Homes passed by fiber | 568,024 | 583,008 | ||||||
Ready-for-service homes 862 MHz networks | 448,088 | 463,153 | ||||||
Analog cable television subscribers served by 862 MHz | 390,743 | 410,733 | ||||||
Digital television subscribers | 11,628 | 12,183 | ||||||
Internet subscribers | 53,545 | 86,338 | ||||||
Telephony subscribers | — | 4,106 | ||||||
Data communication subscribers | 832 | 932 | ||||||
Total revenue generating units | 1,371,774 | 1,405,862 | ||||||
For the year ended December 31, 2002, Multikabel contributed€60,451,000 to our revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2003, Multikabel made a contribution to revenues of€75,643,000. Increases in basic cable subscription rates and customers, high-speed Internet access rates and customers, data communication customers and other revenue account for the growth in Multikabel’s revenues. In Germany, as a result of rate increases, we increased revenues by 0.6% from€121,591,000 in 2002 to€122,305,000 in 2003.
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Revenues contributed from our basic analog cable television product increased by 2.6% from€148,736,000 in 2002 to€152,606,000 in 2003. Multikabel contributed€37,616,000 of analog cable television revenues in 2003 compared to€33,510,000 in 2002. The organic growth was derived from an increase in average analog cable television subscribers of 8,335 from 306,345 in 2002 to 314,680 in 2003 and an increase in average revenue per subscriber from€9.20 to€10.10. Revenues derived from basic analog cable television in Germany decreased slightly by 0.2% from€115,226,000 in 2002 to€114,990,000 in 2003. Increased monthly average revenues per subscriber from€9.61 in 2002 to€9.66 in 2003 account for the trend in analog revenues. We expect the number of subscribers of our basic analog cable television service to remain stable over the coming years in the Netherlands and Germany. Significant increases would only result from acquisitions in Germany and/or the Netherlands, which we do not anticipate due to our financial constraints. We expect to achieve single digit revenue growth through increasing rates for the service to coincide with inflation or improvements in the product offering.
Revenues from high-speed Internet access services increased from€19,128,000 in 2002 to€27,956,000 in 2003. The increase primarily relates to the Netherlands, where we were able to increase the number of overall subscribers.
For the year ended 2002 Multikabel contributed€17,711,000 of high-speed Internet access revenues compared to€26,140,000 in 2003. Strong growth in the subscriber base for this product also made a significant contribution. Total high-speed residential Internet subscribers in the Netherlands increased by 62.5% from 48,917 at December 31, 2002 to 79,493 at December 31, 2003. Penetration of high-speed Internet access customers from ready-for-service homes increased from 15.0% in 2002 to 24.2% in 2003. The average monthly revenue per subscriber decreased from€39.21 in 2002 to€34.63 in 2003 due to a rate decrease caused by increased competition in the broadband Internet sector.
In Germany, revenues contributed from the high-speed Internet access service increased by 28.2% from€1,417,000 in 2002 to€1,816,000 in 2003. The primary factor was our increase in average customers provided with high-speed Internet. At December 31, 2002, we served 4,628 Internet customers, compared to 6,845 high-speed Internet customers at December 31, 2003. Penetration of high-speed Internet access customers from ready-for-service homes increased from 3.7% at December 31, 2002 to 5.1% at December 31, 2003.
We expect high-speed Internet access subscribers and therefore, penetration to ready-for-service homes to continue to increase at strong growth rates over the next two to five years in both the Netherlands and Germany. Average monthly revenue per subscriber is expected to remain close to the current level. Revenue growth from this sector should therefore remain strong over the next two to five years.
Digital television revenues increased from€1,270,000 in 2002 to€1,435,000 in 2003. Multikabel contributed digital television revenues of€705,000 for 2003 compared to€557,000 for the year 2002. At December 31, 2002, Multikabel served 4,088 digital television subscribers, compared to 5,963 at December 31, 2003. The increase in revenues and subscribers is mainly a result of modified marketing attention. In Germany, revenue from digital television increased from€713,000 in 2002 to€730,000 in 2003 due to a growth in average monthly revenue per digital subscriber in Germany to€8.92 for 2003 compared to€8.06 for 2002. Subscribers decreased from 7,540 at December 31, 2002 to 6,220 at December 31, 2003. We do not expect a substantial growth in the digital television revenues in the near future, although we still believe in the migration from analog towards digital. At December 31, 2003 the penetration rate for digital subscribers to ready-for-service homes was 4.6%. The growth in digital television subscribers has not met our expectations at this point. We are constantly reviewing the product to either make it more attractive to consumers or to reduce the cost associated with delivering the product.
Other revenues increased from€12,908,000 in 2002 to€15,951,000 in 2003. Included in this category are revenues we receive in the Netherlands for data communication services we provide to small-and medium-sized businesses and schools. Multikabel served 221 small-and medium-sized businesses and 611 schools at the end of 2002, which contributed€4,770,000 of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2002. At year-end 2003, Multikabel served 315 small-and medium-sized businesses and 617 schools, which contributed€6,216,000 to revenue in 2002. We supply 100% of the schools in the Netherlands. We are currently serving a very small percentage of the small-and medium-sized businesses in our franchise area. Throughout 2003, we faced some
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development pressures due to the economic circumstances in the business market. In the last quarter of 2003 we faced some positive developments and the number of quotations and orders grew. We expect this product offering to continue to grow at steady rates for the next few years as our penetration in the market of small- and medium-sized business increases. In addition to the above, other revenue in Germany and the Netherlands increased by€1,597,000 from€8.138.000 in 2002 to€9,735,000 in 2003, principally coming from increased carriage fees in Germany and the start-up of telephony in the Netherlands.
The following table reconciles average revenue per subscriber (ARPU) to our US GAAP consolidated financial statements:
Germany | The Netherlands | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | 2003 | |||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(€ in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Analog | 115,226 | 114,990 | 33,510 | 37,616 | 148,736 | 152,606 | ||||||||||||||||||
Digital | 713 | 730 | 557 | 705 | 1,270 | 1,435 | ||||||||||||||||||
Internet | 1,417 | 1,816 | 17,711 | 26,140 | 19,128 | 27,956 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other | 4,235 | 4,769 | 8,673 | 11,182 | 12,908 | 15,951 | ||||||||||||||||||
121,591 | 122,305 | 60,451 | 75,643 | 182,042 | 197,948 | |||||||||||||||||||
Average subscribers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Analog | 999,284 | 991,750 | 303,568 | 310,477 | 1,302,852 | 1,302,227 | ||||||||||||||||||
Digital | 7,373 | 6,820 | 4,494 | 4,586 | 11,868 | 11,406 | ||||||||||||||||||
Internet | 6,134 | 5,654 | 37,624 | 62,903 | 43,758 | 68,557 | ||||||||||||||||||
Telefonie | — | — | 22 | 1,478 | 22 | 1,478 | ||||||||||||||||||
Datacommunication | 3 | — | 810 | 885 | 813 | 885 | ||||||||||||||||||
ARPU(1) (in€) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Analog | 9.61 | 9.66 | 9.20 | 10.10 | 9.51 | 9.77 | ||||||||||||||||||
Digital | 8.06 | 8.92 | 10.33 | 12.81 | 8.92 | 10.48 | ||||||||||||||||||
Internet | 19.25 | 26.77 | 39.21 | 34.63 | 36.41 | 33.98 |
(1) | The calculation of ARPU’s has been changed to exclude carriage fees, which are now reported in other revenues. Prior years ARPU’s have been adjusted accordingly for comparative purposes. |
Operations.Operations primarily include signal delivery fees paid to Kabel Deutschland and private successor network operators in Germany which now include Kabel Deutschland for city connections, Internet feed, copyright royalty expense, film license payments, labor and materials relates to the repair and maintenance of our networks and other repair and maintenance expenses relating to our networks. Operating costs decreased by 2.4% from€51,386,000 in 2002 to€50,140,000 in 2003. In the Netherlands operating costs increased slightly to€14,944,000 in 2003 compared to€14,935,000 in 2002. In our German operations, operating costs decreased by 3.4% from€36,451,000 in 2002 to€35,196,000 in 2003.
Selling, general and administrative.Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily include salaries and wages of personnel directly involved in the sales, general and administrative functions of our operating companies, expenses of maintaining our operating offices, marketing expenses, costs of consultants used to support our operating activities, automobile expenses, certain cash management expenses, billing expenses, office supplies and other expenses associated with the operation of our networks and services. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by 9.1% from€31,694,000 in 2002 to€28,807,000 in 2003. In the year ended December 31, 2002, selling, general and administrative expenses related to Multikabel was€12,809,000 compared to€13,473,000 for 2003. In our German operations, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by 18.8% from€18,885,000 in 2002 to€15,334,000 in 2003, reflecting the impact of ongoing cost saving programs and lower bad debt expenses in 2003. In addition, we implemented certain organizational changes in 2003 in order to control our selling, general and administrative expenses. As a result, we expect selling, general and administrative expenses to decrease as a percentage in revenues in the future.
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Corporate Overhead.Corporate overhead consists of personnel expenses of senior management, financial accounting, information technology, product development, licensing fees paid for our billing, subscriber and financial accounting systems, the cost of our corporate office and legal and accounting expenses related to the operation of our corporate office. Non-cash compensation expense related to our stock option plans is also included in corporate overhead.
Corporate overhead decreased by 39.6% from€19,889,000 in 2002 to€12,020,000 in 2003. Non-cash compensation expenses associated with our stock option plan decreased from€1,377,000 in 2002 to€123,000 in 2003. The primary factor responsible for the decline was the expiration of the vesting period of options issued at the IPO in February 1999 and a reduction in personnel and associated options. In addition during 2002 one-time debt refinancing charges of€2,432,000 were incurred relating to advisory fees and legal expenses in connection with the conversion of the Working Capital Facility into the Convertible Seconds Secured Loan agreement. Excluding the charge for non-cash compensation expenses and one time debt refinancing costs, corporate overhead decreased by€4,183,000 from€16,080,000 in 2002 to€11,897,000 in 2003, reflecting the effect of a cost reduction and centralization of function programs. We intend to keep the growth of corporate overhead expenses substantially below the growth in revenue, and, therefore, we expect corporate overhead as a percentage of revenues to continue to decline.
Depreciation and amortization.Depreciation and amortization decreased by 8.7% from€95,943,000 in 2002 to€87.587,000 in 2003. In 2002, we wrote-down in accordance with SFAS No. 144, long-lived assets to fair value by€12,944,000, which is included in amortization expense. In 2003 we recorded a charge of approximately€3.0 million largely attributable to impairment in both Germany and the Netherlands on certain long-term assets associated with the digital cable business.
Operating profit.Operating profit increased by€36,264,000 from an operating loss of€16,870,000 in 2002 to an operating profit of€19,394,000 in 2003. The primary factors were the reduction in non-cash compensation expenses related to our stock option plan, lower impairment charges cost reduction initiatives and the improved operating performance, which is primarily attributed to the high-speed Internet access sector.
Interest expense.Interest expense includes interest on our revolving credit and convertible second secured borrowings, capital lease obligations and other borrowings, changes in the fair market value of our interest rate derivatives, payment of unused facility fees and the amortization of debt issuance fees paid to obtain borrowings.
In total, average indebtedness increased from€885,511,000 in 2002 to€933,122,000 in 2003. The primary factors responsible for the increase in average indebtedness were the payment of financing fees, increased interest expenses related to the cash and the non-cash interest on the convertible second secured borrowings, the payments of deferred purchase obligations and the investments in selective upgrades of our networks in Germany. Interest expense increased by€3,678,000 or 3.4% from€109,421,000 in 2002 to€113,099,000 in 2003. In 2002, interest expense included€12,264,000 related to the write-off of capitalized financing fees and related advisory fees following the reduction of the€1.0 billion credit facility. The primary factor responsible for the increased interest expense was the higher interest rates associated with the€375 million Convertible Second Secured Facility, as compared with our Revolving Credit Facility, under which this amount was primarily due during the first quarter of 2002. This has been substantially offset by lower interest rates on the Senior Facility and a decrease in the fair value of interest rate derivatives.
The average amount outstanding under the revolving credit agreement decreased from approximately€559,501,000 in 2002 to€501,480,000 in 2003, primarily as a result of the repayment funded with borrowings under the convertible second secured facility. The average cash interest rate on the revolving credit bank borrowings decreased from 5.70% in 2002 to 4,62% in 2003.
The convertible second secured bank facility, which was entered into on March 26, 2002 had an initial borrowing of€375.0 million. The accrued non-cash interest was€73,139,000 at December 31, 2003. The average outstanding balance between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2003 was€426,896,000. There were no borrowings under this facility in 2002. The average interest rate on the convertible second secured borrowings was 19.47% during the period from January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003. Interest expense in 2002 include non-cash
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write-off of capitalized finance fees and related advisory fees of€12,264,000 related to the modification of the€1.0 billion revolving credit facility. Interest expense also includes non-cash amortization of other capitalized finance and legal fees of€6,695,000 and non-cash interest expense on the convertible second secured borrowings of€42,060,000.
Other income (expense). In 2003 we wrote off€42,000 of capitalized non-operating cost.
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and other items.Loss from operations before income taxes and other items decreased by€33,537,000 from€127,284,000 in 2002 to€93,747,000 in 2003 for the reasons discussed in the above sections.
Income tax benefit (expense).Income tax expense of€24,291,000 was recorded in 2003 compared to€10,980,000 in 2002, primarily related to additional valuation allowances related to the net deferred tax assets in Germany.
Loss from operations before extraordinary items and cumulative effect of change in accounting principles.Loss from operations before extraordinary loss and cumulative effect of changes in accounting principle decreased from€138,327,000 in 2002 to€118,099,000 in 2003 for the reasons discussed in the above sections.
Net loss.Net loss decreased from€138,327,000 in 2002 to€118,099,000 in 2003.
EBITDA. In addition to other measurements, some of which are reflected in our statement of operations data, we measure our financial performance by EBITDA. We define EBITDA as earnings (loss) before extraordinary items, cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, discontinued operations, minority interests, net interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization. A reconciliation between EBITDA and our operating profit or loss is detailed in Item 3 (a) at this filing. We believe that EBITDA is a meaningful measure of performance because this is the most commonly used measure in the cable television and broadband industry to analyze and compare cable television and broadband companies on the basis of operating performance, leverage and liquidity. EBITDA is not a US GAAP measure of income (loss) or cash flow from operations and should not be considered as an alternative to net income as an indication of our financial performance or as alternatives to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA increased from€79,073,000 for 2002 to€106,981,000 for 2003, primarily as a result of the price increases in analog TV and positive contribution of high-speed Internet access services and continuing cost reduction activities. As a percent of revenue, EBITDA improved from 43.4% in 2002 to 54.0% in 2003 respectively. It is our goal to continue to grow its EBITDA while preserving our margins in the Netherlands and further improving them in Germany.
B. | Liquidity and Capital Resources |
We have historically relied on three sources for necessary funding:
• | cash flow from operations, | |||
• | sale-lease back transactions, and | |||
• | borrowings under our bank facilities. |
Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to€34,814,000 in 2004 compared to€42,233,000 in 2003.
For the year ended December 31, 2004, we used cash for investing activities of€33,642,000 compared to€32,470,000 in 2003. Net cash used in financing activities amounted to€5,189,000 in 2004 compared with€5,313,000 provided by financing activities in 2003.
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Of the approximately€33,732,000 we invested in capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2004, the majority was invested to improve the technical standards of our network in the Netherlands in order to prepare for the launch of telephony services and to replace electronic components and improve the technical standards of our networks in Germany. We have only minimal commitments to make capital expenditures under the terms of our concession or franchise agreements, but anticipate that we will also make capital expenditures in the near future to selectively upgrade existing cable systems. To the extent cash flow is not sufficient to fund our operating expenses, debt service, taxation expenses, and capital expenditures, we expect to borrow the necessary funds under our bank facility.
We believe that EBITDA provides more meaningful measures of fixed cost coverage than does a deficiency of earnings to fixed charges. EBITDA amounts in each period are not solely available to satisfy cash interest expense and may also be required for other corporate purposes, including increases in working capital, principal payments on debt and capital expenditures. EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2004, was€103,745,000. Included in interest expenses of€122,789,000 for the year ended December 31, 2004 is non-cash amortization of finance fees of€6,693,000 and€48,950,000 capitalized non-cash rate interest based on the convertible second secured facility and interest credit of€1,097,000 due to the change in the fair value of our interest rate caps and collars in the year ended December 31, 2004. A reconciliation between EBITDA and our operating profit or loss is detailed in the Item 3 (a) of this filing.
At December 31, 2004, our aggregate consolidated indebtedness (bank and financial debts) was approximately€989,972,000, comprised of approximately€491,111,000 of senior bank debt,€497,089,000 of convertible second secured debt,€1,577,000 of capital leases obligations, and€195,000 of deferred purchase obligations. Our debt instruments are described below.
On September 18, 2000, our wholly-owned subsidiary PrimaCom Management GmbH entered into a€1,000,000,000 reducing senior secured revolving credit facility with a number of lenders. The senior secured facility was put in place to refinance all outstanding debt at that time, to fund the acquisition of Multikabel, future capital expenditures and acquisitions and for other general corporate purposes. Under the terms of the senior secured revolving credit facility, our subsidiaries may borrow, repay and reborrow, up to the commitment amounts, until December 31, 2009, when all amounts will become due and payable. As required by a condition to the senior secured facility, PrimaCom AG also entered into a€375,000,000 working capital facility concurrently with entering into the senior secured facility. The working capital facility was intended as a means by which PrimaCom AG could access longer-term unsecured debt financing, which would benefit the lenders under the senior secured facility, in the event the high yield note issuance contemplated by PrimaCom AG at the time was not completed. The working capital facility was committed until May 15, 2001. At that time, we or the senior secured facility lenders could request that the working capital facility be drawn, with the proceeds being used to repay borrowings under the senior secured facility. If the working capital facility had been drawn, it would have converted to a loan or debt security with a ten-year maturity. The interest rate on the working capital facility would have been no less than 13% per annum and no greater than a cap based on current trading yields of high yield securities issued by comparable companies. In the event that the working capital facility remained outstanding beyond September 30, 2001, PrimaCom also agreed to issue contingent value rights which would provide the facility holders with an economic benefit payable in cash equivalent to that which they would have received had they exercised warrants to acquire up to 5% of our equity capital at prices based on relevant market values. Therefore, we entered into a Contingent Value Right (“CVR”) Agreement, which was a condition precedent to the obligations of the lenders under the Senior Working Capital Facility. Pursuant to the CVR Agreement, we were required, if requested on or before September 18, 2010, to make a payment in either cash or common shares to the holders of each CVR Certificate equal to the difference between the market price of a share of our common stock on the date of exercise of such CVR and 110% of the market price of a share of such common stock on the relevant release date, being September 30, 2001, December 31, 2001, March 31, 2002 and June 30, 2002, subject to the provisions of the CVR Agreement, in particular various provisions protecting the holders of CVR Certificates against dilution. The total number of CVRs to be issued under the CVR Agreement equaled five percent of the outstanding number of our shares. The total amount of CVR’s to be issued under this assignment was 989,300.
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On March 8, 2004 PrimaCom AG signed a contingent value rights termination agreement with a number of entities which are past or present holders of contingent value rights under the CVR Agreement and the agent under the CVR Agreement and Escrow Agent in relation to such contingent value rights. All parties to the contingent value rights termination agreement agreed that all contingent value rights issued and not already cancelled would be cancelled and terminated on an effective date, such effective date to be conditional upon certain matters being satisfied. The Contingent Value Rights Termination Agreement was effective on March 16, 2004.
In connection with the release of CVR’s on September 30, 2001 and December 31, 2001, the Company recorded€1,063,000 to other assets and additional paid in capital for the fair value of the CVR’s on those dates. The amount capitalized in other assets was amortized as bank debt interest straight-line over the remaining life of the Senior Working Capital Facility. Amortization expense relating to CVR’s included in other assets was approximately€19,000,€147,000 and€133,000 in 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively. The remaining balance of€764,000 in other assets related to CVR’s was written off at the time of cancellation.
Under the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility, our subsidiaries may borrow, repay and reborrow, up to the commitment amounts until December 31, 2009, when all amounts will become due and payable.
We announced our proposed merger with UPC Germany on March 29, 2001 and requested an extension of the commitment under the working capital facility until the merger could be consummated. On May 15, 2001 the lenders under our senior secured and working capital facilities agreed to an extension of the commitment under the working capital facility until November 15, 2001. In addition, we agreed with the lenders under the working capital facility to a cap on cash interest of 16% and on total interest of 18%. It was also agreed that on November 15, 2001 either we or the lenders under the senior secured revolving credit facility could request that the working capital facility be drawn. If drawn, the working capital facility would then have converted to a ten-year security or loan.
On August 26, 2001, UPC notified us it would not vote in favor of our merger with UPC Germany, and the merger was removed from the agenda of our shareholders’ meeting held on August 28, 2001. Between September 18, 2000, on which our credit facilities were entered into and August 2001, when the proposed merger failed to proceed, the market for high-yield debt had deteriorated significantly for broadband communications companies, as a result of which we concluded that it was not realistic for us to seek to access that market in the near to medium term. As a result, we immediately initiated negotiations with the lenders under our senior secured revolving credit facility and working capital facilities, with a view to amending certain terms of the working capital facility which might in the future otherwise have resulted in non-compliance with financial covenants included in those facilities if the working capital facility were drawn in full. The lending commitment and date of any mandatory drawing under the working capital facility were extended on three further occasions while these negotiations progressed, upon payment by us of commitment and other fees totaling approximately€25,000,000.
On March 26, 2002, we completed the refinancing of our senior secured revolving credit and working capital facilities. The amended working capital facility was conditionally replaced by a€375,000,000 convertible second secured term loan facility, which was drawn down in full on March 26, 2002. Those borrowings were used to repay an equivalent amount of outstanding borrowings under the senior secured facility. In addition, the lending commitment under the senior secured facility was reduced by the amount of the borrowings under the convertible second secured term loan facility, to€625,000,000. Approval of the modifications to our debt facilities by our shareholders was obtained on June 5, 2002.
The available commitment under the senior secured facility was reduced in quarterly amounts beginning March 31, 2003. Additionally, as part of our restructuring negotiations, we agreed to further reductions in the facility effective in July 2004. The table below reflects the remaining amounts of the facility as of December 31 of the years indicated:
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Available commitment (€) | ||||||||
• | December 31, 2004 | 506,111,111 | ||||||
• | December 31, 2005 | 448,333,333 | ||||||
• | December 31, 2006 | 390,555,556 | ||||||
• | December 31, 2007 | 318,333,333 | ||||||
• | December 31, 2008 | 214,333,333 | ||||||
• | December 31, 2009 | — |
The senior secured facility contains financial covenants common for financings of this type. Our ability to borrow under the senior secured facility depends on our continued compliance with these covenants. Breach of these covenants may result in an event of default. In addition to the requirement to meet certain financial covenants, there are restrictions on, among other things:
• | Incurring debt, | |||
• | encumbering revenues or assets, | |||
• | lending funds to third parties or assuming liabilities, | |||
• | disposing of assets, and | |||
• | paying dividends or making distributions. |
The senior secured facility contains several events of default in addition to the following:
• | amendment, suspension or termination of certain contracts which results in a material adverse change, and | |||
• | a regulatory change in the environment in which we operate, which results in a material adverse effect. |
The occurrence of an event of default could result in all amounts outstanding under the senior secured facility becoming immediately due and payable and the limitation of further drawings under the senior secured facility. It could also result in the acceleration of amounts outstanding under our other debt instruments, including the convertible second secured term loan facility.
The senior secured facility is secured by, among other things, pledges or assignments of receivables from subscribers, intercompany loans, partnership interests and shares of our subsidiaries.
Amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility bear interest at the rate of EURIBOR in the case of amounts owing in Euro and LIBOR in the case of amounts owing in a currency other than Euro plus a margin of between 0.75% and 2.25%, depending on our ratio of total indebtedness to annualized Adjusted EBITDA. The applicable margin is currently 2.25%.
The convertible second secured term loan funded on March 26, 2002 and is due and payable on March 31, 2010. The interest on this facility is divided into cash and non-cash components. The non-cash interest is added to the principal outstanding under the facility and will then incur further non-cash interest as a principal amount. Cash interest begins to accrue at 8% and increases to 12% over time and accrues only on the initial principal amount of the facility,€375,000,000. All-in interest is initially 18% and increases to 20% over time. The cash, non-cash and all-in interest rates are set out on the following schedule:
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Cash Rate | Noncash Rate | All-in rate | ||||||||||||||||||
March 26, 2002 | — | September 30, 2002 | 8.0 | % | 10.0 | % | 18.0 | % | ||||||||||||
October 1, 2002 | — | December 31, 2002 | 8.5 | % | 10.5 | % | 19.0 | % | ||||||||||||
January 1, 2003 | — | March 31, 2003 | 9.5 | % | 9.5 | % | 19.0 | % | ||||||||||||
April 1, 2003 | — | June 30, 2003 | 10.5 | % | 8.5 | % | 19.0 | % | ||||||||||||
July 1, 2003 | — | September 30, 2003 | 11.5 | % | 8.5 | % | 20.0 | % | ||||||||||||
October 1, 2003 | — | final maturity | 12.0 | % | 8.0 | % | 20.0 | % |
The convertible second secured term loan facility may be prepaid in whole or in part at any time at our option.
At any time on or after December 31, 2004, the lenders under the convertible second secured loan term facility may opt to convert their outstanding loans into shares of PrimaCom Management GmbH having a nominal value determined by computing the ratio of the amount of debt being converted to the quotient of twelve times EBITDA (defined as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) for the twelve month period through the end of the most recent calendar quarter less the amount of then outstanding consolidated debt of PrimaCom AG at the end of the most recent calendar quarter plus the amount of debt then being converted, and the total nominal value of all PrimaCom Management GmbH shares then outstanding. However, in no case will the lenders under the convertible second secured term loan facility be entitled to convert their loans under that facility into shares of PrimaCom Management comprising more than 65% of the total nominal capital of PrimaCom Management GmbH.
The convertible second secured term loan facility is guaranteed by PrimaCom Management GmbH and is secured by second-ranking pledges (after the pledges securing the senior facility) on the shares of the operating companies owned by PrimaCom Management GmbH.
In respect to our capital structure we also refer to our financial restructuring as described above under item 3 D (risk factors) and below under item 5 D (trend information).
C. | Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, Etc. |
Not applicable.
D. | Trend Information |
We expect that gains in Internet subscribers and rate increases especially in the Netherlands as well as cost cutting measures in Germany and a stronger focus on our sales activities will continue to have a positive impact on our revenue and EBITDA.
The potential loss of any additional contracts with housing associations in Germany or the continued loss of population in the New German States could result in adverse effects for our basic cable television business, our revenue and EBITDA.
We also intend to increase the channels we offer our digital television subscribers in Germany and the Netherlands. We are also in the process of evaluating our digital television product offerings. The subscriber acceptance has not been as strong as expected and we continue to record significant losses. If we discontinue or reduce the offering to improve the short term prospects the long term upside could be significantly reduced. On the other hand if we promote and market more in the short term to ensure long term success we may suffer larger short term losses and we expect that the addition of channels will result in an increase in the number of subscribers who
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purchase our digital services. In Germany we will concentrate on consolidating the basic analog products and enhancing our Internet offerings. The offerings of new services on analog cable networks may have a significant impact on our future strategy.
E. | Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement |
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements, other than those disclosed in the sections footnotes 10. Financial Instruments, 13. Commitments, 14. Stock Option Plans, that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
F. | Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations |
The following table represents our contractual obligations and other commercial commitments as of December 31, 2004:
Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 4-5 years | After 5 years | ||||||||||||||||
(Euro in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bank and other debt | 988,200 | 988,200 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Signal Fees | 87,279 | 25,088 | 43,556 | 14,338 | 4,297 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred Purchase Obligations | 195 | 195 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Operating Leases | 19,864 | 5,794 | 10,287 | 2,429 | 1,354 | |||||||||||||||
Capital Lease Obligations | 1,577 | 963 | 614 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Film Contracts | 1,350 | 550 | 800 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Total Contractual Obligations | 1,098,465 | 1,020,790 | 55,257 | 16,767 | 5,651 | |||||||||||||||
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ITEM 6. | DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES |
A. | Directors and Senior Management |
We have a two-tiered board consisting of the management board and the supervisory board.
Management board
The standing orders for the management board provide for allocation of areas of responsibility among the members, and, within these areas of responsibility, the members of the management board act independently. However, under German law and the standing orders, management board members are jointly responsible for all management board matters, even if they fall within another member’s area of responsibility. Some decisions of the management board may only be taken jointly by all members, including decisions concerning the preparation of annual accounts, the calling of a supervisory board meeting, transactions which require the consent of the supervisory board, guidelines and plans for individual business areas, transactions of exceptional importance or risk and all other matters which have not been allocated to any member’s specific area of responsibility.
Listed below are the names, ages, responsibilities, dates of appointment and experience of the members of the management board. The members of the management board can be reached at PrimaCom AG’s address.
Age | Position on the management board | Date of Appointment | ||||||
Jens Kircher(1) | 41 | Chief Operating Officer | October 1, 2002 | |||||
Hans Klose | 55 | Member of the management board | June 14, 2004 | |||||
Tony Abraham Merin(2) | 58 | Member of the management board | June 14, 2004 | |||||
Wolfgang Preuß | 57 | Chief Executive Officer | June 30, 2004 | |||||
Stefan Schwenkedel(3) | 45 | Chief Financial Officer | March 1, 2002 |
(1) | Mr. Kircher left our management board on June 14, 2004. | |
(2) | Mr. Merin left our management board on November 15, 2004. | |
(3) | Mr. Schwenkedel left our management board on June 14, 2004. |
Prof. Dr. Schwenkedelwas appointed Chief Strategy and Development Officer of PrimaCom AG as of March 1, 2002. With Paul Thomason’s resigning from PrimaCom AG as of September 30, 2002, Stefan Schwenkedel was appointed Chief Financial Officer as of October 1,.2002. Dr. Schwenkedel has served on our supervisory board as a vice chairman since December 31, 1998 until his resignation on February 28, 2002 and from 1997 until October 2000 he served as chairman of the supervisory board of AGFB, a principal shareholder of one of our predecessor companies until it was merged into us in October 2000. Since March 2000 until May 2002, he has also been the chairman of the supervisory board of F.A.M.E Film and Music Entertainment AG in Munich and since May 2001 until May 2002 he served as vice chairman of the supervisory board of Delta-System Media + Communication AG, Rödermark since September 2000, he has been a member of the supervisory board of 2Venture AG in Bonn. Since 1996, he has been professor of business administration and finance at theFachhochschule Wiesbaden(University of Applied Sciences in Wiesbaden). From 1993 to 1996, he served as executive manager (chief financial officer) at Schöller-Budatej, the Hungarian subsidiary of Schöller Lebensmittel GmbH & Co. KG, a company of the Südzucker Group. During that time period, he was also a member of the supervisory board of MIRSA AG in Albertirsa in Hungary. Prior to 1993, amongst other employment, he worked in the German paper and printing industry. Dr. Schwenkedel left the management board on June 14, 2004.
Dr. Jens Kircherjoined PrimaCom on July 15, 2002 as Chief Technical Officer. He was appointed to our management board effective October 1, 2002 and assumed the duties of Chief Operating Officer. He studied physics in Karlsruhe, Corvallis and Stuttgart. After his postgraduate education, Dr. Jens Kircher was a visiting scientist in Berkeley working among other topics on optical data communication and a staff scientist at the Max-Planck-Institute
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for Solid State Research in Stuttgart working on superconductivity. After various assignments in the automotive sector with Mannesmann and Robert-Bosch GmbH, Dr. Kircher became senior officer at Bosch Broadband Networks. Among other things he was responsible for the development and marketing of the new broadband services and for corporate planning. Dr. Kircher left the management board on June 14, 2004.
Hans Klosewas appointed as member of PrimaCom’s management board on June 14, 2004. After he graduaded from the Fachhochschule Mainz, he worked at the Landesbank Rheinland-Pfalz inter alia at the loan department for medium sized companies. Since 1984 until 1992, Mr. Klose was head of finance at Süweda and had full power of attorney at Süweda AG. In addition, Mr. Klose was managing director of several associated companies of Süweda. Since 1992 Mr. Klose is managing partner at KVR GmbH, Ingelheim.
Tony Abraham Merinwas appointed as member of PrimaCom’s management board on June 14, 2004. Mr. Merin left the management board on November 15, 2004.
Wolfgang Preußwas appointed as PrimaCom’s Chief Executive Officer on June 30, 2004. Mr.Preuß owns 13.61 % of the stocks of PrimaCom AG, and was for many years a member of the board of Süweda AG, which was one of the original parent companies of PrimaCom AG.
Supervisory board
Our articles of association and the rules of procedure determined by the supervisory board govern how the supervisory board shall conduct its activities. Currently, the members of the supervisory board must meet at least twice within six months. Most supervisory board resolutions are passed by simple majority vote. However, in certain instances when the standing orders of the management board require that the supervisory board approve certain actions of the management board, a 75% supervisory board vote is required. The supervisory board elects a chairman and two vice chairmen. The chairman of the supervisory board is authorized to represent the supervisory board and enforce resolutions in all legal matters.
Members of the supervisory board are currently divided into three classes with two members in Class A, five members in Class B and two members in Class C. The term of office of each member of Class A expires at the 2008 shareholders’ meeting to approve the actions taken by the supervisory board and the term of office of each member of Class B will expire at the 2006 shareholders meeting to approve the actions taken by the supervisory board except for Mr. Thoma and Mr. Eble, whose terms expire at the 2005 shareholders meeting to approve the actions taken by the supervisory board. The term of office of Class C will expire at the 2008 shareholders’ meetings to approve the actions taken by the supervisory board. Members of the supervisory board are elected to terms which expire at the shareholders meeting to approve the actions taken by the supervisory board during the fourth year subsequent to the beginning of their term of office. Members of the supervisory board replacing members of any class will have the term applicable to that class. German law provides that members of the supervisory board may be removed prior to the expiration of their terms by 75% of the votes cast at a general shareholders’ meeting.
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The members of the supervisory board can be reached at PrimaCom AG’s address. Set forth below is information with respect to the nine current members of our supervisory board.
Age | Principal Occupation | |||||
Class A | ||||||
Peter Bogner(1) | 44 | Chief Executive, The Bogner Organization | ||||
Shane O’Neill(2) | 42 | Chief Strategy Officer, UGC Europe and President, chellomedia n.v. | ||||
Bruno Kling | 48 | Consultant | ||||
Markus Straub | 35 | Member of the management board of “Schutzgemeinschaft der Kapitalanleger” | ||||
Class B | ||||||
Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schilling(3) | 74 | Retired Minister in the government of the Federal Republic of Germany; International Arbitrator | ||||
Michael Moriarty(4) | 43 | Managing Director, UPC | ||||
Boris Augustin | 36 | Market maker, Archelon Deutschland GmbH | ||||
Prof. Dr. Helmut Thoma | 65 | Lawyer | ||||
Heinz Eble | 54 | Lawyer, law firm Kleber Eble Hock | ||||
Harald Petersen | 38 | Lawyer | ||||
Erwin Kleber | 53 | Lawyer, law firm Kleber Eble Hock | ||||
Class C | ||||||
Brigitte Preuß | 44 | General Manager, Institut für Diagnostik, Präventiv- und Sportmedizin GmbH | ||||
Dr. Klaus von Dohnanyi(5) | 74 | Consultant | ||||
Christian Kleinsorge | 41 | Business man |
(1) | Mr. Bogner left our supervisory board on June 8, 2004. | |
(2) | Mr. O’Neill left our supervisory board on June 8, 2004. | |
(3) | Dr. Schwarz-Schilling left our supervisory board on June 30, 2004. | |
(4) | Mr. Moriarty left our supervisory board on November 25, 2004. | |
(5) | Dr. von Dohnanyi left our supervisory board on June 30, 2004. |
Peter Bogner,has been a member of the supervisory board since August 28, 2001. Mr. Bogner is currently Chief Executive of The Bogner Organization, Santa Monica, California, and is a member of the supervisory board of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In December 1999, he became a consultant to UPC. From 1993 to 1997, Mr Bogner was responsible for international development and television strategy at Time Warner Inc. and was involved in the establishment of free and pay television platforms. In 1997, Mr. Bogner became a member of the Global Media Counsel of the United Nations. Mr. Bogner left our supervisory board on June 8, 2004.
Shane O’Neillhas served on our supervisory board since August 28, 2001. He joined UPC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary by UGC, as managing director, strategy, acquisitions and corporate development in November 1999. Prior to joining UPC, Mr. O’Neill spent seven years at Goldman Sachs in the New York, Sydney and London offices. Most recently, Mr. O’Neill was an executive director in the advisory group for Goldman Sachs in London where he worked on a number of mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance transactions for companies in the communications industry, including UPC. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Mr. O’Neill spent four years at Macquarie Bank in Sydney as well as three years at KPMG in Dublin where he qualified as a chartered accountant. Mr. O’Neill left our supervisory board on June 8, 2004.
Bruno Klinghas served on our supervisory board on December 9, 2004. Mr. Kling is the founder and the chairman of the FRIMAG AG in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. He is a consultant in the stock exchange and venture capital sector. Before he served as a member of the management board of the Kling Jelko AG, which had its IPO in
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1998. Prior to joining Kling Jelko AG, Mr. Kling was managing director at “Bruno Kling Börsenmakler GmbH”. Mr. Kling had spent eight years as market trader for Deutsche Girozentrale Frankfurt and Commerzbank Frankfurt.
Markus Straubhas been a member of the supervisory board since June 8, 2004. Mr. Straub is the vice chairman of the management board of the Schutzgemeinschaft der Kapitalanleger e.V. (SdK).
Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schillinghas served on our supervisory board as its chairman since December 31, 1998. He resigned from his office as chairman on April 21, 2004. He continues to hold his office as supervisory board member. From 1996 to 1998, he was the head of the advisory committee of Aquila Beteiligungs GmbH. From 1993 to 1997, he was chairman of the supervisory board of Grundig AG and since 1993 he has served as the managing director of Dr. Schwarz-Schilling & Partner Telecommunications Consulting GmbH. Since 1995, he has been an international mediator for the Federation Bosnia-Herzegovina. Since 1995 Dr. Schwarz-Schilling has been a deputy member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Parliament and from 1995 to 1998, he was the chairman of the subcommittee for Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid, and since 1998 the vice chairman of that committee. From 1994 to 1995, he was a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Parliament and from 1993 to 1998, he has served as a deputy member of the Committee for Economics of the German Parliament. From 1982 to 1992, he was the Federal Minister of Post and Telecommunications of the Federal Republic of Germany and has been serving as a Member of the German Parliament since 1976. From 1957 to 1982, he was managing director of the family-ownedSonnenschein Akkumulatorenfabrik Berlin/Büdingen GmbH. Since 1999, he has also been chairman of the supervisory board of Mox Telecom AG and is a director of 2 Venture AG. Dr. Schwarz-Schilling left our supervisory board on June 30, 2004.
Michael Moriartyhas served on our supervisory board since June 5, 2002. He is the Managing Director of Investments and Corporate Development for UPC. From 1998 to 2000 he was the Managing Director of UPC in Hungary. From 1997 to 1998 Michael Moriarty was the Managing Director of UPC Slovakia and Romania. He was also Vice President Operations for UPC Central Europe from 1995 to 1997. Prior to joining UPC, Michael Moriarty was Director of Finance for Kabelkom in Hungary which was owned by UPC’s parent company UGC. Before joining UGC, Michael Moriarty held a variety of positions at Westinghouse Broadcasting (USA) for nine years. Michael Moriarty hols an MBA in Finance and was in various positions responsible for the preparation of financial statements and liasing with external auditors. Mr. Moriarty left our supervisory board on June 25, 2004.
Boris Augustinhas served on our supervisory board since December 30, 1998. On June 30, 2004 Mr. Augustin was elected as second vice chairman of the supervisory board. Since October 1, 1998, he has been employed by Archelon Deutschland GmbH, engaged in EUREX market making operations. From 1994 to 1998, he worked in the financial services industry, including derivatives trading with Lehman Brothers Bankhaus AG, Banque National de Paris (Deutschland) OHG, and Banque Paribas (Deutschland) OHG. Mr. Augustin is the son of a sister of Wolfgang Preuß, who is a significant shareholder of ours.
Prof. Dr. Helmut Thomabecame a member of the supervisory board of PrimaCom on April 18, 2002. On April 21, 2004 Prof. Dr. Thoma was elected as the new vice chairman of the supervisory board. He brings with him many years experience in the media sector. After completion of his doctorate in law in 1962 he was employed by various Viennese law firms. In 1966 Prof. Dr. Thoma became part of the legal team at ORF and was the head of department from 1968 to 1973. In 1973 Prof. Dr. Thoma joined Radio Luxemburg before moving to RTL Plus in 1983 where his most recent position was as General Manager and Director of Programmes. In 1999 Dr. Thoma became an advisor to the governor of North-Rhine Westphalia on media-related issues of this state.
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Heinz Eblehas been a member of the supervisory board of the Company since April 18, 2002. On April 21, 2004 Mr. Eble was elected as the new chairman of the supervisory board. From 1982 Mr. Eble has been practicing law in Mainz with the main focus on representing and consulting companies in the Telecommunication sector. For 15 years he had been chairman of the supervisory board of Süweda AG.
Harald Petersenbecame a member of the supervisory board of PrimaCom on July 15, 2004. Mr. Petersen is member of the management bord of the Schutzgemeinschaft der Kapitalanleger e.V. (SdK).
Erwin Kleberhas served on our supervisory board since June 29, 2004. From 1982 Mr. Kleber has been practicing law in Mainz. He served as vice chairman of the supervisory board of Süweda Elektronische Medien- und Kabelkommunikations-AG in Mainz from 1986 until 1997. From 1988 until 1998, Mr. Kleber has been a member of the management board of AGFB in Mainz. Mr. Kleber had been a member of the supervisory board of Brandenburgische Bau AG in Brandenburg from 1994 until 1998. During 1995 until 1998, Mr. Kleber was the chairman of the supervisory board of the Brandenburgische Bau AG. Since 1999, Mr. Kleber is lawyer and businessman.
Dr. Klaus von Dohnanyihas served on our supervisory board, the executive committee of KabelMedia or a predecessor body carrying out comparable functions since January 1996. In 1998, he was chairman of the supervisory board of KabelMedia and from December 31, 1997 until 1998 he was chairman of the executive committee of KabelMedia. Dr. von Dohnanyi has been vice chairman of the supervisory board since December 10, 2002. He resigned from his office as vice chairman on April 21, 2004. He continues to hold his office as supervisory board member. Between 1954 and 1960, he worked for Ford Motor Company, both in the United States and Germany. From 1960 to 1968, Dr. von Dohnanyi was a co-owner and managing director of theInstitut für Marktforschung und Unternehmensberatung Infratest, Munich (Market and Social Research, Infratest) and, between 1968 and 1969, he was Permanent Secretary at the German Ministry of Economics. Dr. von Dohnanyi was a Member of Parliament in Bonn from 1969 to 1981, Parliamentary Undersecretary from 1969 to 1972, and Minister for Science, Technology and Education from 1972 to 1974. From 1976 to 1981, he was Deputy Foreign Minister (Staatsminister), in Bonn (in charge of European affairs). From 1981 to 1988, he was Governor of the City State of Hamburg. From 1990 to 1994, Dr. von Dohnanyi was chairman of the board of TAKRAF Heavy Machinery, Leipzig, and since 1994 he has been a special advisor to the board of directors of theTreuhandanstalt(since January 1, 1995,Bundesanstalt für Vereinigungsbedingte Sonderaufgaben) in Berlin. Dr. von Dohnanyi is chairman of Kirow AG and Wegweiser GmbH and a director of a:prico AG. Dr. von Dohnanyi left our supervisory Board on June 30, 2004.
Brigitte Preuß, the wife of Wolfgang Preuß, one of major shareholders of PrimaCom, has served on our supervisory board since December 30, 1998 and as the general manager ofInstitut für Diagnostik, Präventiv- und Sportmedizin GmbHsince 2003. From July 1984 to December 1992, she served in various positions at Süweda.
Christian Kleinsorgehas served on our supervisoy board since September 13, 2004. Mr. Kleinsorge is managing partner of Aetna Beteiligungsgesellschaft.
Wolfgang Preußbecame a member of our supervisory board on June 8, 2004. Mr.Preuß owns 13.61 % of the stocks of PrimaCom AG, and was for many years a member of the board of Süweda AG, which was one of the original parent companies of PrimaCom AG. Mr. Preuß has left our supervisory board on June 30, 2004. On that date Mr. Preuß was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
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B. | Compensation |
On a yearly basis, the chairman of the supervisory board receives€40,903, the vice chairmen receive€20,452 and each other member of the supervisory board receives€10,226. In addition, each member of the supervisory board is entitled to reimbursement for any reasonable business expenses incurred in the performance of his or her duties. We will reimburse the members of the supervisory board for any value-added taxes payable on their compensation.
For the year ending December 31, 2004, we paid an aggregate of€2,734,760 in cash compensation to Hans Wolfert, former member of the management board, Stefan Schwenkedel, Jens Kircher and Tony Merin — who have left the management board in 2004 — as well as the current management board members Wolfgang Preuß and Hans-Werner Klose for their services as a member of the management board of the Company. We do not provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for the members of our management board.
Our articles of association provide that for the benefit of the members of the management and supervisory boards, the Company bears the cost of liability insurance coverage relating to their duties. To this end, we have renewed the directors, officers and corporate liability insurance to cover general risks of liability.
None of the members of our management board or supervisory board has received any loans from us.
C. | Board Practices |
The date of expiration of the current term of office and the period during which the members of our management and supervisory boards have served in that office are provided in subsection 6.A above. We have not entered into service contracts with the members of our supervisory board and the service contracts we have entered into with the members of our management board do not provide for benefits upon termination of employment other than payments under non-competition clauses.
The rules of procedure for the supervisory board provide that the supervisory board may delegate any of its powers to a committee or committees and require the establishment of an investment committee, a compensation committee and an audit committee. However, the committees do not have the power to make resolutions on behalf of the supervisory board and may only act in an advisory capacity. The members of the committees are proposed by at least one member of the supervisory board and elected by a simple majority of votes of supervisory board members attending the meeting, provided, however, that a majority of the members of the audit committee shall consist of independent members of the supervisory board.
Audit committee
The audit committee consists of Mr. Augustin, Mr. Eble and Mr. Straub. The purpose of the audit committee to assist the supervisory board in fulfilling its responsibilities to oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes at the Company. These include the oversight of the quality and integrity the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosure, the performance of its internal control and risk management and audit functions. The committee further oversees the performance, qualifications and independence of the external auditor. The committee also meets with representatives of management and the external auditor at least twice annually.
Agreements with directors
Not applicable.
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D. | Employees |
At December 31, 2004, we had 427 full-time and approximately 62 part-time employees in Germany and 206 full-time and 150 part-time employees in the Netherlands. Our employees in Germany are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. However, 125 of our employees in Germany have voted to be represented by works councils. 143 of our employees in the Netherlands are covered by a collective labor agreement and have elected a works council.
The establishment and the powers of a works council in Germany are laid down in the German Labor Management Relations Act. The works council represents all employees except managerial employees and participates in the decision-making process with management. It has rights to obtain information and of consultation and co-operation and holds co-determination and veto rights. Although the German Labor Management Relations Act does not override the constitutional right of entrepreneurial freedom and to make fundamental business decisions which are reserved to the employer, rights of co-determination and veto rights may be exercised by the works council to block certain management decisions. Particularly in respect of social matters subject to the co-determination right, management needs the consent of the works council (or the favorable decision of a conciliation board) to enforce its decisions. Such social matters cover, among others, plant regulations and behavior of employees, work hours, the terms of payment of remuneration, vacation, monitoring devices, safety and health, social facilities, wages and salaries. With respect to personnel matters, the German Labor Management Relations Act covers all rights, from access to information to co-determination. For example, personnel planning, job posting, hiring, grouping, transferring employees and, significantly, the dismissal of employees are covered. Prior to carrying out a change in relation to such personnel matters, the employer must attempt to obtain the works council’s consent. The rights and functions of the works council of our employees in the Netherlands are comparable to those of the German works councils, except that individual hirings and dismissals are not subject to works council approval in the Netherlands.
We consider our relations with our employees and with the works councils in Germany and the Netherlands to be good.
E. | Share Ownership |
To the best of our knowledge, the individual share ownership of the persons named in subsection 6.B has not previously been disclosed to shareholders or otherwise made public. Information about the aggregate share ownership of members of our management and supervisory boards is set forth in Item 7 below.
In February 1999, we adopted one stock option plan for the benefit of all of our and our subsidiaries’ employees, known as the universal stock option plan, and one stock option plan for our and our subsidiaries’ executive officers, known as the executive stock option plan. The two stock option plans provided for the issuance of stock options allowing eligible employees and executive officers to acquire a total of 1,000,000 shares, including 300,000 shares under the universal stock option plan and 700,000 shares under the executive stock option plan. In July 2000, we created two new stock option plans, a universal plan with 150,000 options and an executive plan with 350,000 options. We may not grant options under the 2000 plans until all options under the 1999 plans have been granted. The options granted under all of our stock option plans entitle participants to subscribe for shares at a defined purchase price. The initial option grants under the stock option plans have a purchase price equal to the initial public offering price of our shares of€29.00. The purchase price for stock options issued under the stock option plans after the initial public offering of our shares equal the average closing price of our shares at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange of the quarterly period preceding the grant of the option rights. Each option is exercisable only after a two-year period from the date of grant and only if the average daily closing price of the shares, calculated as the average over the five consecutive trading days on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange immediately prior to the first option exercise, equals at least 120% of the relevant purchase price of the option rights, adjusted to account for any capital increases or reductions.
The options granted under the stock option plans vest over a three-year period. One third of the options vest on the first anniversary of the grant and the remaining options vest in equal monthly amounts over the next two years. The vested options are exercisable after the second anniversary of the grant. If the participant’s employment
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agreement terminates before the options vest in full, the participant’s options will be vested only in the portion of options computed by multiplying 1/36 times the number of full months of employment between the date of option grant and the date of termination. The options granted under the universal stock option plan permit participant employees to purchase shares having an aggregate exercise price ranging between 50% and 100% of the participant’s annual base salary at the date of option grant, depending on his term of employment with us or one of our subsidiaries preceding the option grant. The number of options granted to an executive participant is dependent on that participant’s position in our organization. Each of the members of the management board is entitled to options for 100,000 shares. The options granted to other executives are for between 5,000 and 35,000 shares. At December 31, 2004, there were a total of 260,074 options outstanding under the two plans at a weighted average exercise price of€21.09.
The options under both the universal and executive stock option plans are non-transferable, not inheritable, and expire on the termination of employment of the participant for whatever reason if termination occurs within six months of the date of option grant. We may require that participants not sell the shares within a six-month period from the date when the options were exercised. Apart from that, the participants in the universal stock option plan are not restricted from selling the shares, subject to applicable securities laws. However, the participants in the executive stock option plan are allowed to exercise their option rights, to the extent that they have been accrued, wholly or in part, and to sell shares (regardless of whether these shares have been acquired in exercise of the option rights granted under the executive plan or otherwise) only during an exercise period which begins one day after and ends fifteen days after either a general meeting, the publication of a management report or an annual report. In the event of a merger of us or a restructuring of our capital, participants will be given replacement shares or rights of a similar value. Options also lapse when the exercise period expires, which will happen on the fifth anniversary of the option grant, and in the event of a levy of execution by the participant’s creditors on the participant’s stock option plan, or a bankruptcy of the participant or the termination of a participant for cause.
ITEM 7. | MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
A. | Major Shareholders |
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary bearer shares by: (1) each person known by us to own beneficially 5% or more of our ordinary bearer shares; and (2) all members of our management and supervisory boards as a group. Our major shareholders do not have different voting rights. Based on information provided by the Bank of New York, as Depositary, we believe that 2,703,604 or approximately 13,7% of our shares are held in the form of depositary shares in the United States by six holders of record.
Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, to our knowledge the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable. Except as noted, the address of each of the persons named in the table is c/o PrimaCom AG, An der Ochsenwiese 3, 55124 Mainz, Germany.
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Number of | ||||||||
Shareholders | shares | In % | ||||||
United Pan Europe Communication NV (UPC)(1) | 4,950,039 | 25.00 | ||||||
Wolfgang Preuß | 2,695,413 | 13.61 | ||||||
Supervisory board/Management board(2) | 218,199 | 1.10 | ||||||
Free Float | 11,934,901 | 60.28 | ||||||
Total shares in circulation | 19,798,552 | 100.00 | ||||||
Free Float according to the definition of the German Stock Exchange(3) | 11,986,103 | 60.54 | ||||||
(1) | Refer to notification pursuant to sections 21, 22 Securities Trading Act (“STA”). | |
(2) | Management and supervisory board. |
Number of | |||||||||||
shares | In % | ||||||||||
Management board | Hans-Werner Klose | 4,630 | 0.16 | ||||||||
Wolfgang Preuß | 2,695,413 | 92.51 | |||||||||
Supervisory board | Boris Augustin | 3,464 | 0.12 | ||||||||
Heinz Eble | 39,358 | 1.35 | |||||||||
Erwin Kleber | 3,750 | 0.13 | |||||||||
Christian Kleinsorge | — | — | |||||||||
Bruno Kling | — | — | |||||||||
Harald Petersen | — | — | |||||||||
Brigitte Preuß(2.1) | 166,997 | 5.73 | |||||||||
Markus Straub | — | — | |||||||||
Prof. Dr. Helmut Thoma | — | — | |||||||||
Total | 2,913,612 | 100.00 | |||||||||
Total excluding Wolfgang Preuß | 218,199 | ||||||||||
(2.1) | The 166,997 shares of Brigitte Preuß are held by Wolfgang Preuß in trust for Brigitte Preuß and over which they have joint voting power. | |
(3) | Free Float according to definition of the German Stock Exchange. |
Number of shares | In % | |||||||
Free Float | 11,934,901 | 60.28 | ||||||
Executives and Directors | 218,199 | 1.10 | ||||||
Brigitte Preuß | (166,997 | ) | (0.84 | ) | ||||
Total shares in circulation | 11,986,103 | 60.54 | ||||||
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Directors’ Dealings
December 31, 2004 | December 31, 2003 | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
shares | options | shares | options | shares | options | |||||||||||||||||||
Executive Board | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dr. Jens Kircher(1) | — | 100,000 | — | 100,000 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Hans-Werner Klose(2) | 4,630 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wolfgang Preuß(3) | 2,695,413 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Prof. Dr. Stefan Schwenkedel(4) | — | 100,000 | — | 100,000 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Supervisory board | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Heinz Eble,Chairman | 39,358 | — | 39,358 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Prof. Dr. Helmut Thoma, Vice Chairman | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Boris Augustin, Vice Chairman | 3,464 | — | 3,464 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Peter Bogner(5) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Dr. Klaus von Dohnanyi(6) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Erwin Kleber(7) | 3,750 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Christian Kleinsorge(8) | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bruno Kling(9) | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Michael Moriarty(10) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Shane O’Neill(11) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Harald Petersen(12) | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brigitte Preuß(13) | 166,997 | — | 166,997 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schilling(14) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Markus Straub(15) | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 2,913,612 | 200,000 | 209,819 | 200,000 | — | — |
(1) | Dr. Jens Kircher left the management board on June 14, 2004. At this time he had 100,000 options but no shares. | |
(2) | Mr. Hans-Werner Klose was appointed to the management board effective June 14, 2004. At this date he had 4,630 shares. | |
(3) | Mr. Wolfgang Preuß was appointed to the supervisory board effective June 8, 2004. At this date he had 2,695,412 shares but no options. Mr. Preuß retired from the Superisory Board on June 30, 2004 and was appointed at this date as Chief Executive Officer of the management board. At this date he had 2,695,412 shares but no options. | |
(4) | Prof. Dr. Stefan Schwenkedel left the management board on June 14, 2004. At this date he had no shares and 100,000 options. | |
(5) | Mr. Peter Bogner left the supervisory board on June 8, 2004. At this time he had no shares and no options. | |
(6) | Dr. Klaus von Dohnany left the supervisory board on June 30, 2004. At this time he had no shares and no options. | |
(7) | Mr. Erwin Kleber was appointed to the supervisory board effective June 29, 2004. At this date he had 3,750 shares but no options. | |
(8) | Mr. Christian Kleinsorge was appointed to the supervisory board effective September 13, 2004. At this date he had no shares and no options. | |
(9) | Mr. Bruno Kling was appointed to the supervisory board effective December 9, 2004. At this date he had no shares and no options. | |
(10) | Mr. Michael Moriarty left the supervisory board effective June 25, 2004. At this date he had no shares and no options. | |
(11) | Mr. Shane O’Neill left the supervisory board effective June 8, 2004. At this date he had no shares and no options. | |
(12) | Mr. Harald Petersen was appointed to the supervisory board effective July 14, 2004. At this date he had no shares and no options. | |
(13) | The shares held by Mrs. Brigitte Preuß are held in trust for her by Mr. Wolfgang Preuß. They have shared voting power over these shares. | |
(14) | Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schilling left the supervisory board on June 30, 2004. At this time he had no shares and no options. | |
(15) | Mr. Markus Straub was appointed to the supervisory board on June 8, 2004. At this time he had no shares and no options. |
B. | Related Party Transactions |
The Company has a 15.7% investment in Mediakabel B.V., a consortium of cable television operators in the Netherlands organized to provide digital television services. The Company paid Mediakabel digital cable services fees of approximately€2,575,000,€2,700,000,€900,000 and€410,000 in 2001, 2002 2003 and 2004, respectively. These costs are exclusive of content costs or license fees. The considerable decrease of the service fees is caused by reorganizing the operations within Mediakabel and with the (temporary) cancellation of the interactive and pay-per-view services within the digital offer.
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The Company has started to build its own digital headend and will transmit the digital streams and conditional access from Alkmaar in the course of 2005. During 2005 Mediakabel will remain operational to the Company as a back up for the new digital headend systems.
The Company uses services of BFE Nachrichtentechnik GmbH for installation, repair and maintenance of cable networks, which is indirectly owned by Mr. Wolfgang Preuß. In 2003 and 2004, the Company paid approximately€481,000 and€481,000, respectively, for these services.
Mr. Wolfgang Preuß, who has been a member of our supervisory board from June 8, 2004 until June 30, 2004 and a member of our management board from June 30, 2004, is also a member of the management board of TEKOMAG AG, which provides certain services to the Company pursuant to the resolution of the supervisory board dated July 15, 2004. For the year ended December 31, 2004, the total payments to TEKOMAG AG were approximately€11,300.
Law firm Rechtsanwälte Kleber Eble & Hock, which is owned by, among other, two members of our supervisory board, Mr. Heinz Eble and Mr. Erwin Kleber, provides legal services to the Company. For the years ended December 31, 2004, the total payments to Rechtsanwälte Kleber Eble & Hock were approximately€137,600.
Mr. Manfred Preuß, a brother of Mr. Wolfgang Preuß, provides certain services to the Company pursuant to a contract dated July 15, 2004. For the year ended December 31, 2004, the total payments to Mr. Manfred Preuß were approximately€286,000.
C. | Interests of Experts and Counsel |
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
A. | Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information |
The consolidated statements and other financial information are provided in Item 18 below.
B. | Significant Changes |
No significant change has occurred since the date of the financial statements provided in Item 18 below.
ITEM 9. | THE OFFER AND LISTING |
A. | Offer and Listing Details |
Since February 22, 1999, our ordinary bearer shares traded on the Neuer Markt segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol PRC and our depositary shares were quoted on the National Market segment of the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol PCAG until July 18, 2002. Since July 19, 2002 our ADRs are quoted on the OTC bulletin board where liquidity is limited, under the symbol PCAGY. Each depositary share represents one-half of one of our ordinary bearer shares.
The Neuer Markt segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange ceased to operate in 2003. Because the Neuer Markt was a sub-segment of the Geregelter Markt, we continued to be listed in Geregelter Markt. As of June 5, 2003 we were listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. On March 25, 2004 we applied for the shifting from the Prime Standard to the General Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
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The table set forth below, for the periods indicated, shows the reported high and low quoted prices for the ordinary bearer shares on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and for the American depositary shares on Nasdaq.
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Nasdaq | Frankfurt Stock Exchange | |||||||||||||||
Nasdaq / OTC BB | Frankfurt Stock Exchange | |||||||||||||||
High | Low | High | Low | |||||||||||||
(in U.S.$) | (in€) | |||||||||||||||
Annual highs and lows | ||||||||||||||||
1999 (from February 22, 1999) | 29.63 | 15.00 | 64.00 | 29.50 | ||||||||||||
2000 | 50.00 | 5.13 | 99.00 | 11.60 | ||||||||||||
2001 | 8.00 | 1.40 | 17.90 | 2.38 | ||||||||||||
2002 | 1.75 | 0.15 | 3.80 | 0.31 | ||||||||||||
2003 | 0.78 | 0.17 | 1.41 | 0.31 | ||||||||||||
2004 | 1.38 | 0.15 | 2.28 | 0.26 | ||||||||||||
Quarterly highs and lows | ||||||||||||||||
2001 | ||||||||||||||||
First Quarter | 8.00 | 5.38 | 17.90 | 10.60 | ||||||||||||
Second Quarter | 6.63 | 3.70 | 15.50 | 8.10 | ||||||||||||
Third Quarter | 4.70 | 2.00 | 12.45 | 2.38 | ||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter | 2.40 | 1.40 | 5.60 | 2.68 | ||||||||||||
Quarterly highs and lows | ||||||||||||||||
2002 | ||||||||||||||||
First Quarter | 1.750 | 0.650 | 3.80 | 1.34 | ||||||||||||
Second Quarter | 0.850 | 0.210 | 1.70 | 0.54 | ||||||||||||
Third Quarter | 0.289 | 0.150 | 0.60 | 0.31 | ||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter | 0.303 | 0.157 | 0.61 | 0.32 | ||||||||||||
Quarterly highs and lows | ||||||||||||||||
2003 | ||||||||||||||||
First Quarter | 0.244 | 0.187 | 0.45 | 0.35 | ||||||||||||
Second Quarter | 0.360 | 0.171 | 0.61 | 0.31 | ||||||||||||
Third Quarter | 0.717 | 0.259 | 1.41 | 0.45 | ||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter | 0.775 | 0.493 | 1.32 | 0.79 | ||||||||||||
Quarterly highs and lows | ||||||||||||||||
2004 | ||||||||||||||||
First Quarter | 0.596 | 0.410 | 0.94 | 0.65 | ||||||||||||
Second Quarter | 0.876 | 0.155 | 1.44 | 0.26 | ||||||||||||
Third Quarter | 1.378 | 0.763 | 2.24 | 1.24 | ||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter | 1.136 | 0.662 | 1.70 | 1.01 | ||||||||||||
Monthly highs and lows | ||||||||||||||||
2004 | ||||||||||||||||
September | 1.033 | 0.763 | 1.70 | 1.24 | ||||||||||||
October | 0.917 | 0.669 | 1.49 | 1.02 | ||||||||||||
November | 0.967 | 0.652 | 1.50 | 1.01 | ||||||||||||
December | 1.136 | 0.736 | 1.70 | 1.11 |
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Nasdaq | Frankfurt Stock Exchange | |||||||||||||||
Nasdaq / OTC BB | Frankfurt Stock Exchange | |||||||||||||||
High | Low | High | Low | |||||||||||||
(in U.S.$) | (in€) | |||||||||||||||
2005 | ||||||||||||||||
January | 1.917 | 1.006 | 2.94 | 1.37 | ||||||||||||
February | 3.771 | 2.183 | 5.90 | 3.37 | ||||||||||||
March1 until March 22 | 3.269 | 2.682 | 4.89 | 4.00 |
B. | Plan of Distribution |
Not applicable.
C. | Markets |
The information required by this item is set forth in 9.A above.
D. | Selling Shareholders |
Not applicable.
E. | Dilution |
Not applicable.
F. | Expenses of the Issue |
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
A. | Share Capital |
Not applicable.
B. | Memorandum and Articles of Association |
We are filing our amended articles of association as Exhibit 3.1 to this Form 20-F.
C. | Material Contracts |
Our material contracts are described in Item 4.B above.
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D. | Exchange Controls |
Capital transfer or money transfer restrictions are possible in Germany on the basis of United Nations, European Union, European Community and national authorities. In essence, restrictions are possible only in the area of financial sanctions. Such restrictions are significantly governed by EU and or EC laws. It applies accordingly there are in principle no restrictions on capital or payment transactions between the EC and third party countries.
However, for statistical purposes only, every individual or corporation residing in Germany must report to the German Central Bank(Deutsche Bundesbank),subject only to certain exceptions, payments received from or made to an individual or a corporation resident outside of Germany if the payment exceeds€12,500 (or the equivalent in a foreign currency). This is covered in detail in article 59 of the German foreign trade regulations (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung, AWV). In addition, German residents must report any claims against or any liabilities payable to non-residents if such claims or liabilities, in the aggregate, exceed€5,000,000 (or the equivalent in a foreign currency) at the end of a month. The treatment of remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to nonresident holders of ordinary bearer shares or depositary shares is described in subsection E below.
E. | Taxation |
U.S. Federal Income Taxation
The discussion that follows describes the material United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our shares or American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, but it does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase, own, or dispose of shares or ADSs. In particular, this discussion of United States federal income tax matters deals only with holders that will hold shares or ADSs as capital assets and does not address the tax treatment of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of shares or ADSs under applicable state or local tax laws, or the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States. In addition, this discussion does not address special federal income tax situations, such as the United States federal income tax treatment of holders:
• | who are securities dealers, financial institutions, insurance companies or tax exempt organizations; | |||
• | who are holding shares or ADSs as part of a hedging or larger integrated financial or conversion transaction; | |||
• | who are citizens or residents of a possession or territory of the United States; | |||
• | who are United States holders (as defined below) with a currency other than the U.S. dollar as their functional currency; | |||
• | who are holding shares or ADSs pursuant to certain retirement plans; | |||
• | who are holding shares or ADSs pursuant to the exercise of an employee stock option or otherwise as compensation; or | |||
• | who own, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of our voting stock. In addition, the discussion below does not address the tax treatment of partnerships or persons who hold shares or ADSs through a partnership or other pass through entity. |
This discussion is based upon the federal income tax laws of the United States as in effect on the date of this annual report, including the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and the income tax treaty between the United States and Germany, or the Treaty, which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Subsequent developments could have a material effect on this discussion.
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For United States federal income tax purposes, a United States holder of an ADS will be treated as the owner of the shares underlying the ADS.
United States holders
As used herein, a United States holder means a beneficial owner of shares or ADSs who is a United States person. A United States person is, for United States federal income tax purposes, (1) a citizen or resident of the United States; (2) a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (3) an estate or trust, the income of which is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; (4) a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust; or (5) a trust if it has an election in effect to be treated as a United States person under United States federal income tax law.
Taxation of dividends. Subject to the discussions below relating to passive foreign investment companies, a United States holder will be required to include in gross income as a dividend when received (or in the case of ADSs, when received by the Depositary) the gross amount of any cash or the fair market value of any property distributed by us in respect of our shares, including the amount of any German tax withheld to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits as determined under United States federal income tax principles, which may include certain earnings and profits accumulated by our predecessors. Dividend distributions in respect of shares and ADSs will constitute foreign source income. Dividends paid in any currency other than U.S. dollars will be translated into U.S. dollars at the spot rate on the date the dividends are received (which for holders of ADSs, would be the date such dividend is received by the Depositary), regardless of whether the dividends are in fact converted into U.S. dollars on that date.
Gain or loss, if any, realized on a sale or other disposition of such foreign currency will be ordinary income or loss and will generally be income from sources within the United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. If dividends paid in a foreign currency are converted into U.S. dollars on the day such currency is received, United States holders generally should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income.
A distribution with respect to our shares or ADSs in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles, will be treated as a tax-free return of basis in the shares to the extent of the United States holder’s adjusted basis in such shares, with the balance of the distribution, if any, treated as gain realized by the United States holder from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the shares.
Dividends paid by us will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally allowed to domestic corporate shareholders.
A non-corporate United States holder will generally be eligible for reduced rates of tax (i.e. the rates applicable to net long-term capital gain, which are 5% and 15%) with respect to dividends on shares and ADSs under section 1(h) of the Code if the United States holder has held the shares or ADSs for more than 60 days during the 120-day period that begins on the date that is 60 days before the ex-dividend date. For the purpose of determining the holding period, no account is taken of days on which the holder’s risk of loss with respect to the shares or ADSs is diminished by virtue of various hedging strategies described in section 246(c) of the Code.
The Treaty. Under German law, German corporations were required to withhold tax on a distribution in 2001 of profits earned prior to 2001 in an aggregate amount equal to 26.375% of the gross amount paid to resident and nonresident stockholders, consisting of a 25% withholding tax plus a 5.5% surtax thereon. German corporations must withhold tax at a rate of 21.1%, consisting of 20% withholding tax and a 5.5% surtax thereon. In the case of a United States holder, the German withholding tax is partially refunded under the Treaty to reduce the withholding tax to 15% of the gross amount of the dividend. In addition, so long as the German imputation system provides German resident individual stockholders with a tax credit for corporate taxes with respect to dividends paid by
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German corporations, the Treaty provides that United States holders are entitled to a further refund equal to 5% of the gross amount of the dividend. The German imputation system was abolished in 2002 and consequently this amount will no longer be refundable as from 2002.
Thus, for each $100 of gross dividend paid by us to a United States holder in 2004, such holder will initially receive $79.90 ($100 less 21.1 withholding tax). If the United States holder also applies for the available refunds under the Treaty German withholding tax is effectively reduced to $15 and the cash received per $100 of gross dividend is $85. Thus, for each $100 of gross dividend, the United States holder will include $100 in gross income and will be entitled to a foreign tax credit of $15, subject to the general limitations of United States federal income tax law.
For U.S. corporate shareholders who hold at least 10% of the shares in a German corporation, the withholding tax rate is reduced to 5% plus a 5.5% surtax thereon
German refund procedures. In order to obtain the 5% tax credit-related refund, the refund of the German withholding tax in excess of 15%, and the refund of the 5.5% German surtax, United States holders of shares must submit to the German tax authorities directly (1) a claim for refund, (2) the original bank voucher (or certified copy thereof) issued by the paying entity documenting the tax withheld, and (3) an IRS Form 6166. The claim for refund must be filed within four years from the end of the calendar year in which the dividend is received.
Claims for refund are made on a special German claim for refund form, which must be filed with the German tax authorities:Bundesamt für Finanzen, Friedhofstrasse 1, 53225 Bonn, Germany. The German claim for refund forms may be obtained from the German tax authorities at the same address, or from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, 4645 Reservoir Road, N.W. Washington D.C. 20007-1998.
U.S. holders may obtain an IRS Form 6166, which is a certification of the United States Residency holders’ United States residence under the income tax laws of the United States issued by the United States Holder’s United States residence under the income tax laws of the United States issued by the United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), by filing with the IRS Form 8802, Application for United States Residency Certification, and including the information required by Form 8802 and attaching any documentation that may be required to that reqired by Form 8802 and attaching any documentation that may be required to that Form, and making the required certification statement. Form 8802 must be signed by the U.S. holder under penalties of perjury. Details of the information, documentation, and certification statements required by Form 8802 are contained in Form 8802, the Instructions for Form 8802, and IRS Publication 686, Certification for Reduced Rates in Tax Treaty Countries (June 2004), and all of which may be obtained from the IRS at www.irs.gov. Form 8802, with any attached documentation, may be filed by mail by sending them to: Internal Revenue Service, Philadelphia Service Center, U.S. Residency Certification Request, P.O. Box 16347, Piladelphia, PA 19114-0447, U.S.A. Alternatively, Form 8802 and its attached documentation may be submitted by facsimile to: 215-516-1035 or 215-516-2485. Form 616 certifies that the U.S. holder to which it has been issued is a U.S. tax resident for the current calendar year and, if desired, for one or more prior calendar years.
Refunds under the Treaty are not available in respect of shares or ADSs held in connection with a permanent establishment or fixed base in Germany.
Taxation of disposition of shares or ADSs. Subject to the discussions below relating to passive foreign investment companies, any gain or loss realized and recognized by a United States holder on the sale or other disposition of a share or an ADS (including upon our liquidation or dissolution or as a result of a non-pro rata redemption of shares) will be subject to United States federal income tax, as a capital gain or loss, on an amount equal to the difference between such United States holder’s adjusted tax basis in the share or ADS and the amount realized on disposition. A United States holder’s adjusted tax basis in a share or ADS (as described above) will be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount of any distribution that is treated as a return of basis.
Any gain or loss recognized upon the sale or other disposition of a share or an ADS will be long-term capital gain or loss if held for more than one year. For non-corporate United States holders, the United States income
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tax rate applicable to a net long-term capital gain currently will not exceed 15%. For corporate United States holders, a capital gain is currently taxed at the same rate as ordinary income. The deductibility of a capital loss, however, is subject to limitations for both non-corporate and corporate United States holders.
Foreign tax credit considerations. For United States federal income tax purposes, United States holders, upon payment of a dividend, will be treated as having received the amount of any German tax withheld, which is not refundable (as described above), and as then having paid this tax over to Germany. As a result of this rule, the amount of dividend included in a United States holder’s gross income may be greater than the amount of cash actually received (or receivable) by the United States holder.
Subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in the Code, United States holders may claim a credit against their United States federal income tax liability for German tax withheld from dividends or German tax imposed on capital gains, if any, or, if they do not elect to credit any foreign income tax for the taxable year, they may deduct such tax. For purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation, foreign source income is classified into one of several baskets, and the credit for foreign taxes on income in any basket is limited to United States federal income tax allocable to that income. Dividends or capital gains will generally constitute “passive income” or “financial services income” for purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation. For taxable years of United States holders beginning after December 31, 2006, dividends or capital gains will generally constitute “passive income” or “general category income” for purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation. Dividends will generally constitute foreign source income and currency gains and capital gains will generally constitute United States source income. Capital loss will generally be allocated against United States source income. Because capital gains will generally constitute United States source income, as a result of the United States foreign tax credit limitation, any German or other foreign income tax imposed upon capital gains in respect of the shares may not be currently creditable unless a United States holder had other foreign source income for the year in the appropriate foreign tax credit limitation basket.
Passive foreign investment company rules. Special United States federal income tax rules apply to holders of equity interests in a corporation classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, under the Code. We would constitute a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes if 75% or more of our gross income for a taxable year were to consist of passive income, or 50% or more of our average assets held during a taxable year were to consist of passive assets. We do not anticipate that we have or will have sufficient passive income or assets in any year to constitute a PFIC.
If we were to constitute a PFIC, a United States holder could be subject to a number of materially adverse United States tax consequences. Prospective United States holders should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of PFIC rules to them.
Non-United States holders
Subject to the discussion of United States backup withholding tax below, a holder of shares or ADSs other than a United States holder will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax on income derived by us, dividends paid to a stockholder or gains realized on the sale of shares or ADSs, provided that: (1) such income items are not effectively connected with the conduct by the non-United States holder of a trade or business within the United States; (2) the non-United States holder is not or was not present in, or does not have or did not have a permanent establishment in, the United States; (3) there has not been a present or former connection between the non-United States holder and the United States, including, without limitation, such non-United States holder’s status as a citizen or former citizen thereof or resident or former resident thereof; and (4) in the case of a gain from the sale or disposition of shares or ADSs by an individual, the non-United States holder is not present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the sale and certain other conditions are met.
If a dividend, gain or income with respect to a share or ADS of a non-United States holder is effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business (or attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States, in the case of a holder who is a resident of a country which has an income tax treaty with the United States), the non-United States holder may be subject to United States income taxes on such dividend, gain or income at the statutory rates provided for United States persons after deduction of deductible expenses allocable to such
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effectively connected dividend, gain or income. In addition, if such a non-United States holder is a foreign corporation, it may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items, unless a lower rate applies under a United States income tax treaty with the non-United States holder’s country of residence. For this purpose, dividends, gain or income in respect of a share or ADS will be included in earnings and profits subject to the branch profits tax if the dividend, gain or income is effectively connected with the conduct of the United States trade or business of the non-United States holder.
United States backup withholding tax and information reporting
Payments made by a U.S. paying agent or other United States intermediary broker in respect of the shares or ADSs may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and to backup withholding tax. Backup withholding will not apply, however (i) to a holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes any other required certification or (ii) to a holder who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding (such as a corporation).
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a holder will be allowed as a refund or a credit against such holder’s United States federal income tax, provided that the holder has complied with applicable reporting obligations.
German Taxation
The following is a short summary discussion of certain German taxation principles which may be or become relevant in connection with the acquisition and/or sale of our shares or ADSs. The discussion does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the German tax considerations which may be relevant to our shareholders. The discussion is based on the tax laws of the Federal Republic of Germany as in effect on the date of writing of this annual report as well as on typical double taxation conventions as currently in effect between the Federal Republic of Germany and other states. In both cases, some provisions may be subject to change at short notice, possibly with retroactive effect.
The discussion is limited to the impact of income taxes on income from dividends and capital gains as well as gift and inheritance tax aspects under German law, and does not address all aspects of German taxation. The summary does not consider any specific facts or circumstances that may apply to a particular investor. In particular, this discussion does not comprehensively treat the tax considerations that will be relevant to prospective investors who reside outside Germany. Prospective investors who are in doubt as to their specific tax position are urged to consult a tax adviser before purchasing or selling the new PrimaCom shares or ADSs.
A short discussion of the relevant aspects of German corporate income taxation precedes the discussion of taxes applicable to shareholders. German tax law has undergone fundamental changes due to a major tax reform which became effective in stages on January 1, 2001 and on January 1, 2002. Further changes of German tax law are to be expected in the future. As a result, the German tax law is transitory in certain respects.
Taxation of PrimaCom.From January 1, 2001 PrimaCom is subject to corporate income tax at a rate of 25%. For the tax year 2003 the corporate income tax rate is 26.5 % due to the “Flutopfersolidaritätsgesetz” (Solidarity Act for Flood Victims). These tax rates apply, irrespective of whether or not profits are distributed. Certain foreign-source earnings are exempted from corporate income tax. 95% of the dividends received by a corporation are tax-exempt, and 95% of the profits it derives from the disposal of shares in corporations are also exempted from corporate income tax.
In addition, German corporations are subject to a profit-related trade tax, the exact amount of which depends among other things, on the municipalities in which the corporation maintains permanent establishments. Trade tax on income is deductible as an operating expense for corporate income and trade tax assessment purposes.
If a corporation as per December 31, 2001 still had retained earnings which, according to the corporate taxation system applicable until December 31, 2000, were subject to corporate income tax at the normal rate and not at the lower rate applicable to distributed profits, the difference between the tax paid and the tax that would have
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been paid under the lower rate for distributed profits was determined in the form of a corporate income tax credit at the level of the corporation, which will reduce future corporate income tax burdens of the corporation in case dividends should be distributed in the future.
In the case of dividend distributions paid in the years 2002 to 2020, except for dividend distributions paid after April 11, 2003 and prior to January 1, 2006, both the corporate income tax and the corporate income tax credit of the corporation will be reduced by one-sixth of the distributed profit, at most, however, by such portion of the corporate income tax credit determined for the respective year as a result of an equal distribution of the entire tax credit to the remaining tax credit period until 2020. Corporate income tax credits which have not been realized by 2020 will lapse.
Taxation of dividends — Dividends distributed after December 31, 2001.Only half of the dividends paid to individual shareholders resident in Germany (i.e. having their domicile or habitual abode in Germany) will be subject to income tax (plus solidarity surcharge at a rate of 5.5% thereon) (so-called “half-income-method”). Correspondingly, only half of the expenses associated with each shareholder’s participation are tax deductible. Shares held as private assets shall, however, only be subject to tax if the dividend payments together with other investment income up to and including 2003 exceed the amount of€1,601 (€3,202 for spouses filing jointly) and from January 1, 2004 the amount of€1,370 (€2,740).
If the shareholder is a corporation with its statutory seat or place of management in Germany, 95 % of the dividends received will not be subject to tax at its level. This applies only for trade tax, however, if the participation held amounts to at least 10% at the beginning of the respective calendar year. If the shareholder is a bank or financial services institution within the meaning of section 1 subsection 12 of the German Banking Act, and the shares are accounted for in the trading books(Handelsbuch), then dividends are fully taxable. This is also true with respect to shares purchased by a finance company (as defined by the Banking Act) with the aim of making short-term gains on such company’s own account. The same rules apply to banks, financial services institutions and finance companies having their seat in a member state of the European Community or another country that is a signatory to the Treaty on the European Economic Area. An exemption of dividend income from trade tax is only granted if, at the beginning of the year, the shareholder held at least 10% of the registered share capital of the corporation distributing such dividends.
German corporations must withhold, on behalf of their shareholders, tax (capital yield tax) at a rate of 20.0% plus a 5.5% solidarity surcharge thereon, representing a total rate of 21.1% of the amounts distributed, irrespective of whether the dividends are fully or partially tax-exempt at the level of the shareholders. The withholding tax is credited and, as the case may be, refunded upon the shareholder’s tax assessment on income.
Dividends will be paid without deduction of withholding tax and solidarity surcharge to shareholders resident in Germany who have submitted to their custodial bank a non-assessment certificate(Nichtveranlagungsbescheinigung) issued by the tax office of their statutory seat or domicile. In addition, no deduction for withholding tax will be made if the shareholder has given an exemption order for capital gains(Freistellungsauftrag) to his bank, provided that the exemption amount indicated in the order has not already been used up by other investment income. The custodial bank may also pay dividends without deducting withholding tax and surcharge to tax-exempt corporations, provided a non-assessment certificate has been submitted.
Individual shareholders and corporations who do not have their residence or habitual abode or place of management in Germany shall be subject to restricted taxation in Germany. This obligation to pay tax is deemed satisfied with the deduction of withholding tax.
Withholding tax on dividends distributed to shareholders who do not hold their shares as part of the assets of a permanent establishment or fixed base in Germany and who are resident in a country which is party to a double taxation treaty with Germany is reduced to 15% under most German DTCs. The withholding tax is reduced by refunding to the shareholder the difference between the total amount withheld, including solidarity surcharge, less the withholding tax actually owed according to the applicable double taxation treaty upon the shareholder’s application to the Federal Tax Office(Bundesamt für Finanzen, Friedhofstrasse 1, 53225 Bonn).
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Forms for refund requests can be obtained from the German tax authorities or from German embassies and consulates in various countries. Most double taxation treaties provide for a further reduction of capital yield tax on dividends distributed to corporations not resident in Germany which hold at least 25%, in some cases at least 10% of the shares (under some treaties: voting shares) of the distributing corporation. The same rule applies to dividends distributed to parent companies resident in the European Union within the meaning of EC Directive 90/435/EEC of the Council of July 23, 1990 (the “Parent-Subsidiary Directive”). Where dividends are distributed to EU parent companies, upon request and provided that further requirements are met, either the reduced withholding tax rate can be applied at the time of distribution or the withholding tax may not have to be withheld at all.
If the shares are held as part of the business assets of a permanent establishment of a corporation in Germany, 95% of the dividend income shall be tax-exempt at the level of the permanent establishment. Capital yield tax withheld on the dividends is set off against the tax burden of the permanent establishment and refunded as the case may be. If an individual shareholder holds shares as part of the business assets of a permanent establishment in Germany, only half of the dividends shall be subject to German income tax and set off against the individual shareholder’s tax burden and refunded as the case may be. If the shareholder holds less than one-tenth of the distributing company’s share capital at the beginning of the calendar year in which the dividend is paid, then in case of a corporation the dividend which is exempt from corporate income tax and in case of an individual shareholder the half of the dividend which is exempt from income tax will be subject to trade tax in full.
Taxation of capital gains — Disposals from 2002 onwards.Half of the capital gains derived from the sale of shares held by a shareholder resident in Germany as part of the business assets or by a shareholder not resident in Germany as part of the assets of a permanent establishment in Germany are subject to taxation at the full tax rate.
Whereas, half of the capital gains derived from the sale of shares held by shareholders resident in Germany as part of their private assets are only subject to tax if the shares are sold within one year after their acquisition or after expiration of this period, if the shareholder at any time during the five years immediately preceding the sale, directly or indirectly held at least 1% of the nominal capital of the corporation (substantial participation). In case the shareholder has acquired the shares gratuitously, the term of possession and the previous holder’s proportion of the participation will also be taken into account.
A shareholder not resident in Germany who does not hold the shares as part of the assets of a permanent establishment in Germany is only subject to tax on half of the capital gains derived from the sale of such shares if, at any time during the five years immediately preceding the sale, he has directly or indirectly held at least 1% of the nominal capital of the corporation. Most German double taxation treaties, however, provide for a complete exemption from German taxation.
In principle, 95% of capital gains of shareholders subject to corporate income tax are tax-exempt. The deductibility of losses from the sale of shares is excluded.
If the shareholder is a bank or a financial services institution, and if the shares sold are accounted for in the trading books (Handelsbuch) within the meaning of section 1 subsection 12 of the German Banking Act, any capital gains will be fully taxable. The same applies, if the shares sold were acquired by a finance company within the meaning of the Banking Act with the aim of realizing short-term profits for such company’s own account. This is also true for banks, financial service institutions and finance companies having their domicile in a member state of the European Community or another country that is a signatory to the Treaty on the European Economic Area.
Gift and inheritance tax.The transfer of shares to another person by way of succession or gift is in principle only subject to German inheritance or gift tax, respectively, if
(a) | the decedent or donor or the heir, the donee or other transferee has his/her residence or habitual abode in Germany at the time of the transfer, or is a German citizen having not lived abroad for a continuous period of more than five years without maintaining a residence in Germany. |
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At the transfer of shares listed on the stock exchange, the value of the shares as determined according to the market price will be subject to taxation.
Irrespective of the residence or habitual abode of the decedent or donor or his/her heirs, donees or other transferees, the transfer of shares to another person is only subject to inheritance or gift tax, if the transferred assets are domestic assets, i. e.
(b) | the shares are held by the decedent or donor as part of the business assets of a permanent establishment in Germany; or | |||
(c) | the decedent or donor at the time of the inheritance or gift, either alone or together with related persons within the meaning of section 1 International Tax Relations Law (Außensteuergesetz, AStG), directly or indirectly holds at least 10% of the share capital of the German corporation. |
If the participation amounts to at least 25%, only 60% of the participation value in excess of€256,000 will be subject to tax.
The few German double taxation treaties on inheritance and gift tax that are currently in force (e.g. the treaty with the United States) usually provide for German gift and inheritance tax to be levied only in the cases described under (a) and otherwise only if the decedent or donor has his/her residence in Germany.
Other taxes.There is no German transfer tax, value added tax, stamp duty or similar taxes on the purchase, sale or other disposal of shares. Wealth tax is no longer levied for periods after January 1, 1997.
If an individual or a corporation directly or indirectly acquires 95% or more of the shares in PrimaCom or if the participation directly or indirectly increases up to at least 95% by way of acquisition of additional PrimaCom shares, a 3.5% land transfer tax will be levied on the value of all land which PrimaCom and its subsidiaries own.
F. | Dividends and Paying Agents |
Not applicable.
G. | Statement by Experts |
Not applicable.
H. | Documents on Display |
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In accordance with these requirements, we file reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These materials, including this annual report and the exhibits thereto, may be inspected and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the Commission’s regional offices at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,Chicago, Illinois 60661, and 233 Broadway New York, New York 10279. Copies of the materials may be obtained from the Public Reference Room of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Commission’s Public Reference Room by calling the Commission in the United States at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Commission also maintains a web site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission.
I. | Subsidiary Information |
Not applicable.
88
ITEM 11. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
We have a significant variable rate senior secured credit facility and as a result could be significantly affected by changes in interest rates. In this regard, changes in interest rates affect the interest paid on debt. To mitigate the effect of changes in interest rates, we have entered into interest rate cap agreements.
The following table provides information about our derivative financial instruments and other financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. For debt obligations, the table presents principal cash flows and related applicable floating rate indices by expected maturity dates. For interest rate caps and floors, the table presents notional amounts and weighted-average strike rates by contractual maturity dates. Notional amounts are used to calculate the contractual cash flows to be exchanged under the contract.
Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | Total | December 31, 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variable-Rate Revolving Credit Facility (€ in thousands). Floating Rate Index LIBOR plus 0.50% - 2.25% | 491,111 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 491,111 |
ITEM 12. | DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES |
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 13. | DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES |
Not applicable.
ITEM 14. | MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITIES HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
Not applicable.
ITEM 15. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Within the 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report on Form 20-F, we performed an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, of the effectiveness and design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that the material financial and non-financial information required to be disclosed in our annual report on Form 20-F and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is recorded, processed, summarized and reported timely. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated can provide only reasonable, rather than absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, our management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective. Since the date of the evaluation, there have been no
89
significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the controls. Therefore, no corrective actions were taken.
ITEM 16A. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT |
The members of the audit committee have extensively knowledge of financial and economical matters. However, currently no member of the supervisory board meets all criteria for the financial expert as defined in the Corporate Governance Code. Therefore no audit committee financial expert has been currently designated.
ITEM 16B. | CODE OF ETHICS |
We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. We believe our code of ethics is substantially compliant with the definition of “code of ethics” contained in Item 16B of Form 20-F, but we cannot give assurance that it fully meets that definition. A copy of our code of ethics may be obtained without charge upon request. To request a copy of our code of ethics, please contact PrimaCom AG, An der Ochsenwiese 3, 55124 Mainz, Germany.
ITEM 16C. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES |
Accountant fees and Services: | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||
(in Euro) | (in Euro) | |||||||
(1) Audit Fees | 478,400 | 486,100 | ||||||
(2) Audit Related Fees. | 7,000 | — | ||||||
(3) Tax Fees | 122,800 | 160,400 | ||||||
(4) All Other Fees | — | 36,400 | ||||||
Total | 608,200 | 682,900 | ||||||
Audit Fees
Our audit fees for 2004 were€486,100 and for 2003 were€478,400.
Audit-Related Fees
We had no audit-related fees for 2004.
Tax Fees
Our tax fees for 2004 were€160,400 and for 2003 were€122,800. Tax fees for those years included fees in respect of income tax consulting and compliance services.
All Other Fees
Our other fees in respect of products or services provided by the principal accountant for 2004 were€36,400.
90
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The external auditor who is responsible for auditing the Financial Statements is appointed by the supervisory board upon recommendation of the Audit Committee. The external auditor reports to the Audit Committee, to the supervisory board and to the management board. The Audit Committee is, together with the supervisory board, responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor. As part of this responsibility, the Audit Committee is required to pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditor in order to assure that they do not impair the auditor’s independence from the Company.
In May 2003 our Audit Committee adopted and ratified a pre-approval policy for Audit and Non-Audit Services, which sets forth the procedures and the conditions pursuant to which services proposed to be performed by the independent auditor may be pre-approved.
The annual Audit service engagement terms and fees are subject to specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee.
All services performed in 2004 by our independent external auditor were in compliance with the pre-approval policy. In 2004, approximately 1% of the total fees paid to our independent auditors were approved pursuant to the “de minimis” test.
PART III
ITEM 17. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Not applicable.
91
ITEM 19. | EXHIBITS |
Exhibit | ||||
Number | Description of Exhibit | |||
3.1* | English translation of the Articles of Association | |||
3.2* | Standing Orders for the management board | |||
3.3* | Rules for Procedure of the supervisory board | |||
8.1** | List of subsidiaries | |||
12.1 | Certification of Stefan Schwenkedel pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |||
12.2 | Certification of Jens Kircher pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |||
13.1 | Certifications filed pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
* | Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 filed on April 2, 2003. | |
** | Incorporated by reference to Item 4.C. |
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
PRIMACOM AG | ||||
/s/Hans-Werner Klose | ||||
Name: | Hans-Werner Klose | |||
Title: | Member of the management board | |||
/s/ Wolfgang Preuß | ||||
Name: | Wolfgang Preuß | |||
Date: March 31, 2005 | Title: | Chief Executive Officer | ||
93
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors,
PRIMACOM AG
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of PrimaCom AG and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and auditing standards generally accepted in Germany. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting on a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of PrimaCom AG and subsidiaries at December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully described in Note 1, the Company incurred recurring losses in each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 and has a working capital deficiency and a shareholders’ deficit as of December 31, 2004. In addition, the Company has substantial debt obligations, which contain specific financial covenants. Management anticipates that the Company will not be able to comply with certain of these covenants in 2005, which could result in the debt obligations becoming immediately payable to its lenders. In the case of a violation of a debt covenant, a waiver will need to be obtained from the lenders. Management anticipates that it will not be able to obtain waivers if a violation of these covenants occurs. Finally, as a result of the non-payment of interest of the Second Secured Loan as more fully described in Note 1, certain of the Company’s debt has become due and payable in 2005. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans as to these matters are also described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG
ERNST & YOUNG AG
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
March 31, 2005
F-1
PRIMACOM AG AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands)
Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2004 | |||||||||||||
Euro | Euro | Euro | U.S.$ | |||||||||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
Revenues | 182,042 | 197,948 | 210,713 | 285,263 | ||||||||||||
Operating costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Operations | 51,386 | 50,140 | 55,649 | 75,338 | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 31,694 | 28,807 | 29,673 | 40,171 | ||||||||||||
Corporate overhead | 17,457 | 12,020 | 21,646 | 29,304 | ||||||||||||
Debt refinancing | 2,432 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 95,943 | 87,587 | 82,521 | 111,717 | ||||||||||||
Total | 198,912 | 178,554 | 189,489 | 256,530 | ||||||||||||
Operating profit (loss) | (16,870 | ) | 19,394 | 21,224 | 28,733 | |||||||||||
Interest expense: | ||||||||||||||||
Convertible Second Secured Loan non-cash interest | 31,079 | 42,060 | 48,950 | 66,269 | ||||||||||||
Other bank interest and other interest | 78,342 | 71,039 | 73,839 | 99,963 | ||||||||||||
Total | 109,421 | 113,099 | 122,789 | 166,232 | ||||||||||||
Other expense | 993 | 42 | 2,851 | 3,860 | ||||||||||||
Loss from operations before income taxes and other items | (127,284 | ) | (93,747 | ) | (104,416 | ) | (141,359 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax benefit (expense) | (10,980 | ) | (24,291 | ) | (9,031 | ) | (12,226 | ) | ||||||||
Loss from operations before minority interest and equity earnings | (138,264 | ) | (118,038 | ) | (113,447 | ) | (153,585 | ) | ||||||||
Minority interest in net income of subsidiaries | (63 | ) | (61 | ) | (83 | ) | (112 | ) | ||||||||
Net loss | (138,327 | ) | (118,099 | ) | (113,530 | ) | (153,697 | ) | ||||||||
Loss per share: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted: | ||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (6.99 | ) | (5.97 | ) | (5.73 | ) | (7.76 | ) | ||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-2
PRIMACOM AG AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2004 | |||||||||||||
Euro | Euro | Euro | U.S.$ | |||||||||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 802 | 5,252 | 1,235 | 1,672 | ||||||||||||
Trade accounts receivable — net | 6,876 | 6,362 | 4,080 | 5,523 | ||||||||||||
Other current assets | 8,735 | 9,023 | 6,280 | 8,501 | ||||||||||||
Total current assets | 16,413 | 20,637 | 11,595 | 15,696 | ||||||||||||
Property and equipment — net | 520,225 | 469,598 | 427,166 | 578,297 | ||||||||||||
Goodwill — net | 359,686 | 359,710 | 359,710 | 486,975 | ||||||||||||
Other intangibles — net | 47,890 | 44,703 | 39,397 | 53,336 | ||||||||||||
Deferred income tax assets | 93,715 | 70,370 | 57,695 | 78,107 | ||||||||||||
Other assets | 47,789 | 40,744 | 31,375 | 42,476 | ||||||||||||
TOTAL ASSETS | 1,085,718 | 1,005,762 | 926,938 | 1,254,887 | ||||||||||||
Accounts payable | 16,147 | 12,357 | 11,457 | 15,510 | ||||||||||||
Accrued expenses | 42,847 | 53,647 | 56,465 | 76,442 | ||||||||||||
Deferred revenue | 1,610 | 2,103 | 2,076 | 2,810 | ||||||||||||
Deferred purchase obligations | 456 | 838 | 195 | 264 | ||||||||||||
Sale-leaseback obligations — current | 2,713 | 1,327 | 966 | 1,308 | ||||||||||||
Bank and other debt — current | 309 | — | 988,200 | 1,337,825 | ||||||||||||
Total current liabilities | 64,082 | 70,272 | 1,059,359 | 1,434,159 | ||||||||||||
Sale leaseback — obligations | 2,903 | 1,577 | 611 | 827 | ||||||||||||
Deferred income tax liability | 82,544 | 75,853 | 64,958 | 87,940 | ||||||||||||
Convertible Second Secured Loan | 406,079 | 448,139 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Revolving credit facility and other debt | 496,795 | 494,500 | — | — | ||||||||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES | 1,052,403 | 1,090,341 | 1,124,928 | 1,522,926 | ||||||||||||
Minority interest | 273 | 351 | 434 | 588 | ||||||||||||
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY/DEFICIT | ||||||||||||||||
Common stock —€2.56 par value | ||||||||||||||||
Authorized — 31,692,792 | ||||||||||||||||
Issued — 19,798,552 | 50,582 | 50,614 | 50,614 | 68,521 | ||||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 361,131 | 361,226 | 361,262 | 489,076 | ||||||||||||
Accumulated deficit | (378,671 | ) | (496,770 | ) | (610,300 | ) | (826,224 | ) | ||||||||
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY/DEFICIT | 33,042 | (84,930 | ) | (198,424 | ) | (268,627 | ) | |||||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY/DEFICIT | 1,085,718 | 1,005,762 | 926,938 | 1,254,887 | ||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
PRIMACOM AG AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY/DEFICIT
(in thousands)
Additional Paid-In | Total | |||||||||||||||
Registered Capital | Capital | Accumulated Deficit | Shareholders' Equity | |||||||||||||
Euro | Euro | Euro | Euro | |||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2000 | 50,582 | 354,838 | (136,236 | ) | 269,184 | |||||||||||
Release of contingent value rights | — | 1,063 | — | 1,063 | ||||||||||||
Stock option compensation | — | 3,853 | — | 3,853 | ||||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | (104,108 | ) | (104,108 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2001 | 50,582 | 359,754 | (240,344 | ) | 169,992 | |||||||||||
Stock option compensation | — | 1,377 | — | 1,377 | ||||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | (138,327 | ) | (138,327 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2002 | 50,582 | 361,131 | (378,671 | ) | 33,042 | |||||||||||
Stock option compensation | — | 123 | — | 123 | ||||||||||||
Sale of treasury shares | 32 | (28 | ) | — | 4 | |||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | (118,099 | ) | (118,099 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2003 | 50,614 | 361,226 | (496,770 | ) | (84,930 | ) | ||||||||||
Stock option compensation | — | 36 | — | 36 | ||||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | (113,530 | ) | (113,530 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2004 | 50,614 | 361,262 | (610,300 | ) | (198,424 | ) | ||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
PRIMACOM AG AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2004 | |||||||||||||
Euro | Euro | Euro | U.S.$ | |||||||||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
Operating Activities | ||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (138,327 | ) | (118,099 | ) | (113,530 | ) | (153,697 | ) | ||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 95,943 | 87,587 | 82,521 | 111,717 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of financing fees and other | 6,991 | 6,579 | 7,377 | 9,987 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred revenue | (16,527 | ) | (16,260 | ) | (17,574 | ) | (23,792 | ) | ||||||||
Non-cash interest expense — Convertible Second Secured Loan | 31,079 | 42,060 | 48,950 | 66,269 | ||||||||||||
Write-off of capitalized financing fees | 14,696 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Stock option compensation expense | 1,377 | 123 | 36 | 49 | ||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes | 10,980 | 16,654 | 1,780 | 2,410 | ||||||||||||
Other | 78 | 78 | 83 | 112 | ||||||||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of business acquisitions and disposition: | ||||||||||||||||
Trade accounts receivable | 2,122 | 514 | 2,282 | 3,089 | ||||||||||||
Other assets | 5,081 | (1,149 | ) | 3,594 | 4,866 | |||||||||||
Accounts payable | (9,010 | ) | (3,790 | ) | (900 | ) | (1,218 | ) | ||||||||
Accrued expenses | 10,696 | 10,800 | 2,818 | 3,815 | ||||||||||||
Deferred revenue | 15,912 | 16,753 | 17,547 | 23,755 | ||||||||||||
Other | — | 383 | (170 | ) | (230 | ) | ||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 31,091 | 42,233 | 34,814 | 47,132 | ||||||||||||
Investing Activities | ||||||||||||||||
Acquisitions of businesses and networks, net of cash acquired | (375 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (36,861 | ) | (32,701 | ) | (33,745 | ) | (45,684 | ) | ||||||||
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | 224 | 231 | 103 | 139 | ||||||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (37,012 | ) | (32,470 | ) | (33,642 | ) | (45,545 | ) | ||||||||
Financing Activities | ||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from credit facilities | 42,000 | 5,000 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from term loan | 375,000 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Repayments of credit facilities | (375,000 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||
Repayment of bank debt | — | (310 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||
Net proceeds from overdrafts | (1,979 | ) | (7,291 | ) | (3,389 | ) | (4,588 | ) | ||||||||
Payments of other financing fees | (22,211 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||
Repayments of sale-leaseback obligations | (3,977 | ) | (2,712 | ) | (1,327 | ) | (1,797 | ) | ||||||||
Payments of deferred purchase obligations | (10,043 | ) | — | (473 | ) | (640 | ) | |||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 3,790 | (5,313 | ) | (5,189 | ) | (7,025 | ) | |||||||||
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalent | (2,131 | ) | 4,450 | (4,017 | ) | (5,438 | ) | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year. | 2,933 | 802 | 5,252 | 7,110 | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | 802 | 5,252 | 1,235 | 1,672 | ||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
1. | GENERAL |
Basis of Presentation
PrimaCom AG, (“PrimaCom”) and subsidiaries (“the Company”), a German stock corporation, was formed on December 30, 1998, by the merger (“the Merger”) of Süweda Elektronische Medien- und Kabelkommunikations-AG (“Süweda”) into KabelMedia Holding AG (“KabelMedia”), two similarly sized German cable television network operators. At the date of the Merger, KabelMedia was renamed PrimaCom AG. KabelMedia and Süweda, also German stock corporations, had been in existence since 1992 and 1983, respectively. Under US GAAP, the Merger was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting as a reverse acquisition by Süweda of KabelMedia even though KabelMedia issued shares to Süweda’s shareholders as consideration in the Merger and is the surviving legal entity.
Since KabelMedia’s inception in 1992, the Company has primarily owned and operated and acquired cable television networks in Germany. On September 18, 2000, with the acquisition of N.V. Multikabel (“Multikabel”), the Company expanded its operations from Germany to the Netherlands.
Prior to December 31, 1999, the Company prepared and reported its consolidated financial statements in Deutsche Marks (“DM”). With the introduction of the Euro (“€” or “Euro”) on January 1, 1999, the Company has presented the accompanying consolidated financial statements in Euro. All amounts herein are shown in Euros and for the year ended December 31, 2004 are also presented in U.S. dollars (“$”), the latter being unaudited and presented solely for the convenience of the reader at the rate of $1.3538 =€1.00, the Noon Buying Rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as per December 31, 2004. The translations should not be construed as a representation that the amounts shown could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars at that or any other rate.
The financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the discharge of liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include any adjustments to recorded asset values that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
In addition to the current working capital deficiency and a shareholders’ deficit, the Company incurred losses of€138.3 million,€118.1 million and€113.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Interest expense was approximately€109.4 million,€113.1 million and€122.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. As a result of the interest expense obligations under the Company’s bank debt (see Note 9), management expects losses to continue into the foreseeable future.
On December 9, 2004 the Company issued an Ad Hoc notice disclosing that PrimaCom AG and PrimaCom Management GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, had filed a law suit at the District Court Mainz against the holders of the Second Secured Loan under the Second Secured Credit Facility. The principal amount of the second secured loan is€375,000,000 (plus an amount of accrued interest). The law suit asked the court to determine whether PrimaCom AG and PrimaCom Management GmbH are obligated to pay the interest of the Second Secured Loan or whether the Second Secured Lenders are not able to enforce possible existing interest claims.
The Ad Hoc notice explained that the law suit is based on expert opinions obtained from the renowned accounting partnership (Wirtschaftsprüfersozietät) LKC Kemper Czarske v. Gronau Berz — functioning as independent investigator — as well as from Prof. Dr. Armbrüster on usurious credit and additionally an expert opinion from a renowned insolvency office — that the Second Secured Loan has an equity character, as defined in German law.
Should the law suit be successful in all points then no interest would have to be paid over the entire term of the second secured loan and interest already paid would be refundable to the Company.
F-6
On December 21, 2004 PrimaCom Management GmbH filed a further affirmative action claim at the District Court Frankfurt am Main against the Second Secured Lenders. In the affirmative action claim the court was asked to declare on whether the pledges of shares in certain of the Company’s subsidiaries as collateral for the Second Secured Loan are invalid and/or currently not enforceable.
Both court cases are currently pending.
As a consequence of the above developments and in particular due to the claimed equity character of the Second Secured Loan, it is not permissible under German insolvency law to continue to make interest payments as long as, and until a solution to the Company’s financial crisis is found. Therefore, the Company did not make the scheduled interest payment for on the Second Secured Loan which was due on December 31, 2004 and was served with a notice of default on January 6, 2005. This also triggered a cross default of the Senior Credit Facility. During the 60 day standstill period governed by the inter-creditor agreement, the Company received waivers from the Senior Lenders for the cross default under the Senior Credit Facility and since then on a monthly basis, in order for the Company to be able to make use of the Senior Credit Facility on a monthly revolving basis. In addition a claim was filed by the Second Secured Lenders in London for a declaration that the provisions of the Second Secured Facility Agreement, which oblige PrimaCom to pay interest to the Second Secured Lenders are valid and enforceable. However this case has been stayed pending the outcome of the German proceedings referred to above.
On March 8, 2005 following expiration of the standstill period the Second Secured Lenders served PrimaCom AG with a notice of default and demand in which they have declared all of the Second Secured Loan immediately due and payable together with accrued interest and all other sums due under the Second Secured Credit Facility Agreement. In a separate letter PrimaCom Management GmbH, who are guarantors of the Second Secured Loan, was notified of the above event of default. Under the terms of the inter-creditor agreement the Second Secured Lenders will be entitled, on July 6, 2005, to accelerate and enforce their claims on PrimaCom Management GmbH on expiry of 180 days following the original default notice
Since March 8, 2005 for PrimaCom AG and from July 7, 2005 for PrimaCom Management GmbH the Second Secured Lenders are/will be entitled to petition or apply or vote in favour of any resolution for the winding up, dissolution, administration of or voluntary arrangement or insolvency proceedings in relation to PrimaCom AG and PrimaCom Management GmbH, respectively. Management believes that such enforcement action will be difficult given the pending court cases in Germany mentioned above and in any case that an assessment of the risks must be considered in light of any remedies or actions available to the Senior Lenders (whose claims to recoveries rank before those of the Second Secured Lenders).
In addition to the interest obligations under the Second Secured Credit Facility, the Company and PrimaCom Management GmbH must also comply with specific financial covenants included in the Senior Credit Facility Agreement and the Second Secured Credit Facility Agreement. Although the Company and PrimaCom Management GmbH have been able to comply with these covenants through December 31, 2004 (except that the Company was unable to comply with a pro forma debt service ratio covenant under the Senior Credit Facility Agreement for the testing period ending December 31, 2004, and obtained a waiver from the Senior Lenders in respect of that non-compliance), management anticipates that the Company will not be able to comply with certain of these covenants in 2005. This non-compliance could result in the obligations of PrimaCom Management GmbH under the Senior Credit Facility becoming immediately payable to the Senior Lenders (the Second Secured Loans having already been declared immediately payable by PrimaCom AG and could therefore not be accelerated again as a result of any such non-compliance). In the case of a violation of a debt covenant, a waiver would need to be obtained from the lenders. The Company anticipates that it will not be able to obtain waivers if a violation of these covenants occurs and will not have the funds available to repay the debt if required by the lenders. Consequently the amounts outstanding under both, the Senior and Second Secured Facilities, have been reclassified to Current Liabilities.
In addition under the amortization schedule of Senior Credit Facility Agreement, PrimaCom Management GmbH will be required to make repayments of principal of approximately€57 million in 2005. The Company does not anticipate that operating cash flows of the Company will be sufficient to meet this schedule and therefore will run into liquidity problems in the second half of 2005. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
F-7
As a result of these conditions the Company has embarked on a restructuring plan under which it intends to sell its 100% subsidiary Multikabel, use the proceeds to repay the current Senior Facility, enter into a new senior loan agreement for the German business and use the proceeds to buy out the Second Secured Loan. While Management has made substantial progress and continues with negotiations and believes this to be viable option for the Company, Management can give no assurances on whether the Company will be able to obtain the necessary consents from the Second Secured Lenders to sell Multikabel, or whether the Company will be successful in obtaining a refinancing, nor on the extent to which the Company will be successful in negotiating a discharge of the Second Secured Facility.
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Accounting Principles
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”).
Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PrimaCom and its majority owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and consolidation transactions have been eliminated.
Cash Equivalents
All highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered cash equivalents.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrated credit risks consist primarily of cash and trade receivables. Credit risk on trade receivables is minimized as a result of the large and diverse nature of the Company’s customer base. The Company maintains most of its cash and cash equivalents at international financial institutions in Germany and the Netherlands.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is comprised primarily of revenue earned from subscription fees and to a much lesser extent charges for installation and connections. Subscription revenue is recognized at the time services are provided to customers. Charges for installation and connections are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis into income over the related service agreements.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost and are comprised principally of assets used in the development and operation of cable television systems.
Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives as follows: cable television systems: 12 years; equipment and fixtures: five to 10 years; buildings: 25 years; and purchased software: three to five years.
Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense during the financial period in which they are incurred.
In 2002, 2003 and 2004, the Company capitalized€3,676,000,€2,801,000 and€2,212,000, respectively, of interest costs related to the construction of networks.
F-8
Goodwill and Customer Lists
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets of acquired businesses Goodwill is tested annually for impairment or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value. Other intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives.
In 2002, 2003 and 2004, the Company performed the required annual impairment tests. As a result of those tests, goodwill was not determined to be impaired. The Company determined fair value using the discounted cash flows technique, which is subjective and requires management to use estimates of future cash flows and discount rates. Because these estimates of future cash flows are dependent on risks, uncertainties and other factors, the Company will continue to evaluate its estimates, which could result in a need to adjust the determination of fair value.
Customer lists were acquired by the Company in 2000 and 2001 primarily as part of the Multikabel and Quicknet B.V. acquisitions, respectively. The changes in the carrying value of customer lists are as follows:
December 31, | |||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | |||||||||||
(€ in thousands) | |||||||||||||
Customer lists: | |||||||||||||
Acquisition cost January 1, | 59,240 | 59,240 | 61,325 | ||||||||||
Additions | — | 2,085 | — | ||||||||||
Disposals | — | — | — | ||||||||||
Accumulated amortization December 31, | (11,350 | ) | (16,622 | ) | (21,928 | ) | |||||||
Net carrying amount December 31, | 47,890 | 44,703 | 39,397 | ||||||||||
The Company expects the amortization expense for the customer lists to be as follows:
(€ in thousands) | ||||
2005 | 5,306 | |||
2006 | 5,306 | |||
2007 | 5,306 | |||
2008 | 5,306 | |||
2009 | 5,306 |
Impairment of Long Lived and Identifiable Intangible Assets
The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amount of those assets.
During 2002, due to the continued weak economic conditions of the cable television market in Germany, the Company determined that certain long-lived assets relating to specific regional locations in the Company’s German business segment might not be recoverable. As a result, the Company calculated as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (SFAS No. 144) the undiscounted cash flows attributable to these long-lived assets, which excluded goodwill, and compared this total to the carrying value of the long-lived assets. Based on this comparison, the Company determined that these assets were no longer fully recoverable since the total undiscounted cash flows were less than its carrying value.
F-9
As a result, the Company, using a discounted cash flow method, calculated the fair value of these assets and recorded a charge, which is included in depreciation and amortization expense, of€12,944,000 to reduce the carrying value of cable network assets to its fair value.
In 2004, the discounted cash flow calculation did not indicate that an impairment of the long-lived assets existed. In 2003 the Company recorded extra write-downs of approximately€3.0 million largely attributable to impairment in both Germany and the Netherlands on certain long-term assets associated with the digital cable business.
In calculating fair value based on discounted cash flows, the Company makes significant estimates regarding the number of years of future cash flows, discount rates, and revenues, costs, and expenses in future periods. The number of years of future cash flows were based on the remaining useful life of the underlying assets, discount rates were determined based on market discount rates, and revenues, costs and expenses were based on the Company’s business plan.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred. The Company incurred advertising costs in 2002, 2003 and 2004 totaling€2,769,000,€2,072,000 and€1,839,000, respectively.
Stock Options
The Company accounts for its stock option plans in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS No. 123). In accordance with SFAS No. 123, compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period based on the fair value of all stock-based awards on the date of the grant.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when the Company cannot make the determination that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the related tax asset will be realized.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying value of financial instruments such as cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and, as mentioned in footnote 1 “Basis of Presentation” the amounts outstanding under both, the Senior and Second Secured Facilities, approximate their fair value based on the short-term maturities of these instruments.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the prior years (cost of sales, selling, general and administrative, overhead) have been reclassified to conform with the 2004 consolidated financial statement presentation.
F-10
3. | ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE |
Trade accounts receivable consists of the following:
December 31, | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||
(€ in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Trade accounts receivable — gross | 12,994 | 12,448 | 10,034 | |||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts | (6,118 | ) | (6,086 | ) | (5,954 | ) | ||||||
Trade accounts receivable — net | 6,876 | 6,362 | 4,080 | |||||||||
Accounts receivable are reported net of allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the account receivable balance. Management determines the allowance based on known troubled accounts, historical experience, and other currently available evidence. A summary of activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:
December 31, | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||
(€ in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts: | ||||||||||||
Balance at the beginning of the year | 1,884 | 6,118 | 6,086 | |||||||||
Charged to cost and expenses | 4,243 | 2,422 | 1,669 | |||||||||
Write-offs and other | (9 | ) | (2,454 | ) | (1,801 | ) | ||||||
Balance at the end of the year | 6,118 | 6,086 | 5,954 | |||||||||
4. | PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT |
The components of property and equipment are as follows:
December 31, | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||
(€ in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Cable television networks | 770,868 | 792,994 | 832,219 | |||||||||
Equipment and fixtures | 56,624 | 56,917 | 58,055 | |||||||||
Land and buildings | 4,378 | 5,944 | 6,021 | |||||||||
Other | 15,010 | 16,511 | 17,775 | |||||||||
Construction in progress | 23,923 | 24,510 | 16,306 | |||||||||
Total | 870,803 | 896,876 | 930,376 | |||||||||
Less accumulated depreciation | (350,578 | ) | (427,278 | ) | (503,210 | ) | ||||||
Property and equipment — net. | 520,225 | 469,598 | 427,166 | |||||||||
Depreciation expense on property and equipment was€90,154,000,€81,012,000 and€76,061,000 for 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. In 2002, depreciation expense includes approximately€12,944,000 for an impairment charge of cable networks. In 2003, the Company recorded a charge of approximately€3.0 million largely attributable to impairment, in both Germany and the Netherlands, on certain long term assets associated with the digital cable business.
F-11
5. | SALE-LEASEBACK |
In March and October 1993, the Company entered into two master lease agreements governing the terms of the majority of its cable network sale and leaseback transactions. Under the March 1993 agreement, the sale and leaseback transactions have a lease term of nine years and a monthly leasing rate of approximately 1.6% of the original sales price. At the end of the lease term, the Company has the option to extend leases under this agreement for one year or to repurchase the cable networks at the higher of 10.0% of the original sales price or the recorded net book value on the lessor’s books. Under the October 1993 agreement, the sale and leaseback transactions have a lease term of nine years and a monthly leasing rate of approximately 1.5% of the original sales price. The lessor has the right to require the Company to repurchase the cable networks at the end of the lease term at an amount equal to approximately 11.5% of the original sales price. If the lessor sale option is not exercised, the lease automatically renews for an additional three years.
December 31, | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||
(€ in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Borrowings under sale-leaseback obligations | 5,616 | 2,904 | 1,577 | |||||||||
Current portion thereof | 2,713 | 1,327 | 966 | |||||||||
Non-current portion | 2.903 | 1,577 | 611 | |||||||||
Future minimum payments under capital leases with initial or remaining terms in excess of one year consisted of the following at December 31, 2004:
(€ in | ||||
thousands) | ||||
2005 | 1,073 | |||
2006 | 607 | |||
2007 | 28 | |||
Total minimum lease payments | 1,708 | |||
Less interest | (131 | ) | ||
Present value of minimum capitalized lease payments | 1,577 | |||
Assets under capital leases are included within property and equipment as follows:
December 31, | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||
(€ in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Cable television networks Cable television networks | 29,320 | 29,320 | 29,320 | |||||||||
Less accumulated depreciation Cable television networks | (17,168 | ) | (19,616 | ) | (22,063 | ) | ||||||
Cable television networks—net Cable television networks | 12,152 | 9,704 | 7,257 | |||||||||
Depreciation expense on assets recorded under capital leases approximated,€2,447,000,€2,447,000 and€2,447,000 in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
F-12
6. | BANK AND OTHER DEBT |
Bank and other debt consist of the following:
December 31, | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||
(€ in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Borrowings under Senior Facility | 489,500 | 494,500 | 491,111 | |||||||||
Convertible Second Secured Loan | 406,079 | 448,139 | 497,089 | |||||||||
Overdrafts | 7,295 | — | — | |||||||||
Other | 309 | — | — | |||||||||
Total bank and other debt | 903,183 | 942,639 | 988,200 | |||||||||
Less current portion thereof | 309 | — | 988,200 | |||||||||
Long term debt | 902,874 | 942,639 | — | |||||||||
On September 18, 2000, the Company entered into a credit facility (hereafter the “Facility”) with a number of banks. The total aggregate amount of the Facility was€1,000,000,000, comprised of a€985,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility and a€15,000,000 Overdraft Facility.
Under the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Overdraft Facility, the Company may borrow, repay and reborrow, up to the commitment amounts, until December 31, 2009.
Amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at the rate of EURIBOR in the case of amounts owing in Euro and LIBOR in the case of amounts owing in a currency other than Euro plus a margin of between 0.75% and 2.25%, depending on the ratio of total indebtedness of the Company’s subsidiaries to annualized earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”).
The Facility is secured by, among other things, liens on receivables from cable television subscribers, concession agreements, equipment and interests in all shares of PrimaCom’s subsidiaries. In addition, the Facility contains certain covenants, which, among other things, require the Company to maintain specified ratios relating to cash flow and total debt. Furthermore, there are restrictions on incurring debt, encumbering revenues or assets, loaning funds to third parties or assuming liabilities, disposing of properties and paying dividends or making distributions.
In addition, on September 18, 2000, the Company entered into a€375,000,000 Senior Working Capital Facility. The Senior Working Capital Facility had a term of 10 years. On this date, the Company entered into a Contingent Value Right (“CVR”) Agreement, which was a condition precedent to the obligations of the lenders under the Senior Working Capital Facility. Pursuant to the CVR Agreement, the Company is required, if requested on or before September 18, 2010, to make a payment in either cash or the Company’s common shares to the holders of each CVR Certificate equal to the difference between the market price of a share of common stock of PrimaCom on the date of exercise of such CVR and 110% of the market price of a share of such common stock on the relevant release date, being September 30, 2001, December 31, 2001, March 31, 2002 and June 30, 2002, subject to the provisions of the CVR Agreement, in particular various provisions protecting the holders of CVR Certificates against dilution. The total number of CVRs to be issued under the CVR Agreement equaled five percent of the outstanding number of shares of the Company. The total amount of CVR’s to be issued under this assignment was 989,300.
F-13
On March 8, 2004 PrimaCom AG signed a contingent value rights termination agreement with a number of entities which are past or present holders of contingent value rights under the CVR Agreement and the agent under the CVR Agreement and Escrow Agent in relation to such contingent value rights. All parties to the contingent value rights termination agreement agreed that all contingent value rights issued and not already cancelled would be cancelled and terminated on an effective date, such effective date to be conditional upon certain matters being satisfied. The Contingent Value Rights Termination Agreement was effective on March 16, 2004.
In connection with the release of CVR’s on September 30, 2001 and December 31, 2001, the Company recorded€1,063,000 to other assets and additional paid-in capital for the fair value of the CVR’s on this date. The amount capitalized in other assets was amortized as a bank debt interest straight-line over the remaining life of the Senior Working Capital Facility. Amortization expense relating to CVR’s included in other assets was approximately€147,000 and€133,000, in 2002 and 2003, respectively. The remaining balance of€764,000 in other assets related to CVR’s was written off at the time of cancellation.
In 2001, the Company received commitments from groups of international banks to amend its existing€1,000,000,000 Facility and€375,000,000 Senior Working Capital Facility. These amendments restated certain terms and conditions, including repayment and borrowing conditions and financial covenants. In 2002, the Company incurred fees totaling approximately€7,388,000, in connection with the amendment.
On March 26, 2002, the Company completed the modification of its€1,000,000,000 Facility and the€375,000,000 Senior Working Capital Facility. The terms and conditions were renegotiated subject to the approval of the Company’s shareholders. Bank fees for the modification in 2002 amounted for€15,284,000. On June 5, 2002, the shareholders approved the modification of the Facility and Senior Working Capital Facility.
The Senior Working Capital Facility was converted into a€375,000,000 Convertible Second Secured Term Loan Facility (“Second Secured Loan”), which was utilized in full and those borrowings were used to repay an equivalent amount of the outstanding borrowings under the€1,000,000,000 Facility. As a result, the lending commitment under the€1,000,000,000 Facility was reduced ahead of the original schedule by the amount of the€375,000,000 payment to€625,000,000. The Second Secured Loan is convertible to common shares of PrimaCom Management GmbH at the option of the lenders based on predetermined financial ratios at any time on or after December 31, 2004.
Under the terms of the modified Facility, the available commitment amount is reduced in quarterly amounts to the amounts reflected below as of December 31 of the years indicated:
Available commitment | ||||||||
Year ended | and overdraft | |||||||
(€ in thousands) | ||||||||
2004 | 506,111 | |||||||
2005 | 448,333 | |||||||
2006 | 390,556 | |||||||
2007 | 318,333 | |||||||
2008 | 214,333 | |||||||
2009 | — |
��At December 31, 2004, the Company had no unused availability under the Revolving Credit Facility. The interest rate on the Revolving Credit Facility was 4.43% at December 31, 2004.
At December 31, 2004, the Company had unused availability under the Overdraft Facility of€15,000,000. The interest rate on the Overdraft Facility was 7.0% at December 31, 2004.
The Second Secured Loan balance bears an interest rate from 18.0% to 20.0% over the term of the loan. As of December 31, 2004, the interest rate was 20.0%, which includes both a cash interest portion and a
F-14
non-cash interest portion. The Company is required to pay cash interest on a quarterly basis on the principle amount of€375,000,000 at an interest rate of 12.0% beginning on December 31, 2003. The remaining interest obligation is capitalized to the outstanding loan amount and will be due upon repayment of the Second Secured Loan.
As of June 5, 2002, the Company had approximately€23,584,000 of capitalized debt issuance costs related to the original Facility and Senior Working Capital Facility, respectively. In addition, the Company paid€15,284,000, in fees in connection with March 26, 2002 modification.
As a result of the modification, the Company recorded a charge of approximately€12,264,000 to interest expense due to the decrease in the borrowing capacity of the Facility commitment. The remaining balance of debt issuance costs related to the Facility of€11,320,000 remained capitalized in other assets and are amortized to interest expense over the remaining term of the Facility. None of the previously capitalized debt issuance costs related to the Senior Working Capital Facility were written off, but instead remained capitalized and will be amortized into interest expense over the term of the Second Secured Loan.
Of the€15,284,000 in fees paid for the refinancing, the Company capitalized€12,852,000, which is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the refinanced debt agreements. The remaining fees of approximately€2,432,000 paid for certain legal and consulting services for the refinanced Senior Working Capital Facility were recorded as a charge in operating costs and expenses.
As of December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, the Company had net capitalized bank financing fees totaling approximately€39,323,000 and€33,400,000 and€27,477,000, respectively, which are included in other assets. These capitalized bank fees are being amortized as bank debt interest over the remaining term of the Facility and Second Secured Loan. Interest expense related to bank financing fees was€17,812,000,€5,923,000 and€5,923,000, for 2002, 2003, and 2004, respectively.
As a result of defaults under the credit facility agreements as discussed in Note 1, all bank debt has been classified as current.
December 31, | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||
(€ in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Cash paid for interest: | ||||||||||||
Bank and other debt | 54,556 | 60,023 | 70,172 | |||||||||
Sale-leaseback transaction | 828 | 431 | 210 | |||||||||
55,384 | 60,454 | 70,382 | ||||||||||
7. | FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS |
All derivative instruments are reported in the consolidated financial statements at fair value. The fair value for all derivative contracts is included in other assets or other liabilities and recorded each period in the statement of operations or other comprehensive income, depending on whether the derivative is designated as effective as part of a hedged item and on the type of hedge transaction. Gains or losses on derivative instruments reported in other comprehensive income must be classified in the statement of operations in the period in which net earnings (loss) are affected by the underlying hedged item and the ineffective portion of all hedges is recognized in other income (expense) in the statements of operations in the current period.
The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates which can impact its operating results and overall financial condition. The Company manages its exposure to these market risks through its operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments.
F-15
The Company purchased interest rate-cap and floor agreements that limit its exposure to increasing interest rates and are economic hedges of borrowings under its variable-rate revolving credit facility during the five years from 1999 until 2004. An interest rate-cap entitles the Company to receive a payment from the counter-party equal to the excess, if any, of the hypothetical interest expense (“strike price”) on a specified notional amount at a current market interest rate over an amount specified in the agreement. The only amount the Company is obligated to pay to the counter-party is a contract premium. The Company has also entered into an interest rate-cap agreement with a double strike price. The first strike price of a double strike price is applicable until the relevant interest rate indice exceeds the second strike price at which time the second strike price becomes applicable. The premium of a double strike cap is typically lower than that of a single strike cap. The premium can also be lower in those instances where the agreement includes an interest rate floor. The interest rate floor entitles the counter-party to receive a payment from the Company should interest rates drop below an agreed upon limit (“floor”), effectively limiting the Company’s potential benefit from falling interest rates. The strike price of these agreements may exceed the current market levels at the time they are entered into. The interest rate indices specified by the agreements have been and are expected to be highly correlated with the interest rates the Company incurs on its variable-rate revolving credit facility.
These contracts do not qualify for special hedge accounting and are therefore marked-to-market each period through earnings (loss) as a component of interest expense. Interest expense/income relating to the change in fair value of these financial instruments was approximately (€3,615,000) in 2003 and (€1,907,000) 2004, respectively. In 2004, the Company recorded approximately€412,000 in additional interest expense for payments to the counter-party as a result of interest rates falling below the floor. All contracts expired during 2004, therefore, none are outstanding at December 31, 2004.
8. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
The Company has a 15.7% investment in Mediakabel B.V., a consortium of cable television operators in the Netherlands organized to provide digital television services. The Company paid Mediakabel digital cable services fees of approximately€2,700,000,€900,000 and€410,000 in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. These costs are exclusive of content costs or license fees. The considerable decrease of the service fees is caused by reorganizing the operations within Mediakabel and with the (temporary) cancellation of the interactive and pay-per-view services within the digital offer.
The Company has started to build its own digital headend and will transmit the digital streams and conditional access from Alkmaar in the course of 2005. During 2005 Mediakabel will remain operational to the Company as a back-up for the new digital headend systems.
The Company uses services of BFE Nachrichtentechnik GmbH for installation, repair and maintenance of cable networks, which is indirectly owned by Mr. Wolfgang Preuß. In 2003 and 2004, the Company paid approximately€481,000 and€481,000, respectively, for these services.
Mr. Wolfgang Preuß, who has been a member of our supervisory board from June 8, 2004 until June 30, 2004 and a member of our management board from June 30, 2004, is also a member of the management board of TEKOMAG AG, which provides certain services to the Company pursuant to the resolution of the supervisory board dated July 15, 2004. For the year ended December 31, 2004, the total payments to TEKOMAG AG were approximately€11,300.
Law firm Rechtsanwälte Kleber Eble & Hock, which is owned by, among other, two members of our supervisory board, Mr. Heinz Eble and Mr. Erwin Kleber, provides legal services to the Company. For the years ended December 31, 2004, the total payments to Rechtsanwälte Kleber Eble & Hock were approximately€137,600.
F-16
Mr. Manfred Preuß, a brother of Mr. Wolfgang Preuß, provides certain services to the Company pursuant to a contract dated July 15, 2004. For the year ended December 31, 2004, the total payments to Mr. Manfred Preuß were approximately€286,000.
9. | INCOME TAXES |
For financial reporting purposes, the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries calculate their respective tax liabilities on a separate return basis which are combined in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
The provisions for income tax benefit (expense) consisted of the following:
Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||
(€ in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Current | 35,561 | (7,637 | ) | (7,251 | ) | |||||||
Deferred | (46,541 | ) | (16,654 | ) | (1,780 | ) | ||||||
Total income tax | (10,980 | ) | (24,291 | ) | (9,031 | ) | ||||||
The components of loss before income taxes by jurisdiction are as follows:
Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||
(€ in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Germany | (69,744 | ) | (51,862 | ) | (59,842 | ) | ||||||
The Netherlands | (44,565 | ) | (41,947 | ) | (44,657 | ) | ||||||
(114,309 | ) | (93,809 | ) | (104,499 | ) | |||||||
The effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 was 9.6%, 26.9% and 6.0%, respectively. The following table reconciles the expected income taxes computed by applying Company’s combined German corporate tax rate of 39.9% (2003: 40.9%; 2002: 39.7%) to the actual income tax expense. The Company’s 2004 combined German corporate tax rate includes a corporate income tax rate after the benefit of deductible trade tax of 20.6% (2003: 21.7%; 2002: 20.6%) plus a solidarity surcharge thereon of 1.1% (2003: 1.2%; 2002: 1.1%) and trade taxes of 18.0% (2003: 18.0%; 2002: 18.0%).
Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||
(€ in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Computed income tax benefit at statutory rates | 45,381 | 38,368 | 41,770 | |||||||||
Foreign tax rate differential | (2,540 | ) | (2,894 | ) | (2,443 | ) | ||||||
Non-deductible interest expense on trade taxes | (7,674 | ) | (11,978 | ) | (13,865 | ) | ||||||
Benefit on intercompany transactions | — | — | 7,059 | |||||||||
Change in valuation allowance | (60,382 | ) | (53,728 | ) | (39,384 | ) | ||||||
Optimization of tax returns | 15,907 | 1,847 | 1,736 | |||||||||
Other | (1,672 | ) | 4,094 | (3,904 | ) | |||||||
Total income tax (expense) benefit | (10,980 | ) | (24,291 | ) | (9,031 | ) | ||||||
In 2002, the Company finalized and amended corporate and trade tax returns for certain of its subsidiaries. As a result, the Company recorded a deferred tax benefit of€15,907,000 due to the increase in the cumulative tax loss carry forwards and recorded a corresponding valuation allowance.
F-17
In 2002, related to the finalization of the accounting for the acquisition of its Multikabel subsidiary, the Company recorded additional deferred tax liabilities and goodwill of approximately€39,000,000.
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 are presented below:
December 31, | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||
(€ in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Deferred tax assets: | ||||||||||||
Net operating loss carryforwards | 149,272 | 186,581 | 218,725 | |||||||||
Property and equipment | 55,344 | 49,588 | 45,395 | |||||||||
Intangibles | — | 423 | 409 | |||||||||
Financial instruments | 1,821 | 424 | — | |||||||||
Other | 1,000 | 804 | — | |||||||||
207,437 | 237,820 | 264,529 | ||||||||||
Less — valuation allowance | (113,722 | ) | (167,450 | ) | (206,834 | ) | ||||||
93,715 | 70,370 | 57,695 | ||||||||||
Deferred tax liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Property and equipment | (49,382 | ) | (47,085 | ) | (40,370 | ) | ||||||
Intangibles | (14,614 | ) | (12,410 | ) | (10,986 | ) | ||||||
Financing fees | (14,834 | ) | (12,543 | ) | (10,494 | ) | ||||||
Other | (3,714 | ) | (3,815 | ) | (3,108 | ) | ||||||
(82,544 | ) | (75,853 | ) | (64,958 | ) | |||||||
Net deferred tax asset/(liability). | 11,171 | (5,483 | ) | (7,263 | ) | |||||||
As of December 31, 2004, the Company had available in Germany a total of tax loss carryforwards for corporate income tax of approximately€460,692,000 and for trade tax of approximately€261,943,000. In addition, the Company had in the Netherlands cumulative tax loss carryforwards of approximately€160,119,000. Under current German and Netherlands tax laws, these loss carryforwards have an indefinite life and may be used to offset future taxable income. In 2002, 2003 and 2004, no cash was paid for income taxes.
10. | COMMITMENTS |
The Company obtains certain programming directly from other net-level 3 provider through various signal delivery contracts. The signal delivery contracts with Kabel Deutschland are generally for a fixed period of time and are subject to negotiated renewal. Under these contracts the Company typically pays to the vendors either a flat fee or a fee per customer that is determined by reference to a published fee schedule. As of December 31, 2004, the Company had a total commitment of approximately€87,279,000 through 2010, the date upon which the last agreement expires. For the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 total Kabel Deutschland fees expensed amounted to approximately€20,857,000,€22,697,000 and€23,741,000, respectively, and are included in operations expense.
The Company entered into certain agreements with film providers to purchase film rights through 2005. License expense relating to these film right agreements was approximately€1,190,000,€955,000 and€1,274,000 in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
The Company leases other providers’ networks, certain office equipment and vehicles. Lease terms generally range from three to five years with the option to renew at varying terms. Rental expense was€3,135,000,€2,901,000 and€2,363,000 in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
Future minimum payments under Kabel Deutschland commitments, film commitments and non-cancelable operating leases with initial or remaining terms in excess of one year consisted of the following at December 31, 2004:
F-18
Signal-delivery | Films | Operating Leases | Total | |||||||||||||
(T€) | (T€) | (T€) | (T€) | |||||||||||||
2005 | 25,088 | 550 | 5,794 | 31,432 | ||||||||||||
2006 | 16,589 | 400 | 3,637 | 20,626 | ||||||||||||
2007 | 13,489 | 400 | 3,386 | 17,275 | ||||||||||||
2008 | 13,478 | — | 3,264 | 16,742 | ||||||||||||
2009 | 13,478 | — | 1,626 | 15,104 | ||||||||||||
Thereafter | 5,157 | — | 2,157 | 7,314 | ||||||||||||
Total | 87,279 | 1,350 | 19,864 | 108,493 | ||||||||||||
11. | STOCK OPTION PLANS |
On February 22, 1999, the Company adopted a stock option plan for the benefit of all its employees and the employees of its subsidiaries (the “1999 Universal Stock Option Plan”) and a stock option plan for its executive officers and the executive officers of the subsidiaries (the “1999 Executive Stock Option Plan”). The two stock option plans provide for the issuance of stock options allowing eligible employees and executive officers to acquire shares. The Company has been authorized to issue a total of 1,000,000 shares including 300,000 shares under the 1999 Universal Stock Option Plan and 700,000 shares under the 1999 Executive Stock Option Plan.
The options granted in 1999 and 2000 under both the 1999 Universal Stock Option Plan and the 1999 Executive Stock Option Plan vest over a three-year period. One third of the options vest on the first anniversary of the grant and the remaining options vest in equal monthly amounts over the next two years. The vested options are exercisable after the second anniversary of the grant and expire on the fifth anniversary of the grant. If the participant’s employment agreement terminates before the options vest in full, the participant’s options will be vested only in the portions of options computed by multiplying 1/36 times the number of full months of employment between the date of the option grant and the date of termination. Each option is exercisable only if the average daily closing price of the shares, calculated as the average over the five consecutive trading days on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange immediately prior to the first option exercise, equals at least 120% of the respective exercise price of the option.
In July 2000, the Company created two new stock option plans, the 2000 Universal Stock Option Plan with 150,000 options and the 2000 Executive Stock Option Plan with 350,000 options. The Company may not grant options under the 2000 plans until all the options under the 1999 plans have been granted.
F-19
Stock option activity as of December 31, 2004 is as follows:
Weighted average | ||||||||||||
fair value of | ||||||||||||
Number of | Weighted average | options granted | ||||||||||
Shares | exercise price | during the year | ||||||||||
(in€) | (in€) | |||||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2001 | 842,354 | 33.90 | ||||||||||
Granted | 200,000 | 2.19 | 0.48 | |||||||||
Exercised | — | |||||||||||
Expired | — | |||||||||||
Forfeited | 26,684 | 23.34 | ||||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2002 | 1,015,670 | 27.71 | ||||||||||
Exercised | — | |||||||||||
Expired | — | |||||||||||
Forfeited | 13,045 | 43.38 | ||||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2003 | 1,002,625 | 27.52 | ||||||||||
Granted | 200,000 | 0.56 | 0.88 | |||||||||
Exercised | — | |||||||||||
Expired | (691,785 | ) | 31.36 | |||||||||
Forfeited | (50,766 | ) | 8.07 | |||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2004 | 460,074 | 12.16 | ||||||||||
Options exercisable at December 31, 2004 | 96,185 | 52.54 |
The options outstanding by range of exercise price at December 31, 2004 are as follows:
Outstanding | Exercisable | |||||||||||||||||||
Weighted-Average | ||||||||||||||||||||
Remaining | ||||||||||||||||||||
Range of Exercise Prices | Number | Contractual Life | Weighted-Average | Number | Weighted-Average | |||||||||||||||
(€) | Outstanding | in years | Exercise Price | Outstanding | Exercise Price | |||||||||||||||
(€) | (€) | |||||||||||||||||||
0.42 | 63,889 | 2.75 | 0.42 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
0.55 – 0.56 | 200,000 | 4.47 | 0.56 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
4.04 | 100,000 | 2.16 | 4.04 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
49.19 | 80,084 | 0.02 | 49.19 | 80,084 | 49.19 | |||||||||||||||
62.31 | 10,420 | 0.65 | 62.31 | 10.420 | 62.31 | |||||||||||||||
81.87 | 5,681 | 0.31 | 81.87 | 5,681 | 81.87 | |||||||||||||||
460,074 | 96,185 | 52.54 | ||||||||||||||||||
Compensation expense totaled€1,377,000,€123,000 and€36,000 in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used:
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||
Risk free rate of interest | 3.4%-5.1 | % | — | 5.5 | % | |||||||
Expected dividend yield | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | |||||||
Expected life | 3.0 years | — | 3.0 years | |||||||||
Expected volatility | 81 | % | — | 134.4 | % |
F-20
12. | CONTINGENCIES |
The Company is currently in negotiations with third parties for the payment of current and past royalty fees. No formal settlement agreement has been reached as to final payment. However, because the expected future payment is probable and can be reasonably estimated, the Company has accrued approximately€4,189,000,€6,051,000 and€6,218,000 as of December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
In December 2004, the Company filed a law suit at the District court of Mainz against the holders of the Second Secured Loan. The law suit should determine whether the Company and its subsidiary, PrimaCom Management GmbH, is obligated to pay the interest of the second secured loan. This implies that no interest would have to be paid over the entire term and that interest already paid should be refunded to the Company. Furthermore due to the conversion feature and therefore, the equity character of the Second Secured Loan, as furnished by an expert opinion, it is not possible under German law to continue to make interest payments as long as and until a solution to the financial crisis is found.
In December 2004, the Company filed an affirmative action claim against the Second Secured Lenders at the District Court of Frankfurt am Main. The court has been asked to declare on whether the pledges of shares of the subsidiaries of the Company, as collateral for the Second Secured Loan, are invalid, as at that time the requirements of the German Civil Code have not been met and therefore the security pledges of GmbH shares are, currently, not enforceable.
In February 2001,Eisenhüttenstädter Wohnungsbaugenossenschaft e. G.sought confirmation at the regional court (Landgericht) in Frankfurt (Oder) that its concession agreement with a term of 25 years could be terminated earlier because the agreement contains an invalid standard non-negotiated term regarding the duration of the contract. The court has held that the concession agreement is terminable after 12 years on July 30, 2003. The Company is party to the proceedings has appealed this decision to the superior court (Oberlandesgericht) in Brandenburg. The appeal was dismissed on April 16, 2002. The pertinent Group Company has appealed the judgement of the superior court to the federal court of justice (Bundesgerichtshof— BGH). On December 6, 2002 the BGH reversed the judgment of the superior court and removed the action for a new hearing and decision since the superior court has not sufficiently analyzed the concession agreement and an overall consideration of services, rights and duties is missing. The last hearing at the superior court in Brandenburg was on December 18, 2003. An order to take evidence has been pronounced on January 20, 2004. The next hearing at the superior court in Brandenburg will be on August 16, 2005.
In January 2002,Vereinigte Wohnungsgenossenschaft Arnstadt von 1954 e.G.through which the pertinent Group Company serves 3,018 subscribers sought judicial confirmation that its concession agreement with a term of 25 years could be terminated earlier. The last hearing at the chamber of commerce (Kammer für Handelssachen)in Erfurt was on June 26, 2003. Our intention to reach a settlement failed. On September 4, 2003 the court ordered that the parties have to answer certain questions raised by the court. The Company complied with the order. A new hearing has been scheduled for June 3, 2005.
In December 2002, the Company sought judicial confirmation that the 25-year-term concession agreement withWohnungsbaugenossenschaft “Hellersdorfer Kiez” eGthrough which the Company has served 2,058 subscribers could not be terminated earlier. The last hearing at the chamber of commerce (Kammer für Handelssachen) in Berlin was on September 3, 2003. The court pronounced a hearing of evidence and the appointment of an expert on November 12, 2003. The appointed expert was given instructions at a hearing which took place on January 18, 2005. The report of the expert has not yet been received.
In December 2003 the Company bought the cable assets fromSchellhammer GmbHin Singen. A contractual withdrawal had been carried on by the pertinent Group Company. Schellhammer filed an action against the Company in November 2004. A first hearing took place on February 2, 2005. A judgement should be pronounced on May 3, 2005.
The Company bought shares ofTKG Eisenhüttenstadt.The European Commission claims an incorrect bid. This could cause an action before the European Court of Justice.
F-21
In the Netherlands, Multikabel and Canal+ have waived all their arbitrary and regulatory proceedings about the carriage or “access” fees, following the signing of new distribution agreements. In the spring of 2005 Multikabel will start to carry Canal+ on its own digital platform.
GKNH, one of the former shareholders of the Company, started an arbitration procedure against the Company about the costs involved with the acquisition of Multikabel by PrimaCom. These costs were for the account of the former shareholders, but were invoiced to GKNH by the Company. Multikabel recharged these costs to GKNH including VAT. Due to the fact that this former shareholder can not deduct VAT, they dispute the invoice and claim compensation (€483,185.62). The Arbitrary court, after having referred both parties unsuccessfully to the tax authorities for settlement, decided in favor of GKNH in October 2004 and the compensation was paid.
GKNH and 42 other former shareholders of Multikabel have also initiated arbitration against PrimaCom Netherlands Holding BV and PrimaCom AG. This regards a dispute related to the penalties that the Company should pay because of early repayment of certain Facility Agreements of the Company, as a result of the acquisition of Multikabel by PrimaCom Netherlands Holding. GKNH claims payment of NLG 1,543,881.58 (€700,582.92) from the Company. In turn, the Company counterclaims compensation of the total amount of penalties (€1,025,855) or, alternatively, a part of the penalties (€695,488.06) from GKNH. The first arbitrary hearing was in March 2003; a second one was in June 2004. Arbitrators finally gave their verdict in March 2005 and decided fully in favor of PrimaCom.
A former Multikabel management board member has again summoned the Company for the civil court for severance payments equal to five years of salaries. In the previous court case the claimer was awarded approximately 25% of the requested payments, but based on a recent Dutch Supreme Court jurisdiction the plaintiff sees reasons for a new case. A decision is expected in the course of 2005.
The Company is part to routine litigation incidental to the normal conduct of business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of and liabilities in excess of what has been provided for related to these proceedings, in the aggregate, are not likely to be material to the financial condition or results of operations.
13. | SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY/DEFICIT |
The Company is incorporated as an Aktiengesellschaft (hereafter “AG”) under German law. Registered capital of an AG is in the form of shares and represents negotiable securities. The minimum capital requirement for an AG is€50,000. The Company has authorized 31,692,792 shares. The Company has issued 19,798,552 ordinary bearer shares with a pro rata share in the registered capital of€2.56 per share. Each ordinary bearer share is entitled to one vote.
On February 23, 1999, the Company concluded the initial public offering of 3,945,710 of its shares at an offering price of€29.00 per share and $16.27 per American Depositary Share (“ADS”). The Company realized net proceeds of approximately€103,425,000 from the offering. Subsequent to the offering, the Company’s shares commenced trading on the Neuer Markt, a market segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, under the symbol PRC and the Company’s American Depositary Shares (“ADS”), each representing one-half of a share, commenced trading on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol PCAG. The Neuer Markt segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange ceased to operate in 2003. Because the Neuer Markt was a sub-segment of the Geregelter Markt, we continued to be listed in Geregelter Markt. As of June 5, 2003 we were listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. On March 25, 2004 we applied for the shifting from the Prime Standard to the General Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Dividends may only be declared and paid from the accumulated retained earnings (after deduction of certain reserves) shown in the Company’s annual German statutory unconsolidated accounts. Such amounts differ from the total of shareholders’ deficiency as shown in the consolidated financial statements as a result of the adjustments made to present the consolidated financial statements in accordance with US GAAP. As of December 31, 2004, the Company’s German statutory accounts reflect no retained earnings available for distribution.
F-22
In 2003, the Company sold 12,500 treasury shares. As a result, registered capital increased by€32,000 to€50,614,000 and additional paid in capital decreased by€28,000.
14. | LOSS PER SHARE |
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted loss per share:
Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | ||||||||||
Numerator: | ||||||||||||
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share — loss from operations (€ in thousands) | (138,327 | ) | (118,099 | ) | (113,530 | ) | ||||||
Denominator: | ||||||||||||
Denominator for basic and diluted earnings per share — weighted average shares | 19,786,052 | 19,794,271 | 19,798,552 | |||||||||
Basic and diluted loss from operations per share (€) | (6,99 | ) | (5,97 | ) | (5,73 | ) | ||||||
Outstanding stock options and contingent value rights are excluded from the loss per share calculation because the effect would be antidilutive.
15. | SEGMENT DISCLOSURE |
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating 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 has two reportable segments based on geographic location: Germany and the Netherlands. Both segments provide analog and digital cable programming, high-speed Internet access and other network services.
Revenues from these four product categories are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or decision making group. However, for internal reporting purposes, the Company does not allocate operating costs and expenses to these product categories to evaluate their performance.
The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on profit or loss from operations before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. All elimination amounts in the segments relate primarily to intercompany transactions. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.
F-23
(in€ 000) | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | |||||||||
Germany | ||||||||||||
Analog cable | 115,226 | 114,990 | 112,833 | |||||||||
Digital cable | 713 | 730 | 665 | |||||||||
High-speed Internet | 1,417 | 1,816 | 2,340 | |||||||||
Other revenue | 4,235 | 4,769 | 6,142 | |||||||||
121,591 | 122,305 | 121,980 | ||||||||||
The Netherlands | ||||||||||||
Analog cable | 33,510 | 37,616 | 42,411 | |||||||||
Digital cable | 557 | 705 | 931 | |||||||||
High-speed Internet | 17,711 | 26,140 | 32,522 | |||||||||
Other revenue | 8,673 | 11,182 | 12,869 | |||||||||
60,451 | 75,643 | 88,733 | ||||||||||
Total revenues | 182,042 | 197,948 | 210,713 | |||||||||
Germany | (17,871 | ) | 7,017 | 3,487 | ||||||||
The Netherlands | 1,001 | 12,377 | 17,737 | |||||||||
Total operating profit (loss) | (16,870 | ) | 19,394 | 21,224 | ||||||||
Germany | 63,855 | 58,777 | 62,432 | |||||||||
The Netherlands | 45,566 | 54,322 | 60,357 | |||||||||
Total interest expense | 109,421 | 113,099 | 122,789 | |||||||||
Germany | 67,157 | 55,658 | 49,177 | |||||||||
The Netherlands | 28,786 | 31,929 | 33,344 | |||||||||
Total depreciation and amortization | 95,943 | 87,587 | 82,521 | |||||||||
Germany | 204,409 | 206,411 | 206,270 | |||||||||
The Netherlands | 203,167 | 198,002 | 192,837 | |||||||||
Total goodwill and customer lists | 407,576 | 404,413 | 399,107 | |||||||||
Germany | 584,032 | 538,454 | 496,379 | |||||||||
The Netherlands | 352,270 | 376,302 | 361,269 | |||||||||
Total long-lived assets | 936,302 | 914,756 | 857,648 | |||||||||
Germany | 623,063 | 587,329 | 530,427 | |||||||||
The Netherlands | 462,655 | 418,433 | 396,511 | |||||||||
Total assets | 1,085,718 | 1,005,762 | 926,938 | |||||||||
Germany | 20,032 | 15,398 | 13,558 | |||||||||
The Netherlands | 17,204 | 17,303 | 20,187 | |||||||||
Total capital expenditures | 37,236 | 32,701 | 33,745 | |||||||||
F-24
EXHIBITS
INDEX
Exhibit | ||||
Number | Description of Exhibit | |||
3.1* | English translation of the Articles of Association | |||
3.2* | Standing Orders for the management board | |||
3.3* | Rules for Procedure of the supervisory board | |||
8.1** | List of subsidiaries | |||
12.1 | Certification of Hans-Werner Klose pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |||
12.2 | Certification of Wolfgang Preuß pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |||
13.1 | Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
* | Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 filed on April 2, 2003 | |
** | Incorporated by reference to Item 4.C. |