Charter Communications, Inc.
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q is for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010. The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") allows us to "incorporate by reference" information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you directly to those documents. In this quarterly report, "we," "us" and "our" refer to Charter Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
The Company expects amortization expense on its finite-lived intangible assets will be as follows.
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
Long-term debt consists of the following as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
Reorganization items, net consisted of the following items for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.
Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. |
General
Charter Communications, Inc. (“Charter”) is a holding company whose principal asset at September 30, 2010 is a 100% common equity interest in Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (“Charter Holdco”). Charter Holdco is the sole owner of Charter’s subsidiaries where the underlying operations reside.
We are a broadband communications company operating in the United States with approximately 5.2 million customers at September 30, 2010. We offer our customers traditional cable video programming (basic and digital, which we refer to as "video" service), high-speed Internet access, and telephone services, as well as advanced broadband services (such as OnDemand, high definition television service and DVR).
Overview
For the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, adjusted earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) was $632 million and $606 million, respectively, and for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, Adjusted EBITDA was $1.9 billion. See “—Use of Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow” for further information on Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow. Adjusted EBITDA increased as a result of continued growth in high-speed Internet and telephone customers combined with growth in our commercial services and advertising sales businesses. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, our income from operations was $240 million and $745 million, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, our loss from operations was $2.6 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively. The loss from operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the income from operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 is primarily due to impairment of franchises incurred during the third quarter of 2009 that did not recur in 2010.
We believe that continued competition and the weakened economic conditions in the United States, including a continued downturn in the housing market over the past year and high unemployment levels, have adversely affected consumer demand for our services. In addition, we believe these factors have contributed to an increase in the number of homes that replace their traditional telephone service with wireless service thereby impacting the growth of our telephone business. These conditions have affected our net customer additions and revenue growth during 2010. If these conditions do not improve, we believe the growth of our business and results of operations will be further adversely affected which may contribute to future impairments of our franchises and goodwill.
The following table summarizes our customer statistics for basic video, digital video, residential high-speed Internet, and residential telephone as of September 30, 2010 and 2009:
| | Approximate as of | |
| | September 30, | | | September 30, | |
| | 2010 (a) | | | 2009 (a) | |
| | | | | | |
Residential (non-bulk) basic video customers (b) | | | 4,399,900 | | | | 4,616,100 | |
Multi-dwelling (bulk) and commercial unit customers (c) | | | 252,800 | | | | 263,000 | |
Total basic video customers (b)(c) | | | 4,652,700 | | | | 4,879,100 | |
Digital video customers (d) | | | 3,379,300 | | | | 3,174,800 | |
Residential high-speed Internet customers (e) | | | 3,238,700 | | | | 3,010,100 | |
Residential telephone customers (f) | | | 1,688,000 | | | | 1,499,800 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Revenue Generating Units (g) | | | 12,958,700 | | | | 12,563,800 | |
After giving effect to sales of cable systems in 2009 and 2010, basic video customers, digital video customers, high-speed Internet customers and telephone customers would have been approximately 4,873,100, 3,172,900, 3,010,500, and 1,499,800, respectively, as of September 30, 2009.
| (a) | We calculate the aging of customer accounts based on the monthly billing cycle for each account. On that basis, at September 30, 2010 and 2009, customers include approximately 14,400 and 33,300 persons, respectively, whose accounts were over 60 days past due in payment, approximately 1,900 and 5,700 |
| | persons, respectively, whose accounts were over 90 days past due in payment, and approximately 1,100 and 2,500 persons, respectively, of which were over 120 days past due in payment. |
| (b) | "Basic video customers" include all residential customers who receive video cable services. |
| (c) | Included within "basic video customers" are those in commercial and multi-dwelling structures, which are calculated on an equivalent bulk unit ("EBU") basis. We calculate EBUs by dividing the bulk price charged to accounts in an area by the published rate charged to non-bulk residential customers in that market for the comparable tier of service rather than the most prevalent price charged. This EBU method of estimating basic video customers is consistent with the methodology used in determining costs paid to programmers and is consistent with the methodology used by other multiple system operators (“MSOs”). As we increase our published video rates to residential customers without a corresponding increase in the prices charged to commercial service or multi-dwelling customers, our EBU count will decline even if there is no real loss in commercial service or multi-dwel ling customers. |
| (d) | "Digital video customers" include all basic video customers that have one or more digital set-top boxes or cable cards deployed. |
| (e) | "Residential high-speed Internet customers" represent those residential customers who subscribe to our high-speed Internet service. |
| (f) | “Residential telephone customers" represent those residential customers who subscribe to our telephone service. |
| (g) | "Revenue generating units" represent the sum total of all basic video, digital video, high-speed Internet and telephone customers, not counting additional outlets within one household. For example, a customer who receives two types of service (such as basic video and digital video) would be treated as two revenue generating units and, if that customer added on high-speed Internet service, the customer would be treated as three revenue generating units. This statistic is computed in accordance with the guidelines of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (“NCTA”). |
We have a history of net losses. For the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, our consolidated net losses were $95 million and $2.4 billion, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, our consolidated net losses were $152 million and $2.9 billion, respectively. Our net losses are principally attributable to insufficient revenue to cover the combination of operating expenses, interest expenses that we incur because of our debt, depreciation expenses resulting from the capital investments we have made and continue to make in our cable properties, and in 2010, amortization expenses resulting from the application of fresh start accounting and in 2009, impairment of franchises. The Plan resulted in the reduction of the principal amount of our debt by approximately $8 billion, reducing our interest expense by approximately $830 million annually.
Emergence from Reorganization Proceedings
On March 27, 2009, we and certain affiliates filed voluntary petitions in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Bankruptcy Court”) to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”). The Chapter 11 cases were jointly administered under the caption In re Charter Communications, Inc., et al., Case No. 09-11435. On May 7, 2009, we filed a Joint Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan") and a related disclosure statement with the Bankruptcy Court. The Plan was confirmed by order of the Bankruptcy Court on November 17, 2009 (“Confirmation Order”), and became effective on November 30, 2009 (the “Effective Date”), the date on which we emerged from protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.
Upon our emergence from bankruptcy, we adopted fresh start accounting. This resulted in us becoming a new entity on December 1, 2009, with a new capital structure, a new accounting basis in the identifiable assets and liabilities assumed and no retained earnings or accumulated losses. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements on or after December 1, 2009 are not comparable to the consolidated financial statements prior to that date. The financial statements for the periods prior to November 30, 2009 do not include the effect of any changes in our capital structure or changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities as a result of fresh start accounting.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
For a discussion of our critical accounting policies and the means by which we develop estimates therefore, see "Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth the percentages of revenues that items in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations constituted for the periods presented (dollars in millions, except per share data):
| | Three Months Ended | | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | Successor | | | | Predecessor | | | Successor | | | | Predecessor | |
| | September 30, 2010 | | | | September 30, 2009 | | | September 30, 2010 | | | | September 30, 2009 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
REVENUES | | $ | 1,769 | | | 100 | % | | | $ | 1,693 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 5,275 | | | 100 | % | | | $ | 5,045 | | | 100 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
COSTS AND EXPENSES: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) | | | 788 | | | 44 | % | | | | 739 | | | 43 | % | | | 2,317 | | | 44 | % | | | | 2,174 | | | 43 | % |
Selling, general and administrative | | | 356 | | | 20 | % | | | | 354 | | | 21 | % | | | 1,060 | | | 20 | % | | | | 1,034 | | | 21 | % |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 385 | | | 22 | % | | | | 327 | | | 19 | % | | | 1,134 | | | 22 | % | | | | 977 | | | 19 | % |
Impairment of franchises | | | -- | | | -- | | | | | 2,854 | | | 169 | % | | | -- | | | -- | | | | | 2,854 | | | 57 | % |
Other operating (income) expenses, net | | | -- | | | -- | | | | | 10 | | | 1 | % | | | 19 | | | -- | | | | | (38 | ) | | (1 | %) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 1,529 | | | 86 | % | | | | 4,284 | | | 253 | % | | | 4,530 | | | 86 | % | | | | 7,001 | | | 139 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from operations | | | 240 | | | 14 | % | | | | (2,591 | ) | | (153 | %) | | | 745 | | | 14 | % | | | | (1,956 | ) | | (39 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense, net (excluding unrecorded contractual interest expense of $206 and $421 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009) | | | (222 | ) | | | | | | | (206 | ) | | | | | | (645 | ) | | | | | | | (885 | ) | | | |
Reorganization items, net | | | (1 | ) | | | | | | | (198 | ) | | | | | | (6 | ) | | | | | | | (523 | ) | | | |
Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | (3 | ) | | | | | | | -- | | | | | | | (38 | ) | | | | | | | -- | | | | |
Other income (expenses), net | | | -- | | | | | | | | -- | | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | | | (3 | ) | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | (226 | ) | | | | | | | (404 | ) | | | | | | (686 | ) | | | | | | | (1,411 | ) | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) before income taxes | | | 14 | | | | | | | | (2,995 | ) | | | | | | 59 | | | | | | | | (3,367 | ) | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE) | | | (109 | ) | | | | | | | 565 | | | | | | | (211 | ) | | | | | | | 444 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated net loss | | | (95 | ) | | | | | | | (2,430 | ) | | | | | | (152 | ) | | | | | | | (2,923 | ) | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Net loss – noncontrolling interest | | | -- | | | | | | | | 1,395 | | | | | | | -- | | | | | | | | 1,571 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss – Charter shareholders | | $ | (95 | ) | | | | | | $ | (1,035 | ) | | | | | $ | (152 | ) | | | | | | $ | (1,352 | ) | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE, BASIC AND DILUTED: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss – Charter shareholders | | $ | (0.84 | ) | | | | | | $ | (2.73 | ) | | | | | $ | (1.34 | ) | | | | | | $ | (3.57 | ) | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted | | | 113,110,889 | | | | | | | | 379,066,320 | | | | | | | 113,081,242 | | | | | | | | 378,718,134 | | | | |
Revenues. Average monthly revenue per basic video customer increased to $126 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $115 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and increased to $124 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $113 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Average monthly revenue per basic video customer represents total revenue, divided by the number of respective months, divided by the average number of basic video customers during the respective period. Revenue growth primarily reflects increases in the number of high-speed Internet, telephone, and digital video customers, price increases, and incremental video revenues from premium, DVR, and high-definition television services, of fset by a decrease in basic video customers. Asset sales, net of acquisitions in 2009 and 2010, reduced the increase in revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 by approximately $2 million and $5 million, respectively.
Revenues by service offering were as follows (dollars in millions):
| | Successor | | | | Predecessor | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | | | Three Months Ended | | | | |
| | September 30, 2010 | | | | September 30, 2009 | | | 2010 over 2009 | |
| | Revenues | | % of Revenues | | | | Revenues | | | % of Revenues | | | Change | | | % Change | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Video | | $ | 918 | | | 52 | % | | | $ | 916 | | | | 54 | % | | $ | 2 | | | | -- | |
High-speed Internet | | | 404 | | | 23 | % | | | | 371 | | | | 22 | % | | | 33 | | | | 9 | % |
Telephone | | | 208 | | | 12 | % | | | | 192 | | | | 11 | % | | | 16 | | | | 8 | % |
Commercial | | | 126 | | | 7 | % | | | | 113 | | | | 7 | % | | | 13 | | | | 12 | % |
Advertising sales | | | 75 | | | 4 | % | | | | 64 | | | | 4 | % | | | 11 | | | | 17 | % |
Other | | | 38 | | | 2 | % | | | | 37 | | | | 2 | % | | | 1 | | | | 3 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 1,769 | | | 100 | % | | | $ | 1,693 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 76 | | | | 4 | % |
| | Successor | | | | Predecessor | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended | | | | Nine Months Ended | | | | |
| | September 30, 2010 | | | | September 30, 2009 | | | 2010 over 2009 | |
| | Revenues | | % of Revenues | | | | Revenues | | | % of Revenues | | | Change | | | % Change | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Video | | $ | 2,776 | | | 53 | % | | | $ | 2,772 | | | | 55 | % | | $ | 4 | | | | -- | |
High-speed Internet | | | 1,201 | | | 23 | % | | | | 1,098 | | | | 22 | % | | | 103 | | | | 9 | % |
Telephone | | | 612 | | | 11 | % | | | | 555 | | | | 11 | % | | | 57 | | | | 10 | % |
Commercial | | | 365 | | | 7 | % | | | | 330 | | | | 6 | % | | | 35 | | | | 11 | % |
Advertising sales | | | 206 | | | 4 | % | | | | 180 | | | | 4 | % | | | 26 | | | | 14 | % |
Other | | | 115 | | | 2 | % | | | | 110 | | | | 2 | % | | | 5 | | | | 5 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 5,275 | | | 100 | % | | | $ | 5,045 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 230 | | | | 5 | % |
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2010 presentation, including the reflection of franchise fees, equipment rental and video customer installation revenue as video revenue, and telephone regulatory fees as telephone revenue, rather than other revenue.
Video revenues consist primarily of revenues from basic and digital video services provided to our non-commercial customers, as well as franchise fees, equipment rental and video installation revenue. Basic video customers decreased by 226,400 customers from September 30, 2009 compared to September 30, 2010, 6,000 of which were related to asset sales. Digital video customers increased by 204,500 during the same period, offset by asset sales of 1,900 customers. The increase in video revenues is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):
| | Three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to three months ended September 30, 2009 Increase / (Decrease) | | | Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2009 Increase / (Decrease) | |
| | | | | | |
Incremental video services and rate adjustments | | $ | 11 | | | $ | 41 | |
Increase in digital video customers | | | 18 | | | | 44 | |
Decrease in basic video customers | | | (26 | ) | | | (77 | ) |
Asset sales, net of acquisitions | | | (1 | ) | | | (4 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 2 | | | $ | 4 | |
Residential high-speed Internet customers grew by 228,600 customers from September 30 2009 to September 30, 2010. The increase in high-speed Internet revenues from our residential customers is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):
| | Three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to three months ended September 30, 2009 Increase / (Decrease) | | | Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2009 Increase / (Decrease) | |
| | | | | | |
Increase in residential high-speed Internet customers | | $ | 29 | | | $ | 83 | |
Rate adjustments and service upgrades | | | 4 | | | | 20 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 33 | | | $ | 103 | |
Residential telephone customers grew by 188,200 customers from September 30 2009 to September 30, 2010. The increase in telephone revenues from our residential customers is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):
| | Three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to three months ended September 30, 2009 Increase / (Decrease) | | | Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2009 Increase / (Decrease) | |
| | | | | | |
Increase in residential telephone customers | | $ | 25 | | | $ | 80 | |
Rate adjustments and service upgrades | | | (9 | ) | | | (23 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 16 | | | $ | 57 | |
Average monthly revenue per telephone customer decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the corresponding period in 2009 due to promotional activity to increase sales of The Charter Bundle®.
Commercial revenues consist primarily of revenues from services provided to our commercial customers. Commercial revenues increased primarily as a result of increased sales of the Charter Business Bundle® and customer relationship growth.
Advertising sales revenues consist primarily of revenues from commercial advertising customers, programmers, and other vendors. Advertising sales revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased as a result of increases in revenues from all sectors, especially the political and automotive sectors. For each of the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, we received $12 million, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, we received $33 million and $30 million, respectively, in advertising sales revenues from vendors.
Other revenues consist of home shopping, late payment fees, wire maintenance fees and other miscellaneous revenues. The increase in other revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily the result of increases in home shopping, wire maintenance fees and late payment fees.
Operating expenses. The increase in operating expenses is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):
| | Three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to three months ended September 30, 2009 Increase / (Decrease) | | | Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2009 Increase / (Decrease) | |
| | | | | | |
Programming costs | | $ | 25 | | | $ | 77 | |
Labor costs | | | 11 | | | | 33 | |
Franchise and regulatory fees | | | 2 | | | | 12 | |
Commercial services | | | 3 | | | | 8 | |
Maintenance costs | | | 3 | | | | 5 | |
Other, net | | | 5 | | | | 10 | |
Asset sales, net of acquisitions | | | -- | | | | (2 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 49 | | | $ | 143 | |
Programming costs were approximately $462 million and $437 million, representing 59% of total operating expenses, for each of the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and were approximately $1.4 billion and $1.3 billion, representing 59% and 60% of total operating expenses, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Programming costs consist primarily of costs paid to programmers for basic, premium, digital, OnDemand, and pay-per-view programming. The increase in programming costs is primarily a result of annual contractual rate adjustments, offset in part by customer losses. Programming costs were also offset by the amortization of payments received from programmers of $4 million and $6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $12 million and $20 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. We expect programming expenses to continue to increase due to a variety of factors, including amounts paid for retransmission consent, annual increases imposed by programmers, and additional programming, including high-definition, OnDemand, and pay-per-view programming, being provided to our customers.
Service labor and commercial services expenses increased as a result of growth in our commercial business and increases in service calls resulting from strategic bandwidth initiatives.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):
| | Three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to three months ended September 30, 2009 Increase / (Decrease) | | | Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2009 Increase / (Decrease) | |
| | | | | | |
Commercial services | | $ | 6 | | | $ | 19 | |
Bad debt and collection costs | | | (2 | ) | | | 7 | |
Marketing costs | | | (2 | ) | | | 6 | |
Stock compensation | | | 1 | | | | (6 | ) |
Other, net | | | -- | | | | 1 | |
Asset sales, net of acquisitions | | | (1 | ) | | | (1 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 2 | | | $ | 26 | |
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $58 million and $157 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, primarily as a result of increased amortization associated with the increase in customer relationships as a part of applying fresh start accounting.
Impairment of franchises. In the three months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded a preliminary non-cash franchise impairment charge of $2.9 billion which represented our best estimate of the impairment of our franchise assets at that time. The impairment was a result of the continued economic pressure on our customers from the economic downturn along with increased competition and the related impact to our projected future growth rates.
Other operating (income) expenses, net. The change in other operating (income) expense, net is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):
| | Three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to three months ended September 30, 2009 Increase / (Decrease) | | | Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2009 Increase / (Decrease) | |
| | | | | | |
Special charges, net | | $ | (8 | ) | | $ | 59 | |
Loss on sales of assets, net | | | (2 | ) | | | (2 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | (10 | ) | | $ | 57 | |
The change in special charges in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the prior period is the result of amounts paid or net amounts received in litigation settlements. For more information, see Note 11 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”
Interest expense, net. For the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to September 30, 2009, net interest expense increased by $16 million, which was primarily a result of the reclassification of realized losses on interest rate swap agreements from accumulated other comprehensive loss into interest expense. The amount of contractual interest expense not recorded on debt subject to compromise as a result of our Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was approximately $206 million and $421 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to September 30, 2009, net interest expense decreased by $240 million, whi ch was primarily a result of a decrease in average debt outstanding as a result of the completion of our reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and the related reduction of $8 billion principal amount of debt.
Reorganizations items, net. Reorganization items, net of $1 million and $198 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $6 million and $523 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, represent items of income, expense, gain or loss that we realized or incurred related to our reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. For more information, see Note 12 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”
Loss on extinguishment of debt. Loss on extinguishment of debt for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 primarily represents the loss recognized on the repurchase of $800 million principal amount of CCO Holdings' 8.75% senior notes due 2013 and $770 million principal amount of Charter Communications Operating, LLC’s (“Charter Operating”) 8.375% senior second lien notes due 2014. Also included in the loss on extinguishment of debt for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 are losses recognized on early repayments of borrowings under portions of the term loans under Charter OperatingR 17;s credit facilities. For more information, see Note 5 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”
Income tax benefit (expense). Income tax expense was recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, through increases in deferred tax liabilities related to our investment in Charter Holdco and certain of our indirect subsidiaries, in addition to current federal and state income tax expense. Income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 included $23 million related primarily to changes in estimates on the 2009 tax provision. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, income tax expense also included a $69 million benefit related to the February 8, 2010 Charter Holdco partn ership interest exchange. Income tax benefit was recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, through decreases in deferred tax liabilities related to our investment in Charter Holdco and certain of our indirect subsidiaries. Income tax benefit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 included $625 million of deferred tax benefit related to the impairment of franchises.
Net loss – noncontrolling interest. Noncontrolling interest for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 represented the allocation of income to Mr. Paul G. Allen’s (“Mr. Allen”) previous 5.6% membership interests in CC VIII, LLC (“CC VIII”) and the allocation of losses to Mr. Allen’s noncontrolling interest in Charter Holdco. Mr. Allen has subsequently transferred his CC VIII interest to Charter on the Effective Date of the Plan. On February 8, 2010, Mr. Allen exercised his remaining right to exchange Charter Holdco units for shares of Charter Class A common stock after which Charter Holdco became 100% owned by Charter. See Notes 2 and 7 to the accompanying condense d consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”
Net loss – Charter shareholders. Net loss – Charter shareholders decreased by $940 million, or 91%, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009, and by $1.2 billion, or 89%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009 primarily a result of the factors described above.
Loss per common share. During the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009, net loss per common share decreased by $1.89, or 69%, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009 net loss per common share decreased by $2.23, or 62%, as a result of the factors described above and a decrease in the number of shares outstanding as a result of our recapitalization upon emergence from Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
Use of Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow
We use certain measures that are not defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) to evaluate various aspects of our business. Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net loss and net cash flows from operating activities reported in accordance with GAAP. These terms, as defined by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are reconciled to consolidated net loss and net cash flows from operating activities, respectively, below.
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as consolidated net loss plus net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment of franchises, reorganization items, stock compensation expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, and other expenses, such as special charges and loss on sale or retirement of assets. As such, it eliminates the significant non-cash depreciation and amortization expense that results from the capital-intensive nature of our
businesses as well as other non-cash or special items, and is unaffected by our capital structure or investment activities. Adjusted EBITDA is used by management and Charter’s board of directors to evaluate the performance of our business. For this reason, it is a significant component of Charter’s annual incentive compensation program. However, this measure is limited in that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues and our cash cost of financing. Management evaluates these costs through other financial measures.
Free cash flow is defined as net cash flows from operating activities, less capital expenditures and changes in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures.
We believe that Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow provide information useful to investors in assessing our performance and our ability to service our debt, fund operations and make additional investments with internally generated funds. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA generally correlates to the leverage ratio calculation under our credit facilities or outstanding notes to determine compliance with the covenants contained in the facilities and notes (all such documents have been previously filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission). Adjusted EBITDA includes management fee expenses in the amount of $34 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and $105 million and $100 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which expense amounts are excluded for the purposes of calculating compliance with leverage covenants.
| | Three Months Ended | | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | Successor | | | Predecessor | | | Successor | | | Predecessor | |
| | September 30, 2010 | | | September 30, 2009 | | | September 30, 2010 | | | September 30, 2009 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated net loss | | $ | (95 | ) | | $ | (2,430 | ) | | $ | (152 | ) | | $ | (2,923 | ) |
Plus: Interest expense, net | | | 222 | | | | 206 | | | | 645 | | | | 885 | |
Income tax (benefit) expense | | | 109 | | | | (565 | ) | | | 211 | | | | (444 | ) |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 385 | | | | 327 | | | | 1,134 | | | | 977 | |
Impairment of franchises | | | -- | | | | 2,854 | | | | -- | | | | 2,854 | |
Stock compensation expense | | | 7 | | | | 6 | | | | 17 | | | | 23 | |
Reorganization items, net | | | 1 | | | | 198 | | | | 6 | | | | 523 | |
Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | 3 | | | | -- | | | | 38 | | | | -- | |
Other, net | | | -- | | | | 10 | | | | 16 | | | | (35 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 632 | | | $ | 606 | | | $ | 1,915 | | | $ | 1,860 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash flows from operating activities | | $ | 441 | | | $ | 383 | | | $ | 1,422 | | | $ | 1,008 | |
Less: Purchases of property, plant and equipment | | | (299 | ) | | | (279 | ) | | | (948 | ) | | | (819 | ) |
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures | | | (7 | ) | | | 1 | | | | (7 | ) | | | (18 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Free cash flow | | $ | 135 | | | $ | 105 | | | $ | 467 | | | $ | 171 | |
Liquidity and Capital ResourcesThis section contains a discussion of our liquidity and capital resources, including a discussion of our cash position, sources and uses of cash, access to credit facilities and other financing sources, historical financing activities, cash needs, capital expenditures and outstanding debt.
Recent Events
On March 31, 2010, Charter Operating and its affiliates closed on a transaction to amend and restate its senior secured credit facilities to, among other things, allow for the creation of a new revolving facility of $1.3 billion, the extension of maturities of a portion of the facilities and the amendment and restatement of certain other terms and conditions. Upon the closing, each of Bank of America, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent and retiring agent, respectively, for itself and on behalf of the lenders under the Charter Operating senior secured credit facilities, agreed to dismiss with prejudice the pending appeal of our Confirmation Order pending before the Bankruptcy Court and to waive any objections to our Confirmation Order issued by the Bankruptcy Court. The dismissal was entered on April 1, 2010.
On April 16, 2010, Charter redeemed all of the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock for a redemption payment of $25.948 per share or a total redemption payment for all shares of approximately $143 million.
On April 28, 2010, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. closed on transactions in which they issued $900 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “2018 Notes”) and $700 million aggregate principal amount of 8.125% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “2020 Notes”). Such notes are guaranteed by Charter. The net proceeds were used to finance the tender offers in which $800 million principal amount of CCO Holdings' outstanding 8.75% Senior Notes due 2013 (the “2013 Notes”) and $770 million principal amount of Charter Operating’s outstanding 8.375% Senior Second Lien Notes due 2014 (the “2014 Notes”) were repurchased.
During the second quarter of 2010, Charter guaranteed the $350 million CCO Holdings credit facility and the $1.8 billion CCH II 13.5% senior notes due 2016.
On September 27, 2010, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. closed on transactions in which they issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “Notes”). Such Notes are guaranteed by Charter. The net proceeds were used to repay borrowings under a portion of the term loans and revolver under Charter Operating’s credit facilities.
Overview of Our Debt and Liquidity
Although we reduced our debt by approximately $8 billion on November 30, 2009 pursuant to the Plan, we continue to have significant amounts of debt. The accreted value of our debt as of September 30, 2010 was $13.2 billion, consisting of $6.8 billion of credit facility debt and $6.4 billion of high-yield notes. Our business requires significant cash to fund principal and interest payments on our debt. For the remainder of 2010, $17 million of our debt matures. As of October 1, 2010, $61 million of our debt matures in 2011, $1.2 billion in 2012, $363 million in 2013, $3.8 billion in 2014, $30 million in 2015, $4.6 billion in 2016 and $2.6 billion thereafter.
As we continue to evaluate potential uses of our anticipated future free cash flow, we will consider all of our options, including reducing leverage and investing in our business growth and other strategic opportunities as well as dividends and stock repurchases. We intend to make all capital allocation decisions in a way that maximizes value for our stockholders.
As of September 30, 2010, the amount available under the revolving credit facility was approximately $1.2 billion. The revolving credit facility matures in March 2015. However, if on December 1, 2013 Charter Operating has scheduled maturities in excess of $1.0 billion between January 1, 2014 and April 30, 2014, the revolving credit facility will mature on December 1, 2013 unless lenders holding more than 50% of the revolving credit facility consent to the maturity being March 2015. As of October 1, 2010, Charter Operating had maturities of $3.0 billion b etween January 1, 2014 and April 30, 2014. We expect to utilize free cash flow and cash on hand as well as future refinancing transactions to further extend or reduce the maturities of our principal obligations. The timing and terms of any refinancing transactions will be subject to market conditions. Additionally, we may, from time to time, depending on market conditions and other factors, use cash on hand and the proceeds from securities offerings or other borrowings, to retire our debt through open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases, tender offers, or redemption provisions.
Our business requires significant cash to fund capital expenditures and ongoing operations. Our projected cash needs and projected sources of liquidity depend upon, among other things, our actual results, and the timing and amount of our expenditures. We believe we have sufficient liquidity from cash on hand, free cash flow and Charter
Operating’s revolving credit facility as well as access to the capital markets to fund our projected operating cash needs.
Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow was $467 million and $171 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in free cash flow is primarily due to decreases in cash paid for interest and reorganization items offset by increases in capital investments to enhance our residential and commercial products and service capabilities.
Limitations on Distributions
Distributions by Charter’s subsidiaries to a parent company for payment of principal on parent company notes are restricted under indentures and credit facilities governing our indebtedness, unless there is no default under the applicable indenture and credit facilities, and unless each applicable subsidiary’s leverage ratio test is met at the time of such distribution. For the quarter ended September 30, 2010, there was no default under any of these indentures or credit facilities and each subsidiary met its applicable leverage ratio tests based on September 30, 2010 financial results. Such distributions would be restricted, however, if any such subsidiary fails to meet these tests at the time of the contemplated distribution. In the past, certain subsidiaries have from time to time failed to meet their leverage ratio test. There can be no assurance that they will satisfy these tests at the time of the contemplated distribution. Distributions by Charter Operating for payment of principal on parent company notes are further restricted by the covenants in its credit facilities.
Distributions by CCO Holdings and Charter Operating to a parent company for payment of parent company interest are permitted if there is no default under the aforementioned indentures and CCO Holdings and Charter Operating credit facilities.
In addition to the limitation on distributions under the various indentures discussed above, distributions by our subsidiaries may be limited by applicable law, including the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, under which our subsidiaries may only make distributions if they have “surplus” as defined in the act.
Historical Operating, Investing and Financing Activities
Cash and Cash Equivalents. We held $682 million in cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, as of September 30, 2010 compared to $754 million as of December 31, 2009. On October 1, 2010, we used the proceeds remaining from the CCO Holdings debt transaction on September 27, 2010 described above to repay $631 million of principal amounts outstanding under the Charter Operating credit facilities.
Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities increased $414 million from $1.0 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to $1.4 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, primarily as a result of a decrease of $124 million in cash paid for interest, $151 million in cash paid for reorganization items other than interest and revenues increasing at a faster rate than cash expenses.
Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $962 million and $841 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase is primarily due to an increase of $129 million in purchases of property, plant, and equipment as a result of capital investments to enhance our residential and commercial products and services capabilities.
Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $532 million and $52 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in cash used during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the corresponding period in 2009, was primarily the result of repayments on the long-term debt and repayment of preferred stock, offset by borrowings of long-term debt.
Capital Expenditures
We have significant ongoing capital expenditure requirements. Capital expenditures were $948 million and $819 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and increased as a result of strategic investments including DOCSIS 3.0, bandwidth reclamation projects such as switched-digital video launches, and investments made to move into new commercial segments. See the table below for more details.
Our capital expenditures are funded primarily from free cash flow and the issuance of debt. In addition, our liabilities related to capital expenditures decreased $7 million and $18 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 compared to year end, respectively.
During 2010, we expect capital expenditures to be approximately $1.2 billion. We expect the nature of these expenditures will continue to be composed primarily of purchases of customer premise equipment related to advanced services, scalable infrastructure, and support capital. The actual amount of our capital expenditures depends in part on the deployment of advanced broadband services and offerings. We may need to increase capital expenditures if there is accelerated growth in high-speed Internet, telephone, commercial business or digital customers or there is an increased need to respond to competitive pressures by expanding the delivery of other advanced services.
We have adopted capital expenditure disclosure guidance, which was developed by the publicly traded cable system operators, including Charter, with the support of the NCTA. The disclosure is intended to provide more consistency in the reporting of capital expenditures among peer companies in the cable industry. These disclosure guidelines are not required disclosures under GAAP, nor do they impact our accounting for capital expenditures under GAAP.
The following table presents our major capital expenditures categories in accordance with NCTA disclosure guidelines for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 (Successor) and 2009 (Predecessor) (dollars in millions):
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Customer premise equipment (a) | | $ | 141 | | | $ | 152 | | | $ | 437 | | | $ | 460 | |
Scalable infrastructure (b) | | | 64 | | | | 46 | | | | 259 | | | | 141 | |
Line extensions (c) | | | 23 | | | | 18 | | | | 61 | | | | 49 | |
Upgrade/Rebuild (d) | | | 4 | | | | 6 | | | | 20 | | | | 20 | |
Support capital (e) | | | 67 | | | | 57 | | | | 171 | | | | 149 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total capital expenditures (f) | | $ | 299 | | | $ | 279 | | | $ | 948 | | | $ | 819 | |
(a) | Customer premise equipment includes costs incurred at the customer residence to secure new customers, revenue units and additional bandwidth revenues. It also includes customer installation costs and customer premise equipment (e.g., set-top boxes and cable modems, etc.). |
(b) | Scalable infrastructure includes costs not related to customer premise equipment or our network, to secure growth of new customers, revenue units, and additional bandwidth revenues, or provide service enhancements (e.g., headend equipment). |
(c) | Line extensions include network costs associated with entering new service areas (e.g., fiber/coaxial cable, amplifiers, electronic equipment, make-ready and design engineering). |
(d) | Upgrade/rebuild includes costs to modify or replace existing fiber/coaxial cable networks, including betterments. |
(e) | Support capital includes costs associated with the replacement or enhancement of non-network assets due to technological and physical obsolescence (e.g., non-network equipment, land, buildings and vehicles). |
(f) | Total capital expenditures includes $34 million and $19 million of capital expenditures related to commercial services for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $86 million and $54 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. |
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are exposed to various market risks, including fluctuations in interest rates. We use interest rate swap agreements to manage our interest costs and reduce our exposure to increases in floating interest rates. We manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates by maintaining a mix of fixed and variable rate debt. Using interest rate swap agreements, we agree to exchange, at specified intervals through 2015, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to agreed-upon notional principal amounts.
As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the accreted value of our debt was approximately $13.2 billion and $13.3 billion, respectively. As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the weighted average interest rate on the credit facility debt, including the effects of our interest rate swap agreements, was approximately 3.6% and 2.6%, respectively, and the weighted average interest rate on the high-yield notes was approximately 9.7% and 10.4%, respectively, resulting in a blended weighted average interest rate of 6.4% and 5.5%, respectively. The increase in the credit facility and blended weighted average interest rates is primarily due to the $2.0 billion notional amount of interest rate swap agreements entered into in April 2010. The interest rate on approximately 60% and 37% of the total princ ipal amount of our debt was effectively fixed, including the effects of our interest rate swap agreements, as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
We do not hold or issue derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes. We have interest rate derivative instruments that have been designated as cash flow hedging instruments. Such instruments effectively convert variable interest payments on certain debt instruments into fixed payments. For qualifying hedges, derivative gains and losses offset related results on hedged items in the consolidated statements of operations. We have formally documented, designated and assessed the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting. For each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, there was no cash flow hedge ineffectiveness on interest rate swap agreements.
Changes in the fair value of interest rate agreements that are designated as hedging instruments of the variability of cash flows associated with floating-rate debt obligations, and that meet effectiveness criteria are reported in other comprehensive loss. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, losses of $34 million and $84 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, losses of $9 million, related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, were recorded in other comprehensive loss. No gains or losses related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges were recorded inother comprehensive loss for the three months ended Sep tember 30, 2009 as no interest rate swaps were outstanding during this period. The amounts are subsequently reclassified as an increase or decrease to interest expense in the same periods in which the related interest on the floating-rate debt obligations affects earnings (losses).
Certain interest rate derivative instruments are not designated as hedges as they did not meet effectiveness criteria. However, management believes such instruments are closely correlated with the respective debt, thus managing associated risk. Interest rate derivative instruments not designated as hedges are marked to fair value, with the impact recorded as other income (expenses), net in our consolidated statements of operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, other expense, net included losses of $4 million, resulting from interest rate derivative instruments not designated as hedges. No gains or losses resulting from interest rate derivative instruments not designated as hedges were recorded inother expense, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 or the three months ended September 30, 2009.
The table set forth below summarizes the fair values and contract terms of financial instruments subject to interest rate risk maintained by us as of September 30, 2010 (dollars in millions):
| | 2010 | | | 2011 | | | 2012 | | | 2013 | | | 2014 | | | 2015 | | | Thereafter | | | Total | | | Fair Value at September 30, 2010 | |
Debt: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed Rate | | $ | -- | | | $ | -- | | | $ | 1,100 | | | $ | -- | | | $ | 546 | | | $ | -- | | | $ | 4,366 | | | $ | 6,012 | | | $ | 6,564 | |
Average Interest Rate | | | -- | | | | -- | | | | 8.00 | % | | | -- | | | | 10.88 | % | | | -- | | | | 10.05 | % | | | 9.75 | % | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Variable Rate | | $ | 17 | | | $ | 68 | | | $ | 68 | | | $ | 268 | | | $ | 3,952 | | | $ | 30 | | | $ | 2,835 | | | $ | 7,238 | | | $ | 7,080 | |
Average Interest Rate | | | 3.24 | % | | | 3.40 | % | | | 3.82 | % | | | 3.80 | % | | | 4.76 | % | | | 6.18 | % | | | 6.60 | % | | | 5.43 | % | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest Rate Instruments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Variable to Fixed Rate | | $ | -- | | | $ | -- | | | $ | -- | | | $ | 900 | | | $ | 800 | | | $ | 300 | | | $ | -- | | | $ | 2,000 | | | $ | 84 | |
Average Pay Rate | | | -- | | | | -- | | | | -- | | | | 5.21 | % | | | 5.65 | % | | | 5.99 | % | | | -- | | | | 5.50 | % | | | | |
Average Receive Rate | | | -- | | | | -- | | | | -- | | | | 4.76 | % | | | 5.46 | % | | | 5.99 | % | | | -- | | | | 5.22 | % | | | | |
At September 30, 2010, we had $2.0 billion in notional amounts of interest rate swaps outstanding. The notional amounts of interest rate instruments do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties and, thus, are not a measure of our exposure to credit loss. The amounts exchanged are determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the contracts. The estimated fair value is determined using a present value calculation based on an implied forward LIBOR curve (adjusted for Charter Operating’s or counterparties’ credit risk). Interest rates on variable debt are estimated using the average implied forward LIBOR for the year of maturity based on the yield curve in effect at September 30, 2010 including applicabl e bank spread.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures with respect to the information generated for use in this quarterly report. The evaluation was based in part upon reports and certifications provided by a number of executives. Based upon, and as of the date of that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurances that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summa rized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based upon the above evaluation, we believe that our controls provide such reasonable assurances.
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION.
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
Patent Litigation
Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P. v. Charter Communications, Inc. et al. On September 5, 2006, Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P. served a lawsuit on Charter and a group of other companies in the U. S. District Court for the District of Delaware alleging that Charter and the other defendants have infringed its interactive call processing patents. Charter denied the allegations raised in the complaint. On March 20, 2007, the Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation transferred this case, along with 24 others, to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California for coordinated and consolidated pretrial proceedings. On May 5, 2010, the court denied Katz’s motion for summary judgment, struck two affirmative defenses that Charter had raised, inval idated one of the nine remaining claims Katz had asserted and entered a ruling limiting Katz’s damages claims. Charter is vigorously contesting this matter.
Rembrandt Patent Litigation. On June 6, 2006, Rembrandt Technologies, LP sued Charter and several other cable companies in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging that each defendant's high-speed data service infringes three patents owned by Rembrandt and that Charter's receipt and retransmission of ATSC digital terrestrial broadcast signals infringes a fourth patent owned by Rembrandt (Rembrandt I). On November 30, 2006, Rembrandt Technologies, LP again filed suit against Charter and another cable company in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging patent infringement of an additional five patents allegedly related to high-speed Internet over cable (Rembrandt II). Charter has denied all of Rembrandt’s allegations. On June 18, 2007, the Rembrandt I and Rembrandt II cases were combined in a multi-district litigation proceeding in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. On November 21, 2007, certain vendors of the equipment that is the subject of Rembrandt I and Rembrandt II cases filed an action against Rembrandt in U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware seeking a declaration of non-infringement and invalidity on all but one of the patents at issue in those cases. On January 16, 2008 Rembrandt filed an answer in that case and a third party counterclaim against Charter and the other MSOs for infringement of all but one of the patents already at issue in Rembrandt I and Rembrandt II cases. On February 7, 2008, Charter filed an answer to Rembrandt’s counterclaims and added a counter-counterclaim against Rembrandt for a declaration of noninfringement on the remaining patent. On October 28, 2009, Rembrandt filed a Supplemental Covenant Not to Sue promising not to sue Charter and the other defendants on eight of the contested patents. One patent remains in litigation, and Charter is vigorously contesting Rembrandt's claims regarding it.
Verizon Patent Litigation. On February 5, 2008, four Verizon entities sued Charter and two other Charter subsidiaries in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging that the provision of telephone service by Charter infringes eight patents owned by the Verizon entities (Verizon I). On December 31, 2008, forty-four Charter entities filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia alleging that Verizon and two of its subsidiaries infringe four patents related to television transmission technology (Verizon II). On February 6, 2009, Verizon responded to the complaint by denying Charter’s allegation s, asserting counterclaims for non-infringement and invalidity of Charter’s patents and asserting counterclaims against Charter for infringement of eight patents. On January 15, 2009, Charter filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York seeking a declaration of non-infringement on two patents owned by Verizon (Verizon III). On March 1, 2010, Charter and Verizon settled Verizon I, Verizon II, and Verizon III, and both parties withdrew their respective claims.
We are also defendants or co-defendants in several other unrelated lawsuits claiming infringement of various patents relating to various aspects of our businesses. Other industry participants are also defendants in certain of these cases, and, in many cases including those described above, we expect that any potential liability would be the responsibility of our equipment vendors pursuant to applicable contractual indemnification provisions.
In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe on any intellectual property rights, we may be subject to substantial damages and/or an injunction that could require us or our vendors to modify certain products and services we offer to our subscribers, as well as negotiate royalty or license agreements with respect to the patents at issue. While we believe the lawsuits are without merit and intend to defend the actions vigorously, all of these patent lawsuits could be material to our consolidated results of operations of any one period, and no assurance can be given
that any adverse outcome would not be material to our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.
Employment Litigation
On August 28, 2008, a lawsuit was filed against Charter and Charter Communications, LLC (“Charter LLC”) in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin (now entitled, Marc Goodell et al. v. Charter Communications, LLC and Charter Communications, Inc.). The plaintiffs sought to represent a class of current and former broadband, system and other types of technicians who are or were employed by Charter or Charter LLC in the states of Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri or California. Plaintiffs allege that Charter and Charter LLC violated certain wage and hour statutes of those four states by failing to pay technicians for all hours worked. In May 2010, the parties entered a settlement agreement disposing of all claims, including those potential wage and hour claims for potential class members in additional states beyond the four identified above. On September 24, 2010, the court granted final approval of the settlement. We have been subjected, in the normal course of business, to the assertion of other wage and hour claims and could be subjected to additional such claims in the future. We cannot predict the outcome of any such claims.
Bankruptcy Proceedings
On March 27, 2009, Charter filed its chapter 11 petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. On the same day, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., (“JPMorgan”), for itself and as Administrative Agent under the Charter Operating Credit Agreement, filed an adversary proceeding (the “JPMorgan Adversary Proceeding”) in Bankruptcy Court against Charter Operating and CCO Holdings seeking a declaration that there were events of default under the Charter Operating Credit Agreement. JPMorgan, as well as other parties, objected to the Plan. The Bankruptcy Court jointly held 19 days of trial in the JPMorgan Adversary Proceeding and on the objections to the Plan.
On November 17, 2009, the Bankruptcy Court issued its Order and Opinion confirming the Plan over the objections of JPMorgan and various other objectors. The Court also entered an order ruling in favor of Charter in the JPMorgan Adversary Proceeding. Several objectors attempted to stay the consummation of the Plan, but those motions were denied by the Bankruptcy Court and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Charter consummated the Plan on November 30, 2009 and reinstated the Charter Operating Credit Agreement and certain other debt of its subsidiaries.
Six appeals were filed relating to confirmation of the Plan. The parties initially pursuing appeals were: (i) JPMorgan; (ii) Wilmington Trust Company (“Wilmington Trust”) (as indenture trustee for the holders of the 8% Senior Second Lien Notes due 2012 and 8.375% senior second lien notes due 2014 issued by and among Charter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. and the 10.875% senior second lien notes due 2014 issued by and among Charter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp.); (iii) Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (“Wells Fargo”) (in its capacities as successor Administrative Agent and successor Collateral Agent for the third lien prepetition secured lenders to CCO Holdings under the CCO Holdings credit facility); (iv) Law Debenture Trust Company of New York (“Law Deben ture Trust”) (as the Trustee with respect to the $479 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% convertible senior notes due 2027 issued by Charter which are no longer outstanding following consummation of the Plan); (v) R2 Investments, LDC (“R2 Investments”) (an equity interest holder in Charter); and (vi) certain plaintiffs representing a putative class in a securities action against three former Charter officers or directors filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas (Iron Workers Local No. 25 Pension Fund, Indiana Laborers Pension Fund, and Iron Workers District Council of Western New York and Vicinity Pension Fund, in the action styled Iron Workers Local No. 25 Pension Fund v. Allen, et al., Case No. 4:09-cv-00405-JLH (E.D. Ark.).
Charter Operating amended its senior secured credit facilities effective March 31, 2010. In connection with the closing of these amendments, each of Bank of America, N.A. and JPMorgan, for itself and on behalf of the lenders under the Charter Operating senior secured credit facilities, agreed to dismiss the pending appeal of our Confirmation Order pending before the District Court for the Southern District of New York and to waive any objections to our Confirmation Order issued by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The lenders filed their Stipulation of that dismissal and waiver of objections and it was signed by the judge on April 1, 2010 and the case dismissed. On December 3, 2009, Wilmington Trust withdrew its notice of appeal. On April 14, 2010, Wells Fargo fil ed their Stipulation of Dismissal of their appeal on behalf of the lenders under the
CCO Holdings credit facility. This Stipulation was signed by the judge on April 19, 2010 and the case dismissed. The remaining appeals by Law Debenture Trust, R2 Investments and the securities plaintiffs are in the briefing phase. We cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the appeals.
Other Proceedings
In March 2009, Gerald Paul Bodet, Jr. filed a putative class action against Charter and Charter Holdco (Gerald Paul Bodet, Jr. v. Charter Communications, Inc. and Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. In April 2010, plaintiff filed a Third Amended Complaint which also named Charter Communications, LLC as a defendant. In the Third Amended Complaint, plaintiff alleges that the defendants violated the Sherman Act, state antitrust law and state unjust enrichment law by forcing subscribers to rent a set top box in order to subscribe to cable video services which are not available to subscribers by simply plugging a cable into a cable-ready television. In June 2009, Derrick Lebryk and Nichols Gladson filed, but di d not serve, a putative class action against Charter, Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC, CCHC, LLC and Charter Communications Holding, LLC (Derrick Lebryk and Nicholas Gladson v. Charter Communications, Inc., Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC, CCHC, LLC and Charter Communications Holding, LLC) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. The plaintiffs allege that the defendants violated the Sherman Act based on similar allegations as those alleged in Bodet v. Charter, et al. We understand similar claims have been made against other MSOs. The Charter defendants deny any liability and plan to vigorously contest these cases.
We are also aware of three suits filed by holders of securities issued by us or our subsidiaries. Key Colony Fund, LP. v. Charter Communications, Inc. and Paul W. Allen (sic), was filed in February 2009 in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County, Arkansas and asserts violations of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and fraud claims. Key Colony alleges that it purchased certain senior notes based on representations of Charter and agents and representatives of Paul Allen as part of a scheme to defraud certain Charter noteholders. Clifford James Smith v. Charter Communications, Inc. and Paul Allen, was filed in May 2009 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Mr. Smith alleges that he purchased Charter common stock based on statements by Charter and Mr. Allen and that Charter’s bankruptcy filing was not necessary. The defendants’ responded to that Complaint in February 2010 and filed a motion to dismiss thereafter. In April 2010, the court entered an order dismissing the Complaint, holding that Mr. Smith’s claims are expressly released by the Third Party Release and Injunction within Charter’s Plan of Reorganization. Mr. Smith has appealed. Herb Lair, Iron Workers Local No. 25 Pension Fund et al. v. Neil Smit, Eloise Schmitz, and Paul G. Allen (“Iron Workers Local No. 25”), was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas on June 1, 2009. Mr. Smit was the Chief Executive Officer and Ms. Schmitz was the Chief Financial Officer of Charter. The plaintiffs, who seek to represent a class of plaintiffs who acquired Charter stock between October 23, 2006 and February 12, 2009, allege that they and others similarly situated were misled by statements by Ms. Schmitz, Mr. Smit, Mr. Allen and/or in Charter SEC filings. The plaintiffs assert violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In February 2010, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York held that these plaintiffs’ causes of action were released by the Third Party Release and Injunction within Charter’s Plan of Reorganization. Plaintiffs thereafter filed an appeal with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Charter denies the allegations made by the plaintiffs in these matters, believes all of the claims asserted in these cases were released through the Plan and intends to seek dismissal of these cases and otherwise vigorously contest these cases.
We also are party to other lawsuits and claims that arise in the ordinary course of conducting our business. The ultimate outcome of these other legal matters pending against us or our subsidiaries cannot be predicted, and although such lawsuits and claims are not expected individually to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity, such lawsuits could have in the aggregate a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. Whether or not we ultimately prevail in any particular lawsuit or claim, litigation can be time consuming and costly and injure our reputation.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 includes “Risk Factors” under Item 1A of Part I. Except for the updated risk factors described below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors described in our Form 10-K. The information below updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the risk factors and information disclosed in our Form 10-K.
Risks Related to Our Business
If we are unable to attract new key employees, our ability to manage our business could be adversely affected.
Our operational results during the recent prolonged economic downturn have depended, and our future results will depend, upon the retention and continued performance of our management team. On October 29, 2010, Charter announced the appointment of Christopher L. Winfrey to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective November 1, 2010. He filled the vacancy resulting from Eloise Schmitz’s departure on July 31, 2010. Mr. Kevin D. Howard, Senior Vice President – Finance, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer had served as Interim Chief Financial Officer. Our ability to hire new key employees for management positions could be impacted adversely by the competitive environment fo r management talent in the telecommunications industry. The loss of the services of key members of management and the inability to hire new key employees could adversely affect our ability to manage our business and our future operational and financial results.
Risks Related to Ownership Positions of Charter’s Principal Shareholders
If we were to have a person with a 35% or greater voting interest and Paul G. Allen did not maintain a voting interest in us greater than such holder, a change of control default could be triggered under our credit facilities.
On March 31, 2010, Charter Operating entered into an amended and restated credit agreement governing its credit facility. Such amendment removed the requirement that Mr. Allen retain a voting interest in us. However, the credit agreement continues to provide that a change of control under certain of our other debt instruments could result in an event of default under the credit agreement. Certain of those other instruments define a change of control as including a holder holding more than 35% of our direct or indirect voting interest and the failure by (a) Mr. Allen, (b) his estate, spouse, immediate family members and heirs and (c) any trust, corporation, partnership or other entity, the beneficiaries, stockholders, partners or other owners of which consist exclusively of Mr. Allen or such other person s referred to in (b) above or a combination thereof to maintain a greater percentage of direct or indirect voting interest than such other holder. Such a default could result in the acceleration of repayment of our indebtedness, including borrowings under the Charter Operating credit facilities.
Item 5. Other Information.
Annual Stockholders Meeting
Charter’s Board of Directors has set the 2011 Annual Stockholders Meeting for April 26, 2011. The time and place of the meeting have not yet been determined.
Since Charter has not held an annual meeting in 2010, if a stockholder wants to include a stockholder proposal in the proxy statement for the 2011 annual meeting, it must be delivered to the Corporate Secretary at Charter’s executive offices a reasonable time before the mailing of Charter’s proxy statement, which is deemed to be no later than November 18, 2010. The federal proxy rules specify what constitutes timely submission and whether a stockholder proposal is eligible to be included in the proxy statement. Stockholder nominations of directors are not stockholder proposals within the meaning of Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, and are not eligible for inclusion in Charter’s proxy statement.
If a stockholder desires to bring business before the meeting that is not the subject of a proposal timely and properly submitted for inclusion in the proxy statement, the stockholder must follow procedures outlined in Charter’s Bylaws. One of the procedural requirements in the Bylaws is timely notice in writing of the business the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting. To be timely with respect to the 2011 annual meeting, such a notice must be delivered to Charter’s Corporate Secretary at Charter’s executive offices no earlier than December 27, 2010 and no later than January 26, 2011.
Appointment of Chief Financial Officer
On October 29, 2010, Charter announced that Christopher L. Winfrey has been elected Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective November 1, 2010.
Mr. Winfrey, 35, most recently served as Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director for Unitymedia, Germany’s second-largest provider of media and communication services via broadband cable, from March 2006
through March 2010 and was responsible for accounting, treasury, investor relations, corporate finance, procurement and adminstration. Previously, Mr. Winfrey was Senior Vice President – Corporate Finance and Development for Cablecom from December 2002 to December 2005 and Director of Financial Planning and Analysis of NTL Europe from February 2001 to March 2003. Prior to that, he was with Communications Equity Associates from May 1998 to January 2001. Mr. Winfrey received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration, both from the University of Florida.
Charter has entered into an employment agreement, effective as of November 1, 2010, with Mr. Winfrey (the “Agreement”). The following is a brief summary of the Agreement. See exhibit 10.3, attached hereto, for the complete Agreement. The Agreement provides that Mr. Winfrey shall be employed in an executive capacity as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer with such responsibilities, duties and authority as are customary for such role, at a current annual base salary of $525,000, to be reviewed on an annual basis. He shall be paid an annual cash performance bonus, pursuant to Charter’s Executive Bonus Plan, with a target bonus equal to 75% of base salary; provided that any bonus earned for 2010 shall be prorated to apply to the portion of the year that he was employed by Charte r.
The Agreement provides that Mr. Winfrey may be granted annual long-term incentive awards in the form of restricted stock, stock options and/or performance shares. For 2010, his grant shall consist of a stock option grant of 90,000 shares and a grant of 80,000 restricted shares of Charter’s Class A common stock, granted as of the effective date of the Agreement. Mr. Winfrey may participate in any other bonus or retention plans established by Charter’s Compensation and Benefits Committee and shall receive such other employee benefits as are available to other senior executives, including relocation assistance to the St. Louis, Missouri area, Charter’s headquarters, pursuant to Charter’s executive relocation plan. The Agreement contains two-year non-compete and customer non-solicita tion provisions and a one-year employee non-solicitation clause. The term of the Agreement is two years from the effective date of the Agreement, and will terminate, unless renewed by Charter upon at least 180 days written notice on renewal.
Item 6. Exhibits.
The index to the exhibits begins on page E-1 of this quarterly report.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Charter Communications, Inc. has duly caused this quarterly report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.,
Registrant
Dated: November 3, 2010 | By: /s / Kevin D. Howard |
| Name: | Kevin D. Howard |
| Title: | Senior Vice President - Finance, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer |
Exhibit | | Description |
3.1 | | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Charter Communications, Inc. (originally incorporated July 22, 1999) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on August 20, 2010 (File No. 001-33664)). |
10.1 | | Indenture relating to the 7.25% senior notes due 2017, dated as of September 27, 2010, by and among CCO Holdings, LLC, and CCO Holdings Capital Corp., as Issuers, Charter Communications, Inc., as Parent Guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on September 30, 2010 (File No. 001-33664)). |
10.2 | | Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement relating to the 7.25% senior notes due 2017, dated as of September 27, 2010, by and among CCO Holdings, LLC, CCO Holdings Capital Corp., Charter Communications, Inc., and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., and UBS Securities LLC, as representatives of the initial purchasers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on September 30, 2010 (File No. 001-33664)). |
10.3* | | Employment agreement between Christopher Winfrey and Charter Communications, Inc. dated as of November 1, 2010. |
12.1* | | Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. |
31.1* | | Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
31.2* | | Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
32.1* | | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Executive Officer). |
32.2* | | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Financial Officer). |
* Document attached