FORM 20-F/A
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549
[ ] REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) or (g) OF THESECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
OR
[x ] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTIONS"13" OR"15(d)" OF THESECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
For the fiscal year ended.........December 31, 2007.......................................
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THESECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
For the transition period from.........................................................................
OR
[ ] SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of event requiring this shell company report _________
Commission file number: 0-30942
STREAM COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK & MEDIA INC.
_____________________________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Not Applicable
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
British Columbia, Canada
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
Goraszewska 6 Street
Warsaw, 02-910 Poland
(Address of principal executive offices)
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
None.
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
Common Shares, without par value.
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
None.
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.
81,596,491 common shares at December 31, 2007
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes: ü No:
Indicate by checkmark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:
Item 17 ü Item 18_______
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes: No: ü
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes: No: ü
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of"accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer Accelerated Filer Non-Accelerated Filer ü
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes: No: ü
II
FORM 20-F/A
INDEX
EXPLANATORY NOTE | 4 | ||
CONVERSION TABLE | 4 | ||
GLOSSARY OF NAMES AND TERMS | 4 | ||
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS | 7 | ||
PART 1 | 7 | ||
Item 1- Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers | 7 | ||
Item 2 - Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable | 7 | ||
Item 3- Key Information | 7 | ||
A. | Selected Financial Data | 7 | |
Financial Highlights | 7 | ||
Exchange Rates | 8 | ||
B. | Capitalization and Indebtedness | 9 | |
C. | Risk Factors | 9 | |
All operations are done through Stream Poland and its subsidiaries | 9 | ||
We have a history of losses, likelihood of future losses and dependence on additional financing | 9 | ||
We may encounter difficulties in future acquisitions of new cable television and internet access businesses | 10 | ||
We operate in a market that is open to widespread competition and rapid changes in technology | 10 | ||
Termination of agreements with Telekomunikacja :Polska S.A. (TPSA) could prevent our access to its network, and significant expenditures could result | 10 | ||
Failure to replace key management and operating personnel could negatively affect our business | 11 | ||
Changes in regulations and permitting requirements could pose a threat to our operations | 11 | ||
Risks resulting from amendments to the Polish Copyright Act could lead to reduced programme offerings and increased costs or subscriber fees | 11 | ||
If foreign exchange rates fluctuate significantly, our profitability may decline | 12 | ||
Dilution of share capital from the exercise of stock options and warrants could affect our market price and deter future equity financing | 12 | ||
Holders of a large number of shares may be able to exert significant influence on our business, with the ability to effect change that may not be in line with the interests of the minority shareholders | 13 | ||
Shareholders' rights are different in Canadian corporations | 13 | ||
Holders of our shares may not be able to obtain enforcement of civil liabilities | 13 | ||
We are subject to Canadian taxation | 13 | ||
We have found material weaknesses in our internal controls that require remediation | 13 |
Item 4 - Information on the Company | 14 | ||
General | 14 | ||
Office Space in Canada | 15 | ||
Stream Communications Sp. z o.o. | 15 | ||
Overview | 15 | ||
Business Description | 15 | ||
Bielsat | 16 | ||
Gimsat | 17 | ||
ASK | 17 | ||
Vega | 17 | ||
Stream's Cable Television Services | 17 | ||
Stream's Cable Television Program | 18 | ||
Table: List of Programs Licensed by Stream | 18 | ||
Stream's Data Services | 19 | ||
Stream's VoIP Service | 19 | ||
Marketing and Sales | 20 | ||
Overview of the Polish Cable Television Industry | 20 | ||
Technology | 21 | ||
Stream Poland's Customer Base and Market Share | 22 | ||
Competition | 23 | ||
Regulation of Stream Poland's Services | 24 | ||
Telecommunications Law | 26 | ||
Stream Poland's Organization, Management and Personnel | 28 | ||
Stream Poland Locations | 28 | ||
Office | 28 | ||
IEWS (Formerly: International Eco-Waste Systems) S.A. | 29 | ||
Streamline Media (Formerly: Polvoice.com) Sp. z o.o. | 29 | ||
Item 4A- SEC Comments | 29 | ||
Item 5- Operating and Financing Review and Prospects | 29 | ||
Overview | 29 | ||
Results of Operations | 30 | ||
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Subsequent Events | 32 | ||
Trend Information | 32 | ||
Contractual Obligations and Loans Payable | 33 | ||
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements | 33 | ||
Canadian and US GAAP Differences | 33 | ||
Critical Accounting Estimates | 34 | ||
Changes in Accounting Policies Including Initial Adoption | 34 | ||
Related Party Transactions | 35 | ||
Financial Instruments and Other Instruments | 36 | ||
ITEM 6- Directors, Senior Management and Employees | 36 | ||
Directors and Senior Management | 36 | ||
Executive Compensation | 37 | ||
ITEM 7- Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions | 41 | ||
Major Shareholders | 41 | ||
ITEM 8- Financial Information | 41 | ||
Legal Proceedings | 41 |
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ITEM 9- The Offer and Listing | 41 | |||
Nature of Trading Market | 41 | |||
Trading on The OTC BB and Pink Sheets | 41 | |||
Item 10- Additional Information | 43 | |||
Share Capital | 43 | |||
Memorandum and Articles | 44 | |||
Exchange Control and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders | 45 | |||
Taxation - Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences to United StatesInvestors | 46 | |||
Taxation in Poland | 47 | |||
Item 11 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk | 48 | |||
Currency and Exchange Rate Risk | 48 | |||
Item 12- Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities | 49 | |||
Warrants | 49 | |||
PART II | 50 | |||
ITEM 13- Defaults, Dividends, Arrearages and Delinquencies | 50 | |||
ITEM 14- Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds | 50 | |||
ITEM 15T - Controls and Procedures | 50 | |||
ITEM 16A - AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT | 53 | |||
ITEM 16B - CODE OF ETHICS | 54 | |||
ITEM 16C - PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES | 54 | |||
PART III | 54 | |||
ITEM 17 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 54 | |||
ITEM 18 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 54 | |||
ITEM 19- FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 54 | |||
1. | CONTINUING OPERATIONS | 63 | ||
EXHIBITS | 89 | |||
12.1 | Certification pursuant po Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by CEO | 89 | ||
12.2 | Certification pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by CFO | 89 | ||
13.1 | Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by CEO | 89 | ||
13.2 | Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by CFO | 89 | ||
SIGNATURE PAGE | 90 |
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This Amended Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, is being filed at the request of the Securities Exchange Commission solely for the purpose of amending Item 15T on page 53 so as to confirm our management's conclusion that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective during the fiscal period ending December 31, 2007.
Except for the certifications, this Amended Form 20-F speaks as of the original filing date of the Form 20-F. Other than the amendment to Item 15T described above, this Amended Form 20-F does not, and does not purport to, amend, update or restate the information in the original Form 20-F as filed.
For ease of reference, the following conversion factors are provided:
1 mile = 1.6093 kilometres | 1 metric ton (tonne) = 2,205 pounds |
1 foot = 0.305 metres | 1 troy ounce = 31.103 grams |
1 acre = 0.4047 hectare | 1 imperial gallon = 4.546 litres |
1 long ton = 2,240 pounds | 1 imperial gallon = 1.2010 U.S. gallons |
Broadband | Broadband refers to telecommunication that provides multiple channels of data over a single communications medium, typically using some form of frequency or wave division. |
CATV | Community Antenna Television, the original name for Cable TV. |
Coaxial cable | Coaxial cable is called "coaxial" because it includes one physical channel that carries the signal surrounded (after a layer of insulation) by another concentric physical channel, both running along the same axis. The outer channel serves as a ground. Many of these cables or pairs of coaxial tubes can be placed in a single outer sheathing and, with repeaters, can carry information for a great distance. |
Czestochowa | A city of southern Poland north of Katowice. It is heavily industrialized. Population: 251,000. |
Digital | Describes any system based on discontinuous data or events. Computers are digital machines because at their most basic level they can distinguish between just two values, 0 and 1, or off and on. There is no simple way to represent all the values in between, such as 0.25. All data that a computer processes must be encoded digitally, as a series of zeroes and ones. The opposite of digital is analog. A typical analog device is a clock in which the hands move continuously around the face. Such a clock is capable of indicating every possible time of day. In contrast, a digital clock is capable of representing only a finite number of times (every tenth of a second, for example). |
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EU (European Union) | An economic association of European countries founded by the Treaty of Rome in 1957 as a common market for six nations. It was known as the European Community until January 1, 1994 and since 1 May 2004 comprises 25 European countries. Its goals are a single market for goods and services without any economic barriers, and a common currency with one monetary authority. The 25 countries are Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. |
Euro | The basic unit of currency among 12 European Union countries. |
GSM | Global System for Mobile communications. A world standard for digital cellular communications using narrowband TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), which allows up to eight calls at a time on 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequencies. Introduced in 1991, it is the standard most commonly used in Europe and Asia, but not in the United States. |
Headend | A headend is the originating point of a signal in a cable television system (distribution center). Headend equipment receives satellite and local broadcast TV signals and converts them to a form that can travel down coaxial cable to subscribers. |
HFC | A hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) network is a telecommunication technology in which optical fibre (glass or plastic wire) cable and coaxial cable are used in different portions of a network to carry broadband content (such as video, data, and voice). Using HFC, a local CATV company installs fibre optic cable from the cable head-end to serving nodes located close to business and residential users and from these nodes uses coaxial cable to individual businesses and homes. An advantage of HFC is that some of the characteristics of fibre optic cable can be brought close to the user without having to replace the existing coaxial cable that is installed all the way to the home and business. Both cable TV and telephone companies are using HFC in new and upgraded networks and, in some cases, sharing the same infrastructure to carry both video and voice conversations in the same system. |
ISDN | Integrated Services Digital Network, a fast method of service access and transferring data world-wide and an international communications standard for sending voice, video, and data over digital telephone lines or normal telephone wires. |
Katowice | A city of southern Poland 50 miles west-northwest of Krakow. Chartered in 1865, it is an important mining and industrial center. Population: 314,550. |
Krakow | A city of southern Poland on the Vistula River south-southeast of Warsaw. Founded in the eighth century A.D., it was the national capital from 1305 to 1595. Population: 756,267. |
KRRiT | National Council for Radio and Television in Poland. |
MDU | Multiple dwelling units |
Penta | CYFOCA Holdings Limited owned by Penta Investments Ltd. |
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PIKE | The Polish Cable Communications Chamber of Commerce with headquarters in Warsaw unites 136 companies. Its members are cable TV operators representing over 80% of the domestic cable TV market as well as manufacturers and distributors of equipment and services used by operators in their business activity. Services rendered by operators - members of the Chamber - are used by 4.5 million households in the whole country. PIKE is a member of the National Economic Chamber and the European Cable Communication Association. |
Rzeszów | A city, capital of Podkarpackie Province in southeastern Poland. Population: 163,508. |
Silesia | Region in Southwest Poland bordering on the Sudety Mountains |
UKE | Office of Electronic Communications in Poland. |
UOKiK | Office of Competition and Consumer Protection in Poland. |
Voice mail | A computerized system for receiving, recording, and sometimes forwarding audio messages. A voice mail system plays a pre-recorded message to the caller when the line is not answered, and may provide choices such as paging, talking to an operator, or selecting a number by touchtone to choose between message boxes. |
VoIP | An acronym for Voice Over Internet Protocol. An emerging technology, voice delivered using the Internet Protocol, is a term used in IP telephony for a set of facilities for managing the delivery of voice information using the Internet Protocol (IP). In general, this means sending voice information in digital form in discrete packets rather than in the traditional circuit committed protocols of the public switched telephone network. A major advantage of VOIP and Internet telephony is that it avoids the tolls charged by ordinary telephone service. |
Warsaw | The capital of Poland, in the east-central part of the country on the Vistula River. Founded in the 13th century, it replaced Kraków as Poland's capital in 1596. Warsaw was ruled by Russia as an independent kingdom (1815-1917) and became capital of Poland again in 1918. Warsaw was rebuilt after 1945 and is today a major cultural, commercial, and industrial center. Population: 1,702,139. |
Wroclaw | A city of southwest Poland on the Oder River, assigned to Poland by the Potsdam Conference (1945). Population: 634,630. |
Stream Communications Network & Media Inc. ("we","us" and"our", as the context requires) (the"Company") cautions you that certain important factors (including without limitation those set forth in our Form 20-F) may affect our actual results and could cause such results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements that may be deemed to have been made in this Form 20-F annual statement, or that are otherwise made by us or on our behalf. For this purpose, any statements contained in this annual statement, that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as"may,""except,""believe,""anticipate,""intend,""could," estimate," or"continue," or the negative or other variations of comparable terminology, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Item 1- Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
Not applicable
Item 2 - Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Not applicable
The following table sets forth our selected consolidated financial data for the five year period ended December 31, 2007, prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("Canadian GAAP"). The table also summarizes certain corresponding information prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"). This selected consolidated financial data include the accounts of the Company and our subsidiaries.
Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | ||
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | ||
$CDN | $CDN | $CDN | $CDN | $CDN | ||
Revenues | 7,376,978 | 6,472,905 | 5,826,112 | 4,415,461 | 3,700,160 | |
Net loss from continuing operations | ||||||
Canadian GAAP | (3,107,320) | (4,485,893) | (5,811,359) | (6,564,715) | (6,254,620) | |
US GAAP | (3,107,320) | (4,444,561) | (4,977,876) | (4,533,705) | (8,064,275) | |
Loss per share basic and diluted |
7
Canadian GAAP | (0.04) | (0.08) | (0.14) | (0.22) | (0.21) |
US GAAP | (0.04) | (0.05) | (0.12) | (0.15) | (0.27) |
Total assets | |||||
Canadian GAAP | 16,619,743 | 14,622,107 | 13,112,108 | 14,131,087 | 10,204,158 |
US GAAP | 16,619,743 | 14,622,107 | 13,112,108 | 14,131,087 | 10,204,158 |
Long-term debt(1) | 7,132,787 | 5,756,570 | 5,174,126 | 916,237 | 132,509 |
Capital stock | 44,515,479 | 43,941,186 | 41,129,499 | 36,005,421 | 33,209,455 |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 79,808,820 | 59,629,483 | 42,953,922 | 30,027,489 | 29,333,427 |
(1) Including current portion of long-term debt
In this report, unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars ("CDN"). Equivalents will be given in U.S. dollars ("USD") or Polish zloty ("PLN"), or Canadian dollars where the first currency stated indicates that a contract, a fee or agreement was made pursuant to a currency other than the Canadian dollar.
Since June 1, 1970, the Government of Canada has permitted a floating exchange rate to determine the value of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar. The high and low exchange rates, the average rates (average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the period) and the end of the period rates for Canadian dollars, expressed in U.S. dollars, from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2007 was as follows:
U.S. DOLLARS PER $1.00 (CDN)
Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | |
High | 1.1038 | .9134 | .8748 | .8532 | .7747 |
Low | 0.8420 | .8479 | .7851 | .7138 | .6327 |
Average | 0.9356 | .8806 | .8262 | .7701 | .7163 |
End of Period | 1.0194 | .8569 | .8580 | .8303 | .7727 |
In this report, several references are made to business in Poland and the Polish currency, the zloty. The high and low exchange rates, the average rates (average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the period) and the end of the period rates for Polish zloty (PLN), expressed in U.S. dollars, from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2007 were as follows:
8
U.S. DOLLARS PER 1 POLISH ZLOTY (PLN)
Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | |
High | .4130 | .3506 | .3442 | .3366 | .2825 |
Low | .3246 | .3042 | .2877 | .2453 | .2428 |
Average | .3633 | .3230 | .3099 | .2757 | .2577 |
End of Period | .4090 | .3442 | .3070 | .3339 | .2665 |
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
N/A
All operations are done through Stream Poland and its subsidiaries
All operations of Stream Communications Network & Media Inc. are done through Stream Poland Sp. z o. o. ("Stream Poland") and its subsidiaries in Poland. There is an inherent risk exposure to a Company operating in a highly competitive emerging market:
- The political environment has historically been stable despite Poland being an emerging market. Any risk associated with the country's political stability has by far been mitigated though its accession to the European Community, which among other things has forced Poland to adapt a legislation aligned to the European Community's.
- The business environment in Poland is volatile, competitive and sensitive to the overall development of both the US and European economy. Further, the market segment of Stream Poland is highly competitive with large local and international operators who at any time can adapt an aggressive business strategy affecting Stream Poland adversely.
- New technical development of alternatives to Stream Poland's core business (Cable TV and Internet) can have an adverse impact on the company. Historically, the Central and Eastern European countries have been faster than the Western European countries to adapt new technologies.
We have a history of losses, likelihood of future losses and dependence on additional financing
We have not been profitable in the past. The aggregate of our net losses (accumulated deficit) of $49,994,299 to December 31, 2007, has been financed by debt, private placements of equity securities, equity issued on settlement of debt and the exercise of stock options and warrants. We may not be profitable in the future.
In addition, our future prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered in establishing new businesses, which can be characterised by intense competition and rapidly changing events. Our auditors have included an explanatory paragraph disclosing substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern, as also disclosed in the notes to the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007. The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as we are confident that we will be able to continue as a going concern.
There can be no assurance however that our financial plans will be achieved.
We may encounter difficulties in future acquisitions of new cable television and Internet access businesses
The completion of acquisitions and the integration of acquired cable television and Internet access businesses constitute a material part of our growth strategy. Before acquiring a new network or operator, we endeavor to perform a detailed analysis of integration-related costs and technical requirements, the financial standing of the business to be acquired, and our own capacity to finance the additional development of the acquired networks. We may encounter difficulties in the future in acquiring new businesses that meet growth and profitability criteria or difficulties in integrating acquired businesses, which may result in additional costs and in the frustration of our development strategy. We cannot rule out the possibility that future acquisitions of other cable television operators may be more time-consuming than originally assumed. Furthermore, we may not be able to acquire cable operators on terms and conditions that are advantageou s. While we seek to mitigate these risks, any of the foregoing may adversely affect our business and financial performance.
We operate in a market that is open to widespread competition and rapid changes in technology
We operate in markets that are open to a variety of competitors, including large, well-established companies in the cable, satellite (the so called, digital platforms) and Internet access businesses, among others. The current legal environment makes it possible for competitors to build parallel and competing networks in the same regions in which we operate.
Currently, based on our own research, less than 20% of our aggregate networks are overbuilt by competitors. These competitors are typically not wiring the same subscribers as we do. However, if competitors are willing to significantly overbuild our networks and are able to obtain programming that is appealing to subscribers at reasonable costs and we are unable to do so, our business may be materially adversely affected.
In addition, the cable television and Internet access businesses are subject to rapid and significant changes in technology. Currently, no single method of television signal transmission or internet access dominates in Poland. We use flexible and modern technology which enables us to adjust to technological changes with relative ease, but we cannot predict the effect of technological changes. We anticipate that the role of cable in the transmission of television signals and data will continue to grow. However, the introduction of other methods of transmission may adversely affect our business. Rapid technological changes and the profitability of transmission technology other than cable may adversely affect our business.
In addition, should competitors with better access to funding sources prove to be quicker in adjusting to technological changes than us, it may adversely affect our business.
We also face competition from other means of television and Internet distribution, including television direct-to-home satellite TV and terrestrial broadcasting, and from alternative forms of entertainment and information provision.
Approximately 30% of our network has been constructed using pre-existing conduits of the Polish national telephone company, TPSA. Compared to most of our competitors, this represents a relatively small portion of our network. Agreements with TPSA provide that we may use TPSA conduits to offer services over our network and gain access to the conduits to upgrade, repair, and maintain the network.
Our agreements with TPSA permit TPSA to terminate these agreements without penalty at any time, either immediately (upon the occurrence of certain conditions relating principally to substantial breaches of the agreement, misuse of conduits or a change in control) or upon three to six months' notice (without cause). TPSA is the top provider of Internet access services in Poland; it is, therefore, a competitor to us. We believe that it is unlikely that a termination of these agreements will occur. Nevertheless, if these agreements were terminated, we could, at least for a period of time, be prevented from accessing its network, in which case we would have to incur significant expenditures to build or lease alternative conduits to continue providing our services.
Failure to replace key management and operating personnel could negatively affect our business
We compete with other cable television providers for qualified operating, sales, marketing, administrative and technical personnel. Our success will significantly depend upon our ability to hire and retain such personnel. We may not be able to attract, recruit and retain sufficient qualified personnel. Furthermore, we are currently managed by a small number of key management and operating personnel. Our business success depends significantly on the efforts and abilities of these individuals. If we were to lose the services of key management and operating personnel, our business could be negatively affected unless suitable replacements were found.
Changes in regulations and permitting requirements could pose a threat to our operations
Cable television operators in Poland are regulated by various regulatory bodies and are required to comply with laws providing for, among other things, intellectual property rights protections.
Cable operators are required to register at the Polish telecommunications regulatory (the"UKE", The Telecommunication and Post Regulation Office). UKE has the right to verify the technical quality of the networks.
Our program channels have to be registered at the National Council for Radio and Television (the"KRRiT"). A registration is valid for the periods ranging from one year to indefinite. The channels have either valid registration or appropriate application for registration have been made. KRRiT has the authority to reject applications to extend existing registrations for program channels if any such channels violate the Radio and Television Broadcasting Act. Our applications to register or extend the registration of the registration of program channels have never been rejected. In the unlikely event that a regulatory body was to refuse the extension of or amendment to our telecommunication approval, the extension of existing program registrations or the approval of additional program registrations, our business could be materially adversely affected.
The president of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection ("UOKiK") has broad powers to sanction companies in the interests of consumer protection by ordering companies to comply and by levying fines against companies that act against consumer interests. Polish law does not clearly define the extent of the powers of this agency. We believe we have not engaged in any activity that might subject us to such sanctions. However, because of the broad powers of this agency, it is possible that our business may be adversely affected in the future by consumer protection related sanctions imposed against us or by sanctions directed at other businesses that in turn would indirectly affect how we conduct our business.
We cannot be sure that existing laws and regulations affecting our operations, or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, will not change. Some changes, including the implementation of new provisions in connection with Poland's accession to the European Union, might have an adverse effect on our business. Changes could include rules restricting the prices that we may charge for cable television subscriptions or Internet access, or regulations concerning the level of fees we may be required to pay to organizations for collective copyright administration and protection.
Before May 1, 2004 (i.e. the date of Poland's accession to the European Union), cable operators in Poland, including us, re-transmitted works that were broadcast by radio and television stations in a given area pursuant to a so-called"statutory licence". In order to be effective, the statutory licence required the cable operator to broadcast all programmes simultaneously and integrally with the primary broadcast. With an effective statutory licence, it was possible to show such works without being required to enter into separate agreements with their primary broadcasters, except in the case of encoded programmes.
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The amendments to the Polish Copyright Act made on July 25, 2003 removed the statutory licence scheme, making it necessary for cable operators to enter into separate agreements with broadcasters. These amendments became effective on May 1, 2004. As a result, we are required to possess agreements with the broadcasters of all radio and television programmes which are broadcast on Stream's networks. Time and market pressure might adversely affect the terms and conditions of the agreements negotiated with these broadcasters, potentially resulting in higher fees payable by us to them. Our operating costs and costs per viewer may be significantly increased, and our programming offerings containing its most expensive programming may be curtailed. In addition, if broadcasters are not granted the right to broadcast their programmes within Poland, they will not be able to enter into agreements with us, also causing curtailment of our prog ramme offerings. Reduced programme offerings or increased costs or subscriber fees may harm our business.
In addition, we are required to enter into agreements with organisations responsible for the collective management of copyrights and to pay through them remuneration to authors for our re-broadcasting of the authors' works. Pursuant to such agreements, we are obliged to pay remuneration at the rates specified in tariffs approved by the government-appointed Copyright Commission. Polish law does not impose a ceiling on remuneration to be collected by such organisations.
Polish law at present does not contemplate cable operators entering into one agreement for each programme channel covering the copyrights of all material broadcast over that channel. Instead, Polish cable operators, including us, must negotiate licence agreements with the associations responsible for the collective management of copyrights of a certain category, e.g. of directors, actors, composers (in exchange for a fee set by tariff). Even if we enter into a licence agreement with an association for a given category, we cannot be assured that such an agreement will fully cover all copyrights and related rights with respect to such category.
We expect that any cost increase resulting from these additional fees paid to broadcasters and organisations responsible for the collective management of copyrights will be offset by the reduction of other operating costs as a result of the anticipated increase in the number of its subscribers. However, there is no certainty that we will be able to offset these costs. If our costs increase as a result of this uncertainty, we expect that the costs of our competitors also will increase for the same reasons. The legislative process with respect to this issue is ongoing.
If foreign exchange rates fluctuate significantly, our profitability may decline
We do not hedge currency risk. Our revenues are generated in PLN, while our programming costs (constituting 18.2% of our revenues in 2007 and our expenditures for technical equipment purchases, among certain other costs, are denominated in foreign currencies. Accordingly, significant fluctuations of the PLN in relation to those currencies may adversely affect our business and our financial results.
As at December 31, 2007, the company has issued a total of 81,596,491 shares. There are unexercised options to purchase a total of 865,000 of our shares, and unexercised warrants to purchase an additional 13,150,832 shares (14,015,832 shares in total). If all of these options and warrants were exercised, shares issued as a result of such exercise would constitute 17.17% of all of our outstanding shares. The exercise of these options and warrants and the resale of the resulting shares on a public market may adversely affect the market price of our shares and our ability to raise future equity financing upon favourable terms.
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As of December 2007, our constituent documents authorise the issuance of up to 150,000,000 shares of common stock. Consistent with our strategy, we may issue some or all of such shares to acquire one or more businesses or other types of property or to provide additional financing. In addition, we may grant additional options and issue additional warrants in the future. The issuance of those shares may result in a reduction of the market price of our outstanding shares. The issuance of any additional shares will cause a reduction in the proportionate ownership and voting power of all other shareholders. Further, any such issuance may result in a change of our voting control.
It is possible that a holder of a large number of our shares will be able to control (individually or jointly with others) our activities or exert a significant influence on our governing bodies or our business, including the ability to effect changes to our constituent documents and other material issues.
We believe that there presently is no shareholder able to exercise such control. However, the concentration of share ownership in the hands of a few shareholders in the future may make it impossible, without the consent of such shareholders, to effect a change in control or to appoint or remove a director. Possible conflicts among shareholders holding large numbers of our shares and possible conflicts between such shareholders and minority shareholders may adversely affect us.
Shareholders' rights are different in Canadian corporations
We are a corporation incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada. The rights of holders of our shares are governed by the laws of the province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada and by our constituent documents. These rights may differ in certain respects from the rights of shareholders in the United States.
Holders of our shares may not be able to obtain enforcement of civil liabilities
While most of our assets are located in Poland, a majority of the members of our board of directors and officers are not permanent residents of Poland. As a result, it may be more difficult for holders of our shares to effect service of process on us, our directors and our officers and to enforce against us, our assets or these persons any judgements in civil and commercial matters. In addition, a Canadian court may not permit holders of our shares to enforce in Canada a judgement by a non-Canadian court related to claims under securities or other laws or otherwise related to their ownership of our shares. Canada is not a signatory to the Lugano Convention on Jurisdiction and Enforcement of Judgements in Civil and Commercial Matters.
We are subject to Canadian taxation
As a British Columbia corporation, income and dividend payments to shareholders are subject to Canadian tax laws and regulations. Depending on the jurisdiction of residence of our investors and on tax treaties, laws and regulations applicable to them, our investors may be subject, directly or indirectly, to various Canadian tax laws and regulations. We advise our investors to contact their tax advisors to determine how the tax laws and regulations of Canada and other jurisdictions applicable to them apply to them and their investments in us.
We have found material weaknesses in our internal controls that require remediation
As we disclose in Part II, Item 15,"Controls and Procedures" of this Form 20-F, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2007. While we are in the process of correcting our internal control weaknesses, the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting that have been identified will not be remediated until numerous internal controls are implemented and operate for a period of time, are tested, and we are able to conclude that such internal controls are operating effectively. Pending the successful completion of such implementation and testing of the internal controls, we will perform additional procedures to reduce the risk that material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting result in material errors to the financial statements. We cannot provide assurance that these procedures will be successful in identifying material errors that may exist in the financial statements. Any failure to implement and maintain the improvements in the internal controls over our financial reporting, or difficulties encountered in the implementation of these improvements in our controls, could result in errors in the financial statements that would not be prevented or detected, or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. We cannot assure you that we will not identify additional material weaknesses in our internal controls in the future. Any failure to improve the identified material weakness or any identification of any additional material weaknesses could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information which could have a negative impact on the trading price of our stock.
Item 4 - Information on the Company
We have business interests in the country of Poland. Our principal business is providing cable TV and high-speed Internet access.
We were incorporated on March 28, 1979 under the name of"Clear Mines Ltd." by registration of its Memorandum and Articles under the Company Act of British Columbia, Canada (the"British Columbia Company Act"). We consolidated our shares on a one new for 3.9 old shares basis and changed our name to"Redwood Resources Inc." on August 16, 1985. We again consolidated our shares on a one new for three old shares basis and changed our name to"Trooper Explorations Ltd." on May 29, 1992.
On May 4, 1995 we changed our name to"Trooper Technologies Inc." and on October 19, 2001 we changed our name to"Stream Communications Network, Inc.". On August 9, 2004 we changed our name to"Stream Communications Network & Media Inc." ("Stream"). We changed our year-end from October 31 to December 31 in 2001.
Our authorized capital is 150,000,000 common shares without par value.
Our registered office is Suite 1500- 1055 West Georgia Street, P.O. Box 11117 Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 4N7, Canada. Our principal offices are located at Goraszewska 6 Street, Warsaw, 02-910, Poland, telephone +48- 22-842-7666.
We have the following operating subsidiary companies:
- Stream Communications Sp. z o.o. ("Stream Poland") was incorporated on October 26, 1999, under the laws of Poland. At December 31, 2007, we own a 100% interest in Stream Poland which is in the business of operating cable television and high-speed Internet in Poland. Stream Poland's growth is being accomplished through acquisitions of small, independent cable TV and high-speed Internet providers and through its own marketing efforts. Stream Poland is located at al. 29 Listopada 130, 31-406 Krakow, Poland. On February 22, 2008, we entered into an agreement with Penta, that will allow Penta to acquire a majority stake (51%) in Stream Poland.
- Streamline Media Sp. z o.o., (formerly Polvoice.com,"Streamline") is a wholly owned subsidiary of our Company, being organized on August 11, 1999, under the laws of Poland. Streamline is acting for and on behalf of Stream Poland acquiring Cable TV System, which subsequently are re-organized and transferred to Stream Poland as an integral part to existing Cable TV Systems. On January 22, 2008, Streamline changed its name to Streamline Investments Sp. z o.o.
The following company is a subsidiary, but no longer has an operating business. We are currently in the process to liquidate this Company, as the business purpose is no longer in line with our corporate strategy. The liquidation of the company commenced in the second half of 2007 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.
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- IEWS S.A. (formerly International Eco-Waste Systems"IEWS") is a wholly owned subsidiary of our Company being incorporated on September 24, 1996 under the laws of Poland.
We are a reporting issuer in the Province of British Columbia, Canada and our common shares are listed for trading on the OTCBB Pink Sheets under the trading symbol"SCNWF". Our shares also trade on the Frankfurt exchange under the symbol"TPJ".
Until October 2007, we utilized about 1,000 square feet of office space in Vancouver, British Columbia. Our rent was $1,700 per month. In addition, we paid approximately $1,500 per month for office support that includes a photocopier, telephones, a fax machine, computers, printers, scanners, secretarial services, reception services and consumables.
As at October 2007, the lease for the premises in Canada has been cancelled; however the company will continue to be registered in Canada.
Stream Communications Sp. z o.o.
Stream provides cable television services and high-speed Internet access in the Polish districts of Slaskie, Malopolskie, Swietokrzyskie and Podkarpackie through its hybrid fibre coax ("HFC") networks. Recently, it has also begun offering limited Internet telephony services based on Voice over Internet Protocol ("VoIP"). Stream Poland provides its customers with a high quality product by employing modern, reliable networks, a broad selection of programmes, professional management and customer service.
We own and control business activities in Poland through a group of companies, in particular through our wholly owned subsidiary Stream Communications Sp. z o.o. ("Stream Poland") with a registered office in Krakow, ul. Aleja 29 Listopada 130, 31-406 Krakow, and indirectly, through the following subsidiaries of Stream Poland:
Bielsat.com Sp. z o.o. ("Bielsat")
Telewizja Kablowa Gimsat Sp. z o.o. ("Gimsat")
ASK Stream Sp. z o.o. ("ASK")
Vega Sp. z o.o. ("Vega")
Stream Communications Network & Media Inc. and Stream Poland are collectively referred to as"Stream". Stream provides cable television services and high-speed Internet access in the Polish districts of Slaskie, Malopolskie, Swietokrzyskie, and Podkarpackie through its hybrid fibre coax ("HFC") networks. Recently, it has also begun offering limited Internet telephony services based on Voice over Internet Protocol ("VoIP").
Stream conducts its business in Southern Poland's most densely populated region, which, as per data from the Main Statistical Office (GUS), has approximately 11.5 million inhabitants and 3.2 million television homes and according to the estimates by PIKE1 about 1.1 million cable subscribers. Stream originally targeted this area of Poland because of the number of mid-sized cities which at that time remained underserved by larger cable operators. Stream has funded its growth and operations principally through debt and equity issuances. Stream's management possesses cable-business expertise and experience and, in particular, knowledge of its local target markets.
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1Polish Chamber of Electronic Communication
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Most of Stream's networks have an 862 MHz bandwidth and potentially are able to transmit up to 94 analogue television channels and 68 radio stations. A portion of Stream's networks can already be used for two-way transmission, which is necessary for Internet access and other interactive services. Stream's policy is to upgrade the networks it has acquired, including for the provision of two-way data transmission.
Stream Poland has made a number of cable television acquisitions, all of which have been successfully integrated into its business. These acquisitions include:
Date | Name of acquisition | Region of operation |
September 2007 | ASK II | Sosnowiec |
April 2005 | Vega II | Czestochowa |
April 2005 | Internet in Bytom | Bytom |
Oct 2004 | 98% of Vega | Czestochowa |
Sept 2004 | Miechowice | Bytom |
May 2004 | 60% of ASK | Sosnowiec |
March 2004 | Channel 69 | Sosnowiec |
June 2001 | 100% of Gimsat | Jaslo, Sanok, Brzozow |
July 2001 | MTK | Czestochowa |
July 2001 | A portion of the assets of AZART S.C.: | |
AZART SC Telekom | Kielce | |
AZART TK Trybinowski | Busko, Zdroj | |
September 2000 | A portion of the assets of Elektromontaz Rzeszow S.A. El-Rzeszow"Telekab" | Rzeszow, Bochnia, Sankomierz |
August 2000 | A portion of the assets of Bister Sp. Z o.o. | Jaworzno, Czechowice-Dziedzice |
July 2000 | A portion of the assets of Telemedia Sp. Z o.o. | Czestochowa |
July 2000 | A portion of the assets of Marsat S.C. | Czestochowa |
June 2000 | 51% of the shares of Bielsat | Beilsko-Biala, Czechowice-Dziedzice |
On February 22, 2008, we entered into an agreement with Penta, that will allow Penta to acquire a majority stake (51%) in Stream Poland.
Stream Poland is one of the founders of Bielsat and since Bielsat was incorporated on March 8, 2000, has held 51% of its shares. PPUH Bielsat owns the remaining 49% of its shares.
Stream Poland has an option to acquire the outstanding 49% in Bielsat, of which the option is valid until 2009. In the same period there is a'drag-along' clause whereby PPUH Bielsat is obliged to sell its shares in Bielsat to Stream Poland, should Stream Canada decide to dispose of Stream Poland.
Gimsat
Stream Poland owns 100% of Gimsat, having made the final payment in May 2004.
ASK was initially purchased on May 5, 2004, wherein we paid $200,000 for a 60% interest in share capital of ASK. The remaining 40% was acquired on September 30, 2007 for cash consideration of $222,124.
A 98% interest in Vega was purchased in October 2004 by Stream Poland and outstanding 2% was acquired in 2005.
Our operating companies consist primarily of highly penetrated, mature broadband systems that generate stable cash flow. We also operate a number of earlier stage broadband businesses. Our primary goal in the majority of these regions is to capitalize on the opportunity to increase revenues and cash flows through the introduction of new and expanded programming and the delivery of Internet access services and telephony over our cable communications networks.
Stream's Cable Television Services
Stream Poland currently offers four programme packages:
£ | Bronze (Lifeline Tier): targeted to reach up to 8 channels for most subscribers, including all four Polish public television channels and Stream Poland's own information channel; |
£ | Silver (Intermediate Tier): targeted to reach up to 18 channels for most subscribers, including all Basic Tier channels, plus Polish terrestrial channels and channels received free-of-charge; |
£ | Gold (Basic Tier): targeted to reach up to 45 channels for most subscribers, including all Intermediate Tier channels and certain pay channels including e.g. Viasat History and Explorer, Eurosport, National Geographic, Fox Kids, BBC Prime, Polsat Sport and three music channels of VIVA; |
£ | Live (Premium Tier): targeted to reach up to 45 channels for most subscribers, including all Top Tier channels and premium channels Canal+. Canal+ Film and Canal+ Sport; |
The different programming packages are designed to attract the maximum number of subscribers in a given franchise area, in order to obtain the highest possible penetration. Stream markets to subscribers of lower priced tiers to encourage them to move to higher priced tiers. In the future Stream intends to offer add-on premium channel packages of additional channels.
Because Stream has acquired its cable television networks through acquisitions, the exact channels in program packages offered to customers vary across the network. One of Stream's strategic goals is to unify channel offerings, which it has already begun doing. Over the longer term, Stream also intends to unify pricing structures across its networks. To the extent Stream has so far unified programs and prices, it has not experienced high levels of customer churn.
Because regulatory authorities in Poland do not currently set or oversee retail prices for either cable television subscriptions or Internet access services, Stream is free to charge a market price for these services.
Stream performs regular audits of customer installations to prevent piracy and maintains technology to help minimize potential signal piracy. Stream does not believe that its signals are pirated extensively enough to have a material adverse effect on its business.
Stream's Cable Television Program
Polish cable television operators have more than 200 channels from which to choose when building their program offerings. These channels are transmitted via satellites, the most popular of which are the Eutelsat and Astra satellites. When deciding which channels to offer its subscribers, Stream takes into account program demand analysis, subscribers' opinions, and cost. Most of the license agreements that Stream has entered into relating to program purchases will be in effect for the next three to five years and may be extended. Most of these license agreements also provide that as Stream's subscriber base increases, Stream may be able to modify the agreements to obtain more favorable terms.
Stream's programming providers are: (a) Polish public television; (b) Polish privateterrestrial television stations licensed by KRRiT; (c) Polish and foreign satellite program providers; and (d) local program producers.
Table: List of programs licensed by Stream
Channel No. | Name | Characteristics | Language |
1 | TVP 1 | Public television | Polish |
2 | TVP 2 | Public television | Polish |
3 | TVP POLONIA | Public television | Polish |
4 | TVP 3 | Public television | Polish |
5 | POLSAT | Private terrestrial | Polish |
6 | TVN | Private terrestrial | Polish |
7 | TVN 7 | Entertainment | Polish |
8 | POLSAT 2 | Entertainment | Polish |
9 | TV 4 | Private terrestrial | Polish |
10 | TV Puls | General | Polish |
11 | Polonia 1 | Entertainment | Polish |
12 | Tele 5 | Entertainment | Polish |
13 | TV Trwam | Catholic | Polish |
14 | BBC World | Information | English |
15 | BBC Prime | Entertainment | English |
16 | POLSAT Sport | Sport | Polish |
17 | TVN Meteo | Weather | Polish |
18 | TVN Turbo | Cars | Polish |
19 | TVN 24 | Information | Polish |
20 | Explorer | Science | Polish |
21 | History | Science | Polish |
22 | MINI MINI | Children | Polish |
23 | Kino Polska | Movies | Polish |
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Channel No. | Name | Characteristics | Language |
24 | TVN Style | Entertainment | Polish |
25 | Ale Kino! | Movies | Polish |
26 | Zig Zap | Children | Polish |
27 | National Geographic | Science | Polish |
28 | Planete | Documentary | Polish |
29 | VIVA PL | Music | Polish |
30 | VIVA | Music | German |
31 | VIVA+ | Music | German |
32 | RTL | Entertainment | German |
33 | RTL 2 | Entertainment | German |
34 | SAT 1 | Entertainment | German |
35 | VOX | Entertainment | German |
36 | Club | Entertainment | Polish |
37 | Jetix | Children | Polish |
38 | Discovery | Science/Documentary | Polish |
39 | Animal Planet | Science | Polish |
40 | Superstacja | Entertainment | Polish |
41 | Eurosport | Sport | Polish |
42 | Canal+ | Entertainment | English |
43 | Canal+ sport | Entertainment | English |
44 | Canal+ film | Entertainment | English |
For most subscribers, Channels 1-6 are available in Stream's Lifeline Tier and Channels 1-14 are available in Stream's Intermediate Tier. Stream includes all these programs in its Top Tier offering. These offerings are subject to change as Stream effects the licensing changes required under the recent amendments to the Polish Copyright Act.
In compliance with Polish law, Stream carries the Polish terrestrial television channels for its subscribers. Stream is currently involved in discussions to obtain rights to new channels. Stream is not dependent on any one program provider.
Data transmission over HFC networks is much faster and more reliable than over telephone lines. Stream intends to upgrade 100% of its network to make high-speed Internet access available to all individual and business customers.
These services offer substantial decreases in the costs of long distance and international calls as well as calls to mobile networks due to sound compression and the use of VoIP for transmission instead of standard voice channels. At this time Stream has some VoIP customers and will continue to offer VoIP services based on demand.
Marketing and sales
Most of the cable television providers that Stream has acquired did not advertise or market their services. Stream does advertise and market its services in order to both retain its subscriber base and to add more subscribers.
Stream's marketing and sales strategy is currently delivered through the use of professionally trained salespeople working at eight permanent customer care and marketing offices and through periodicpromotions of its services. Stream also uses a preview channel, an information channel, promotional material mailed with monthly invoices and its website (www.stream.pl) to inform its customers of existing and new programs and services. Stream undertakes a number of additional marketing initiatives, including market research, radio advertising, newspaper advertising, and subscriber contests. All these efforts are aimed at limiting customer churn, moving customers into more expensive tiers of service and helping Stream gain market acceptance.
Stream has registered its trademark, its logo, and the names of its cable television programme packages.
Overview of the Polish cable television industry
Poland has approximately 38.12 million inhabitants and 12.53 million households with a TV set of which 4.5 million are cable TV subscribers. Prior to 1989, during the Communist political regime, the Polish government controlled and regulated the television industry. All frequencies and channel offerings were limited principally to government broadcast programs. In the early years of the post-Communist era, there was no effective regulatory authority. This led to a proliferation of small cable operators building low-cost, poorly constructed cable systems in densely populated urban areas of Poland.
In more recent years, due in part to Poland's economic development and the introduction of cable industry regulations, Poland's cable industry has developed rapidly. In addition, large cable operators, such as @Entertainment (later: UPC; United Pan-Europe Communications), have constructed high-quality cable systems and offered numerous programming choices.
Despite these developments, the Polish cable television market remains underdeveloped. According to PIKE4, there were at December 31, 2007, 600 cable TV operators with 1,086 networks providing services to 4.5 million of the country's 12.5 million TV-homes, of which 70% are passed by cable.
Stream believes that there is significant potential for further consolidation among Polish cable television providers. Stream believes that currently the top 10 operators (including Stream) control approximately 65% of the built-out market, with the remaining 35% serviced by about 600 operators. Stream expects consolidation among these providers, particularly as smaller operator's face the regulatory compliance burdens of being required to meet minimum cable television network technical standards and pay for programming produced by others.
Stream believes that there are several reasons why Poland represents a favorable market for the provision of multi-channel cable services.
First, Poland is one of the largest single-language markets in Central Europe.
Second, watching television is a significant leisure activity in Poland, partly because cable television provides relatively inexpensive entertainment. Latest research by PIKE, indicates that each Polish household watches an average of 252 minutes of television per day.
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2Central Statistical Office: Population Size and Structure by Territorial Division (December 31, 2006)
3Polish Chamber of Electronic Communication (PIKE): Proprietary Research
4Polish Chamber of Electronic Communication
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Third, middle-income families living in multiple dwelling units, or MDU's, account for approximately 70% of residential housing in Polish cities. This high housing density results in comparatively low costs for building cable television networks. Currently Stream's average network density is about 320 homes passed per kilometer of cable plant. By comparison, the average housing density in the United States is 48 homes per kilometer of cable plant.
Fourth, in Poland the right to build cable television networks reaching MDU's is acquired through agreement with the owner of the MDU and does not require any permits from regulatory telecommunications authorities. Under such agreements, the operator is allowed to connect all apartments located in a given building to its network. Stream has entered into such agreements with renewable terms varying from ten to twenty years.
One of the most important aspects of Stream Poland's strategy is the acquisition of other cable television networks from various operators. These networks have different organisational structures and marketing policies and use differing equipment of varying capabilities. Valid telecommunications permits are in place for all acquired networks.
At a technical level, the acquired systems are all well suited to the transmission of television and radio programmes, and about nine per cent of them (the networks in Jaslo, Sosnowiec and Bytom) are already capable of providing the two-way transmission necessary for the provision of Internet access services. Because Stream Poland plans to increase its revenues by selling premium programme packages and data transmission services throughout its network, further modernisation of Stream Poland's network will be necessary.
A modern CATV network generally follows the scheme at left. Networks that are constructed as in this scheme have a hybrid structure based on both fibre-optic and coaxial cables and are referred to as HFC, or hybrid fibre coax, networks.
When acquiring systems from other cable operators, Stream Poland also acquires the existing infrastructures of those systems. When evaluating these infrastructures, Stream Poland focuses particularly on the number of subscribers connected to each headend, the configuration of the existing network, the configuration of the network within subscribers' buildings and the network transmission bandwidth.
So far, the operators that Stream Poland has acquired have been small, and it is inherent in small cable network systems that subscribers' plug-ins are in close proximity to the headends. Because of their proximity, small cable networks usually do not use fibre optic cables to connect headends with plug-ins. In the context of the figure above, this would be illustrated by replacing the headend with a fibre optic node.
As a result of past acquisitions, Stream Poland now has more headends than are required to meet its current subscriber demand. The benefits of reducing the number of headends include a substantial decrease in network maintenance costs and in the costs of adapting headends when introducing new services.
The process of merging headends is related to the construction of new fibre optic cables, which, to the extent possible, are laid in a ring as shown in the diagram above. In this process, a part of the network and headends are being replaced with fibre optic nodes. This will allow the number of series or cascade amplifiers to be reduced, leading to improved signal quality and reduced line maintenance costs. Additionally, whilst modernising the network, Stream Poland intends to replace local power sources with a smaller number of power supplies equipped with stand-by power capability. This will help eliminate power failure as the principal reason for network disruption.
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Almost all of the network installations at subscribers' premises have already been modernised and now possess a "radial" structure. A radial structure allows for the simultaneous powering of subscriber plug-ins, which both removes signal disturbance and allows Stream Poland to disconnect subscribers more easily should the need arise.
The frequency spectrum is divided into different bands that are allocated by the applicable Polish regulatory body (UKE) for the use of telecommunications operators. The following bands are available to cable television operators:
- 5.0 - 60.0 MHz for path return;
- 87.5 - 108.0 MHz for radio channels; and
- 110.0 - 862.0 MHz for television channels.
The nominal capacity of Stream Poland's networks is 68 radio channels with a bandwidth of 0.3 MHz and 94 television channels with a (European) bandwidth of 8.0 MHz. The actual capacity of the networks is smaller because some frequencies are used by governmental bodies, mobile telephone operators and terrestrial radio and television operators.
At present, 81% of Stream Poland's networks are engineered for the 862 MHz bandwidth, 14% operate at the 606 MHz bandwidth and 5% operate at 550 MHz. Stream Poland estimates that, by the end of 2008, 95% of its networks will have been upgraded to the maximum 862 MHz bandwidth.
As part of Stream Poland's efforts to adopt a common set of programme offerings across its network, all channels are processed at 720 MHz and the higher band is reserved for future transmission of a digital signal.
The cable television networks purchased by Stream Poland consist of equipment of varying quality, age and manufacturers. Stream Poland constructs and upgrades the networks using equipment of recognised manufacturers. The growth of cable television in Poland has led to the presence of representatives in Poland of the leading manufacturers of such equipment, including Scientific Atlanta, Motorola, Cisco and Times Fibre. As it increases the size of its networks, Stream Poland expects to be able to negotiate better prices for future equipment purchases.
Stream Poland's customer base and market share
Stream Poland has a stable subscriber base in the territories serviced by the company, indicating that the company has reached a mature status in these areas. As of December 31, 2007 the company had 60,700 Cable TV subscribers, 7,684 Internet subscribers and 51 VOIP subscribers.
Nearly all of Stream Poland's customers are in MDUs.
Stream Poland's primary market is located in south-eastern Poland and includes the following districts: Slaskie, Malopolskie, Swietokrzyskie and Podkarpackie. The map below illustrates the locations of Stream Poland's cable television networks.
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Locations of Stream Poland's cable television networks
Stream Poland's market has approximately 11.5 million people, 3.2 million television households and 1.1 million cable television subscribers5. Stream's market locations are the most densely populated in Poland, containing roughly 30% of the nation's population. There are 92 towns with more than 50,000 inhabitants in all of Poland and 35 of them are located in this region.
Competition among cable television operators is not as strong in Stream Poland's market as in the largest Polish towns, where the market is relatively mature and where competing networks often overlap. Stream Poland believes that there are good acquisition opportunities in its market because the operators who initially moved into this market were, and generally remain, small and independent.
In general, the cable television market in Poland is not overbuilt. At present, Stream Poland's competitors have overbuilt only approximately 20% of Stream Poland's network area. The following is a list of major cable television operators in Poland, who together hold approximately 50% of the Polish cable television market but currently have limited presence in the markets where Stream Poland focuses its business. They may, however enter Stream Poland's markets in the future, and also may compete with Stream Poland in acquiring network assets. They are:
- UPC Telewizja Kablowa6, a subsidiary of the European cable television operator UGC Europe Inc. (formerly United Pan-Europe Communications) with more than 1,000,000 subscribers in eight out of the ten of largest cities in Poland.
- Vectra7, with approximately 643,000 subscribers in Poland and operates in Wroclaw, Walbrzych, Bielsko Biala, Elblag, Olsztyn, Slupsk, Bialystok, Radom, Zabrze, and 80 other Polish cities.
- Aster8,a subsidiary of a consortium of investments funds, with 416,000 subscribers in Warsaw (Aster), Krakow (Autocom) and Zielona Gora (ZTP).
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5 Source: Stream Poland's own market research
6 Source: UPC Poland information released on their web-site
7 Source: Vectra's information released on their web-site
8 Source: Aster's own information released on their web-site
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- Multimedia Polska9, with approximately 601,000 subscribers in Poland, mainly in Kalisz, Szczecin, Gorzow Wielkopolski, Lublin, Rzeszow, Gdynia, Torun and Plock.
Direct-to-home satellite television (the so-called digital platform), which is widely accessible in Poland, also competes with cable television. Two entities provide high quality direct-to-home satellite services in Poland:
- Cyfra+, which has approximately 850,000 subscribers, and
- Polsat Cyfrowy10, which has approximately 1,500,000 subscribers.
There are up to six terrestrial channels available in Poland that also competes with cable television. However, in most cases the reception of aerial signals is generally so poor that, with the exception of the largest cities, most viewers are only able to receive some of these channels. The majority of viewers require access to cable television in order to receive even these six channels.
In the course of 2007, Stream is facing new challenges and competition from other operators as Stream has pursued its triple-play strategy (TV, Internet and Telephony) expecting to become a'one-stop-shopping' for the subscribers.
- Telephony was launched by Stream in the autumn of 2007 with the expectation of fast penetration and ramp-up of subscribers and revenue, given the discount price model offered.
A significant competition was encountered from Mobile Telephony Operators, offering prices lower than that offered by Stream, while offering the convenience of mobile telephony and SKYPE (www.skype.com), as well as launching a fixed price-policy (below Stream's) for calls to fixed lines. - Internet was launched on several of Stream's network in 2007 with the expectation of fast penetration though attractive pricing of services.
The incumbent Telco launched a campaign giving away Dell Notebooks to all new internet subscribers; Mobile Telephony Operators decreased the price on mobile internet to the same price level of internet solutions offered by CATV Operators and Fixed line telephony.
Regulation of Stream Poland's services
Radio and Television Act
The Polish Radio and Television Act regulates the broadcasting of radio and television programmes and of cable channels. The Radio and Television Act established the National Radio and Television Council ("KRRiT"). KRRiT's mandate is to support freedom of speech in radio and television, to support the independence of broadcasting organisations, to protect viewers' interests and to ensure the open and pluralistic nature of radio and television. KRRiT also seeks to prevent steps aimed at the establishment of a monopoly in radio and television, to eliminate censorship and to ensure, through its licencing policy, the pluralistic nature of the audio-visual mass media. KRRiT also functions as the oversight authority for all activities of broadcasting o rganisations.
The Radio and Television Act ensures the independence of broadcasting organisations as they transmit information, entertainment, cultural and artistic events and other ideas by imposing on broadcasters norms and conditions for their programming structures and by allocating broadcasting time to specific programme items. Such norms also apply to advertising, tele-shopping and sponsoring. In order to enforce such restrictions, KRRiT is entitled to monitor the contents and reception of all radio and television programmes broadcast in Poland.
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9 Source: Multimedia's own information released on their web-site
10 Source: Polsat Cyfrowy's own information released on their web-site
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The Radio and Television Act requires cable operators to obtain a licence to produce and broadcast radio and television programmes. In addition, cable operators who distribute entire channels of a domestic or foreign broadcasting organisation must register such channels in the register kept by the Chairman of KRRiT. The Chairman of KRRiT is authorised to issue such licences and to register channels. The registration requirement applies to all channels, except for nation-wide public radio and television and other programmes of domestic broadcasting organisations which can be received within such cable operator's area with common aerial reception equipment.
The application for registration of a channel must be filed no later than two months prior to the start of distribution. A cable operator may commence transmission two months after the filing of the application for registration unless the Chairman of KRRiT has denied the registration within that time. After the registration of a channel, a cable operator is obliged to notify KRRiT within 14 days if the contents of such channel have materially changed.
KRRiT may refuse to register a channel if a cable operator does not have a valid broadcasting licence or otherwise is not in material compliance with applicable law. KRRiT may also refuse to register a channel if the content of the channel itself is in violation of applicable law.
A broadcasting organisation is also obliged to introduce its channels into the network in a specified order. The Chairman of KRRiT may allow for a different sequence than indicated by law under justifiable circumstances.
The Radio and Television Act also provides for the possibility that the broadcasting of a particular channel may be prohibited if such broadcasting would violate any provisions of the Radio and Television Act or if the cable operator fails to broadcast its channels in the prescribed order, introduces changes to a channel, or fails to broadcast such channel in full or simultaneously.
At present, the Polish legislature is in the process of reviewing the Radio and Television Act. Proposed modifications would be applicable to cable network operators, specifically concerning the registration of channels, the statutory channel sequence, the contents of channel registration applications and the criteria on which denial of registration or the prohibition of a channel offering would be based.
Copyrights
Cable operators broadcast the works of authors whose rights are protected by copyrights. The Copyright Act protects such copyrights.
Under the Copyright Act, cable operators may broadcast protected works only pursuant to an agreement with an organisation responsible for the collective management of copyrights or related rights. Cable operators are required to pay a fee for the use of such works as specified in tariffs approved by the Copyright Commission, which in turn is appointed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage. At present, Polish law does not limit the amount payable to authors under such agreements. The Arbitration Commission of the Copyright Commission settles any disputes arising from the tariffs applied and, as of 1 May 2004, also settles disputes arising from agreements entered into by cable operators and the organisations responsible for the collective management of copyrights.
Although it has been assumed that the latest amendments to the Copyright Act would fully conform its provisions to EU law, Polish law does not reflect EU law completely. For instance, there is no clear provision for so-called"general contracts" whereby copyrights as well as related rights are collectively managed. General contracts are permitted in EU countries to ensure that cable operators can acquire all rights associated with a work. Consequently, the lack of such regulation in Poland means that many agreements may have to be negotiated with organisations responsible for the collective management of copyrights without a cable operator being able to ascertain that such agreements would fully cover all copyrights and related rights.
The amended Copyright Act, which became effective as of 1 May 2004, removed a statutory licence that enabled cable operators to broadcast the works broadcast by other radio and television broadcasters in a given area provided the programme was broadcasted simultaneously and integrally with the primary broadcast, it being understood that the initial broadcaster retained its right to remuneration. The removal of the statutory licence follows from the approximation of the Copyright Act to EU law, in particular to the provisions of Directive No. 93/83 on the Co-ordination of Certain Rules Concerning Copyright and Rights Related to Copyright Applicable to Satellite Broadcasting and Cable Broadcasting of 27 September 1993.
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As the statutory licence is no longer available, it is now necessary for cable operators, including Stream Poland, to enter into agreements with all broadcasters, organisations responsible for the collective management of copyrights and television organisations for related rights protecting programmes produced by them.
All Polish telecommunications activities are regulated under the Polish Telecommunications Act, which took effect on September 3, 2004. The Telecommunications Act imposes regulations on telecommunications activities and technical requirements for equipment to be used for telecommunications activities. The term"telecommunications activity" is defined as business activity consisting in the provision of telecommunications services, the provision of telecommunications networks or associated facilities. Moreover, the Telecommunications Act contains detailed provisions concerning telecommunications permits, radio permits, frequency usage, telecommunications secrecy, the connection of networks, the co-operation of operators, telecommunications infrastructure and the functioning and organization of the Office of Electronic Communica tions ("UKE"), among other provisions. The Telecommunications Act replaced provisions concerning telecommunications activities contained in the Communications Act of July 21, 2000.
Under the Telecommunications Act, a permit is required to use the public telephone network. To operate a public network to broadcast or retransmit radio or television programmes a registration application is required, solely. The Telecommunications Act does not contain any detailed prohibitions or restrictions on the area of telecommunications activity or the kind of services a cable operator may provide.
The Telecommunications Act does not separately regulate Internet telephony services, because these services are considered data transmission services rather than the operation of a public telephone network. As described above, Stream Poland needs only to notify UKE that it is providing such services.
Competition and consumer protection
The Polish Competition Protection Act regulates, among other things, conditions that further competition, procedures for counteracting competition-restraining practices and the violation of consumer interests. The governmental office responsible for enforcing the Act is the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection ("UOKiK"). Detailed provisions applicable to entities operating in the telecommunications industry, and in particular relating to dominant or significant market positions, are also contained in the Telecommunications Act.
Competition Protection Act
The threshold question of whether the Competition Protection Act applies turns on whether the entity in question holds a dominant market position. A dominant market position typically exists if the entity is able to prevent efficient competition in a given market by being able to operate to a large extent independently of its competitors, business partners and consumers. The Competition Protection Act assumes that an entity holds a dominant position when its market share exceeds 40%. The Competition Protection Act prohibits any activities that are designed to restrict competition through the acquiring or strengthening of a dominant position in the relevant market. Therefore, the Competition Protection Act prohibits specific activities aimed at the elimination or the restriction of competition; a list of such activities is contained in the Competition Protection Act.
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Activities related to the concentration of entities are also subject to regulation. The Competition Protection Act imposes an obligation to notify the President of UOKiK of specific transactions, including any intended merger, share exchange, acquisition, or other transaction having a consolidating effect. The President of UOKiK may prohibit such business combinations if, following such a transaction, the entities involved would acquire or strengthen a dominant position in the affected market that would substantially restrict competition. If an entity fails to notify the UOKiK or takes other steps that violate the Competition Protection Act, UOKiK may levy fines against all parties participating in the combination and the individual members of their governing bodies.
The above notification requirement with regard to intended mergers applies to all entities whose total sales in the financial year preceding the year of notification exceed an equivalent of EUR 50,000,000. However, the notification requirement does not apply if the turnover of the proposed target did not exceed the equivalent of EUR 10,000,000 in the two financial years preceding the notification. In addition, no notification is required if the combined market share of both entities does not exceed 20% or if the concentration is affected by entities belonging to the same capital group. According to an official interpretation of UOKiK, transactions among foreign entities that exert influence on market conditions in Poland may also be required to file a notification with the President of UOKiK.
Competition and the Telecommunications Act
The Telecommunications Act contains several provisions applicable to entities that hold a dominant or significant market position. Whether a public operator holds a dominant position in a given market is determined under the provisions of the Competition Protection Act. In order to establish whether a cable operator holds a significant market position in a given market, a cable operator must have a market share of at least 25%. On the basis of certain criteria, it is also possible to establish that a cable operator whose market share is less than 25% holds a significant market position. The President of UKE, acting jointly with the President of UOKiK, decides whether a cable operator in a given area holds a dominant or significant market position.
The Telecommunications Act imposes several obligations on cable operators that hold dominant or significant market positions. Such obligations, depending on the position of such operator, may include submission to the review of common services agreements (and amendments thereto) or of bylaws for the provision of common services (and amendments thereto). Such obligations may also include following certain procedures to establish rates for common services or that require that services be provided in accordance with certain rules. In connection with such obligations, the President of UKE may use several means of enforcement against operators holding a significant market position.
The President of UKE publishes a list of operators that hold a significant and dominant position once a year. Stream is not yet on this list.
Special obligations in exceptional situations
Under the Telecommunications Act, operators are required to take into consideration, while planning, constructing, developing, using or merging telecommunications networks, the possibility of force majeure events, such as the imposition of martial or emergency laws or natural calamities. Special obligations in such situations include, among other obligations, co-operating with officials, securing networks and telecommunications equipment, maintaining continuity of operation and ensuring access for emergency services and governmental officials to telecommunications equipment.
Certain special limitations are also imposed by the Act on Common Duty to Defend the Republic of Poland ("Defence Act") of November 21, 1967 (Journal of Laws 1992, No. 4, item, 16). In the event of operational reviews conducted by the armed forces, military drills, training in civil defence or common self-defence in peacetime, as well as in the event of an announcement of army mobilisation or at time of war, operators may be obliged to provide material services to the armed forces, such as renting real property and movables to the armed forces or to further state defence.
Stream Poland's Organization, Management and Personnel
As a Polish limited liability company, Stream Poland has two levels of management:
Management Board; and
Supervisory Board
The Management Board has the responsibility of making all executive management decisions, while the Supervisory Board has the responsibility of periodically monitoring and approving the activities of the Management Board.
The Supervisory Board directors of Stream Poland are elected by the shareholders of the Parent Company at each annual general meeting, or, in the event of a vacancy, they are appointed by the Supervisory Board of Directors then in office, to serve until the next annual general meeting or until their successors are elected and ratified.
Management Board:
Stream Poland's Management Board was changed in December 2007 and was in a transition period at year end:
Adam Ilczuk (President and CEO) resigned in December 2007 and was replaced by Andrzej Strehlau.
Krzysztof Czwartkiewicz (Director) resigned in December 2007 and was replaced by Vladimir Petrzilka.
Zbigniew Tragarz (Director) resigned in December 2007.
Supervisory Board:
Stream Poland's Supervisory Board currently comprises of the following members on December 31, 2007 and was changed in 2008 as a result of the investment agreement with Penta:
Supervisory Board 2007 | Supervisory Board 2008 |
Jan S. Rynkiewicz | Jan S. Rynkiewicz |
Iwona Kozak | Michal Tomanek |
Przemyslaw Aussenberg | Jan Evan |
Stream Poland currently rents 8,000 square feet in an office building, close to the centre of Krakow and is considered adequate for the company's head office needs for the foreseeable future. The customer database and the call centre (to manage customer calls) are also located here.
Stream Poland also maintains small separate offices in Rzeszów, Bielsko-Biala, Jaslo, Sanok, Sosnowiec and Czestochowa to act as a base for local customer service and sales representatives. These local offices are connected with the head-office in Kraków and are able to access its database on-line.
Stream Poland utilizes about 8,000 square feet of office space in Krakow, Poland. Stream Poland's rent is approximately $17,512 per month. The lease of the premises expires in 2010.
IEWS (formerly: International Eco-Waste Systems) S.A.
IEWS was in the business of constructing and operating rendering plants in Poland. IEWS is inactive and currently does not have any rendering plants in operation.
In view of developments and uncertainty with BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or"mad cow disease") issues and as a result of our focus on cable TV and the operations of Stream Poland, we decided that the operations of IEWS did not fit with our current objectives.
As at December 31, 2007, Stream owns 100% of shares of IEWS. During the second half of 2007, Stream began the process to liquidate he business affairs of IEWS and intends to launch new activities compatible with the telecommunication services. The liquidation is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.
Streamline Media (formerly: Polvoice.com) Sp. z o.o.
Since October of 1999, Polvoice had been working on the development of software to offer Internet services in Poland. In November of 1999, Polvoice applied to the Ministry for Telecommunication in Poland for a license that is essential for Polvoice to operate in that sector in Poland. Polvoice received its telecommunications license as of August 22, 2000.
Streamline's business objective was to become an Internet, data transmission, and VoIP provider in Poland. Streamline's services included VoIP services, data transmission, teleconferencing, web site development, and maintenance.
Streamline was're-activated' in 2006, and started preparing market research on potential acquisition targets on the polish cable TV market, with the view that Streamline will be acting as an agent for and on behalf of Stream Poland acquiring new cable TV systems.
In January 2008, Streamline changed its name to Streamline Investments Sp. z o.o.
The Company is not subject to any unresolved SEC issues, comments or disputes.
Item 5- Operating and Financing Review and Prospects
We prepare our financial statements in Canadian dollars. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in Canada, or Canadian GAAP, with reconciliation to US GAAP.
Our core business is considered to be our cable TV operations. From the beginning of our operations in Poland until December 31, 2007 approximately $20 million had been spent on the acquisition and modernization of cable television network equipment and on the acquisition of licenses and subscribers. Our future business growth is expected to consist of buying subscribers from independent operators, building networks in areas where existing operators are unwilling to sell us their subscribers, buying interests in existing cable operations and reconstructing old systems by preparing them for the transmission of new services, including pay-per-view, internet, and video-on-demand.
In this annual report on Form 20F we use Adjusted EBITDA, which we define as operating earnings before amortization and loss on disposal of capital assets. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure, and is not a measure of performance under Canadian GAAP or US GAAP. We have included Adjusted EBITDA in this Form 20F because we believe that, in addition to net income, Adjusted EBITDA provides readers with a basis to evaluate our operating performance. To evaluate Adjusted EBITDA, the components of Adjusted EBITDA, such as net income and interest and the variability of such components over time, should also be considered. Readers should be cautioned, however, that Adjusted EBITDA should not be constructed as an alternative to net income (loss) (as determined in accordance with Canadian GAAP or US GAAP) as an indicator of our operating performance. Our method of calculating Adjusted EBITDA may differ from the methods used by other companies and, as a result, Adjusted EBITDA measures presented in t he From 20F may not be comparable to other similar titled measures disclosed by other companies.
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OPERATING RESULT FOR PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2007/2006 | 2006/2005 | |
Revenue | 7,376,978 | 6,472,905 | 5,826,112 | 14% | 11% |
Loss from Operations | (3,418,085) | (3,117,236) | (5,197,894) | (10)% | (41)% |
Add back: | |||||
Amortization | 2,159,233 | 2,388,716 | 2,650,139 | ||
Restructuring Expenses | - | 209,523 | - | ||
Loss on Disposal of Assets | 3,053 | 16,013 | - | ||
Adjusted EBITDA | (1,255,799) | (502,984) | (2,547,755) | 150% | (80)% |
Year ended December 31, 2007 compared to the year ended December 31, 2006
Stream Communications Network & Media, Inc. is reporting a negative Adjusted EBITDA of $(1,255,799) for the year ended December 31, 2007 (2006 - $(502,984); 2005 - $(2,547,755)). The deterioration of Adjusted EBITDA in 2007 from 2006 is a result of transactions with advisors engaged by the company to assist in the completion of the transaction with Penta.
Revenue increased by 14% in the current year as compared to 2006, as result of actively promoting internet services to subscribers for the network modernized in 2006 as well as focused direct sales efforts to upgrade existing subscribers to premium service packages. The rates for services increased in 2007 by 14% to off-set the increased costs for programming and system lease expenses.
Operating Expenses increased by 13% from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007 as a result of the company engaging professional advisors to support the management at raising funds, and in particular to provide advisory services to management in the finalization of the terms on the agreement entered into with Penta on their investment in Stream Poland.
Programming and System lease expenses increased by 13% from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007, due to higher penetration of internet services and therefore a need to purchase additional bandwidth. The upgrade of subscribers to premium programming packages has also increased the cost of programming.
Management and professional fees as well as Travel and Entertainment increased by 119% and 48% respectively in 2007 compared to 2006, as a result of the company's effort to raise financing which was successfully completed with the investment of Penta in Stream Poland.
Amortization the amortization charge for the year was $2,159,233 compared to $2,388,716 in 2006, a decrease of 10%, since the cable TV systems acquired in 2003 and earlier are fully amortized.
Other Operating Expenses (Income) as of December 31, 2007 was positively affected by the weak US-dollar and strong Canadian dollar and Polish zloty, resulting in an unrealized foreign exchange gain of $837,153 on the Company's long term debt outstanding at December 31, 2007. The restructuring expenses incurred in 2006 were a non-recurring item and therefore did not impact the company's operating results in 2007.
Financial and Other Items: In 2007, the company had other expenses of $648,737 versus $1,021,140 in 2006. This decrease is due to three main items: (1) all costs for the Standby Guarantee were incurred in 2006 ($798,289) (2) incremental financing expenses of $231,743 were incurred in 2007 related to the bond issue at Stream Poland, and (3) increased interest expenses of $145,869 due to the bond issue in Stream Poland.
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Income Taxes decreased in 2007 as a result of future income tax assets created at the Polish operational level for non-deductible expenses.
All together, the Company ended 2007 with a net loss of $3,107,320 versus a net loss of $4,485,893 in 2006.
Although the company ended 2007 with a working capital deficiency of $9,871,755 compared to $1,787,498 in 2006, this is not a reflection of the company's financial position subsequent to December 31, 2007, as $6,166,566 of the working capital deficiency at December 31, 2007 is linked directly to the investment of Penta, causing existing long-term debt to become payable upon completion of the transaction. Had the company not concluded the transaction with Penta, the working capital deficiency in 2007 would have been comparable to 2006.
Quarter ended December 31, 2007 compared to Quarter ended December 31, 2006
In the fourth quarter of 2007, revenue increased by 1.7% compared to the same period in 2006, as a result of seasonal sales promotions launched in the last quarter of 2007.
Operating expenses increased in the same period by 23.1%, mainly a result of the external advisors and management costs resulting from financing and negotiations with Penta, which were successfully completed in the last days of December 2007.
Loss from operations in the last quarter amounted to $2,070,792 against $1,574,859 caused by incremental expenses related to the transaction with Penta.
Year ended December 31, 2006 compared to the year ended December 31, 2005
Stream Communications Network & Media, Inc. is reporting a negative Adjusted EBITDA of $(502,984) for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to $(2,547,755) in 2005. The improved Adjusted EBITDA is a result of increased revenue and decreased operating expenses following a corporate restructuring, moving all corporate functions from Canada to Poland.
Revenue increased by 11% in 2006 as compared to 2005, as result of a focused effort to increase rates for cable TV services, as well as launch of internet services to Cable TV Subscribers on recently modernized part of the networks. The number of Cable TV internet subscribers' increased by 110% from December 31, 2005 to December 31, 2006.
The company actively sought to increase the sales of added services (internet and telephony) and launched a program modernizing existing networks, to be able to provide such services. The program was launched in the 2nd half of 2006 and by December 31, 2006 approximated 50% of the networks were able to provide triple-play capability. As a result thereof it was possible to offer internet service to a broader audience and increase subscribers.
Operating Expenses decreased 15% from December 31, 2005 to December 31, 2006 following a corporate restructuring moving nearly all corporate functions from Canada to Poland.
Programming and System lease expenses increased by effective by 120% from December 31, 2005 to December 31, 2006, however the effective increase was 22% as the company recorded all expenses in respect of Programming and System lease as such- and not as in previous years recording part of the expense as'Office Expenses'. The Company has not restated previous years in that respect. The effective increase of 22% was primarily a result of:
- Improved program offering following the price increase of cable TV services, and new government imposed requirements; and
- The launch of internet services requiring the company to purchase incremental internet access to provide our subscribers with a quality experience.
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The most significant cost decrease was'Investor relations' which decreased by 92%. In 2005, the company made a large effort to raise new capital, creating significant awareness about Stream Communications Network & Media Inc. allowing the company to follow the leads generated through the 2005 Campaign.
Amortization the amortization charge for the year was $2,388,716 compared to $2,650,139 in 2005, a decrease of 10% as the cable TV systems acquired in 2002 and earlier are fully amortized.
Other Operating Expenses (Income) as of December 31, 2006 the company had incurred a restructuring expense of $209,523 with respect to severance pay and similar costs resulting from moving our headquarters from Canada to Poland.
Financial and Other Items: In 2006, the company had expense of $1,021,140 versus $516,899 in 2005. This increase is due to three main items: (1) a Standby Guarantee of $5,826,826 the company obtained from two shareholders at the expense of $798,289, (2) in 2005 the company reversed an accrual for the IPO expenses related to a potential listing on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, and (3)sufficient equity was raised to repay the loan from Quest Capital Corp as well as other supplier debts.
Income Taxes increased in 2006 as a future income tax asset of $315,315 relating to accumulated losses of the Non-Canadian operations that were reversed as the losses expired.
All together, the Company ended 2006 with a net loss of $4,485,893 versus a net loss of $5,811,359 in 2005.
Although the company ended 2006 with a working capital deficiency of $1,787,498 in 2006 it was a significant improvement over prior year where the company had a negative working capital of $2,552,174.
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Subsequent Events
Our working capital deficiency as at December 31, 2007 was $9,871,755, compared to the working capital deficiencies atDecember 31, 2006 and 2005, which was $1,787,498 and $2,552,174 respectively. The deficiency at December 31, 2007 is significantly higher than in prior years, however a result of the pending transaction with Penta where the company had obtained short-term financing from Penta rather than mid-term bonds.
In the fourth quarter of 2007, the Management of Stream focused on securing an investment agreement with Penta. This delayed the bond offering and limited the Company's possibility to finance its operations and investments through vendor financing.
The bond offering was executed in November 2007 to manage cash flow until the investment agreement with Penta was completed. Stream Poland therefore executed a bond offering, for which the bond was repaid within 2 months after issue, at an expense of $157,120 (USD $160,000).
Following the preliminary investment agreement with Penta signed in December 2007 and finalized in February 2008, both Stream Canada and Stream Poland have repaid all external debt, and provided the Company with sufficient cash to finance its new venture in Streamline (Greenfield CATV Network in Suwalki), and Stream Poland has been recapitalized providing capital and liquidity to the Company's operations.
Stream Communications Network & Media Inc. is actively focusing on the roll-out of internet services throughout its networks and is scheduling a launch of telephony on a commercial scale in 2008. Being able to offer three services (Television, Internet and Telephony) to all its clients will allow the company to increase revenue generating units (RGU) while only marginally increasing costs, as the same infrastructure is used to provide all three services.
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In the course of 2007, Stream Poland has noted a neutral-positive development in the subscriber base in the existing networks, despite the launch of new services. This is a result of the cable TV market in Poland maturing. However, with a transparent service offering, internet and telephony are still new markets with room to grow. Competition from Telco's and other players are still visible however, and it is expected to lead to lower rates in this market segment.
Intense competition on the three core services, leading to decreasing prices, combined with higher expectations for subscribers to quality and service (HD TV, VOD etc) required significant investment in infrastructure, which only the largest Cable TV Operators can do in a profitable manner.
Subsequent to December 31, 2007 a majority stake in Stream Poland was acquired by Penta providing the company with the required financial backing to acquire other cable operators in Poland. In 2008 the company has concluded two term-sheets with the aim at acquiring approximately 40,000 new subscribers; however neither of those has been finalized as due diligence is still ongoing.
Contractual Obligations and Loans payable
Contractual obligations at December 31, 2007 are as follows:
Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | |
Long-term debt | $447,494 | nil | 447,494 | Nil | nil |
Short-term debt | $6,486,990 | 6,486,990 | Nil | nil | nil |
Capital lease obligations | $198,303 | 77,209 | 121,094 | nil | nil |
TOTAL | $7,132,787 | 6,564,199 | 568,588 | Nil | nil |
In the first quarter of 2008, Stream repaid debt obligations totalling $6,934,484; Capital and Operating leases remained, as the contractual repayment of these obligations will result in significant penalties.
The Company has an obligation to acquire and develop two Greenfield cable TV networks, of which Suwalki was acquired through Streamline Investments (previously Streamline Media) in April 2008 for a total amount of $2,124,248 (PLN 5,300,000), including taxes.
The company will be financing both ventures using the proceeds from the sale of shares in Stream Poland to Penta.
Programming Commitments The Company does not have any fixed programming commitments. All programming contracts are, although long-term, variable as a function of number of subscribers.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company has not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Canadian and US GAAP differences
The company is maintaining its accounting records in accordance with general accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in Canada, with reconciliation to US GAAP for financial reporting purposes.
When reconciling the consolidated financial statements to US GAAP, there are no differences in 2007, however the Company records the following differences in previous years:
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- Stock-Based Compensation which under Canadian GAAP is an expense to the Company is excluded from the Statement of Operations under US GAAP.
- Under Canadian GAAP, a proportionate amount of the cumulative foreign currency translation account is recognized in net income on a partial realization or disposition of an investment in a self-sustaining subsidiary. Under US GAAP such recognition occurs only when there has been a substantially complete realization of the investment.
Management has made certain judgments and estimates that affect the reported amount and other disclosure in our financial statements.
Loss Contingencies. Our estimates of our loss contingencies for legal proceedings are based on various management judgments and assumptions regarding the potential resolution or disposition of the underlying and associated costs.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets. On an annual basis, we review the long-lived assets held and used by us (primarily Cable TV Equipment and Conduit) for impairment. Assessing the appropriate valuation of the affected assets requires us to make judgments, assumptions and estimates. In general, write-downs for impairment are recognized when book values exceed our estimate of undiscounted future net cash flows associated with the assets. We review the carrying value of our capital assets, including construction in progress and believe that our reported values are reasonable based on current circumstances.
Amortization. Amortization of property, plant and equipment is principally based on a declining balance method where the cost of equipment is amortized evenly over the conservative estimate of its useful life, salvage, or residual value.
Future Income Taxes. We record future income tax assets, including potential tax benefit for operating loss carry-forwards and future income tax liabilities. The amount that we record for these assets and liabilities are based upon various management judgments, assumptions and estimates. These include judgments regarding the tax rates that will be applicable to the future income tax amount and the likelihood that we will generate sufficient taxable income or gains to utilize future income tax assets. Due to the numerous variables associated with our judgments, assumptions and estimates relating to the valuation of our future income tax assets and liabilities, and the effects of changes in circumstances affecting these valuations, both the precision and reliability of the resulting estimates are subject to uncertainties and, as additional information becomes known, we may change our estimates.
Subscriber Base. Subscriber Base is recognized at the acquisition of new cable TV or LAN systems. On an annual basis, we review the carrying value of Subscriber Base for impairment. Assessing the appropriate valuation of the affected assets requires us to make judgments, assumptions and estimates. In general, write-downs for impairment are recognized when book values exceed our estimate of undiscounted future net cash flows associated with the assets. We estimated the carrying value of our Subscriber Base in 2006 and believe that our reported values are reasonable based on current circumstances.
Intangible Assets.Intangible assets that are deemed to have an indefinite life are tested for impairment on an annual basis, and otherwise when indicators of impairment are determined to exist by applying a fair value based test. The process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill is highly subjective and requires significant judgments at many points during the analysis. In testing for potential impairment, the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, as determined based upon discounted cash flow forecasts, is compared to the book value of the reporting unit.
Changes in Accounting Policies including Initial Adoption
Under Canadian GAAP, on January 1, 2007, the Company adopted new accounting policies for financial instruments by adopting the following new standards of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants ("CICA"): Handbook Section 1530-Comprehensive Income; Handbook Section 3251-Equity; Handbook Section 3855-Financial Instruments- Recognition and Measurement; Handbook Section 3861-Financial Instruments- Disclosure and Presentation ; and Handbook Section 3865-Hedges. These new standards have been applied retrospectively without prior period restatement, except for the presentation of the cumulative unrealized effect of foreign currency translation of foreign operations on the consolidated balance sheet as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. The change in accounting policies had no other material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements at January 1, 2007.
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In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 ("FIN 48"),Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109,Accounting for Income Taxes. This Interpretation provides guidance on the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In addition, FIN 48 provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. Under FIN 48, the impact of an uncertain tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain i ncome tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Under US GAAP, the Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. The new standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
There were no other changes in accounting policies in 2007.
(a) Loan from Top Consulting
Mr. Dziublowski (Non-executive Director) made a loan to Stream Canada from his company Top Consulting for the amount of $245,500 (US $250,000). The Loan bears an annual interest of 9%.
(b) Advertising Agency
In 2006, Stream Poland, a subsidiary of the Company, appointed Media Forum Sp. z o. o. as Advertising Agency for the Company's Polish operations. During 2007, Media Forum Sp. z o. o. rendered services for the amount of $97,680 (Pln 252,077) (2006 - $58,498; 2005 - $nil). The Director and Owner of Media Forum Sp. z o. o. is a related party to Mr. Rynkiewicz.
(c) Lease Commitments
The Company's subsidiary has a building lease outstanding with Media Forum Sp z o.o. Lease payments expensed during the year were $15,500 (Pln 40,000) (2006 & 2005 - $nil). The Director and Owner of Media Forum Sp. z o. o. is a related party to Mr. Rynkiewicz.
The Company has an automobile lease outstanding with Media Forum Sp. z o. o, an enterprise that is under common management of the Company. Lease payments expensed during the year were approximately $7,700 (2006 & 2005 - $nil). The director and owner of Media Forum Sp. z o. o is a related party to Mr. Rynkiewicz.
(d) Standby Guarantee
On June 12, 2006, the Company arranged for Standby Guarantee of $4,910,000 (US $5,000,000), which can be exercised on or after March 1, 2007, provided the company has not managed to raise a minimum of $4,910,000 (US $5,000,000) in financing by way of debt and of equity before March 1, 2007.
There were no costs or payments associated with the Standby Guarantee during the year 2007. During 2006, the Company paid a total commission for the Standby Guarantee to:
- Trasco Sp. z o. o. and Mr. Rynkiewicz: $441,900 (US $450,000)
- Blueagle Investments and Mr. Tomaszewski, a related party to Ms. Kozak who is a director of the Company: $294,600 (US $300,000)
(e) Advisory Services
Mr. Tomaszewski received a fee of $117,840 (US $120,000) in 2007 as advisor to the board. Mr. Tomaszewski is a related party to Ms. Kozak, a director of the Company.
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(f) Finders Fee
Top Consulting received a finder's fee of $116,053 (Pln 428,533) incurred with respect to the transaction with Penta. Top Consulting is a related party of Mr. Dziublowski (Non-executive Director).
(g) Private Placement
Mr. Harvey-Bathurst, director of the Company, purchased 5,000,000 shares through a private placement at a purchase price of $0.117 per share. The transaction was fully paid for, with no amount outstanding at December 31, 2007.
Mr. Tomaszewski, a related party of the Company, also purchased 1,700,000 shares at a purchase price of $0.116 per share. The transactions were fully paid for, with no amount outstanding at December 31, 2007.
Each unit comprised one common share and one-half common share purchase warrant, which shall entitle the holder thereof with two warrants to purchase one common share at an exercise price of US$0.150 until March 2, 2009. Both Mr. Harvey-Bathurst and Mr. Tomaszewski were granted 2,500,000 and 850,000 warrants from the private placement, respectively.
(h) Management Fees
Management fees of $528,000 (2006 - $203,868; 2005 - $351,780) and bonuses of $500,000 (2006 - $500,000; 2005 - $362,398) were paid during the year to certain directors and executives of the Company. Of this amount, the Company paid remuneration in the amount of $184,691 owing to Mr. Rynkiewicz to Trasco Sp. z o. o., an enterprise that is under common management of Mr. Rynkiewicz.
Financial Instruments and Other Instruments
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities and long-term debt approximate their carrying values due to the short term or demand nature of these instruments. It is management's opinion that the Company is not exposed to significant interest or credit risks arising from these financial instruments.
ITEM 6-Directors, Senior Management and Employees
Our board of directors is elected by our shareholders as indicated in our Articles. Directors receive directors' fees (see Directors' Fees under Executive Compensation). Our executive officers are appointed by our board of directors and have service agreements with us. The normal notice period for executive officers is 12 months. In the case of Stream Poland, both the Supervisory Board and the Management Board are elected by the General Meeting of Shareholders (in practice- by the only shareholder i.e. the Parent Company). The following sets out our directors and officers.
Directors and Senior Management
Stream Communications Network & Media, Inc.
Robert Wussler | Chairman of the Board, Director |
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Robert Wusslerwas appointed on May 4, 2004. Bringing an impressive background in broadcasting and telecommunications to the company, Mr. Wussler is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Ted Turner Pictures and Ted Turner Documentaries. An acknowledged leader in the television industry for over three decades, he has been responsible for groundbreaking advances in news production at CBS News and CNN. The former President of both CBS Sports and the CBS Television Network, Mr. Wussler was a co-founder of CNN, TNT and WTBS, and Senior Executive Vice President of Turner Broadcasting. Bringing an extraordinary background in cable telecommunications to his work with Stream, Mr. Wussler was also President and CEO of Comsat Video Enterprises, where he led the company through unprecedented growth.
Jan Rynkiewiczbecame a Director of the Company on January 18, 2006, having previously been a director from April 24, 1998 to February 1, 2002 and from May 29, 2003 to May 31, 2004. A graduate of the School of Banking and Insurance in Warsaw, Jan Rynkiewicz moved to the UK in 1974, residing there for the next sixteen years. In 1977, he founded Courtfield Construction Ltd., a London-based building construction company. From 1986 through 1993, Mr. Rynkiewicz became an associate of Invesco in Poland and serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of Castle holding Ltd. of Warsaw, a consulting company with expertise in facilitating development of Polish industry privatization. Mr. Rynkiewicz was notably President of Zywiec S.A. (one of Poland's brewing group) during a period when this company successfully undertook an expansion program, secured Heineken as a major strategic investor, and beca me a capitalized company on The Warsaw Stock Exchange.
Iwona Kozak since 1 March 1996 has been a Director and Vice President for Corporate Affairs and since 23 April 1999 she has been its Secretary. She graduated from the British Columbia Institute of Technology with a diploma in marketing. She has a broad experience in the area of marketing and public relations. She perfected her managerial and business skills as the co-founder and president of a division of the Canadian Polish Chamber of Commerce in British Columbia. In the years 1993-1995 she published a magazine dedicated to economics called"Partners with Poland" ("Partnerstwo z Polska") and provided advisory services to Canadian companies in the area of investments in Polish markets.
George H. BathurstMr. Harvey-Bathurst is a graduate of Eton College and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Mr. Harvey-Bathurst has been a director of a family company, Eastnor Castle Estates Co. for 35 years. He is a private property investor and since 1984 has been a private equity investor in Poland.
Robert Dziublowski brings over 15 years of experience in investing, consulting and management and has advised a number of international companies on doing business, building a Central European presence or making acquisitions in Poland and Central Europe. His clients have included Nasdaq and Eiffage Construction, one of the largest construction groups in Europe. He has advised leading Polish companies in acquisitions in the insurance, media and telecommunications sectors. His clients have included Wussler Group, a partner of company of Ted Turner Pictures, WPI, a U.S. telecommunications group, and Grupa PZU, a leading Polish financial services firm. He has served on the boards of a number of companies traded on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, and currently serves on the board of Mobiltek, a company he launched in 2002. Mr. Dziublowski received an M.A. in Political Science from Warsaw University in 1988 and an M. A. in International Relations from Unive rsity of Hawaii in Honolulu in 1990.
For the purpose of this annual statement, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
"Equity security" means securities of a company that carry a residual right to participate in earnings of that company and, upon liquidation or winding up of that company, its assets;
"Option" means all options, share purchase warrants and rights granted by a company or any of its subsidiaries (if any) as compensation for services rendered or otherwise in connection with office or employment;
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"LTIP" means a long-term incentive plan, which is any plan providing compensation intended to serve as incentive for performance to occur over a period longer than one financial year, whether the performance is measured by reference to financial performance of the company or an affiliate of the company, the price for the company's securities, or any other measure, but does not include Option or SAR plans or plans for compensation through restricted shares or restricted share units.
The following table details the compensation paid to our executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2007
Summary Compensation Table | |||||
|
|
| All Other and annual Compensation and LTIP Payouts ($CDN) |
| Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units |
Jan Rynkiewicz | 360,000 | 250,000 | N/A | Nil | Nil |
Iwona Kozak | 168,000 | 100,000 | 163,300(*) | 250,000 | Nil |
Management Contracts
Jan Rynkiewicz | has been appointed for a 5 year period commencing on June 12, 2006 at a basic annual remuneration of $120,000, payable monthly in equal parts. Mr. Rynkiewicz's contract has been renewed for four years commencing February 1, 2007 at a basic salary of $360,000 per annum payable monthly in equal parts. In addition Mr. Rynkiewicz is entitled to the use of a vehicle of the value not exceeding $900 per month including lease and operating expenses. As a Supervisory Board member in Stream Poland and subsidiaries, Mr. Rynkiewicz received a remuneration of PLN 228,000 (USD $91,299) annually, paid in equal monthly installments until December 31, 2007. As a director of the Board, Mr. Rynkiewicz receives USD $15,000 per annum, payable quarterly. Mr. Rynkiewicz is entitled to participate and receive bonus, stock options and other long-term incentive schemes the company may provide to its employees. |
Iwona Kozak | A new management contract was entered into on June 15, 2006. Ms. Kozak continued to serve as a director in 2007 at the Company and received the same compensation as a non-executive director throughout the year, which was a basic remuneration of $168,000 per annum payable monthly in equal parts. This remuneration includes director's fees for serving on the Board of Directors of the Company. (*)Ms. Kozak received a one-time payment of $150,000 as a relocation bonus for her move from the Company's Vancouver office to the Warsaw office. In addition, Ms. Kozak received approximately CAD $13,300 during the year in moving costs for moving to Poland, to cover costs such as a housing allowance, car allowance and airfare from Vancouver to Warsaw. |
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Directors' fees
Independent directors are paid an annual fee of USD $15,000 as a base director's fee and an additional fee of USD $1,500 per board meeting held outside their place of residency. The Chairman is paid a base director's fee of USD $35,000.
Long-term Incentive Plans - Awards in most recently completed financial period
During our most recently completed financial year, and for the two previously completed financial years, we have not awarded or instituted any LTIP's in favour of our executive officers.
Defined Benefit Plans
We do not have, and at no time during our most recently completed financial year have we had, any defined benefit or actuarial plans in respect of which any of our executive officers were eligible to participate.
Options to Purchase Securities from Our Company
In order to create a mechanism for the recruiting of and providing incentives to certain persons and to recognise and reward their contributions to our growth, the Board of Directors adopted the Stock Option Plan ("Plan"). The purpose of the Plan is to encourage such persons to acquire our shares and perceive such transaction as a long-term investment. Options to purchase shares under the Plan are granted to Directors, employees and affiliates of the foregoing.
The Board of Directors is entitled, at its own discretion, to determine which persons will be granted options under the Plan. If the Board of Directors grants any options, it will specify the number of shares that may be purchased pursuant to the option.
While the decision to grant options is in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, they may base decisions to grant options on the following factors: the annual remuneration of the person in relation to the total of the remuneration paid by us, the duration of employment of such person and the quality of work done by such person, amongst other factors.
As a confirmation of the option grant, the option holder is issued a certificate specifying the date, number of the shares allocated, share purchase price, and the period of time during which the option may be exercised. The Plan and the granting of options constitute neither a guarantee to potential option holders that they will continue to perform their functions nor a guarantee that we will continue to employ such persons.
The Plan was amended at the Annual General Meeting of the shareholders held on June 30, 2004 where the shareholders authorized the directors to issue up to 5,941,135 stock options to directors, employees and consultants. At the Annual General Meeting to be held on June 29, 2005, the shareholders are being asked to amend the Plan to the maximum number of stock options allowable to 7,992,212. Other than the maximum number of shares allowable for distribution there are no other changes to the Plan. In summary the basic restrictions are:
(a) One person may not receive more than 5% of the outstanding shares;
(b) Options granted to one person in a given year may not exceed 5% of the outstanding shares;
(c) Shares allocated to all persons employed in contacts with investors may not exceed 2% of the outstanding shares; and
(d) Shares earmarked for consultants may not exceed 2% of the outstanding shares.
In the event that an option has lapsed for any reason whatsoever without having been exercised in full, the shares with respect to which the option has lapsed may again be issued for the purposes of the Plan. The expiration date of an option is the date determined by the Board of Directors with respect to individual options, which date, however, may not be later than ten years after the option was granted.
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The Board of Directors is also exclusively entitled to determine the purchase price of shares by option holders.
The board of Directors have, in accordance with the SEC guidelines, established the following an Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee. The members of each committee are appointed by at the Annual Shareholders meeting of the company for a period until the next Annual Shareholders meeting.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our board of directors has established an audit committee. Our audit committee will recommend a firm to be appointed as independent auditors to audit financial statements and to perform services related to the audit, review the scope and results of the audit with the independent auditors, review with management and the independent auditors our annual operating results and consider the adequacy of the internal accounting procedures and the effect of the procedures relating to the auditors' independence. In addition, the audit committee will monitor the board's corporate governance practices, propose nominees annually for election to the board, make recommendations as to the composition of the committees of the board and review the functioning of the board and the powers, mandates and performance of the committees.
Audit Committee Members:
- Robert Dziublowski- independent director with financial experience
- Jan Rynkiewicz
- George Harvey-Bathurst- independent director with financial experience
Our board of directors has established a compensation committee to review remuneration paid to senior officers of the Company.
Compensation Committee Members:
- Iwona Kozak
- Jan Rynkiewicz
- Robert Wussler
Our board of directors has established a corporate governance committee to (1) identify and select qualified individuals to serve as directors of the Company and nominate such individuals for election as directors at the Company's annual meeting of shareholders (2) develop and establish corporate governance policies and procedures for the Company and (3) administer the Code of Ethics adopted by the Company.
Corporate Governance Committee Members:
- Jan Rynkiewicz
- George Harvey-Bathurst
- Robert Dziublowski
Employees
The average number of employees was as follows:
Year ended December 31, 2007 | Year ended December 31, 2006 | Year ended December 31, 2005 | |
Canada | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Poland | 81 | 81 | 81 |
ITEM 7-Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
To the best of our knowledge, we are not owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by another corporation or by any foreign government.
As at the date of this annual statement the following persons or groups are known to us to each own more than 10% of our issued and outstanding common shares, which as of December 31, 2007 was:
Name and Address of Shareholder | Number of Securities owned | Percentage of Securities owned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ITEM 8-Financial Information
The Company has received invoices from a creditor for amounts due for work performed in regards to an IPO on the Warsaw exchange in 2003. The amount claimed is USD $3,145,885 of which $NIL has been accrued at December 31, 2007 (December 31, 2006 - $NIL). The Company is of the opinion that these amounts are due if the IPO on the Warsaw Exchange is completed.
The Company is defending an action pursuant to certain alleged unpaid legal invoices. The lawsuit demands the sum of $280,245 of which $NIL has been accrued at December 31, 2007 (December 31, 2006 - $NIL). The Company is of the opinion that these legal costs related to the IPO on the Warsaw Exchange were not directed by the Company or on its behalf.
ITEM 9-The Offer and Listing
Our common shares were listed on the OTC BB Exchange in the United States, under the symbol"SCNWF". We started trading on the OTC BB on March 11, 2004. On July 17, 2007, the company was moved to the Pink Sheets trading under the same symbol.
Trading on the OTC BB and Pink Sheets
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The following table sets forth the high and low sale prices on the OTC BB for our common shares for each monthly period in the past 21 months.
Volume | High | Low | |
2008-07 | 153,200 | 0.090 | 0.060 |
2008-06 | 206,200 | 0.150 | 0.085 |
2008-05 | 447,400 | 0.200 | 0.145 |
2008-04 | 468,600 | 0.200 | 0.085 |
2008-03 | 180,100 | 0.160 | 0.120 |
2008-02 | 167,100 | 0.240 | 0.150 |
2008-01 | 486,300 | 0.280 | 0.150 |
2007-12 | 540,300 | 0.275 | 0.170 |
2007-11 | 536,800 | 0.320 | 0.180 |
2007-10 | 3,274,000 | 0.265 | 0.140 |
2007-09 | 596,100 | 0.160 | 0.120 |
2007-08 | 398,800 | 0.180 | 0.050 |
2007-07 | 591,900 | 0.215 | 0.130 |
2007-06 | 1,034,400 | 0.210 | 0.110 |
2007-05 | 1,398,600 | 0.200 | 0.110 |
2007-04 | 3,031,800 | 0.255 | 0.160 |
2007-03 | 2,165,600 | 0.330 | 0.200 |
2007-02 | 3,567,000 | 0.300 | 0.145 |
2007-01 | 1,682,900 | 0.169 | 0.100 |
2006-12 | 854,279 | 0.150 | 0.120 |
2006-11 | 1,078,330 | 0.160 | 0.100 |
2006-10 | 1,783,806 | 0.270 | 0.140 |
2006-09 | 896,669 | 0.240 | 0.130 |
2006-08 | 657,920 | 0.290 | 0.225 |
2006-07 | 585,494 | 0.349 | 0.225 |
2006-06 | 2,558,232 | 0.330 | 0.170 |
2006-05 | 752,100 | 0.190 | 0.170 |
2006-04 | 1,010,600 | 0.260 | 0.190 |
2006-03 | 1,424,500 | 0.250 | 0.160 |
2006-02 | 2,203,500 | 0.200 | 0.160 |
2006-01 | 1,709,600 | 0.210 | 0.170 |
2005-12 | 2,059,600 | 0.160 | 0.140 |
Item 10- Additional Information
Our authorized share capital as at December 31, 2007 was 150,000,000 common shares without par value. At December 31, 2007 our issued and outstanding share capital was 81,596,491.
In the course of 2007, the Company issued shares as follows:
- Fund Raising through Private Placements | 10,200,000 Shares |
Outstanding Shares per December 31, 2006 | 71,396,491Shares |
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All of our shares, issued and unissued, are common shares of the same class and rank equally as to dividends, voting powers and participation in assets upon liquidation. At any general meeting, subject to the restrictions on joint registered owners of our common shares, on a show of hands every shareholder who is present in person and entitled to vote has one vote and on a poll every shareholder has one vote for each share of which he or she is the registered owner and may exercise such vote either in person or by proxy. Our directors may, from time to time, declare and authorize payment of dividends. No common shares have been issued subject to call or assessment. There are no pre-emptive or conversion rights. There are no provisions for surrender, sinking or purchase funds. There are no issued and outstanding escrow or performance shares.
Options to acquire common shares granted to our directors and officers are described under"Item 6- Directors, Senior Management and Employees- Executive Compensation".
We are registered in British Columbia, Canada, certificate of incorporation No. 188691. We do not have any stated "objects" or "purposes" as the Company Act of the Province of British Columbia does not require it. Our memorandum ("Memorandum") has authorized 150,000,000 common shares without par value.
Pursuant to the laws of British Columbia, the province has enacted the Business Corporations Act. We registered our transition documents with the registrar of companies, we obtained shareholder approval at the June 30, 2004 Annual General Meeting to change to the provisions of the new company act and we filed on August 9, 2005 to be registered under the new company act. Our new articles ("Articles") contain the following provisions:
Voting Rights
- Shareholders shall have the right to receive notice of, to attend and to vote at all general meetings. Except as otherwise provided in the Articles of Association, on a show of hands each holder of shares present in person and entitled to vote shall have one vote and upon a poll each such holder who is present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall have one vote in respect of every share held by him.
Variation of Class Rights and Alteration of Capital
- We may by ordinary resolution increase the share capital, and cancel any shares which at the date of the passing of the resolution have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person.
- By special resolution that requires a three-fourths majority, we may consolidate and divide all or any of the share capital into shares of larger amount, sub-divide the shares into shares of smaller amount.
Transfer of Shares
- Any member can transfer shares by delivering an instrument of transfer to our transfer agent.
Directors
- Our business is managed by the Directors who may exercise all powers subject to the provisions of the Articles of Association and the Company Act of British Columbia.
- The number of Directors shall be not less than three. At our last annual general meeting, the number of directors was five. A Director shall not be required to hold any shares in the capital of our Company. At each annual general meeting of our Company, all of the board of directors retire and our shareholders elect a new board.
- A Director shall not vote but can be counted in the quorum present on any motion in respect of any contract, arrangement, transaction or any other proposal in which he has an interest that is to his knowledge a material interest.
- The Directors shall be paid for their services as Directors such sums (if any) as the Directors may from time to time determine.
- The Directors may be paid all reasonable travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred by them in attending and returning from meetings of the Directors or any committee of the Directors or general meetings or otherwise in connection with our business.
- Directors can vote to remove a director at a directors meeting.
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Borrowing Powers
- The Directors may exercise all of the powers to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertakings, properties, assets and uncalled capital, or any part thereof, and, subject to the provisions of the Articles of Association, to issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities whether outright or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of us or of any third party.
Dividends and Distributions on Liquidation to Shareholders
- The Directors may declare dividends, and need not give notice to any member. Subject to any priority, preference or special rights, all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the number of shares held on a specified date with respect of the period of which the dividend is paid.
- The Directors may pay such interim dividends as they may determine.
- No dividend shall bear interest.
General Meetings
- Each year we hold a general meeting as the annual general meeting in addition to any other meetings in that year, and not more than 13 months shall elapse between the date of one annual general meeting and that of the next. The annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place, as the Directors shall appoint.
- All general meetings other than annual general meetings are extraordinary general meetings. The Directors may, whenever they think fit, convene an extraordinary general meeting.
Exchange Control and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders
There is no law or government decree of regulation in Canada that restricts the export or import of capital, or that affects the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to a non-resident holder of common shares, other than withholding tax requirements.
There is no limitation imposed by Canadian law or by the articles or other charter documents of a company on the right of a non-resident to hold or vote common shares of a company, other than as provided in theInvestment Canada Act, as amended (the"Investment Act").
The Investment Act generally prohibits implementation of a reviewable investment by an individual, government, corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture that is non-Canadian unless the minister responsible for the Investment Act is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada. If an investment by a non-Canadian is not a reviewable investment, it requires the filing of a short notice.
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An investment in common shares of a company by a non-Canadian that is a"WTO investor" would be reviewable if the value of the assets of the Company equalled or exceeded $184 million, the threshold established for 1999. In subsequent years, the threshold amount may be increased or decreased in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Act. A WTO investor is a member of the World Trade Organization, current members of which include the European Community, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States, or a WTO investor-controlled entity, as defined in the Investment Act.
An investment in common shares of a company by a non-Canadian, other than a WTO investor, would be reviewable under the Investment Act if it were an investment to acquire control of a company and the value of the assets were $5.0 million.
The Investment Act would not apply to certain transactions in relation to our common shares, including:
An acquisition of common shares of a company by any person made in the ordinary course of that person's business as a trader or dealer in securities;
An acquisition of control of a company by an amalgamation, merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization following which the control of the Company remains unchanged.
A company with foreign share holdings formed in Poland is under Polishlaw andtreated in the same manner as a company with Polish share holdings. Full repatriation of after-tax profits and capital is allowed, and companies with 100% foreign participation are permitted. Capital introduced into Poland by foreign investors may be freely withdrawn. Full repatriation of profits and divided payments is allowed without obtaining a permit. Companies must account for withholding tax to the Polish Tax authorities on any distributed dividends unless a treaty provided otherwise. To avoid double taxation, Poland has devised tax treaties with more than 60 countries.
Taxation - Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences to United States Investors
This section is to make United States persons aware and caution them as to some of the consequences of investing in the Company (a Canadian company). Taxation of our Company in Poland from a business perspective is discussed in the immediately following section.
A brief description of certain provisions of the tax treaty between Canada and the United States is included below. The consequences of state and local taxes are not considered. The following information is general and security holders should seek the advice of their own tax advisors.
TAXATION OF DIVIDENDS
A holder of a common share who is not resident in Canada for purposes of the Income Tax Act will be subject to Canadian withholding tax on dividends paid or credited to the holder of the common share. The rate of withholding tax on dividends is 25% of the amount of the dividend. This rate may be reduced under the provisions of an international tax treaty to which Canada is a party. Under the tax treaty that Canada has entered into with the United States, the rate of Canadian withholding tax is generally reduced to 15%, or 5% in the case of a corporate holder which owns 10% or more of the voting shares. A foreign tax credit for the tax withheld may be available to a holder resident in the United States against U.S. federal income taxes.
DISPOSITION OF COMMON SHARES
A non-resident holder of a common share will not be subject to tax under the Income Tax Act in respect of a capital gain realized on the disposition of a common share unless the common share is a "taxable Canadian property" (as defined in the Income Tax Act). Shares of a corporation that are listed on a prescribed stock exchange are generally not considered to be taxable Canadian property. Taxable Canadian property includes any common share held by a non-resident if used in carrying on a business (other than an insurance business) in Canada. A non-resident whose common shares constitute taxable Canadian property will realize upon disposition, a capital gain (or a capital loss).
One-half of any capital gain realized by a holder (a taxable capital gain) will be included in computing the holder's income.
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Non-residents are advised to consult their tax advisers with regard to the availability of a treaty exemption and their own particular circumstances.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
A foreign corporation with one or more U.S. shareholders is a PFIC if 75% or more of its income is passive income or if at least 50% of its assets would be invested in instruments which produce interest, dividends and/or capital gains. Unlike a controlled foreign corporation or a foreign personal holding company, there is no minimum percentage ownership by U.S. shareholder to trigger application of the PFIC rules. If a foreign corporation has a high enough percentage of passive income or assets, it is a PFIC as regards any U.S. shareholder no matter how small their ownership percentage of the foreign corporation and regardless of whether the U.S. shareholders, individually or in the aggregate, have the ability to control the business or investments of the foreign corporation.
If a person owns shares in a PFIC and sells them for a profit, that person must generally pro-rate its profit over all the years it held the shares in the PFIC, pay U.S. income tax on the profit allocated to each year at the highest U.S. rate in effect for that year, and pay interest on all the prior year's tax, computed from the tax return due date for the year to which the income is attributable.
The above rule may not apply if a person elects to treat its investment as a "Qualified Electing Fund" (QEF). This election is made by attaching Form 8621 to the annual tax return. This will permit the annual inclusion of the QEF in a person's pro-rata share of ordinary income and long-term capital gains.
We do not believe the Company was a passive foreign investment company during the fiscal period ended December 31, 2007 or any other year.
Future Developments
The foregoing discussion is based on existing provisions of the United States tax laws, existing and proposed regulations thereafter, and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Any such changes could affect the validity of this discussion. In addition, the implementation of certain aspects of the PFIC rules requires the issuance of regulations which in many such instances have not yet been promulgated and which may have retroactive effect. Furthermore, legislation has been proposed which would replace the PFIC provisions with a consolidated anti-deferral regime. While this legislation was vetoed, it may be re-introduced in subsequent years.
ALL PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING THE COMMON SHARES.
The Polish tax system has been modernized in recent years. In 1992, corporate income tax and personal income tax were introduced, followed by value-added tax (VAT) in 1993. Poland also taxes real property, transport vehicles, inheritance and gifts.
Corporate Profits Tax
Polish resident companies are subject to corporate income tax on their worldwide income, while non-residents are subject to corporate income tax only on income derived in the territory of Poland. Worldwide income is a tax base for business entities with registered offices or seats or places of management in Poland. Other entities are taxed on profits earned in Poland only.
Corporations are subject to corporate income tax at a rate of 19% in 2007, 2006, and 2005.
Depreciation and depletion
Tax depreciation is carried out in accordance with the Corporate Income Tax Act. Tax depreciation generally follows the straight - line method, although accelerated depreciation may be available in some circumstances.
Net operating losses
A Polish corporate has the right to carry forward a loss incurred in an accounting period by deducting the loss from its taxable income over the next five years to a maximum of 50% in any one year. No loss carry backs are allowed.
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Payments to foreign affiliates
A Polish corporate can deduct royalties, management services and interest charges paid to foreign affiliates, provided exchange control regulations and transfer-pricing restrictions are observed.
Deduction for taxes paid
Taxes on income are not deductible. However, input VAT is deductible for corporate income tax purposes if it cannot be offset against the company's output VAT. Other taxes that are part of expenses are deductible in full.
Non-deductible expenditures
A Polish corporate may not deduct certain expenditures, including the following:
Costs of assets subject to depreciation,
Expenditure borne on abandoned investments,
Unrealised foreign exchange losses,
Non-public advertising costs in excess of 0.25 percent of turnover.
Value-Added Tax
VAT applies to the goods sold and the services provided. The standard rate is 22% and may be reduced to rate of 7% for e.g. food products, children's clothing, and other goods and services. Exports are not taxed; however a number of conditions must be met for export of services to have zero tax rates. Exempt from VAT are e.g. agricultural products and finance and insurance services.
Cable television services were subject to 22% VAT till 30 April 2004. Since 1 May 2004, cable television services are subject to 7% VAT.
Internet services were subject to 7% VAT till 30 April 2004. Since 1 May 2004, Internet services were either exempt from VAT for individual subscribers or subject to 22% VAT for the other subscribers. Since 1 March 2005, all Internet services are subject to 22% VAT.
Item 11 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Currency and Exchange Rate Risk
We are exposed to changes in financial market conditions as a result of transacting in various foreign currencies and funding of foreign operations.
We determine our market risk utilizing sensitivity analysis, which measures the potential losses in fair value resulting from one or more selected hypothetical changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
We do not hedge currency risk. The functional currency of the Company is the Canadian dollar. All of the business operations are in Poland and the Stream Poland's functional currency is the Polish Zloty.
If there were a large fluctuation in the exchange rates between Poland and Canada this will impact on the operating results of the company. This could impact in a positive or negative manner. If the Canadian dollar increased against the zloty, then any Canadian funds invested in Poland would be exchanged for a larger number of zloty, thereby making more money available in Poland for the businesses. The converse would create a shortfall of funding. We have no control over currency rates and the results of operations will be subject to the swings in currency rate changes. In the case of funding either for acquisition or building out, it is important to minimize the time interval from when the money is raised and when it is spent to avoid issues of being short as a result of currency swings. The Company intends to grow by acquisition, so this aspect of funding is important where funds are raised other than in zloty
We do not presently believe we have material exposure to potential change in fair value of market sensitive instruments, near-term losses in future earnings and/or cash flows from reasonably possible near-term changes in market rates.
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We did not have any foreign currency derivatives outstanding at December 31, 2007. Accordingly, no market risk existed for such instruments at this date.
Stream is exposed to the risk of exchange rate fluctuations. Programming costs, which constituted about 18.2% of revenue in 2007, are incurred primarily in US dollars, while all revenues are realised in Polish zlotys. Certain other costs such as head office costs are incurred in Canadian dollars. Under its subscription agreements, Stream may modify its subscription rates to adjust for major fluctuations of currency exchange rates. However, high increases in subscription rates could decrease demand for Stream's services. Most of Stream's technical equipment is purchased locally, but some prices in Poland tend to be indexed in US dollars.
The table below reflects changes in the exchange rates of the currencies in which Stream conducts its operations as at the end of and as average during each year.
Exchange Rates in the years 2006-2007
|
|
|
| |
PLN/USD | 2.4480 | 2.7688 | 2.9125 | 3.1077 |
PLN/EUR | 3.6262 | 3.7925 | 3.8565 | 3.9055 |
PLN/CND | 2.4954 | 2.5807 | 2.4992 | 2.7409 |
CND/USD | 0.9820 | 1.0744 | 1.1664 | 1.1346 |
The effect of foreign currency fluctuations has affected the book value of property, plant and equipment and intangibles. The operations of the Company are situated in the country of Poland along with most of its assets. The foreign exchange rates for the Canadian dollar and the Polish zloty are as follows:
| Rate at the end of | Average rate for |
2007 | 2.4954 | 2.5807 |
2006 | 2.4992 | 2.7409 |
2005 | 2.8033 | 2.6757 |
2004 | 2.4898 | 2.8049 |
Item 12- Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
In the past, we issued warrants as part of our private placements. The terms and conditions governing these warrants are provided for in applicable subscription agreements and warrant certificates. Shares that will be issued pursuant to these warrants contain certain restrictions, including resale restrictions. The following table shows the number of shares to which each warrant holder is entitled after exercise of the warrants:
Shares issued upon exercise of a warrant may not be resold until the hold period on the private placement has ended. There are no hold periods on the above-mentioned warrants.
Number of Warrants | Weighted average exercise price ($) | Fair value of warrants ($) | |
Balance, December 31, 2005 | 1,698,310 | 0.72 | 2,439,684 |
Granted | 1,183,333 | 0.32 | 209,532 |
Granted | 866,667 | 0.33 | 153,194 |
Granted | 1,200,000 | 0.25 | 190,771 |
Granted | 2,234,165 | 0.25 | 614,634 |
Granted | 166,667 | 0.25 | 45,017 |
Granted | 2,400,000 | 0.26 | 172,816 |
Balance, December 31, 2006 | 9,749,142 | 0.35 | 3,825,648 |
Granted | 5,100,000 | 0.13 | 616,735 |
Expired | (1,698,310) | (0.72) | (2,439,684) |
Balance, December 31, 2007 | 13,150,832 | 0.23 | 2,002,699 |
ITEM 13-Defaults, Dividends, Arrearages and Delinquencies
Not applicable
ITEM 14-Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable
ITEM 15T - Controls and Procedures
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can only provide reasonable assurances with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. In addition, any evaluation of effectiveness for future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions in the future.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
The Company has evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act, as of December 31, 2007. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2007, due to the material weaknesses in the Company's internal control over financial reporting described below in"Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting".
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and for the assessment of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the CEO and CFO, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the issuer's board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
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As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company's management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, completed our evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, which we had been conducting based on the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treasury Commission ("COSO"). Based on this evaluation, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective during the fiscal period ending December 31, 2007.
Management completed its assessment of internal control over financial reporting ("ICFR"), and has identified certain material weaknesses that existed in the design or operation of our internal control over financial reporting. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board has defined a material weakness as a"deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis". The following material weaknesses were identified in our 2007 assessment:
- Ineffective Controls at the Entity Level -As evidenced by the material weaknesses described below, the Company determined that entity-level controls related to the control environment, risk assessment, monitoring function and dissemination of information and communication activities did not operate effectively, resulting in material weaknesses in each of these respective COSO Internal Control-- Integrated Framework components. The deficiency in each of these individual COSO components represents a separate material weakness. These material weaknesses contributed to the other material weaknesses and an environment where there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the interim and annual financial statements could occur and not be prevented or detected.
- Insufficient staffing in Accounting and Finance, leading to an Ineffective Internal Control Environment & Failure to retain evidence supporting Management's Testing- We did not have a sufficient number of accounting personnel with an appropriate level with the necessary expertise within its accounting and finance function. The lack of sufficient staff did not allow the Company to maintain an effective internal control environment. Specifically, management concluded that the deficiencies in the control environment contributed to the Company's inability to document and retain evidence supporting our tests of design and operations of all controls over our ICFR as at and for the year ending December 31, 2007.
- Implementing GAAP-Compliant Accounting Policies -We did not have a formalized process for monitoring, updating, disseminating, and implementing GAAP-compliant accounting policies and procedures, resulting in the issuance of interim financial statements that were not in compliance with new CICA Handbook Accounting Standards for Financial Instruments: Handbook Section 1530-Comprehensive Income; Handbook Section 3251-Equity; Handbook Section 3855-Financial Instruments- Recognition and Measurement; Handbook Section 3861-Financial Instruments- Disclosure and Presentation; and Handbook Section 3865 -Hedges.
- Ineffective Controls over the Financial Close and Reporting Process -The Company's design and operation of controls with respect to the process of preparing and reviewing the annual and interim financial statements are ineffective. The material weakness includes failures in the design and operating effectiveness of controls which would ensure (i) preparation of interim and annual financial statements on a timely basis; (ii) account analyses, summaries and reconciliations are prepared, reviewed and approved; (iii) subsidiary ledgers are reconciled to the general ledger, including check registers, accounts receivable ledgers, fixed asset ledgers and accounts payable ledgers; (iv) journal entries are reviewed and approved; (v) analysis of non-routine transactions performed; (vi) analysis of intercompany activity performed; and (vii) application of accounting standards under Canadian and US G AAP, including also the accuracy and completeness of the financial statement disclosures and presentation. These control deficiencies could result in a material misstatement of the financial statements due to the significance of the financial closing and reporting process to the preparation of reliable financial statements and the potential pervasiveness of the deficiencies to the significant account balances and disclosures.
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- Inadequate controls related to the expenditure cycle: The internal controls were not adequately designed or operating in a manner to effectively support the requirements of the expenditure cycle. This material weakness is the result of aggregate deficiencies in internal control activities. The material weakness includes the design and operating effectiveness of controls which would ensure (i) purchase requisitions and related vendor invoices are reviewed and approved; (ii) reconciliations of related bank accounts and accounts payable subsidiary ledgers are prepared, reviewed and approved; (iii) changes to vendor master files are reviewed and approved and (iv) adequate segregation of duties related to check signing, invoice processing and invoice approval. These control deficiencies could result in a material misstatement of operating expenses, accounts payable and accrued liabilities that would not be prevented or detected.
- Inadequate controls related to the payroll cycle: The internal controls were not adequately designed or operating in a manner to effectively support the requirements of the payroll cycle. This material weakness is the result of aggregate deficiencies in internal control activities. The material weakness includes failures in the design and operating effectiveness of controls which would ensure (i) employee withholdings are complete and accurate; (ii) access to payroll system files is adequately restricted; and (iii) review and approval of changes to the payroll master and employee files. These control deficiencies could result in a material misstatement of payroll and related expenses, and accrued compensation and benefits (included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities) that would not be prevented or detected.
- Inadequate controls related to the income tax cycle:The internal controls were not adequately designed or operating in a manner to effectively support the requirements of the income tax cycle. This material weakness is the result of aggregate deficiencies in the internal control activities. The material weakness includes failures in the design and operating effectiveness of controls which would ensure that (i) the income tax provision is determined using a methodology and related assumptions consistently across the entity and accounting periods, (ii) relevant, sufficient and reliable data necessary to record, process and report the income tax provision and related income tax accounts is captured, (iii) application of the Company's accounting policies to the tax provision and related accounts is performed timely, appropriately documented and independently reviewed for appropriateness, (iv) financial statement disclosure and presentation is in accordance with GAAP and the Company's accounting and disclosure policies, and (v) significant estimates and judgments are based on the latest available information and managements understanding of the Company's operations. These control deficiencies could result in a material misstatement of income taxes and related tax accounts that would not be prevented or detected.
- Inadequate controls related to the treasury cycle: The internal controls were not adequately designed or operating in a manner to effectively support the requirements of the treasury cycle. This material weakness is the result of aggregate deficiencies in the internal control activities. The material weakness includes failures in the design and operating effectiveness of controls which would ensure that (i) the fair value of warrants issued on private placements is appropriate and (ii) financial statement disclosure and presentation is in accordance with GAAP and the Company's accounting and disclosure policies. These control deficiencies could result in a material misstatement of warrants, stock based compensation, bank, leasing and other financing, and related accounts that would not be prevented or detected.
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- Inadequate general computer controls: The Company's internal controls were not adequately operating in a manner to support the information technology environment. This material weakness is the result of aggregate deficiencies in internal control activities. The material weakness includes failures in the operating effectiveness of controls which would ensure the security of the information technology environment and that (i) access to financial applications is granted to appropriate personnel, (ii) passwords contain sufficient restrictions and (iii) systems are configured with appropriate security monitoring capabilities. Additionally, controls designed to ensure appropriate change management of financial applications were not operating adequately to ensure (i) system conversions were tested and validated prior to implementation, (ii)&nb sp;data was converted accurately from legacy systems and (iii) access to vendor-supported systems was restricted and monitored. These control deficiencies result in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the interim and annual consolidated financial statements could occur and not be prevented or detected.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered chartered accountants regarding the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. The effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting was not subject to attestation by the Company's independent chartered accountants pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management's report in this annual report.
Remediation of Material Weakness
We have started to formulate a program for which we intend to remediate the material weaknesses described above.
We have appointed a new Chief Financial Officer who is more experienced in accounting and finance functions. We are reviewing and revising our internal accounting policies and procedures, increasing the training of our accounting personnel in the application of Canadian and U.S. GAAP, and, as appropriate, expanding the resources allocated to our accounting department, including hiring new personnel experienced in the financial reporting and the financial control function.
We will continue these efforts until we are satisfied that all material weaknesses have been eliminated. We expect that resolution of all of these issues will take several months.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Except as set forth above, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 16A - AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
The chairman of our audit committee is Mr. Robert Dziublowski. Mr. Dziublowski is an independent director of the Company. His attributes as an audit committee expert are:
(1) An understanding of US generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements;
(2) The ability to assess the general application of such principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves;
(3) Experience preparing, auditing, analysing or evaluating financial statements;
(4) An understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting; and
(5) An understanding of audit committee functions.
ITEM 16B - CODE OF ETHICS
Our Principal Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and other senior executives and principal accounting officers are bound to adhere to the company's Code of Ethics, which applies to Senior Financial Officers and all employees.
A copy of the Code of Ethics is available upon request.
ITEM 16C -PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
During the financial years ended 2005 to 2007 we employed the following auditing firms. Their remuneration and services performed are as follows:
Year ended December 31, 2007
Firm | Services | Fees |
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2006
Firm | Services | Fees |
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2004
Firm | Services | Fees |
|
|
|
No other audit related, tax or other fees were paid by the company.
ITEM 17 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
See Consolidated Financial Statements attached hereto.
ITEM 18 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Not applicable.
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- Report of Independent Registered Chartered Accountants
- Consolidated Statement of Operations and Deficit for each of the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
- Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity and Comprehensive Loss for each of the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
- Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
- Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for each of the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
- Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
55
Report of Independent Registered Chartered Accountants
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Stream Communications Network & Media Inc.
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Stream Communications Network & Media Inc. as at December 31, 2007 and 2006 and the consolidated statements of operations and deficit, shareholders' equity and comprehensive loss and cash flows for each of the years in the two year period ended December 31, 2007. 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 Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). These standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as at December 31, 2007 and 2006 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two year period ended December 31, 2007 in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2005, prior to adjustments for changes to the United States generally accepted accounting principles reconciliation as disclosed in Note 23 to the Company's December 31, 2006 consolidated financial statements, were audited by other auditors whose report, dated March 27, 2006 except for Notes 15 and 16 dated June 5, 2006, expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements. We have audited the adjustments to the December 31, 2005 financial statements, and in our opinion, such adjustments, in all material respects, are appropriate and have been properly applied.
(Signed) Deloitte & Touche LLP
Independent Registered Chartered Accountants
Vancouver, Canada
August 11, 2008
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Comments by Independent Registered Chartered Accountants on Canada-United States of America Reporting Difference
The standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) require the addition of explanatory paragraphs (following the opinion paragraph) when the financial statements are affected by conditions and events that cast substantial doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, such as those described in Note 1 to the financial statements, and when there are changes in accounting principles that have a material effect on the comparability of the Company's financial statements, such as the changes described in Note 3 to the financial statements. Although we conducted our audits in accordance with both Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), our report to the Shareholders and Board of Directors, dated August 11, 2008, is expressed in accordance with Canadian reporting standards which do not require a reference to such conditions and changes in accounting principles in the auditors' report when these are adequately disclosed and the change is properly accounted for and adequately disclosed in the financial statements.
(Signed) Deloitte & Touche LLP
Independent Registered Chartered Accountants
Vancouver, Canada
August 11, 2008
57
CHARTERED MacKayLLP | 1100- 1177 West Hastings Street |
Report of Independent Registered Chartered Accountants
To the Shareholders of Stream Communications Network & Media Inc. We have audited the consolidated balance sheet of Stream Communications Network & Media Inc. as at December 31, 2005 and the consolidated statements of operations and deficit, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2005. 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 audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in Canada and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the company as at December 31, 2005 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2005 in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
| |
| "MacKay LLP" |
Comments by Auditors for U.S. Readers on Canada- United States Reporting Differences In the United States, reporting standards for auditors require the addition of an explanatory paragraph (following the opinion paragraph) when the financial statements are affected by conditions and events that cast substantial doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, such as those described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. Our report to the shareholders is expressed in accordance with Canadian reporting standards which do not permit a reference to such events and conditions in the auditors report when they are adequately disclosed in the financial statements.
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| "MacKay LLP" |
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