As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2004
Registration No. 333-113565
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 1 to
Form F-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Rogers Cable Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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Ontario, Canada | | 4841 | | Not Applicable |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
333 Bloor Street East, 7th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M4W 1G9
Canada
(416) 935-6666
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
CT Corporation System
111 Eighth Avenue
13th Floor
New York, NY 10011
(212) 894-8400
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
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John T. Gaffney, Esq. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP Worldwide Plaza 825 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10019-7475 | | John W. McIninch, Esq. Torys LLP Suite 3000, Maritime Life Tower 79 Wellington Street West Box 270 Toronto-Dominion Centre Toronto, Ontario M5K 1N2 Canada |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement is declared effective.
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of Each Class of | | Amount to be | | Offering Price | | Aggregate Offering | | Amount of |
Securities to be Registered | | Registered | | Per Unit(1) | | Price(1) | | Registration Fee(2) |
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5.500% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2014 | | US$350,000,000 | | 100% | | US$350,000,000 | | US$44,345 |
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(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457.
(2) Previously paid in connection with the initial filing of this Registration Statement.
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
PROSPECTUS
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Rogers Cable Inc.
Offer to Exchange
all outstanding
5.500% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2014
(US$350,000,000 aggregate principal amount)
for
5.500% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2014
(US$350,000,000 aggregate principal amount)
which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933
The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 22, 2004, unless extended.
We do not intend to list the new notes on any national securities exchange, and no established trading market for the new notes is anticipated.
See the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 16 for a discussion of factors that you should consider before tendering your old notes in the exchange offer.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is March 22, 2004.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Summary | | | 1 | |
Risk Factors | | | 16 | |
Exchange Offer | | | 24 | |
Use of Proceeds | | | 33 | |
Capitalization | | | 34 | |
Selected Consolidated Financial Data | | | 36 | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | | | 42 | |
Business | | | 75 | |
Management | | | 94 | |
Principal Shareholder | | | 103 | |
Certain Transactions and Relationships | | | 104 | |
Description of Other Indebtedness | | | 107 | |
Description of Notes | | | 113 | |
Description of Collateral for Notes | | | 139 | |
Exchange Offer; Registration Rights | | | 144 | |
Income Tax Consequences | | | 146 | |
Plan of Distribution | | | 150 | |
Legal Matters | | | 150 | |
Experts | | | 150 | |
Index to Financial Statements | | | F-1 | |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a registration statement on Form F-4 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act) relating to the exchange offer that incorporates important business and financial information about us that is not included in or delivered with this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. The information is available from us without charge to holders of the securities as specified below. If we have made references in this prospectus to any contracts, agreements or other documents and also filed any of those contracts, agreements or documents as exhibits to the registration statement, you should read the relevant exhibit for a more complete understanding of the document or matter involved.
We are required to file periodic reports and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We intend to “incorporate by reference” any future filings made with the SEC, including filings under sections 13(a), 13(e), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, until the termination of the exchange offer. This means that we intend to disclose important information to you by referring you to those reports. Information that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will automatically supersede the information in this prospectus and any earlier filed incorporated information.
You may read and copy the registration statement, including the attached exhibits, and any report, statements or other information that we file at the SEC’s public reference room at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The Internet address of the website is http://www.sec.gov.
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You may request a copy of any of our filings with the SEC, or any of the agreements or other documents that constitute exhibits to those filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or phone number:
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| Rogers Cable Inc. |
| c/o Vice-President, Investor Relations |
| Rogers Communications Inc. |
| 333 Bloor Street East, 10th Floor |
| Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4W 1G9 |
| Telephone: (416) 935-3532 |
To obtain timely delivery of any of our filings, agreements or other documents, you must make your request to us no later than five business days before the expiration date of the exchange offer. The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on April 22, 2004. The exchange offer can be extended by us in our sole discretion. See the section entitled “Exchange Offer” for more detailed information.
You should rely only on the information contained in, and incorporated by reference to, this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus.
RogersTM, Rogers VideoTM and Rogers VIP ProgramTM are trademarks of Rogers Communications Inc., used under licence by Rogers Cable Inc. The Shopping ChannelTM is a trademark of Rogers Broadcasting Limited. This prospectus also makes reference to trademarks of other companies.
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ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We are a Canadian corporation. A majority of our directors, controlling persons and officers, as well as the experts named herein, are residents of Canada and all or a substantial portion of their assets and all or a substantial portion of our assets are located outside the United States. We have agreed, in accordance with the terms of the indenture, to accept service of process in any suit, action or proceeding with respect to the indenture or the notes brought in any federal or state court located in New York City by an agent designated for such purpose, and to submit to the jurisdiction of such courts in connection with such suits, actions or proceedings. However, it may be difficult for holders of the notes to effect service within the United States upon directors, officers and experts who are not residents of the United States or to realize in the United States upon judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon civil liability under U.S. federal securities laws. We have been advised by Torys LLP, our Canadian counsel, that there is doubt as to the enforceability in Canada against us or against our directors, officers and experts, who are not residents of the United States, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of courts of the United States, of liabilities predicated solely upon U.S. federal securities laws.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act concerning our business, operations and financial performance and condition.
When used in this prospectus, the words “believe”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “estimate”, “expect”, “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such words. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences include but are not limited to economic, business, technological, competitive and regulatory factors. More detailed information about these and other factors is included in this prospectus under the section entitled “Risk Factors”. We are under no obligation to update or alter our forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Our consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus have been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in Canada (Canadian GAAP). For a discussion of the principal differences between Canadian GAAP and the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP), see Note 23 to our audited consolidated financial statements. We state our financial statements in Canadian dollars. In this prospectus, references to Canadian dollars, Cdn$ or $ are to the currency of Canada and references to U.S. dollars or US$ are to the currency of the United States.
In this prospectus, we use certain financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with Canadian GAAP or U.S. GAAP to assess our financial performance. Our method of calculating the non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the methods used by other companies and, as a result, the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this prospectus may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures disclosed by other companies.
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EXCHANGE RATE DATA
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the average, high, low and end of period noon buying rates in the City of New York for cable transfers as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Such rates are set forth as U.S. dollars per Cdn$1.00 and are the inverse of rates quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Canadian dollars per US$1.00. On March 22, 2004, the inverse of the noon buying rate was Cdn$1.00 equals US$0.7530.
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Year Ended | | Average(1) | | High | | Low | | Period End |
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December 31, 2003 | | | 0.7186 | | | | 0.7738 | | | | 0.6349 | | | | 0.7738 | |
December 31, 2002 | | | 0.6368 | | | | 0.6619 | | | | 0.6200 | | | | 0.6329 | |
December 31, 2001 | | | 0.6444 | | | | 0.6697 | | | | 0.6241 | | | | 0.6279 | |
December 31, 2000 | | | 0.6725 | | | | 0.6969 | | | | 0.6410 | | | | 0.6669 | |
December 31, 1999 | | | 0.6744 | | | | 0.6925 | | | | 0.6535 | | | | 0.6925 | |
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Month Ended | | Average(2) | | High | | Low | | Period End |
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February 29, 2004 | | | 0.7519 | | | | 0.7629 | | | | 0.7439 | | | | 0.7460 | |
January 31, 2004 | | | 0.7718 | | | | 0.7880 | | | | 0.7496 | | | | 0.7539 | |
December 31, 2003 | | | 0.7618 | | | | 0.7738 | | | | 0.7460 | | | | 0.7738 | |
November 30, 2003 | | | 0.7616 | | | | 0.7708 | | | | 0.7484 | | | | 0.7708 | |
October 31, 2003 | | | 0.7564 | | | | 0.7667 | | | | 0.7418 | | | | 0.7579 | |
September 30, 2003 | | | 0.7335 | | | | 0.7424 | | | | 0.7207 | | | | 0.7404 | |
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(1) | The average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the applicable year. |
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(2) | The average of the exchange rates for all days during the applicable period. |
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SUMMARY
The following information summarizes more detailed information included elsewhere in this prospectus and the financial statements included in this prospectus. We encourage you to read this entire prospectus, including the financial statements and the notes thereto, carefully. Unless otherwise indicated, references in this prospectus to “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Rogers Cable Inc. together with its subsidiaries.
Our Company
We are Canada’s largest cable television company, serving close to 2.3 million basic cable subscribers at December 31, 2003, representing approximately 29% of basic cable subscribers in Canada. At December 31, 2003, we provided digital cable services to approximately 535,300 subscribers and broadband Internet (Internet) service to approximately 790,500 subscribers.
We have highly-clustered and technologically advanced broadband networks in Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. Our Ontario cable systems, which comprise approximately 90% of our 2.3 million basic cable subscribers, are concentrated in three principal clusters in and around: (i) the greater Toronto area, Canada’s largest metropolitan centre; (ii) Ottawa, the capital city of Canada; and (iii) the Guelph to London corridor in southern Ontario. Our New Brunswick and Newfoundland cable systems in Atlantic Canada comprise the balance of our subscribers.
Through our technologically advanced broadband networks, we offer a diverse range of services, including analog and digital cable television services and residential and commercial Internet services. At December 31, 2003, 99% of the homes passed in our service areas had digital cable available and 96% of the homes passed were two-way addressable. We also offer videocassette, Digital Video Disc (DVD) and video game sales and rentals through Rogers Video, Canada’s second largest chain of video stores. There were 279 Rogers Video stores at December 31, 2003, many of which provide customers with the additional ability to purchase cable and wireless products and services, to pay their cable television, Internet or Rogers Wireless Communications Inc. (Rogers Wireless or Wireless) bills and to pick up and return cable TV and Internet equipment.
Business Strategy
We seek to maximize our revenue, operating profit and return on investment by leveraging our technologically advanced cable network to meet the information, entertainment and communications needs of our subscribers, from basic cable television to advanced two-way cable services, including digital cable, Internet access, pay-per-view (PPV) services, video-on-demand (VOD), personal video recorder (PVR) services and high-definition television (HDTV). The key elements of our strategy are as follows:
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| • | clustering cable systems in and around metropolitan areas; |
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| • | offering a wide selection of products and services; |
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| • | maintaining technologically advanced cable networks; |
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| • | continuing to focus on increased quality and reliability of service; |
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| • | leveraging our relationships within the Rogers group of companies to identify opportunities for bundled product and service offerings as well as for cost and infrastructure sharing; |
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| • | continuing to develop brand awareness and to promote the Rogers brand as a symbol of quality, innovation and value and of a diversified Canadian media and communications company; and |
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| • | deploying advanced Internet Protocol (IP) capabilities to provide high quality digital primary line voice telephony service. |
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Our priorities in implementing our business strategy are to increase revenue and operating profit through profitable subscriber growth, retain our existing subscribers, improve cost control and operating efficiencies and optimize network performance.
Corporate Structure
We are a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rogers Communications Inc. (RCI) and a member of the Rogers group of companies, which includes, in addition to us, our parent company RCI and our sister companies Rogers Wireless and Rogers Media Inc. (Rogers Media).
On December 31, 2003, we executed a corporate reorganization that involved the transfer of substantially all of our assets to our wholly-owned subsidiary, Rogers Cable Communications Inc. (RCCI). As part of the reorganization, our subsidiaries, Rogers Cablesystems Ontario Limited, Rogers Ottawa Limited/ Limitée, Rogers Cable Atlantic Inc. and Rogers Cablesystems Georgian Bay Limited, amalgamated with and continued as RCCI. As a result of the reorganization, we, through RCCI, continue to conduct all of our operations and provide all of our services. RCCI assumed, as co-obligor, our obligations under our deed of trust and public indentures on a joint and several basis with us.
For financing purposes, our company and our subsidiaries are divided into (1) a “restricted group”, consisting of our company and RCCI, and (2) an “unrestricted group”. The operations of the entities in the restricted group encompass all of our operating assets. The shares and assets of the companies in the unrestricted group have not been pledged as security for our obligations under our bank credit facility, our existing senior secured second priority securities or the notes. For more information, see the section entitled “Description of Collateral for Notes”. The companies in the unrestricted group had an aggregate net book value of $0.7 million at December 31, 2003 and a loss for the year ended December 31, 2003 of $0.1 million.
Recent Developments
Agreement with Yahoo!
In January 2004, we announced an agreement with Yahoo! Inc. (Yahoo) to provide co-branded Internet services to current and future customers of our Internet access services. Under the multi-year agreement, in return for our payment of a monthly fee, Yahoo will assume operation of our e-mail services and provide a suite of customized Yahoo content, products and services to our Internet access customers. These content, products and services include the following:
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| • | a customizable browsing environment; |
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| • | personalized homepage; |
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| • | enhanced e-mail services such as spam control, parental controls, premium pop-up blocking and storage; and |
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| • | enhanced instant messaging capabilities and multi-media services. |
Depending on the level of Internet access service subscribed to, subscribers will receive some or all of these features as part of their subscription. The agreement also contemplates our collaborating with Yahoo to offer premium packages of products and services to our subscribers for an additional fee.
Voice-Over-Cable Telephony Initiative
Together with RCI, we announced an initiative on February 12, 2004, to deploy an advanced broadband IP multimedia network to support primary line voice-over-cable telephony and other new services across our cable service areas. We plan to provide Canadian consumers and small businesses in our cable service areas with access to a high quality telephone service with all of the traditional functionality, reliability and quality of service that they expect today. This investment plan, the completion
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of which assumes a regulatory environment supportive of competition from voice-over-cable telephony, includes the capital costs required to deploy a scalable primary line quality digital voice-over-cable telephony service utilizing PacketCable and DOCSIS standards, including the costs associated with switching, transport, IP network redundancy, multi-hour network and customer premises powering, network status monitoring, customer premises equipment, information technologies and systems integration. We expect the property, plant and equipment (PP&E) expenditures required to deploy this platform will be approximately $200 million over two years. We also expect the majority of the PP&E expenditures will occur in the first 12 to 18 months of the deployment, with 2004 expenditures expected to be between $140 million and $170 million. Once this initial platform is deployed, the additional variable PP&E expenditures associated with adding each voice-over-cable telephony service subscriber, which includes uninterruptible backup powering at the home, is expected to be in the range of $300 to $340 per subscriber addition.
We are currently refining our business strategies with respect to voice-over-cable telephony services. As a result, the PP&E expenditures, costs and timeline described above are initial estimates. In addition, together with RCI, we are considering offering the telephony services described above through another wholly-owned RCI subsidiary, Rogers Telecom Inc. (Rogers Telecom). RCI is currently in the process of recruiting an industry executive to lead Rogers Telecom. Although our business strategies and organizational structure with respect to telephony services continue to be refined, we plan to incur most or all of the PP&E expenditures described above to upgrade our network to an advanced broadband multimedia platform capable of supporting voice-over-cable telephony and other new services. In the event that Rogers Telecom offers voice-over-cable telephony services, we would enter into an agreement with Rogers Telecom which could relate to, among other things, access to and the use of our network. Any new arrangements, including the new proposed arrangements described above, will be entered into only if we believe such arrangements are in our best interests.
Distribution Policy
During 2003, we distributed $72.0 million as a return of capital to RCI. This distribution was permitted under all agreements governing our outstanding indebtedness. In January 2004, RCI directed us to establish, and we adopted, a distribution policy to distribute $6.0 million of cash per month to RCI on a regular basis beginning in January 2004.
Executive Changes
On March 4, 2004, we announced that Dean MacDonald, our Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, will be leaving our company at the end of March 2004.
On March 18, 2004, we announced that Michael Adams will become our Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer effective April 20, 2004. Mr. Adams has been with RCN Corporation, a New Jersey based provider of cable television, high-speed Internet and telecommunications services, since 1997.
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Exchange Offer
On March 11, 2004, we completed a private offering of the old, unregistered 5.500% senior (secured) second priority notes. We entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers in the private offering in which we agreed to deliver to you this prospectus as part of the exchange offer and agreed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to complete the exchange offer within 210 days after the date of original issuance of the old notes. You are entitled to exchange in the exchange offer your old notes for new notes, the terms of which are identical in all material respects to the old notes, except that the new notes will have been registered under the Securities Act and will be issued free from any covenant requiring registration, including terms providing for an increase in the interest rate on the old notes upon a failure to file or have declared effective an exchange offer registration statement or to consummate the exchange offer by certain dates.
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The Exchange Offer | | With this exchange offer, we are offering to exchange an aggregate principal amount of up to US$350.0 million of the new notes for a like principal amount of the old notes. |
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Expiration Date | | The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on April 22, 2004, unless we, in our sole discretion, extend it. See the section entitled “Exchange Offer — Expiration of the Exchange Offer; Extensions; Amendments”. |
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Exchange Date | | We will exchange the old notes on the first business day following the expiration date. See the section entitled “Exchange Offer — Terms of the Exchange Offer”. |
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Procedures for Tendering Old Notes | | For information on procedures for tendering old notes and the actions required to make a formal offering of your old notes, see the section entitled “Exchange Offer — Procedures for Tendering”. |
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Taxation | | The exchange of the old notes for the new notes in the exchange offer will not result in any income, gain or loss to holders who participate in the exchange offer or to us for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See the section entitled “Income Tax Consequences”. |
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Resale | | Based upon the position of the staff of the SEC as described in previous no-action letters, we believe that a holder who exchanges the old notes for the new notes in the exchange offer and satisfies certain other conditions generally may offer for resale, sell and otherwise transfer the new notes without further registration under the Securities Act and without delivery of a prospectus that satisfies the requirements of section 10 of the Securities Act. |
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| | Any holder of the old notes using the exchange offer to participate in a distribution of the new notes cannot rely on the no-action letters referred to above. See the section entitled “Exchange Offer — Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer”. |
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Remaining Old Notes | | If you do not tender your old notes in the exchange offer or if we do not accept your old notes for exchange as described under the section entitled “Exchange Offer — Terms of the Exchange Offer” you will continue to hold these old notes, and they will continue to bear legends restricting their transfer. |
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Exchange Agent | | JPMorgan Chase Bank will act as exchange agent for the exchange offer. See the section entitled “Exchange Offer — Exchange Agent” for the exchange agent’s address and telephone number. |
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Use of Proceeds | | We will receive no proceeds from the exchange offer. See the section entitled “Use of Proceeds”. |
The Exchange Notes
The following is a brief summary of the important terms of the notes. For a more complete description of the terms of the notes, see the “Description of Notes” section of this prospectus. References in this summary of the notes to “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Rogers Cable Inc. only without reference to our subsidiaries.
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Issuer | | Rogers Cable Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario. |
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Securities Offered | | US$350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.500% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2014. |
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Maturity | | The notes will mature on March 15, 2014. |
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Interest Rate and Payment Dates | | We will pay interest on the notes at the rate of 5.500% per year on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2004. |
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Ranking and Collateral | | The notes initially will be senior secured obligations of Rogers Cable Inc. and will rank equally with all of our other existing and future senior secured debt. At December 31, 2003, we had $2,518.7 million of senior secured debt outstanding. On a pro forma basis, after giving effect to the redemption of our 9.65% Senior Secured Debentures due 2014, the issuance of the old notes and the application of the net proceeds from the issuance of the old notes described under the section entitled “Use of Proceeds”, this amount would have been $2,635.1 million. |
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| | The notes initially will be secured by a bond issued by us under a deed of trust. This bond is secured by a lien on substantially all of our assets, including the stock of our wholly-owned operating subsidiary, RCCI. RCCI has assumed, as co-obligor, our obligations under the deed of trust, including under the bond. Our obligations under this bond are guaranteed by RCCI, which has pledged substantially all its assets to secure its guarantee. We have in the past issued other bonds under the deed of trust to secure our other senior secured debt, including debt under our bank credit facility. |
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| | The bond we issued as security for our obligations under the old notes and, which will secure our obligations under the notes, ranks equally with the other bonds we have previously issued and which remain outstanding. All bonds issued under the deed of trust are equally and ratably secured. However, pursuant to the terms of an inter-creditor agreement, the terms of the indentures governing our existing senior secured second priority securities and the indenture governing the notes, the proceeds of any enforcement of the security under the deed of trust will be applied first to repay our obligations under the tranche A credit facility of our bank credit facility and any other debt that ranks |
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| | equally under the deed of trust with outstanding debt under the tranche A credit facility. We refer to this debt as “tranche A type debt”. All additional proceeds will be applied pro rata to repay all remaining senior secured debt, including the notes. At December 31, 2003, on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to the redemption of our 9.65% Senior Secured Debentures due 2014, the issuance of the notes and the application of the net proceeds of the issuance of the old notes as described under the section entitled “Use of Proceeds”, we would have had no amount outstanding under the tranche A credit facility of our bank credit facility and $2,635.1 million of aggregate senior secured debt outstanding. Under the indenture governing the notes, we may in the future create tranche A type debt, provided that the aggregate amount committed under the tranche A credit facility plus the aggregate amount of all outstanding or committed tranche A type debt may not exceed $600.0 million. See the section entitled “Description of Collateral for Notes”. |
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| | In the event that we have no other outstanding indebtedness that is secured by the collateral securing the notes, RCCI has assumed or guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis our obligations under the notes and the notes have an investment grade rating from two of the following three rating agencies — Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service, Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch IBCA — we may at our option permanently release the collateral for the notes. If we release the collateral, the notes will be senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. See the section entitled “Description of Notes — Security”. |
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Sinking Fund | | None. |
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Optional Redemption | | We may redeem the notes in whole or in part at any time at the redemption prices listed under the section entitled “Description of Notes — Optional Redemption”. |
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| | We may also redeem the notes as a whole but not in part at any time at 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued interest to the date of redemption in the event of changes affecting Canadian withholding taxes that would require us to pay “additional amounts” to holders of the notes. See the sections entitled “Description of Notes — Redemption Upon Changes in Withholding Taxes” and “— Additional Amounts”. |
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Restrictive Covenants | | Until such time as the collateral securing the notes is released, the indenture governing the notes will limit our ability, and the ability of RCCI or any other future restricted subsidiaries, to create liens. If the collateral securing the notes is released, the indenture governing the notes will limit our ability, and the ability of RCCI or any other future restricted subsidiaries, to incur secured debt and to engage in sale and leaseback transactions, and will limit the ability of RCCI or any future restricted subsidiaries to incur debt. Further, our ability to merge, consolidate or sell substantially all of our assets is limited by the indenture. |
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| | For more detailed information on covenants contained in the indenture, see the section entitled “Description of Notes”. |
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Change in Control | | If we experience a change in control and there is a decline in the credit rating of the notes, we will be required to make an offer to purchase all of the notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued interest to the date of purchase. See the section entitled “Description of Notes — Change in Control”. |
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Additional Amounts | | Any payments made by us with respect to the notes will be made without withholding or deduction for Canadian taxes unless required by law. If we are required by law to withhold or deduct for Canadian taxes with respect to a payment to the holders of notes, we will pay the additional amount necessary so that the net amount received by the holders of notes after the withholding is not less than the amount that they could have received in the absence of the withholding. See the section entitled “Description of Notes — Additional Amounts”. |
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Exchange Offer; Registration Rights | | We agreed to exchange the old notes no later than 210 days after the date of the issuance of the old notes for a new issue of substantially identical debt securities registered under the Securities Act as evidence of the same underlying obligation. This exchange offer is in satisfaction of that agreement. |
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| | If we are unable to fulfill our obligations to effect the exchange or register the notes or if certain other conditions are not satisfied, we will be obligated to pay special interest on the notes. See the section entitled “Exchange Offer; Registration Rights”. |
Risk Factors
See the section entitled “Risk Factors”, which begins on page 16, for a discussion of certain factors that you should consider before tendering your old notes in the exchange offer.
We were incorporated as Rogers Cablesystems Limited under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) on February 23, 1990. Effective December 31, 1999, we changed our name to Rogers Cable Inc.
Our executive offices are located at 333 Bloor Street East, 7th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4W 1G9. Our telephone number is (416) 935-6666.
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Selected Operating Data
The table below sets forth selected summary operating data for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | At December 31, |
| |
|
| | 1999 | | 2000 | | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
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| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Cable Television Operations(1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Homes in licenced areas(2) | | | 2,822,900 | | | | 2,871,000 | | | | 3,053,400 | | | | 3,115,700 | | | | 3,228,300 | |
| Homes passed(2) | | | 2,811,600 | | | | 2,859,600 | | | | 3,041,200 | | | | 3,103,200 | | | | 3,215,400 | |
| Basic cable subscribers | | | 2,236,200 | | | | 2,219,400 | | | | 2,286,400 | | | | 2,270,400 | | | | 2,269,400 | |
| Basic penetration(3) | | | 79.5 | % | | | 77.6 | % | | | 75.2 | % | | | 73.2 | % | | | 70.6 | % |
| Tier subscribers(4) | | | 1,942,400 | | | | 1,901,500 | | | | 1,925,700 | | | | 1,858,500 | | | | 1,842,800 | |
| Tier penetration(4) | | | 86.9 | % | | | 85.7 | % | | | 84.2 | % | | | 81.9 | % | | | 81.2 | % |
| Digital households(5) | | | 45,200 | | | | 172,100 | | | | 272,100 | | | | 401,500 | | | | 535,300 | |
| Digital penetration(5) | | | 2.0 | % | | | 7.8 | % | | | 11.9 | % | | | 17.7 | % | | | 23.6 | % |
| Set-top terminals(5) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Digital | | | 53,600 | | | | 201,100 | | | | 314,100 | | | | 456,200 | | | | 613,600 | |
| | Analog | | | 161,600 | | | | 69,100 | | | | 35,000 | | | | 21,500 | | | | 6,300 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | Total set-top terminals | | | 215,200 | | | | 270,200 | | | | 349,100 | | | | 477,700 | | | | 619,900 | |
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| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| Rogers VIP members(6) | | | 388,600 | | | | 359,400 | | | | 497,500 | | | | 593,000 | | | | 661,600 | |
| Rogers VIP penetration(6) | | | 17.4 | % | | | 16.2 | % | | | 21.8 | % | | | 26.1 | % | | | 29.2 | % |
| Average monthly core cable revenue per basic subscriber(7) | | $ | 34 | | | $ | 36 | | | $ | 38 | | | $ | 40 | | | $ | 43 | |
Internet Subscribers(1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Residential | | | 185,700 | | | | 308,100 | | | | 473,400 | | | | 622,400 | | | | 760,500 | |
| Commercial | | | — | | | | 4,200 | | | | 5,400 | | | | 17,000 | | | | 30,000 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| Total Internet subscribers | | | 185,700 | | | | 312,300 | | | | 478,800 | | | | 639,400 | | | | 790,500 | |
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| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| Internet penetration(8) | | | 8.3 | % | | | 14.1 | % | | | 20.9 | % | | | 28.2 | % | | | 34.8 | % |
Video Stores | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of stores | | | 227 | | | | 241 | | | | 260 | | | | 272 | | | | 279 | |
| | |
| (1) | During 2000, we entered into an agreement with Shaw Communications Inc. (Shaw) to exchange certain cable television and Internet assets effective November 1, 2000. We exchanged our cable television and Internet assets in British Columbia, with approximately 623,000 basic cable subscribers and approximately 105,000 Internet subscribers, for Shaw’s cable television and Internet assets in southern Ontario and New Brunswick, with approximately 601,000 basic cable subscribers and approximately 78,000 Internet subscribers. In February 2001, we acquired Cable Atlantic Inc., which has since been amalgamated into RCCI. As a result, RCCI now has cable television systems serving approximately 71,000 basic cable subscribers in Newfoundland. In November 2001, we sold our U.S. cable system, comprising Rogers American Cablesystems, Inc. and its operating subsidiary Rogers Cablesystems of Alaska, Inc., which had approximately 7,400 basic cable subscribers. |
|
| (2) | Homes in licenced areas and homes passed are based on our estimates. Homes passed for 2003 include adjustments based on a periodic audit process to reflect, among other things, new homes constructed. An additional 32,000 homes, representing 28.7% of the increase, were identified in 2003. Homes passed for 2001 has been updated from 2,981,500 to 3,041,200 to reflect the results of a periodic audit. |
|
| (3) | Basic penetration represents the number of basic cable subscribers divided by the number of homes passed, as at each period end. |
|
| (4) | Our analog tier service is comprised of a choice of three extended tier analog service options offered to basic cable subscribers. Tier penetration represents the number of tier subscribers divided by the number of basic cable subscribers, as at each period end. |
|
| (5) | Our digital cable service was initially launched in June 1999, with a significantly expanded digital service offering launched in September 2001 which we offered as a free preview until January 2002. Digital penetration represents the number of digital cable households divided by the number of basic cable households, as at each |
8
| | |
| | period end. With the introduction of digital cable service, we have encouraged and promoted a significant migration of premium subscribers from analog to digital. |
|
| (6) | The Rogers VIP Program was initially launched in late 1998. The Rogers VIP Program is a partnered discount program offered to subscribers who take the full suite of basic and tier products along with extra outlets. Rogers VIP penetration represents the number of Rogers VIP Program members divided by the number of basic cable subscribers, as at each period end. |
|
| (7) | The average revenue per subscriber, or ARPU, is calculated on a monthly basis. For any particular month, ARPU represents monthly revenue divided by the average number of subscribers during the month. ARPU, when used in connection with a particular type of subscriber, represents monthly revenue generated from these subscribers divided by the average number of these subscribers during the month. When used or reported for a period greater than one month, ARPU represents the monthly average of the ARPU calculations for the period. We believe ARPU helps indicate whether we have been successful in attracting and retaining higher value subscribers. ARPU as presented is based on core cable services revenue divided by the average number of subscribers to our basic cable service. |
|
| (8) | Internet penetration represents the number of Internet subscribers divided by the number of basic cable subscribers, as at each period end. |
9
Summary Consolidated Financial Data
Our summary consolidated financial data in the tables below for each of the five years ended December 31, 2003 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. All information contained in the following tables should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, the notes related to those financial statements and the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 1999 | | 2000 | | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
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| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in thousands of dollars) |
AMOUNTS UNDER CANADIAN GAAP(1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Statement of Income Data(2) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Core cable services | | $ | 924,571 | | | $ | 980,346 | | | $ | 1,043,069 | | | $ | 1,095,736 | | | $ | 1,167,496 | |
| Internet services | | | 46,165 | | | | 111,476 | | | | 166,528 | | | | 242,635 | | | | 322,290 | |
| Video stores operations | | | 181,020 | | | | 203,583 | | | | 228,301 | | | | 262,995 | | | | 282,635 | |
| Inter-company eliminations | | | (3,237 | ) | | | (4,244 | ) | | | (4,869 | ) | | | (4,965 | ) | | | (3,201 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | Total operating revenue | | | 1,148,519 | | | | 1,291,161 | | | | 1,433,029 | | | | 1,596,401 | | | | 1,769,220 | |
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| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cable services(3) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Sales and marketing expenses | | | 39,484 | | | | 48,092 | | | | 60,440 | | | | 84,542 | | | | 91,012 | |
| | | Operating, general and administrative expenses | | | 532,568 | | | | 600,444 | | | | 650,890 | | | | 711,882 | | | | 758,986 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total cable services operating expenses | | | 572,052 | | | | 648,536 | | | | 711,330 | | | | 796,424 | | | | 849,998 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| Video stores operations(4) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Cost of video stores sales | | | 81,766 | | | | 92,781 | | | | 99,962 | | | | 121,335 | | | | 129,938 | |
| | | Sales and marketing expenses | | | 78,745 | | | | 85,525 | | | | 98,679 | | | | 109,102 | | | | 115,831 | |
| | | Operating, general and administrative expenses | | | 7,988 | | | | 10,781 | | | | 11,122 | | | | 11,025 | | | | 13,180 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total Video stores operating expenses | | | 168,499 | | | | 189,087 | | | | 209,763 | | | | 241,462 | | | | 258,949 | |
Management fees(5) | | | 23,156 | | | | 25,949 | | | | 28,781 | | | | 31,745 | | | | 35,385 | |
Inter-company eliminations | | | (3,237 | ) | | | (4,244 | ) | | | (4,869 | ) | | | (4,965 | ) | | | (3,201 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total operating expenses | | | 760,470 | | | | 859,328 | | | | 945,005 | | | | 1,064,666 | | | | 1,141,131 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating profit(6) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cable services | | | 398,684 | | | | 443,286 | | | | 498,267 | | | | 541,947 | | | | 639,788 | |
| Video stores operations | | | 12,521 | | | | 14,496 | | | | 18,538 | | | | 21,533 | | | | 23,686 | |
| Management fees | | | (23,156 | ) | | | (25,949 | ) | | | (28,781 | ) | | | (31,745 | ) | | | (35,385 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total operating profit | | | 388,049 | | | | 431,833 | | | | 488,024 | | | | 531,735 | | | | 628,089 | |
Workforce reduction(7) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 5,850 | | | | — | |
Cable system integration and At Home termination(7) | | | — | | | | 10,612 | | | | 60,436 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Depreciation and amortization(8)(16) | | | 273,721 | | | | 343,082 | | | | 433,829 | | | | 484,224 | | | | 482,050 | |
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| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating income (loss) | | | 114,328 | | | | 78,139 | | | | (6,241 | ) | | | 41,661 | | | | 146,039 | |
Interest expense(9)(14) | | | 292,993 | | | | 192,025 | | | | 174,626 | | | | 213,332 | | | | 240,670 | |
Dividend income from affiliated company(10) | | | (35,543 | ) | | | (39,380 | ) | | | (32,228 | ) | | | (5,447 | ) | | | (4,488 | ) |
Foreign exchange loss (gain) | | | (25,284 | ) | | | 3,460 | | | | 1,452 | | | | 3,090 | | | | (49,302 | ) |
Other expense (income), net(11) | | | (37,327 | ) | | | (30,099 | ) | | | (8,700 | ) | | | 35,903 | | | | 6,461 | |
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| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
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| |
Loss before income taxes | | | (80,511 | ) | | | (47,867 | ) | | | (141,391 | ) | | | (205,217 | ) | | | (47,302 | ) |
Income tax expense (reduction) | | | (74,081 | ) | | | (32,497 | ) | | | 5,314 | | | | (146,387 | ) | | | 7,541 | |
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| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
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| |
Loss for the year | | $ | (6,430 | ) | | $ | (15,370 | ) | | $ | (146,705 | ) | | $ | (58,830 | ) | | $ | (54,843 | ) |
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| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges(12) | | $ | 80,511 | | | $ | 47,867 | | | $ | 141,391 | | | $ | 205,217 | | | $ | 47,302 | |
Pro forma deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges(12) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 38,307 | |
10
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 1999 | | 2000 | | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
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| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in thousands of dollars) |
Balance Sheet Data (at year end) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | $ | 1,685,090 | | | $ | 1,978,223 | | | $ | 2,373,625 | | | $ | 2,556,847 | | | $ | 2,595,761 | |
Goodwill(16) | | | 753,563 | | | | 739,777 | | | | 926,445 | | | | 926,445 | | | | 926,445 | |
Other intangible assets | | | 2,600 | | | | 2,080 | | | | 1,560 | | | | 1,040 | | | | 520 | |
Total assets | | | 3,127,765 | | | | 3,557,044 | | | | 3,661,722 | | | | 3,806,778 | | | | 3,720,087 | |
Senior debt(13) | | | 1,156,518 | | | | 1,455,446 | | | | 1,452,175 | | | | 2,181,649 | | | | 2,518,733 | |
Inter-company subordinated debt(13) | | | 550,000 | | | | — | | | | 485,600 | | | | 204,500 | | | | — | |
Subordinated debt(13) | | | 163,831 | | | | 164,264 | | | | 164,968 | | | | 171,406 | | | | 153,119 | |
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| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total debt(13) | | | 1,870,349 | | | | 1,619,710 | | | | 2,102,743 | | | | 2,557,555 | | | | 2,671,852 | |
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| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Shareholder’s equity | | | 902,259 | | | | 1,470,206 | | | | 1,090,916 | | | | 902,041 | | | | 670,710 | |
Financial Ratios and Other Data(6) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total debt to operating profit(13)(18) | | | 4.82 | | | | 3.75 | | | | 4.31 | | | | 4.81 | | | | 4.25 | |
Senior debt to operating profit(13)(18) | | | 2.98 | | | | 3.37 | | | | 2.98 | | | | 4.10 | | | | 4.01 | |
Total operating profit to interest expense(9)(15)(18) | | | 1.62 | | | | 2.25 | | | | 2.79 | | | | 2.49 | | | | 2.61 | |
Property, plant and equipment expenditures (excluding video rental purchases) | | $ | 412,606 | | | $ | 650,349 | | | $ | 749,747 | | | $ | 650,871 | | | $ | 509,562 | |
|
AMOUNTS UNDER U.S. GAAP(1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Statement of Income Data(2) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating revenue | | $ | 1,148,519 | | | $ | 1,291,161 | | | $ | 1,433,029 | | | $ | 1,596,401 | | | $ | 1,769,220 | |
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| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cable services(3) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Sales and marketing expenses | | | 39,484 | | | | 48,092 | | | | 60,440 | | | | 84,542 | | | | 91,012 | |
| | Operating, general and administrative expenses | | | 552,620 | | | | 606,328 | | | | 656,822 | | | | 713,868 | | | | 758,986 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total cable services operating expenses | | | 592,104 | | | | 654,420 | | | | 717,262 | | | | 798,410 | | | | 849,998 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| Video stores operations(4) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Cost of video stores sales | | | 81,766 | | | | 92,781 | | | | 99,962 | | | | 121,335 | | | | 129,938 | |
| | Sales and marketing expenses | | | 78,745 | | | | 85,525 | | | | 98,679 | | | | 109,102 | | | | 115,831 | |
| | Operating, general and administrative expenses | | | 7,988 | | | | 10,781 | | | | 11,122 | | | | 11,025 | | | | 13,180 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total Video stores operating expenses | | | 168,499 | | | | 189,087 | | | | 209,763 | | | | 241,462 | | | | 258,949 | |
Management fees(5) | | | 23,156 | | | | 25,949 | | | | 28,781 | | | | 31,745 | | | | 35,385 | |
Inter-company eliminations | | | (3,237 | ) | | | (4,244 | ) | | | (4,869 | ) | | | (4,965 | ) | | | (3,201 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total operating expenses | | | 780,522 | | | | 865,212 | | | | 950,937 | | | | 1,066,652 | | | | 1,141,131 | |
Other(7) | | | — | | | | 10,612 | | | | 60,436 | | | | 5,850 | | | | — | |
Depreciation and amortization(16) | | | 280,472 | | | | 338,682 | | | | 433,141 | | | | 476,390 | | | | 478,917 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating income (loss) | | | 87,525 | | | | 76,655 | | | | (11,485 | ) | | | 47,509 | | | | 149,172 | |
Interest expense(14) | | | 292,993 | | | | 188,201 | | | | 172,297 | | | | 206,616 | | | | 236,161 | |
Other expense (income), net(11) | | | (98,154 | ) | | | (106,293 | ) | | | (77,646 | ) | | | (8,108 | ) | | | 67,398 | |
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| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Loss before income taxes | | | (107,314 | ) | | | (5,253 | ) | | | (106,136 | ) | | | (150,999 | ) | | | (154,387 | ) |
Income tax expense (reduction) | | | (63,130 | ) | | | (22,411 | ) | | | (34,901 | ) | | | (146,387 | ) | | | 7,196 | |
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| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
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| |
Income (loss) before cumulative changes in accounting principles | | | (44,184 | ) | | | 17,158 | | | | (71,235 | ) | | | (4,612 | ) | | | (161,583 | ) |
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles for derivative financial instruments | | | — | | | | — | | | | (34,551 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Net income (loss) for the year | | $ | (44,184 | ) | | $ | 17,158 | | | $ | (105,786 | ) | | $ | (4,612 | ) | | $ | (161,583 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges(12) | | $ | 107,314 | | | $ | 9,077 | | | $ | 107,967 | | | $ | 156,266 | | | $ | 157,631 | |
Pro forma deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges(12) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 148,636 | |
11
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 1999 | | 2000 | | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in thousands of dollars) |
Balance sheet data (at year end) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | $ | 1,676,813 | | | $ | 2,016,995 | | | $ | 2,413,094 | | | $ | 2,599,481 | | | $ | 2,638,118 | |
Goodwill(16) | | | 857,493 | | | | 840,129 | | | | 1,057,892 | | | | 1,057,892 | | | | 1,057,892 | |
Other intangible assets | | | 2,600 | | | | 2,080 | | | | 1,560 | | | | 1,040 | | | | 520 | |
Total assets | | | 3,198,297 | | | | 3,676,516 | | | | 3,812,712 | | | | 4,012,171 | | | | 3,889,732 | |
Senior debt(13)(17) | | | 1,226,131 | | | | 1,560,742 | | | | 1,615,414 | | | | 2,238,016 | | | | 2,326,619 | |
Total debt(13)(17) | | | 1,956,544 | | | | 1,748,267 | | | | 2,300,089 | | | | 2,622,077 | | | | 2,473,533 | |
Shareholder’s equity | | | 942,662 | | | | 1,549,463 | | | | 1,241,906 | | | | 1,107,434 | | | | 770,901 | |
| | |
| (1) | In certain respects, Canadian GAAP differs from U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, certain line items with respect to Statement of Income Data and Balance Sheet Data differ as a result of the application of U.S. GAAP. For a discussion of the principal differences between Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP, see Note 23 to our audited consolidated financial statements. |
|
| (2) | During 2000, we entered into an agreement with Shaw to exchange certain cable television and Internet assets effective November 1, 2000. We exchanged our cable television and Internet assets in British Columbia, with approximately 623,000 basic cable subscribers and approximately 105,000 Internet subscribers, for Shaw’s cable television and Internet assets in southern Ontario and New Brunswick, with approximately 601,000 basic cable subscribers and approximately 78,000 Internet subscribers. In February 2001, we acquired Cable Atlantic Inc., which has since been amalgamated into RCCI. As a result, RCCI now has cable television systems serving approximately 71,000 basic cable subscribers in Newfoundland. In November 2001, we sold our U.S. cable system, comprising Rogers American Cablesystems, Inc. and its operating subsidiary Rogers Cablesystems of Alaska, Inc., which had approximately 7,400 basic cable subscribers. |
|
| (3) | Cable operating expenses have been segregated between sales and marketing expenses and operating, general and administrative expenses which include all programming costs, Internet interconnectivity costs and expenses of running the business on a day-to-day basis. |
|
| (4) | Video stores operating expenses have been segregated into cost of video stores sales, which includes video store merchandise and depreciation related to rental assets, sales and marketing expenses, which include all costs of promoting the stores and operating, general and administrative expenses, which include corporate office expenses and other operating expenses not directly attributable to a store location. |
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| (5) | We have entered into a management services agreement with RCI under which RCI provides executive, administrative, financial, strategic planning, information technology and various additional services to us. Those services relate to, among other things, assistance with tax advice, Canadian regulatory matters, financial advice (including the preparation of business plans and financial projections and the evaluation of PP&E expenditure proposals), treasury services, service on our board of directors and on committees of our boards of directors and advice and assistance on relationships with employee groups, internal audits, purchasing and legal services. In return for these services, we have agreed to pay RCI a fee equal to 2% of our consolidated gross revenue. We have also agreed to reimburse RCI for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred in respect of additional services not specifically covered by the management services agreement provided to us. |
|
| (6) | We define operating profit as net income before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, income taxes and non-operating items, which include dividend income and foreign exchange (gain) loss, and other non-operating items included in other expense (income), which include loss on repayment of debt, writedown of investments, gains on sales of subsidiaries and investments, and other income and the 2002 workforce reduction costs as well as the 2000 and 2001 cable system integration and At Home termination costs. In the case of operating profit for each of the cable and video segments, we exclude management fees from the calculation. Operating profit is a standard measure used in the cable and communications industry to assist in understanding and comparing operating results and is often referred to by our competitors as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) or operating |
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| | income before depreciation and amortization (OBIDA). We believe this is an important measure because it allows us to assess our ongoing businesses without the impact of depreciation or amortization expenses as well as non-operating and other factors. It is intended to indicate our ability to incur or service debt, invest in PP&E and allows us to compare our company to our competitors who have different capital or organizational structures. This measure is not a defined term under GAAP. |
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| (7) | During the years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001, we recorded cable system integration costs of $10,612,000 and $16,462,000, respectively, pertaining to the integration of the Ontario and New Brunswick cable television and Internet assets acquired effective November 1, 2000 in the exchange of cable television and Internet assets with Shaw. The cable system integration costs recorded in 2001 also include integration costs related to the Newfoundland cable systems acquired in the Cable Atlantic acquisition completed in February 2001. During the year ended December 31, 2001, we incurred incremental operating expenses of $43,974,000 pertaining to the termination of our relationship with At Home Corporation (At Home) and the transition of our Internet subscribers to our own regional network. During the year ended December 31, 2002, we reduced our workforce by 187 employees primarily in the technical service, network operations and engineering departments of our cable services segment, incurring $5,850,000 in costs primarily related to severance and other employee termination benefits. For additional details, see Notes 13 and 14 to our audited consolidated financial statements. |
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| (8) | Effective January 1, 2002, the accounting standards relating to foreign currency were amended to eliminate the requirement under Canadian GAAP to defer and amortize unrealized translation gains and losses on long-term foreign currency denominated monetary items, including long-term debt denominated in U.S. dollars. Further, the adoption of this amendment required retroactive restatement of prior periods. As a result, upon adoption of this amendment effective January 1, 2002, the loss for the years ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001 was decreased by $98,959,000, $4,327,000 and $11,611,000, respectively. |
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| (9) | Consolidated interest expense under Canadian GAAP for each of the five years ended December 31, 2003 is comprised as follows: |
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| | Year Ended December 31, |
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| | 1999 | | 2000 | | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
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| | (in thousands of dollars) |
Interest expense on inter-company deeply subordinated debt | | $ | 53,558 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Interest expense on inter-company subordinated debt | | | 55,895 | | | | 33,901 | | | | 12,036 | | | | 4,687 | | | | 2,867 | |
Third party interest expense | | | 183,540 | | | | 158,124 | | | | 162,590 | | | | 208,645 | | | | 287,803 | |
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Consolidated interest expense | | $ | 292,993 | | | $ | 192,025 | | | $ | 174,626 | | | $ | 213,332 | | | $ | 240,670 | |
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(10) | Dividend income from affiliated company refers to dividends earned on investments in the preferred shares of an affiliated company and are offset by a corresponding amount of interest expense and dividends paid to an affiliated company. The investments in these preferred shares relate to back-to-back preferred share transactions that have the effect of transferring tax losses to our subsidiaries. For more information, see Note 6 to our audited consolidated financial statements. |
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(11) | Other expense (income) under Canadian and U.S. GAAP in the years ended December 31, 1999, 2002 and 2003 includes losses incurred on the repayment of long-term debt, and the writedown of investments in the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002. |
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(12) | For the purposes of calculating the deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges, (i) earnings or deficiencies consist of loss before income taxes plus fixed charges during the period and (ii) fixed charges consist of interest expense (before deducting capitalized interest) on all debt, amortization of deferred financing costs and the portion of operating lease rental expense that is representative of the interest factor (deemed to be one-third of minimum operating lease rentals). After giving effect to the issuance of the notes and the application of the net proceeds thereof, we would have had a pro forma deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges under Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP as indicated for the year |
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| ended December 31, 2003. The pro forma deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges under Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP for the year ended December 31, 2003 includes an estimate by us of the foreign exchange rate. This estimate may change upon the issuance of the notes. |
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(13) | Senior debt includes secured long-term debt and operating bank loans but does not include subordinated debt, inter-company subordinated debt or inter-company deeply subordinated debt. Total debt includes the senior debt described above together with inter-company subordinated debt and subordinated debt but does not include inter-company deeply subordinated debt. Inter-company deeply subordinated debt (all of which was owed to RCI) has been excluded from total debt because, under the terms of our various credit facilities, all payments on such debt are restricted payments treated in the same manner as dividends on our common shares. For a more complete discussion, see the section entitled “Description of Other Indebtedness — Inter-Company Debt”. |
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| | The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, a reconciliation of long-term debt to total and senior debt: |
Reconciliation of Long-Term Debt to Total and Senior Debt
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| | Year Ended December 31, |
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| | 1999 | | 2000 | | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
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| | (in thousands of dollars) |
Long-term debt as per consolidated financial statements | | $ | 1,320,349 | | | $ | 1,619,710 | | | $ | 1,617,143 | | | $ | 2,353,055 | | | $ | 2,671,852 | |
Inter-company subordinated debt as discussed below | | | 550,000 | | | | — | | | | 485,600 | | | | 204,500 | | | | — | |
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Total debt | | | 1,870,349 | | | | 1,619,710 | | | | 2,102,743 | | | | 2,557,555 | | | | 2,671,852 | |
Inter-company subordinated debt | | | (550,000 | ) | | | — | | | | (485,600 | ) | | | (204,500 | ) | | | — | |
Subordinated debt | | | (163,831 | ) | | | (164,264 | ) | | | (164,968 | ) | | | (171,406 | ) | | | (153,119 | ) |
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Senior debt | | $ | 1,156,518 | | | $ | 1,455,446 | | | $ | 1,452,175 | | | $ | 2,181,649 | | | $ | 2,518,733 | |
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| In 1999, we issued net $890,358,000 of additional inter-company subordinated debt to RCI and amended $100,000,000 of inter-company subordinated debt owing to RCI into $100,000,000 of inter-company deeply subordinated debt owing to RCI. We then converted $603,358,000 of outstanding inter-company subordinated debt owing to RCI into Class B Common Shares which were issued by us to RCI. As a result of all of the above, a total of $550,000,000 of inter-company subordinated debt owing to RCI was outstanding at December 31, 1999. During 2000, we issued net $82,100,000 of additional inter-company subordinated debt owing to RCI and converted the total outstanding $632,100,000 of inter-company subordinated debt owing to RCI into Class B Common Shares issued by us to RCI. During 2001, we issued net $485,600,000 of additional inter-company subordinated debt owing to RCI, all of which was repaid in 2002. We subsequently issued net $204,500,000 of additional inter-company subordinated debt owing to RCI in 2002. During the year ended December 31, 2003, we made a net repayment to RCI of $204,500,000 of inter-company subordinated debt, so that the ending balance at December 31, 2003 was nil. For a more complete discussion, see the section entitled “Description of Other Indebtedness — Inter-Company Debt” and Note 11 to our audited consolidated financial statements. |
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(14) | During 1999, we issued an additional $23,558,000 of inter-company deeply subordinated debt owing to RCI in consideration for the payment of accrued interest owing on account of inter-company deeply subordinated debt. Also during 1999, the aggregate outstanding $733,261,000 of inter-company deeply subordinated debt owing to RCI was converted into Class B Common Shares which we issued to RCI. For a more complete discussion, see the section entitled “Description of Other Indebtedness — Inter-Company Debt”. |
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(15) | For purposes of this ratio, interest expense excludes interest expense on inter-company deeply subordinated debt. |
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(16) | Effective January 1, 2002 we adopted new accounting standards under Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP relating to goodwill which is no longer amortized. For a more complete discussion see Note 2(f) to our audited consolidated financial statements. |
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(17) | Under U.S. GAAP, the derivative financial instruments, which are used for risk management purposes and include cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements, are recorded at their fair value. Accordingly, for U.S. GAAP purposes long-term debt balances are recorded at the balance sheet date rate of exchange. |
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(18) | We believe that operating profit as previously defined, together with the related total debt, senior debt and interest expense ratios, are measures that are commonly reported and widely used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the cable industry. Accordingly, this information has been disclosed herein to permit a more complete comparative analysis of our operating performance and capitalization relative to other companies in our industry. These indicators should not be considered as a substitute or alternative for net income or cash flow in accordance with Canadian GAAP or U.S. GAAP. |
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RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following factors and the other information in this prospectus before tendering your old notes in the exchange offer.
Risks Related to Our Business
We may fail to achieve expected revenue growth from new and advanced cable products and services.
We expect that a substantial portion of our future growth will be achieved from new and advanced cable, Internet and IP products and services. Accordingly, we have invested significant capital resources in the development of a technologically advanced cable network in order to support a wide variety of advanced cable products and services and have invested significant resources in the development of new services to be provided over the network. However, consumers may not provide sufficient demand for the enhanced cable products and services that are offered. In addition, any initiatives to increase prices for our services may result in increased churn of our subscribers and a reduction in the total number of subscribers. Alternatively, we may fail to anticipate demand for certain products and services, or may not be able to offer or market these new products and services successfully to subscribers. Our failure to retain existing subscribers while increasing pricing or attract subscribers to new products and services, or failure to keep pace with changing consumer preferences for cable products and services, could slow revenue growth and have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
We plan to invest substantial resources in connection with voice-over-cable telephony services, and we may not recover all or any of our investment.
In connection with our offering of telephony services, we anticipate that we will invest approximately $200 million over the next two years, with approximately $140 million to $170 million of the investment occurring in 2004. Once this initial platform is deployed, the additional variable PP&E expenditures associated with adding each voice-over-cable telephony service subscriber, which includes uninterruptible back-up powering at the home, is expected to be in the range of $300 to $340 per subscriber addition. We do not expect to generate significant revenue, if any, from this investment during the next few years. We also cannot predict whether our voice-over-cable telephony services will be accepted by our customers or whether our voice-over-cable telephony services will be competitive, from a quality and price perspective, with other telephony services that will be available to our customers. In addition, in deciding to invest in voice-over-cable telephony services at this time, we have assumed that certain changes to applicable telephony regulation in Canada will occur prior to the commercial launch of our telephony services. If these regulatory changes do not occur, we may not offer voice-over-cable telephony services as currently contemplated. As a result of these uncertainties, we may not recover any or all of our investment in telephony services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Another subsidiary of RCI may offer telephony services to our customers, which could reduce or limit our return on investment.
We are currently refining our business strategies with respect to voice-over-cable telephony services. Together with RCI, we are considering offering voice-over-cable telephony services through Rogers Telecom, which is another wholly-owned RCI subsidiary. In the event that voice-over-cable telephony services are offered through Rogers Telecom, we would likely incur most or all of the PP&E expenditures associated with developing a voice-over-cable telephony network. If Rogers Telecom offers telephony services over our network, we might receive a lower return on our investment than if we were to offer the service directly, without a commensurate reduction in our investment risk. As a result, if Rogers Telecom offers voice-over-cable telephony services utilizing our network, our return on investment, with respect to telephony services, may be materially adversely affected.
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We face substantial competition.
Technological, regulatory and public policy trends have resulted in a more competitive environment for cable television service providers, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and video sales and rental services in Canada. We face competition from entities utilizing other communications technologies and may face competition from other technologies being developed or to be developed in the future. The ability to attract and retain customers is also highly dependent on the quality and reliability of service provided, as well as execution of business processes in relation to services provided by competitors. Competitors of cable include direct-to-home, or DTH, satellite providers, and other distributors of multi-channel television signals to homes for a fee, including “grey market” satellite service providers, which are U.S. direct broadcast satellite, or DBS, providers whose signals are not sold but can be acquired in Canada, microwave multi-point distribution system, or MMDS, operators, satellite master antennae television systems, or SMATVs, and over-air television broadcasters. Other competitors of the cable television business are providers of “black market”, pirate systems to Canadian customers that enable customers to take, without paying a fee, programming services from U.S. and Canadian satellite providers by defeating the operation of the systems preventing unauthorized access. Competitors of the Internet business include other ISPs offering competing residential and commercial Internet access services. Competitors of the videocassette, DVD and video games sales and rental business include other video rental and retail outlets, as well as alternative entertainment media, such as theatres, sporting events, PPV services and broadcasting services, as well as competition from emerging VOD services introduced by cable television providers.
Competition in multiple dwelling unit buildings could lead to subscriber losses.
The Broadcasting Distribution Regulations (Canada) do not allow us or our competitors to obtain exclusive contracts in buildings where it is technically feasible to install two or more systems. Approximately one-third of our basic cable subscribers are located in multiple dwelling unit buildings (MDUs). These regulations could lead to competitive subscriber losses or pricing pressure in MDUs serviced by us, which could result in a reduction in our revenue.
Forecasting property, plant and equipment expenditures may become more difficult, which may increase the volatility of our operating results.
An increasing component of our PP&E expenditures will be to support a series of more advanced services. These services include our Internet, digital television, HDTV, VOD, telephony and other enhanced services that require advanced subscriber equipment. A substantial component of the PP&E required to support these services will be demand driven. As a result, forecasting our PP&E expenditure levels will likely become less precise, which may increase the volatility of our operating results from period to period.
Increasing programming costs could adversely affect our results of operations.
Our single most significant purchasing commitment is the total annual cost of acquiring programming. Programming costs have increased significantly in recent years, particularly in connection with the recent growth in subscriptions to digital specialty channels. As we continue to upgrade our analog and digital cable selections, increasing programming costs within the industry could adversely affect our operating results if we are unable to pass such programming costs to our subscribers.
Failure by programming suppliers to continue their operations may reduce our revenue.
There are over 70 digital specialty channels currently available in Canada. We believe that subscriber selection of these digital specialty service channels, whether individually, in pre-set theme packs or in customer-designed channel packages, will provide a consistent and growing stream of new revenue. In addition, the ability to attract subscribers to digital cable service is enhanced by the expanded variety of programming choices that are currently available. If a number of programmers that supply digital specialty
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channels face financial or operational difficulty sufficient to cause them to cease their operations, and the number of digital specialty channels decreases significantly, it may have a significant negative impact on our revenue.
If we are unable to develop or acquire advanced encryption technology to prevent unauthorized access to cable programming, we could experience a decline in revenues.
We utilize encryption technology to protect our cable signals from unauthorized access and to control programming access based on subscriber levels. There can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively prevent or eliminate unauthorized decoding of signals in the future. If we are unable to control cable access with our encryption technology, our subscription levels for digital programming including VOD, as well as Rogers Video rentals, may decline, which could result in a decline in our revenues.
We are required to provide access to our cable systems to third party internet providers, which may result in increased competition.
We are required by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to provide access to our cable systems to third party ISPs at mandated wholesale rates. The CRTC has approved cost-based rates for third party Internet access service and is currently considering proposed rates for third party interconnection and other outstanding terms and conditions of the service. As a result of the requirement that we provide access to third party ISPs, we may experience increased competition for high-speed Internet retail subscribers. In addition, these third party providers would utilize network capacity that we could otherwise use for our own subscribers. A third party ISP has connected to our network on a wholesale basis and is providing competing high-speed internet services at retail. The increased competition and reduced network capacity could result in a reduction of our revenue.
Failure to obtain access to support structures and municipal rights of way could increase our costs and adversely affect our business.
We require access to support structures and municipal rights of way in order to deploy facilities. Where access to municipal rights of way cannot be secured, we apply to the CRTC to obtain a right of access under the Telecommunications Act (Canada). However, in a recent decision, the Supreme Court of Canada has determined that the CRTC does not have the jurisdiction to establish the terms and conditions of access to the poles of hydroelectric companies. As a result of this decision, the costs of obtaining access to support structures of hydroelectric companies could be substantially increased and could adversely affect our operating results.
We are highly dependent upon our information technology systems and the inability to enhance our systems or a security breach or disaster could have an adverse impact on our financial results and operations.
The day-to-day operation of our business is highly dependent on our information technology systems. An inability to enhance our information technology systems to accommodate additional customer growth and to support new products and services could have an adverse impact on our ability to acquire new subscribers, manage subscriber churn, produce accurate and timely subscriber bills, generate revenue growth and manage operating expenses, all of which could adversely impact our financial results and position.
In addition, we use industry standard network and information technology security, survivability and disaster recovery practices. Approximately 1,300 of our employees and critical elements of our network infrastructure and information technology systems are located at two sites: our corporate offices in Toronto and our Toronto operations facility. In the event that we cannot access either of these facilities, as a result of a natural or manmade disaster or otherwise, our operations may be significantly affected and may result in a condition that is beyond the scope of our ability to recover without significant service interruption and commensurate revenue and customer loss.
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We may be required to pay higher royalty rates to copyright collectives, which could adversely affect our financial position.
The Copyright Board of Canada (Copyright Board) is expected to issue a decision in the near future on the royalty rates for the distribution of Canadian pay and specialty services and U.S. specialty services, which will apply to the 2001-2004 period. It is also expected to issue a decision on the royalty rates for the retransmission of television and radio services for the 2004-2008 period. As a result of these decisions, the royalties we owe to copyright collectives could increase. If such rates increase, we will also be required to make retroactive payments to the collectives in connection with 2001-2003 royalties for the distribution of Canadian pay and specialty services and U.S. specialty services. A requirement to make retroactive payments could materially adversely impact our financial position. A rate increase for 2004-2008, if we are unable to pass the increased rates to our customers, also could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
An expansion of copyright obligations for Internet service providers could negatively impact our business.
A 1999 Copyright Board decision that considered whether ISPs should be liable for the communication of music on the Internet was appealed to the Federal Court of Appeal and, ultimately, to the Supreme of Court of Canada. The Supreme of Court of Canada heard this appeal in December 2003 and is expected to issue its decision in the summer of 2004. If ISPs are found liable for the communication of music on the Internet, any subsequent royalty determined by the Copyright Board could have a material adverse effect on us.
We may experience adverse effects due to exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations.
Nearly all of our business is transacted in Canadian dollars. Accordingly, we are exposed to foreign exchange rate risk on our U.S. dollar denominated debt. The exchange rate between Canadian dollars and U.S. dollars, although historically less volatile than those of certain other foreign currencies, has varied significantly over the last five years. See “Exchange Rate Data”. Foreign exchange and interest rate fluctuations may materially adversely affect our financial performance or results of operations. For a more complete discussion on the impact of exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations, see the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Interest Rate and Foreign Exchange Management”.
Our business is subject to various governmental regulations.
A significant percentage of our business activities are regulated by the CRTC under the Telecommunications Act (Canada), the Radiocommunication Act (Canada) and the Broadcasting Act (Canada), and accordingly our results of operations are affected by changes in regulations and decisions by the CRTC. Such regulation relates to, among other things, licensing, competition, the specific cable television programming services that we must distribute, as well as percentages of foreign ownership and control of cable television licences. In addition, our CRTC licences must be renewed from time to time and cannot be transferred without regulatory approval. Our cable television systems are also required to obtain certain authorizations and to meet certain technical standards established by the Canadian Federal Department of Industry Canada (Industry Canada), pursuant to its authority under the Telecommunications Act (Canada) and the Radiocommunication Act (Canada). Changes in regulation by Industry Canada could adversely affect our results. For a more complete discussion of the regulatory environment affecting our business, see the section entitled “Business — Governmental Regulation”.
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We are controlled by RCI, which may lead to a conflict of interest.
We are a wholly-owned subsidiary of RCI as a result of its direct and indirect ownership of all of our capital stock. Accordingly, RCI can, subject to applicable law:
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| • | elect all of our directors; |
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| • | cause individuals who are employees of or control RCI to be appointed as officers and directors of our company; and |
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| • | otherwise control the outcome of virtually all matters required to be submitted to our shareholders. |
RCI, as our controlling shareholder, and the directors, officers and employees of RCI and its other subsidiaries who are our directors and officers, are in positions involving the possibility of conflicts of interest with respect to various transactions concerning us. There can be no assurance that any such conflict will be resolved in our favour. In addition, actions taken by RCI and the financial condition of RCI, both matters over which we have no control, may affect us and the market for the notes.
Risks Related to Our Substantial Indebtedness
We have substantial debt and interest payment requirements that may restrict our future operations and impair our ability to meet our obligations under the notes.
As of December 31, 2003, the amount of our senior secured indebtedness was $2,518.7 million. After giving effect to the redemption of our 9.65% Senior Secured Debentures due 2014, the issuance of the old notes and the application of the net proceeds of the issuance of the old notes as described under the section entitled “Use of Proceeds”, this amount would have been $2,635.1 million and total outstanding long-term debt would have been $2,788.2 million. See the sections entitled “Capitalization” and “Description of Other Indebtedness” for a description of our indebtedness. Our substantial debt may have important consequences to you. For instance, it could:
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| • | make it more difficult for us to satisfy our financial obligations, including those relating to the notes; |
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| • | require us to dedicate a substantial portion of any cash flow from operations to the payment of interest and principal due under our debt, including the notes, which will reduce funds available for other business purposes; |
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| • | increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions; |
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| • | limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; |
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| • | place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to some of our competitors that have less financial leverage; and |
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| • | limit our ability to obtain additional financing required to fund working capital and capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes. |
Our ability to satisfy our obligations and to reduce our total debt depends on our future operating performance and on economic, financial, competitive and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow and future financings may not be available to provide sufficient net proceeds to meet these obligations or to successfully execute our business strategies.
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Restrictions in our bank credit facility and our other debt instruments may limit our activities.
Our bank credit facility and the terms of our other outstanding indebtedness impose restrictions on our operations and activities, including restrictions on our ability to:
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| • | incur additional debt; |
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| • | create liens; |
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| • | pay dividends or make other restricted payments; |
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| • | make asset sales; |
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| • | enter into transactions with affiliates; |
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| • | make investments; and |
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| • | merge or consolidate with any other person. |
These restrictions on our operating flexibility may limit our ability to execute our business strategy. Some of these restrictions will not apply when our outstanding indebtedness has investment grade ratings from at least two of the following three rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch IBCA.
We are also required to meet specified financial ratios under the terms of our bank credit facility. Our ability to comply with these financial covenants will be dependent on our future performance, which will be subject to prevailing economic conditions and other factors, including factors beyond our control such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates, changes in technology and changes in the level of competition. A failure to comply with any of these restrictions or covenants when they apply may result in an event of default under a particular debt instrument, which could permit acceleration of the debt under that instrument and in some cases the acceleration of debt under other instruments that contain cross acceleration provisions. In an event of default, or in the event of a cross-acceleration, we may not have sufficient funds available to make the required payments under our indebtedness.
We may be unable to purchase the notes upon a change in control.
If we experience a change in control and the notes experience a credit rating decline, as each is defined in the indenture governing the notes, we will be required to offer to purchase the notes in cash at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued interest to the date of purchase. See the section entitled “Description of Notes — Change in Control”. A change in control and a credit rating decline under the terms of the notes is likely to correspond with a change in control and a credit rating decline under the terms of our existing senior secured notes, which would require us to make a similar offer to purchase with respect to those notes. In addition, a change in control will constitute an event of default under our bank credit facility. In the event of a change in control and a credit rating decline, we may not have sufficient funds to purchase all of the notes and all of our existing senior secured second priority notes, and to repay the amounts outstanding under our bank credit facility.
Risks Related to the Notes
There is no assurance of adequate collateral for the notes and the collateral may be released in the future if a number of conditions are met.
The notes initially will be secured by a trust bond issued under a deed of trust and pledged to the trustee under the indenture. We have in the past issued other bonds under the deed of trust to secure our other senior secured indebtedness. In addition, we may, in the future, issue additional trust bonds to secure additional senior secured debt. All bonds issued under the deed of trust, including the trust bond issued to secure the notes, are ratably secured by a security interest in substantially all of our assets and the assets
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of RCCI and will be secured by the assets of any other future restricted subsidiaries. This security interest is subject to various permitted prior liens and to certain exceptions for excluded assets, such as the shares and assets of unrestricted subsidiaries. In the case of an event of default that ultimately results in the notes becoming due and payable prior to their maturity, there can be no assurance that adequate collateral will exist under the deed of trust to ensure such payment in full, especially if there is a concurrent event of default with respect to our other senior secured indebtedness. In addition, following our recent corporate reorganization, RCCI became a co-obligor with respect to certain of our existing indebtedness, but RCCI is not initially a co-obligor with respect to the notes. As a result, if RCCI has any assets that are not pledged under the deed of trust, holders of the notes would not have a direct claim to any such unpledged assets if an event of default occurs. Almost all of RCCI’s assets currently are pledged under the deed of trust. RCCI may, however, have unpledged assets in the future. See the section entitled “Description of Collateral for Notes”.
If there is no other indebtedness secured by bonds issued under the deed of trust, RCCI has assumed, as co-obligor, or guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis our obligations under the notes and our notes have investment grade ratings from at least two of the following three rating agencies, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch IBCA, we may, at our option, permanently release the collateral for the notes and the notes will be senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all our other existing and future senior unsecured debt.
The nature of the collateral for the notes may limit the amount that can be realized by secured debt holders in the event of a default.
The value of a substantial portion of our assets is derived from the employment of the assets in a cable television and services business. In addition, these assets are highly specialized and, taken individually, can be expected to have limited marketability. In the event of a realization of the collateral securing the trust bond and other bonds issued under the deed of trust, creditors would likely seek to sell our business as a going concern in order to maximize the proceeds realized. Our value as a going concern, however, will depend on a number of factors, including the ability to obtain the prior approval of the CRTC for the sale of our cable systems. It is uncertain whether we or our creditors would be able to obtain regulatory approval for the transfer of our cable systems. The CRTC restrictions on foreign ownership of cable television licences may also have the effect of limiting the number of potential purchasers of our business.
The effect of these regulatory restrictions may be a delay in realization under the deed of trust and, by effectively limiting the number of potential purchasers of our business, to reduce the price obtained in the event of a realization. As a result, these restrictions may materially reduce the recovery by our secured creditors, including the holders of the notes.
There is no public market for the notes.
The notes will be new securities for which there currently is no market. Although the initial purchasers of the old notes have informed us that they currently intend to make a market in the old notes and, if issued in connection with this exchange offer, the new notes, they are not obligated to do so, and any such market making may be discontinued at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you as to the development or liquidity of any market for the old notes and, if issued in connection with this exchange offer, the new notes. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes or, if issued in connection with this exchange offer, the new notes.
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| If you do not exchange your old notes, they may be difficult to resell. |
It may be difficult for you to sell old notes that are not exchanged in the exchange offer, since any old notes not exchanged will remain subject to the restrictions on transfer provided for in Rule 144 under the
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Securities Act. These restrictions on transfer of your old notes exist because we issued the old notes pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. In general, absent registration under or exemption from the Securities Act, your transfer of old notes will continue to be restricted by the resale limitations of Rule 144 and applicable state securities laws. We do not intend to register the old notes under the Securities Act.
Unless you are an affiliate of us within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act, you may offer for resale, resell or otherwise transfer new notes without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, so long as you acquired the new notes in the ordinary course of business and have no arrangement or understanding with respect to the distribution of the new notes to be acquired in the exchange offer. If you tender your old notes for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the new notes, you must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction.
To the extent any old notes are tendered and accepted in the exchange offer, the trading market, if any, for the old notes that remain outstanding after the exchange offer would be adversely affected due to a reduction in market liquidity.
23
EXCHANGE OFFER
Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer
The exchange offer will give holders of old notes the opportunity to exchange the old notes, which were issued on March 11, 2004, for new notes that have been registered under the Securities Act. The terms of the new notes will be identical in all material respects to the terms of the old notes, except that the new notes will have been registered under the Securities Act and will be issued free from any covenant requiring registration, including terms providing for an increase in the interest rate on the old notes upon a failure to file or have declared effective an exchange offer registration statement or to consummate the exchange offer by certain dates.
The exchange offer is not being made to, nor will we accept tenders for exchange from, holders of old notes in any jurisdiction in which the exchange offer or the acceptance of it would not be in compliance with the securities or blue sky laws of the jurisdiction.
Resale of New Notes
We believe that new notes issued in connection with the exchange offer in exchange for old notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by any holder of new notes without further registration under the Securities Act and without delivery of a prospectus that satisfies the requirements of section 10 of the Securities Act if:
| | |
| • | the holder is not our “affiliate” within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act; |
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| • | the new notes are acquired in the ordinary course of the holder’s business; and |
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| • | the holder does not intend to participate in a distribution of the new notes. |
Any holder who exchanges old notes in the exchange offer with the intention of participating in any manner in a distribution of the new notes must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with secondary resale transactions.
This prospectus may be used for an offer to resell, resale or other retransfer of new notes. With regard to broker-dealers, only broker-dealers that acquired the old notes as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities may participate in the exchange offer. Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in exchange for old notes, where the old notes were acquired by the broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the new notes. Please read the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” for more details regarding the transfer of new notes.
Terms of the Exchange Offer
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal, we will accept for exchange any old notes properly tendered and not withdrawn before expiration of the exchange offer. The date of acceptance for exchange of the old notes and completion of the exchange offer is the exchange date, which will be the first business day following the expiration date unless we extend the date as described in this prospectus. We will issue $1,000 principal amount of new notes in exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of old notes surrendered under the exchange offer. Old notes may be tendered only in integral multiples of $1,000. The new notes will be delivered on the earliest practicable date following the exchange date.
The form and terms of the new notes will be identical to the form and terms of the old notes except that the new notes will have been registered under the Securities Act and will be issued free from any covenant requiring registration, including terms providing for an increase in the interest rate on the old notes
24
upon a failure to file or have declared effective an exchange offer registration statement or to consummate the exchange offer by certain dates, and the new notes will not bear legends restricting their transfer.
The new notes will evidence the same debt as the old notes. The new notes will be issued under and entitled to the benefits of the same indenture that authorized the issuance of the old notes. Consequently, the old notes and the new notes will be treated as a single series of debt securities under the indenture. For a description of the indenture, see the section entitled “Description of Notes”.
The exchange offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal amount of old notes being tendered for exchange.
As of the date of this prospectus, US$350.0 million aggregate principal amount of the old notes are outstanding. This prospectus and the letter of transmittal are being sent to all registered holders of old notes. There will be no fixed record date for determining registered holders of old notes entitled to participate in the exchange offer.
We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Old notes that are not exchanged in the exchange offer will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest and will be entitled to the rights and benefits their holders have under the indenture relating to the old notes and the new notes.
We will be deemed to have accepted for exchange properly tendered old notes when we have given oral or written notice of the acceptance to the exchange agent. The exchange agent will act as agent for the holders of old notes who surrender them in the exchange offer for the purposes of receiving the new notes from us and delivering the new notes to their holders. The exchange agent will make the exchange promptly on the date of acceptance for exchange of the old notes. This exchange date will be the first business day following the expiration date unless it is extended as described in this prospectus. We expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange offer, and not to accept for exchange any old notes not previously accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions specified below under the subsection entitled “— Conditions”.
Holders who tender old notes in the exchange offer will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the letter of transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of old notes. We will pay all charges and expenses, other than applicable taxes described below, in connection with the exchange offer. It is important that you read the subsection entitled “— Fees and Expenses” for more details regarding fees and expenses incurred in the exchange offer.
Expiration of the Exchange Offer; Extensions; Amendments
The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 22, 2004. The exchange offer can be extended by us in our sole discretion, in which case the term “expiration date” shall mean the latest date and time to which the exchange offer is extended.
In order to extend the exchange offer, we will notify the exchange agent orally, confirmed in writing, or in writing of any extension. We will notify the registered holders of old notes by public announcement of the extension no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day after the previously scheduled expiration of the exchange offer.
Without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make public announcements of any delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment of the exchange offer, we will have no obligation to publish, advertise, or otherwise communicate any public announcement, other than by making a timely release to a financial news service.
25
Conditions
Despite any other term of the exchange offer, we will not be required to accept for exchange any old notes, and we may terminate or amend the exchange offer as provided in this prospectus before accepting any old notes for exchange if in our reasonable judgment:
| | |
| • | the exchange offer, or the making of any exchange by a holder of old notes, would violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC; |
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| • | any action or proceeding has been instituted or threatened in any court or by or before any governmental agency with respect to the exchange offer which would reasonably be expected to impair our ability to proceed with the exchange offer; |
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| • | there has been adopted or enacted any law, statute, rule or regulation which would reasonably be expected to impair our ability to proceed with the exchange offer; |
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| • | there has been declared by U.S. federal, New York state or Canadian federal authorities a banking moratorium which would reasonably be expected to impair our ability to proceed with the exchange offer; or |
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| • | trading generally in the U.S. or Canadian over-the-counter market has been suspended by order of the SEC, any securities commission or securities regulatory authority in Canada or any other governmental authority and such suspension would reasonably be expected to impair our ability to proceed with the exchange offer. |
We will not be obligated to accept for exchange the old notes of any holder that has not made to us:
| | |
| • | the representations described under the subsections entitled “— Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer”, “— Procedures for Tendering” and “Plan of Distribution”; and |
|
| • | any other representations that may be reasonably necessary under applicable SEC rules, regulations or interpretations to make available to us an appropriate form for registration of the new notes under the Securities Act. |
We expressly reserve the right, at any time or at various times, to extend the period of time during which the exchange offer is open. Consequently, we may delay acceptance of any old notes by giving oral or written notice of an extension to their holders. During an extension, all old notes previously tendered will remain subject to the exchange offer, and we may accept them for exchange. We will return any old notes that we do not accept for exchange for any reason without expense to their tendering holder as promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.
We expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange offer and to reject for exchange any old notes not previously accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions of the exchange offer specified above. By public announcement, we will give oral or written notice of any extension, amendment, non-acceptance or termination to the holders of the old notes as promptly as practicable. If we amend the exchange offer in a manner that we consider material, we will disclose the amendment by means of a prospectus supplement.
These conditions are solely for our benefit and we may assert them regardless of the circumstances that may give rise to them or waive them in whole or in part at any time or at various times in our sole discretion. If we fail at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights, this failure will not constitute a waiver of that right. Each of these rights will be deemed an ongoing right that we may assert at any time or at various times.
We will not accept for exchange any old notes tendered, and will not issue new notes in exchange for any old notes, if at that time a stop order is threatened or in effect with respect to the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part or the qualification of the indenture governing the notes under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
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Procedures for Tendering
Only a holder of record of old notes may tender old notes in the exchange offer. To tender in the exchange offer, a holder must:
| | |
| • | complete, sign and date the letter of transmittal, or a facsimile of the letter of transmittal; have the signature on the letter of transmittal guaranteed if the letter of transmittal so requires; and deliver the letter of transmittal or facsimile to the exchange agent prior to the expiration date; or |
|
| • | comply with DTC’s Automated Tender Offer Program procedures described below. |
In addition, either:
| | |
| • | the exchange agent must receive old notes along with the letter of transmittal; |
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| • | the exchange agent must receive, before expiration of the exchange offer, a properly transmitted agent’s message and a timely confirmation of book-entry transfer of old notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC according to the procedure for book-entry transfer described below; or |
|
| • | the holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below. |
To be tendered effectively, the exchange agent must receive any physical delivery of the letter of transmittal and other required documents at the address set forth below under the subsection entitled “— Exchange Agent” before expiration of the exchange offer. To receive confirmation of a valid tender of old notes, a holder should contact the exchange agent at the telephone number listed under the subsection entitled “— Exchange Agent”.
The tender by a holder that is not withdrawn before expiration of the exchange offer will constitute an agreement between that holder and us in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal. If a holder tenders less than all of the old notes held by the holder, that tendering holder should fill in the applicable box of the letter of transmittal. The amount of old notes delivered to the exchange agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
The method of delivery of old notes, the letter of transmittal and all other required documents to the exchange agent is at the holder’s election and risk. Rather than mail these items, we recommend that holders use an overnight or hand delivery service. In all cases, holders should allow sufficient time to assure delivery to the exchange agent before expiration of the exchange offer. Holders should not send the letter of transmittal or old notes to us. Holders may request their respective brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or other nominees to effect the above transactions for them.
Any beneficial owner whose old notes are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank trust company or other nominee and who wishes to tender should contact the registered holder promptly and instruct it to tender on the owner’s behalf. If the beneficial owner wishes to tender on its own behalf, it must, prior to completing and executing the letter of transmittal and delivering its old notes, either:
| | |
| • | make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the old notes in the owner’s name; or |
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| • | obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder of old notes. |
The transfer of registered ownership may take considerable time and may not be completed prior to the expiration date.
If the letter of transmittal is signed by the record holder(s) of the old notes tendered, the signature must correspond with the name(s) written on the face of the old note without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever. If the letter of transmittal is signed by a participant in DTC, the signature must correspond with the name as it appears on the security position listing as the holder of the old notes.
A signature on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution. Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act describes eligible guarantor institutions as banks, brokers, dealers, municipal securities dealers, municipal securities brokers, government securities
27
dealers, government securities brokers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations. The signature need not be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution if the old notes are tendered:
| | |
| • | by a registered holder who has not completed the box entitled “Special Registration Instructions” or “Special Delivery Instructions” on the letter of transmittal; or |
|
| • | for the account of an eligible institution. |
If the letter of transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder of any old notes, the old notes must be endorsed or accompanied by a properly completed bond power. The bond power must be signed by the registered holder as the registered holder’s name appears on the old notes and an eligible institution must guarantee the signature on the bond power.
If the letter of transmittal or any old notes or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, these persons should so indicate when signing. Unless we waive this requirement, they should also submit evidence satisfactory to us of their authority to deliver the letter of transmittal.
The exchange agent and DTC have confirmed that any financial institution that is a participant in DTC’s system may use DTC’s Automated Tender Offer Program to tender. Participants in the program may, instead of physically completing and signing the letter of transmittal and delivering it to the exchange agent, transmit their acceptance of the exchange offer electronically. They may do so by causing DTC to transfer the old notes to the exchange agent in accordance with its procedures for transfer. DTC will then send an agent’s message to the exchange agent. The term “agent’s message” means a message transmitted by DTC, received by the exchange agent and forming part of the book-entry confirmation, to the effect that:
| | |
| • | DTC has received an express acknowledgment from a participant in its Automated Tender Offer Program that is tendering old notes that are the subject of the book-entry confirmation; |
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| • | the participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal or, in the case of an agent’s message relating to guaranteed delivery, that the participant has received and agrees to be bound by the applicable notice of guaranteed delivery; and |
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| • | the agreement may be enforced against the participant. |
We will determine in our sole discretion all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, including time of receipt, acceptance and withdrawal of tendered old notes. Our determination will be final and binding. We reserve the absolute right to reject any old notes not properly tendered or any old notes the acceptance of which would, in the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful. We also reserve the right to waive any defects, irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular old notes. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including the instructions in the letter of transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties.
Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of old notes must be cured within the time that we determine. Although we intend to notify holders of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of old notes, neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person will incur any liability for failure to give notification. Tenders of old notes will not be deemed made until those defects or irregularities have been cured or waived. Any old notes received by the exchange agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the exchange agent without cost to the tendering holder, unless otherwise provided in the letter of transmittal, as soon as practicable following the expiration date.
In all cases, we will issue new notes for old notes that we have accepted for exchange under the exchange offer only after the exchange agent timely receives:
| | |
| • | old notes or a timely book-entry confirmation that old notes have been transferred into the exchange agent’s account at DTC; and |
28
| | |
| • | a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal and all other required documents or a properly transmitted agent’s message. |
Holders should receive a copy of the letter of transmittal with this prospectus. A holder may obtain additional copies of the letter of transmittal from the exchange agent’s offices listed under the subsection entitled “— Exchange Agent”. By signing the letter of transmittal, each tendering holder of old notes will represent to us that, among other things:
| | |
| • | any new notes that the holder receives will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business; |
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| • | the holder has no arrangement or understanding with any person or entity to participate in the distribution of the new notes; |
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| • | if the holder is not a broker-dealer, that it is not engaged in and does not intend to engage in the distribution of the new notes; |
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| • | if the holder is a broker-dealer that will receive new notes for its own account in exchange for old notes that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, that it will deliver a prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any resale of those new notes (see the section entitled “Plan of Distribution”); and |
|
| • | the holder is not an “affiliate” as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of us or if the holder is an affiliate, it will comply with any applicable registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. |
Book-entry Transfer
The exchange agent will make a request to establish an account with respect to the old notes at DTC for purposes of the exchange offer promptly after the date of this prospectus. Any financial institution participating in DTC’s system may make book-entry delivery of old notes by causing DTC to transfer old notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC in accordance with DTC’s procedures for transfer. Holders of old notes who are unable to deliver confirmation of the book-entry transfer of their old notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC or all other documents required by the letter of transmittal to the exchange agent on or prior to the expiration date must tender their old notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.
Guaranteed Delivery Procedures
Holders wishing to tender their old notes but whose old notes are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their old notes, the letter of transmittal or any other required documents to the exchange agent or cannot comply with the applicable procedures under DTC’s Automated Tender Offer Program before expiration of the exchange offer may tender if:
| | |
| • | the tender is made through an eligible guarantor institution; |
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| • | before expiration of the exchange offer, the exchange agent receives from the eligible guarantor institution either a properly completed and duly executed notice of guaranteed delivery, by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery, or a properly transmitted agent’s message and notice of guaranteed delivery: |
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| • | setting forth the name and address of the holder and the registered number(s) and the principal amount of old notes tendered; |
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| • | stating that the tender is being made by guaranteed delivery; and |
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| • | guaranteeing that, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after expiration of the exchange offer, the letter of transmittal, or facsimile thereof, together with the old notes or a book-entry confirmation, and any other documents required by the letter of transmittal will be deposited by the eligible guarantor institution with the exchange agent; and |
29
| | |
| • | the exchange agent receives the properly completed and executed letter of transmittal or facsimile thereof, as well as all tendered old notes in proper form for transfer or a book-entry confirmation, and all other documents required by the letter of transmittal, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after expiration of the exchange offer. |
Upon request to the exchange agent, a notice of guaranteed delivery will be sent to holders who wish to tender their old notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth above.
Withdrawal of Tender Offers
Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, holders of old notes may withdraw their tenders at any time before expiration of the exchange offer.
For a withdrawal to be effective:
| | |
| • | the exchange agent must receive a written notice of withdrawal, which may be by facsimile transmission or letter, at one of the addresses set forth below under the subsection entitled “— Exchange Agent”; or |
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| • | holders must comply with the appropriate procedures of DTC’s Automated Tender Offer Program system. |
Any notice of withdrawal must:
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| • | specify the name of the person who tendered the old notes to be withdrawn; |
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| • | identify the old notes to be withdrawn, including the principal amount of the old notes to be withdrawn; and |
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| • | where certificates for old notes have been transmitted, specify the name in which the old notes were registered, if different from that of the withdrawing holder. |
If certificates for old notes have been delivered or otherwise identified to the exchange agent, then, prior to the release of those certificates, the withdrawing holder must also submit:
| | |
| • | the serial numbers of the particular certificates to be withdrawn; and |
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| • | a signed notice of withdrawal with signatures guaranteed by an eligible institution, unless the withdrawing holder is an eligible institution. |
If old notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer described above, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn old notes and otherwise comply with the applicable DTC procedures.
We will determine all questions as to the validity, form and eligibility, including time of receipt, of notices of withdrawal, and our determination shall be final and binding on all parties. We will deem any old notes so withdrawn not to have been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the exchange offer. We will return any old notes that have been tendered for exchange but that are not exchanged for any reason to their holder without cost to the holder. In the case of old notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the exchange agent’s account at DTC according to the procedures described above, those old notes will be credited to an account maintained with DTC for old notes, as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the exchange offer. You may retender properly withdrawn old notes by following one of the procedures described under the subsection entitled “— Procedures for Tendering” above at any time on or before expiration of the exchange offer.
A holder may obtain a form of the notice of withdrawal from the exchange agent at its offices listed under the subsection entitled “— Exchange Agent”.
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Exchange Agent
JPMorgan Chase Bank has been appointed as exchange agent for the exchange offer. You should direct questions and requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of this prospectus or of the letter of transmittal and requests for the notice of guaranteed delivery or the notice of withdrawal to the exchange agent addressed as follows:
By Mail, Hand Delivery or Overnight Courier:
JPMorgan Chase Bank
ITS Bond Events
2001 Bryan Street, 9th Floor
Dallas, TX 75201
Attention: Frank Ivins
By Facsimile Transmission:
(214) 468-6494
Attention: Frank Ivins
For Information or Confirmation by Telephone:
(212) 468-6464
Delivery of the letter of transmittal to an address other than as shown above or transmission via facsimile other than as set forth above does not constitute a valid delivery of the letter of transmittal.
Fees and Expenses
We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders. The principal solicitation is being made by mail; however, we may make additional solicitations by facsimile, telephone or in person by our officers and regular employees and those of our affiliates.
We have not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the exchange offer and will not make any payments to broker-dealers or others soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer. We will, however, pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and reimburse it for its related reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
We will pay the expenses to be incurred in connection with the exchange offer, including the following:
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| • | SEC registration fees; |
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| • | fees and expenses of the exchange agent and trustee; |
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| • | accounting and legal fees; and |
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| • | printing and mailing costs. |
Transfer Taxes
We will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of old notes under the exchange offer. The tendering holder, however, will be required to pay any transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder or any other person, if:
| | |
| • | certificates representing old notes for principal amounts not tendered or accepted for exchange are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of old notes tendered; |
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| • | new notes are to be delivered to, or issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the old notes; |
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| • | tendered old notes are registered in the name of any person other than the person signing the letter of transmittal; or |
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| • | a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of old notes under the exchange offer. |
If satisfactory evidence of payment is not submitted with the letter of transmittal, the amount of any transfer taxes will be billed to the tendering holder.
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Accounting Treatment
We will record the new notes in our accounting records at the same carrying value as the old notes, which is the aggregate principal amount, as reflected in our accounting records as of the date of exchange. Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes in connection with the exchange offer. We will record the expenses of the exchange offer as incurred.
Others
Participation in the exchange offer is voluntary, and you should carefully consider whether to accept. We urge you to consult your financial and tax advisors in making your own decision on what action to take.
We may in the future seek to acquire old notes in open-market or privately negotiated transactions, through subsequent exchange offers or otherwise. However, we have no present plans to acquire any old notes that are not tendered in the exchange offer or to file a registration statement to permit resales of any untendered old notes.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the new notes in the exchange offer. In consideration for issuing the new notes as contemplated by this prospectus, we will receive the old notes in like principal amount. The old notes surrendered in exchange for the new notes will be retired and cancelled and cannot be reissued. Accordingly, the issuance of the new notes will not result in any increase in our indebtedness or capital stock.
We estimate that our net proceeds from the issuance of the old notes were approximately US$344.1 million (Cdn$444.7 million based on the noon exchange rate as reported by the Bank of Canada on December 31, 2003 of US$1.00 = Cdn$1.2924) after deduction of expenses and commissions. We intend to use approximately Cdn$314.5 million (US$243.3 million based on the noon exchange rate noted above) of the net proceeds to refinance the drawdown under our bank credit facility, which was used to fund the redemption on February 23, 2004 of our Cdn$300.0 million 9.65% Senior Secured Debentures due 2014 at a redemption price of 104.825%. We intend to use the balance of the net proceeds from the issuance of the old notes to repay other existing indebtedness outstanding under our bank credit facility and for general corporate purposes. Pending these uses, we intend to invest a portion of the net proceeds in short-term liquid investments.
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CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our consolidated capitalization as of December 31, 2003 on an actual basis and on an adjusted basis to give effect to the issuance of the old notes, the February 2004 redemption of our 9.65% Senior Secured Debentures due 2014 and the application of the net proceeds from the issuance of the old notes, as described under the section entitled “Use of Proceeds”. This table should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003, together with the notes thereto.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | December 31, 2003(1) |
| |
|
| | Actual | | Adjustments | | As Adjusted |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in thousands of dollars) |
Cash and short term deposits(bank advances) | | $ | (16,975 | ) | | $ | 94,232 | | | $ | 77,257 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Long term and inter-company debt | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Senior debt | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Bank Credit Facility(2) | | $ | 36,000 | | | $ | (36,000 | ) | | $ | — | |
| | Notes offered hereby | | | — | | | | 452,340 | | | | 452,340 | |
| | Senior Secured Notes due 2005 | | | 376,777 | | | | — | | | | 376,777 | |
| | Senior (Secured) Notes due 2007 | | | 450,000 | | | | — | | | | 450,000 | |
| | Senior (Secured) Notes due 2012 | | | 452,340 | | | | — | | | | 452,340 | |
| | Senior (Secured) Notes due 2013 | | | 452,340 | | | | — | | | | 452,340 | |
| | Senior Secured Debentures due 2014(3) | | | 300,000 | | | | (300,000 | ) | | | — | |
| | Senior (Secured) Debentures due 2032 | | | 258,480 | | | | — | | | | 258,480 | |
| | Obligations under capital lease | | | 682 | | | | — | | | | 682 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | Subtotal long term senior debt | | | 2,326,619 | | | | 116,340 | | | | 2,442,959 | |
| | Effect of cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements(1) | | | 192,114 | | | | — | | | | 192,114 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | Total long term senior debt | | | 2,518,733 | | | | 116,340 | | | | 2,635,073 | |
| Subordinated debt | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Subordinated Guaranteed Debentures due 2015 | | | 146,914 | | | | — | | | | 146,914 | |
| Effect of cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements(1) | | | 6,205 | | | | — | | | | 6,205 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | Total long term debt | | | 2,671,852 | | | | 116,340 | | | | 2,788,192 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Shareholder’s equity | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Issued(4) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 100,000,000 Class A Common Shares | | | 229,014 | | | | — | | | | 229,014 | |
| | 118,166,003 Class B Common Shares | | | 2,222,808 | | | | — | | | | 2,222,808 | |
| | 306,904 Fourth Preferred Shares | | | 1 | | | | — | | | | 1 | |
| | 151,800 Seventh Preferred Shares | | | 162,643 | | | | — | | | | 162,643 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | Total capital stock | | | 2,614,466 | | | | — | | | | 2,614,466 | |
| Contributed surplus | | | 9,987 | | | | — | | | | 9,987 | |
Deficit(5) | | | (1,953,743 | ) | | | (18,043 | ) | | | (1,971,786 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | Total shareholder’s equity | | | 670,710 | | | | (18,043 | ) | | | 652,667 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total capitalization | | $ | 3,342,562 | | | $ | 98,297 | | | $ | 3,440,859 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| |
(1) | For the purposes of the capitalization table, all U.S. dollar amounts have been translated into Canadian dollars based on the noon rate of exchange as reported by the Bank of Canada on December 31, 2003 of US$1.00 = Cdn$1.2924, except that we have entered into cross-currency |
34
| |
| interest rate exchange agreements to fix the exchange rate with respect to US$1,058.4 million of long-term debt at an average exchange rate of US$1.00 = Cdn$1.4798, as of December 31, 2003. |
|
(2) | Our bank credit facility provides for total commitments of up to $1,075.0 million on a secured basis, subject to compliance with, among other things, certain financial covenants. At December 31, 2003, on an as adjusted basis under our most restrictive financial covenants, we could have incurred $1,589.2 million of additional debt, $1,075.0 million of which could have been borrowed under our bank credit facility, including $400.0 million available under Tranche B of our bank credit facility for the repayment of debt maturing in 2005. See the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources”. See Note 10 to our audited consolidated financial statements and the section entitled “Description of Other Indebtedness” for a description of our long-term debt. |
|
(3) | On February 23, 2004 we redeemed the $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 9.65% Senior Secured Debentures due 2014 at a redemption price of 104.825%. Funding for this redemption was obtained from a drawdown under our bank credit facility, which will be repaid from the net proceeds of this offering. |
|
(4) | The preferred shares are non-voting and are redeemable at a price of $1,000 per share. The Fourth Preferred Shares bear non-cumulative dividends at the rate of 9.65% per annum. The Seventh Preferred Shares, which rank subordinate to the Fourth Preferred Shares and in priority to the common shares, bear non-cumulative dividends at the rate of 9.8% per annum. The Class A and Class B Common Shares are each entitled to two votes per share, rank subordinate to all preferred shares and rank equally with each other. The Class B Common Shares include provisions which specifically qualify them as “excluded securities” for the purposes of some of the restrictive covenants contained in our bank credit facility and the indentures governing our existing senior secured second priority securities and our existing senior subordinated guaranteed debentures. For additional information regarding our share capital, see Note 12 to our audited consolidated financial statements. |
|
(5) | As adjusted at December 31, 2003 to give effect to the redemption noted above in footnote (3) and the corresponding write-off of the premium and deferred financing costs, aggregating approximately $18.0 million. |
35
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following data should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements, the notes related to those financial statements and the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”. The selected data for and as of the end of each of the five years ended December 31, 2003 is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements which have been audited by KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants, whose report on the audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 is included in this prospectus.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 1999 | | 2000 | | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts) |
AMOUNTS UNDER CANADIAN GAAP(1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Statement of Income Data(2) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Core cable services | | $ | 924,571 | | | $ | 980,346 | | | $ | 1,043,069 | | | $ | 1,095,736 | | | $ | 1,167,496 | |
| Internet services | | | 46,165 | | | | 111,476 | | | | 166,528 | | | | 242,635 | | | | 322,290 | |
| Video stores operations | | | 181,020 | | | | 203,583 | | | | 228,301 | | | | 262,995 | | | | 282,635 | |
| Inter-company eliminations | | | (3,237 | ) | | | (4,244 | ) | | | (4,869 | ) | | | (4,965 | ) | | | (3,201 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | Total operating revenue | | | 1,148,519 | | | | 1,291,161 | | | | 1,433,029 | | | | 1,596,401 | | | | 1,769,220 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cable services(3) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Sales and marketing expenses | | | 39,484 | | | | 48,092 | | | | 60,440 | | | | 84,542 | | | | 91,012 | |
| | Operating, general and administrative expenses | | | 532,568 | | | | 600,444 | | | | 650,890 | | | | 711,882 | | | | 758,986 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total cable services operating expenses | | | 572,052 | | | | 648,536 | | | | 711,330 | | | | 796,424 | | | | 849,998 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| Video stores operations(4) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Cost of video stores sales | | | 81,766 | | | | 92,781 | | | | 99,962 | | | | 121,335 | | | | 129,938 | |
| | Sales and marketing expenses | | | 78,745 | | | | 85,525 | | | | 98,679 | | | | 109,102 | | | | 115,831 | |
| | Operating, general and administrative expenses | | | 7,988 | | | | 10,781 | | | | 11,122 | | | | 11,025 | | | | 13,180 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total Video stores operating expenses | | | 168,499 | | | | 189,087 | | | | 209,763 | | | | 241,462 | | | | 258,949 | |
Management fees(5) | | | 23,156 | | | | 25,949 | | | | 28,781 | | | | 31,745 | | | | 35,385 | |
Inter-company eliminations | | | (3,237 | ) | | | (4,244 | ) | | | (4,869 | ) | | | (4,965 | ) | | | (3,201 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total operating expenses | | | 760,470 | | | | 859,328 | | | | 945,005 | | | | 1,064,666 | | | | 1,141,131 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating profit(6) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cable services | | | 398,684 | | | | 443,286 | | | | 498,267 | | | | 541,947 | | | | 639,788 | |
| Video stores operations | | | 12,521 | | | | 14,496 | | | | 18,538 | | | | 21,533 | | | | 23,686 | |
| Management fees | | | (23,156 | ) | | | (25,949 | ) | | | (28,781 | ) | | | (31,745 | ) | | | (35,385 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total operating profit | | | 388,049 | | | | 431,833 | | | | 488,024 | | | | 531,735 | | | | 628,089 | |
Workforce reduction(7) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 5,850 | | | | — | |
Cable system integration and At Home termination(7) | | | — | | | | 10,612 | | | | 60,436 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Depreciation and amortization(8)(15) | | | 273,721 | | | | 343,082 | | | | 433,829 | | | | 484,224 | | | | 482,050 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
36
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 1999 | | 2000 | | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts) |
Operating income (loss) | | | 114,328 | | | | 78,139 | | | | (6,241 | ) | | | 41,661 | | | | 146,039 | |
Interest expense(9)(14) | | | 292,993 | | | | 192,025 | | | | 174,626 | | | | 213,332 | | | | 240,670 | |
Dividend income from affiliated company(10) | | | (35,543 | ) | | | (39,380 | ) | | | (32,228 | ) | | | (5,447 | ) | | | (4,488 | ) |
Foreign exchange loss (gain) | | | (25,284 | ) | | | 3,460 | | | | 1,452 | | | | 3,090 | | | | (49,302 | ) |
Other expense (income), net(11) | | | (37,327 | ) | | | (30,099 | ) | | | (8,700 | ) | | | 35,903 | | | | 6,461 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Loss before income taxes | | | (80,511 | ) | | | (47,867 | ) | | | (141,391 | ) | | | (205,217 | ) | | | (47,302 | ) |
Income tax expense (reduction) | | | (74,081 | ) | | | (32,497 | ) | | | 5,314 | | | | (146,387 | ) | | | 7,541 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Loss for the year | | $ | (6,430 | ) | | $ | (15,370 | ) | | $ | (146,705 | ) | | $ | (58,830 | ) | | $ | (54,843 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Basic and diluted loss per share | | | (0.35 | ) | | | (0.28 | ) | | | (0.82 | ) | | | (0.29 | ) | | | (0.27 | ) |
Deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges(12) | | $ | 80,511 | | | $ | 47,867 | | | $ | 141,391 | | | $ | 205,217 | | | $ | 47,302 | |
Pro forma deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges(12) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 38,307 | |
Balance Sheet Data (at year end) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | $ | 1,685,090 | | | $ | 1,978,223 | | | $ | 2,373,625 | | | $ | 2,556,847 | | | $ | 2,595,761 | |
Goodwill(15) | | | 753,563 | | | | 739,777 | | | | 926,445 | | | | 926,445 | | | | 926,445 | |
Other intangible assets | | | 2,600 | | | | 2,080 | | | | 1,560 | | | | 1,040 | | | | 520 | |
Senior debt(13) | | | 1,156,518 | | | | 1,455,446 | | | | 1,452,175 | | | | 2,181,649 | | | | 2,518,733 | |
Total debt(13) | | | 1,870,349 | | | | 1,619,710 | | | | 2,102,743 | | | | 2,557,555 | | | | 2,671,852 | |
Shareholder’s equity | | | 902,259 | | | | 1,470,206 | | | | 1,090,916 | | | | 902,041 | | | | 670,710 | |
Property, plant and equipment expenditures (excluding video rental purchases) | | | 412,606 | | | | 650,349 | | | | 749,747 | | | | 650,871 | | | | 509,562 | |
AMOUNTS UNDER U.S. GAAP(1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Statement of Income Data(2) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating revenue | | $ | 1,148,519 | | | $ | 1,291,161 | | | $ | 1,433,029 | | | $ | 1,596,401 | | | $ | 1,769,220 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating income (loss) | | $ | 87,525 | | | $ | 76,655 | | | $ | (11,485 | ) | | $ | 47,509 | | | $ | 149,172 | |
Interest expense(14) | | | 292,993 | | | | 188,201 | | | | 172,297 | | | | 206,616 | | | | 236,161 | |
Other expense (income), net(11) | | | (98,154 | ) | | | (106,293 | ) | | | (77,646 | ) | | | (8,108 | ) | | | 67,398 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Loss before income taxes and cumulative change in accounting principles | | | (107,314 | ) | | | (5,253 | ) | | | (106,136 | ) | | | (150,999 | ) | | | (154,387 | ) |
Income tax expense (reduction) | | | (63,130 | ) | | | (22,411 | ) | | | (34,901 | ) | | | (146,387 | ) | | | 7,196 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Income (loss) before cumulative changes in accounting principles | | | (44,184 | ) | | | 17,158 | | | | (71,235 | ) | | | (4,612 | ) | | | (161,583 | ) |
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles for derivative financial instruments | | | — | | | | — | | | | (34,551 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Net income (loss) for the year | | $ | (44,184 | ) | | $ | 17,158 | | | $ | (105,786 | ) | | $ | (4,612 | ) | | $ | (161,928 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
37
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 1999 | | 2000 | | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts) |
Basic and diluted loss per share | | $ | (0.67 | ) | | $ | (0.11 | ) | | $ | (0.63 | ) | | $ | (0.05 | ) | | $ | (0.76 | ) |
Deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges(12) | | $ | 107,314 | | | $ | 9,077 | | | $ | 107,967 | | | $ | 156,266 | | | $ | 157,631 | |
Pro forma deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges(12) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 148,636 | |
Balance sheet data (at year end) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | $ | 1,676,813 | | | $ | 2,016,995 | | | $ | 2,413,094 | | | $ | 2,599,481 | | | $ | 2,638,118 | |
Goodwill(15) | | | 857,493 | | | | 840,129 | | | | 1,057,892 | | | | 1,057,892 | | | | 1,057,892 | |
Other intangible assets | | | 2,600 | | | | 2,080 | | | | 1,560 | | | | 1,040 | | | | 520 | |
Total assets | | | 3,198,297 | | | | 3,676,516 | | | | 3,812,712 | | | | 4,012,171 | | | | 3,889,732 | |
Senior debt(13)(16) | | | 1,226,131 | | | | 1,560,742 | | | | 1,615,414 | | | | 2,238,016 | | | | 2,326,619 | |
Total debt(13)(16) | | | 1,956,544 | | | | 1,748,267 | | | | 2,300,089 | | | | 2,622,077 | | | | 2,473,533 | |
Shareholder’s equity | | | 942,662 | | | | 1,549,463 | | | | 1,241,906 | | | | 1,107,434 | | | | 770,901 | |
| | |
| (1) | In certain respects, Canadian GAAP differs from U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, certain line items with respect to Statement of Income Data and Balance Sheet Data differ as a result of the application of U.S. GAAP. For a discussion of the principal differences between Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP, see Note 23 to our audited consolidated financial statements. |
|
| (2) | During 2000, we entered into an agreement with Shaw to exchange certain cable television and Internet assets effective November 1, 2000. We exchanged our cable television and Internet assets in British Columbia, with approximately 623,000 basic cable subscribers and approximately 105,000 Internet subscribers, for Shaw’s cable television and Internet assets in southern Ontario and New Brunswick, with approximately 601,000 basic cable subscribers and approximately 78,000 Internet subscribers. In February 2001, we acquired Cable Atlantic Inc., which has since been amalgamated into RCCI. As a result, RCCI now has cable television systems serving approximately 71,000 basic cable subscribers in Newfoundland. In November 2001, we sold our U.S. cable systems, comprising Rogers American Cablesystems, Inc. and its operating subsidiary Rogers Cablesystems of Alaska, Inc., which had approximately 7,400 basic cable subscribers. |
|
| (3) | Cable operating expenses have been segregated between sales and marketing expenses and operating, general and administrative expenses which include all programming costs, Internet interconnectivity costs and expenses of running the business on a day-to-day basis. |
|
| (4) | Video stores operating expenses have been segregated into cost of video stores sales, which includes video store merchandise and depreciation related to rental assets, sales and marketing expenses, which include all costs of promoting the stores and operating, general and administrative expenses, which include corporate office expenses and other operating expenses not directly attributable to a store location. |
|
| (5) | We have entered into a management services agreement with RCI under which RCI provides executive, administrative, financial, strategic planning, information technology and various additional services to us. Those services relate to, among other things, assistance with tax advice, Canadian regulatory matters, financial advice (including the preparation of business plans and financial projections and the evaluation of PP&E expenditure proposals), treasury services, service on our board of directors and on committees of our boards of directors and advice and assistance on relationships with employee groups, internal audits, purchasing and legal services. In return for these services, we have agreed to pay RCI a fee equal to 2% of our consolidated gross revenue. We have also agreed to reimburse RCI for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred in respect of additional services not specifically covered by the management services agreement provided to us. |
38
| | |
| (6) | We define operating profit as net income before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, income taxes and non-operating items, which include dividend income and foreign exchange (gain) loss, and other non-operating items included in other expense (income), which include loss on repayment of debt, writedown of investments, gains on the sales of subsidiaries and investments, and other income and the 2002 workforce reduction costs as well as the 2000 and 2001 cable system integration and At Home termination costs. In the case of operating profit for each of the cable and video segments, we exclude management fees from the calculation. Operating profit is a standard measure used in the cable and communications industry to assist in understanding and comparing operating results and is often referred to by our competitors as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) or operating income before depreciation and amortization (OBIDA). We believe this is an important measure because it allows us to assess our ongoing businesses without the impact of depreciation or amortization expenses as well as non-operating and other factors. It is intended to indicate our ability to incur or service debt, invest in PP&E and allows us to compare our company to our competitors who have different capital or organizational structures. This measure is not a defined term under GAAP. |
|
| (7) | During the years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001, we recorded cable system integration costs of $10,612,000 and $16,462,000, respectively, pertaining to the integration of the Ontario and New Brunswick cable television and Internet assets acquired effective November 2000 in the exchange of cable television and Internet assets with Shaw. The cable system integration costs recorded in 2001 also include integration costs related to the Newfoundland cable systems acquired in the Cable Atlantic acquisition completed in February 2001. During the year ended December 31, 2001, we incurred incremental operating expenses of $43,974,000 pertaining to the termination of our relationship with At Home and the transition of our Internet subscribers to our own regional network. During the year ended December 31, 2002, we reduced our workforce by 187 employees primarily in the technical service, network operations and engineering departments of our cable services segment, incurring $5,850,000 in costs primarily related to severance and other employee termination benefits. For additional details, see Notes 13 and 14 to our audited consolidated financial statements. |
|
| (8) | Effective January 1, 2002, the accounting standards relating to foreign currency were amended to eliminate the requirement under Canadian GAAP to defer and amortize unrealized translation gains and losses on long-term foreign currency denominated monetary items, including long-term debt denominated in U.S. dollars. Further, the adoption of this amendment required retroactive restatement of prior periods. As a result, upon adoption of this amendment effective January 1, 2002, the loss for the years ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001 was decreased by $98,959,000, $4,327,000 and $11,611,000, respectively. |
|
| (9) | Consolidated interest expense under Canadian GAAP for each of the five years ended December 31, 2003 is comprised as follows: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 1999 | | 2000 | | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in thousands of dollars) |
Interest expense on inter-company deeply subordinated debt | | $ | 53,558 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Interest expense on inter-company subordinated debt | | | 55,895 | | | | 33,901 | | | | 12,036 | | | | 4,687 | | | | 2,867 | |
Third party interest expense | | | 183,540 | | | | 158,124 | | | | 162,590 | | | | 208,645 | | | | 237,803 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Consolidated interest expense | | $ | 292,993 | | | $ | 192,025 | | | $ | 174,626 | | | $ | 213,332 | | | $ | 240,670 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| |
(10) | Dividend income from affiliated company refers to dividends earned on investments in the preferred shares of an affiliated company and are offset by a corresponding amount of interest expense and/or dividends paid to an affiliated company. The investments in these preferred shares relate to back to back preferred share transactions that have the effect of transferring tax losses to our subsidiaries. For more information, see Note 6 to our audited consolidated financial statements. |
39
| |
(11) | Other expense (income) under Canadian and U.S. GAAP in the years ended December 31, 1999, 2002 and 2003 includes losses incurred on the early repayment of long-term debt, and the writedown of investments in the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002. |
|
(12) | For the purposes of calculating the deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges, (i) earnings or deficiencies consist of loss before income taxes plus fixed charges during the period and (ii) fixed charges consist of interest expense (before deducting capitalized interest) on all debt, amortization of deferred financing costs and the portion of operating lease rental expense that is representative of the interest factor (deemed to be one-third of minimum operating lease rentals). After giving effect to the issuance of the notes and the application of the net proceeds thereof, we would have had a pro forma deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges under Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP as indicated for the year ended December 31, 2003. The pro forma deficiency of earnings available to cover fixed charges under Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP for the year ended December 31, 2003 includes an estimate by us of the foreign exchange rate. This estimate may change upon the issuance of the notes. |
|
(13) | Senior debt includes secured long-term debt and operating bank loans but does not include subordinated debt, inter-company subordinated debt or inter-company deeply subordinated debt. Total debt includes the senior debt described above together with inter-company subordinated debt and subordinated debt but does not include inter-company deeply subordinated debt. Inter-company deeply subordinated debt (all of which was owed to RCI) has been excluded from total debt because, under the terms of our various credit facilities, all payments on such debt are restricted payments treated in the same manner as dividends on our common shares. For a more complete discussion, see the section entitled “Description of Other Indebtedness — Inter-Company Debt”. |
| | |
| | The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, a reconciliation of long-term debt to total and senior debt: |
Reconciliation of Long-Term Debt to Total and Senior Debt
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 1999 | | 2000 | | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in thousands of dollars) |
Long-term debt as per consolidated financial statements | | $ | 1,320,349 | | | $ | 1,619,710 | | | $ | 1,617,143 | | | $ | 2,353,055 | | | $ | 2,671,852 | |
Inter-company subordinated debt as discussed below | | | 550,000 | | | | — | | | | 485,600 | | | | 204,500 | | | | — | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total debt | | | 1,870,349 | | | | 1,619,710 | | | | 2,102,743 | | | | 2,557,555 | | | | 2,671,852 | |
Inter-company subordinated debt | | | (550,000 | ) | | | — | | | | (485,600 | ) | | | (204,500 | ) | | | — | |
Subordinated debt | | | (163,831 | ) | | | (164,264 | ) | | | (164,968 | ) | | | (171,406 | ) | | | (153,119 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Senior debt | | $ | 1,156,518 | | | $ | 1,455,446 | | | $ | 1,452,175 | | | $ | 2,181,649 | | | $ | 2,518,733 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
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| | In 1999, we issued an additional net $890,358,000 of additional inter-company subordinated debt to RCI and amended $100,000,000 of inter-company subordinated debt owing to RCI into $100,000,000 of inter-company deeply subordinated debt owing to RCI. We then converted $603,358,000 of outstanding inter-company subordinated debt owing to RCI into Class B Common Shares which were issued by us to RCI. As a result of all of the above, a total of $550,000,000 of inter-company subordinated debt owing to RCI was outstanding at December 31, 1999. During 2000, we issued net $82,100,000 of additional inter-company subordinated debt owing to RCI and converted the total outstanding $632,100,000 of inter-company subordinated debt owing to RCI into Class B Common Shares issued by us to RCI. During 2001, we issued net $485,600,000 of additional inter-company subordinated debt owing to RCI, all of which was repaid in 2002. We |
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| | subsequently issued net $204,500,000 of additional inter-company subordinated debt owing to RCI in 2002. During the year ended December 31, 2003, we made a net repayment to RCI of $204,500,000 of inter-company subordinated debt, so that the ending balance at December 31, 2003 was nil. For a more complete discussion, see the section entitled “Description of Other Indebtedness — Inter-Company Debt” and Note 11 to our audited consolidated financial statements. |
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(14) | During 1999, we issued an additional $23,558,000 of inter-company deeply subordinated debt owing to RCI in consideration for the payment of accrued interest owing on account of inter-company deeply subordinated debt. Also during 1999, the aggregate outstanding $733,261,000 of inter-company deeply subordinated debt owing to RCI was converted into Class B Common Shares which we issued to RCI. For a more complete discussion, see the section entitled “Description of Other Indebtedness — Inter-Company Debt”. |
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(15) | Effective January 1, 2002 we adopted new accounting standards under Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP relating to goodwill which is no longer amortized. For a more complete discussion see Note 2(f) to our audited consolidated financial statements. |
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(16) | Under U.S. GAAP, the derivative financial instruments, which are used for risk management purposes and include cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements, are recorded at their fair value. Accordingly, for U.S. GAAP purposes long-term debt balances are recorded at the balance sheet date rate of exchange. |
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This discussion should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. The financial information presented herein has been prepared on the basis of Canadian GAAP. Please refer to Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements for a summary of differences between Canadian and U.S. GAAP.
Throughout this discussion, percentage changes are calculated using numbers rounded to the decimal to which they appear. All dollar amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Overview
We are Canada’s largest cable television company, serving close to 2.3 million basic subscribers at December 31, 2003, representing approximately 29% of basic cable subscribers in Canada. At December 31, 2003, we provided digital cable services to approximately 535,300 subscribers and Internet service to approximately 790,500 subscribers.
We have highly-clustered and technologically advanced broadband networks in Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. Our Ontario cable systems, which comprise approximately 90% of our 2.3 million basic cable subscribers, are concentrated in three principal clusters in and around: (i) the greater Toronto area, Canada’s largest metropolitan centre; (ii) Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, and (iii) the Guelph to London corridor in southern Ontario. Our New Brunswick and Newfoundland cable systems in Atlantic Canada comprise the balance of our subscribers.
With 99% of our network having digital cable available and more than 92% upgraded to 750 Megahertz (MHz) or 860 MHz, we have a highly-competitive offer which includes HDTV, a suite of “Rogers on Demand’ services, including VOD, PVR and time shifted programming, PPV movies and events as well as a significant line-up of digital, multicultural and sports programming.
Our Internet service is available to over 96% of homes passed by our network. Our Internet service is available to residential customers in either a Hi-Speed Internet or Rogers Hi-Speed Internet Lite (Internet Lite) service offering. We also offer a full range of data and Internet products to business customers.
We also offer videocassette, DVD and video game sales and rentals through Rogers Video, Canada’s second largest chain of video stores. There were 279 Rogers Video stores at December 31, 2003. Many of these stores provide customers with the additional ability to purchase cable and wireless products and services, pay their cable television, Internet or Rogers Wireless bills and to pick up and return cable TV and Internet equipment.
In addition to the Rogers Video stores, as described above, we market our services through an extensive network of retail locations across our network footprint, including the Rogers Wireless independent dealer network, Rogers AT&T Wireless stores and kiosks, and major retail chains such as RadioShack Canada Inc., Future Shop Ltd. and Best Buy Canada. We also offer products and services and customer service on our e-business Web site, www.rogers.com.
Our cable networks in Ontario and New Brunswick, with few exceptions, are interconnected to regional head-ends, where analog and digital channel line-ups are assembled for distribution to customers and Internet traffic is aggregated and routed to and from customers, by inter-city fibre-optic rings. The fibre-optic interconnections allow our multiple Ontario and New Brunswick cable systems to function as a
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single cable network. Our remaining subscribers in Newfoundland and New Brunswick are served by local head-ends. Our two regional head-ends in Toronto, Ontario and Moncton, New Brunswick provide the source for most television signals used in the cable systems.
Our technology architecture is based on a three-tiered structure of primary hubs, optical nodes and co-axial distribution. The primary hubs, located in each region that we serve, are connected together by inter-city fibre-optic systems carrying television, Internet, network control and monitoring and administrative traffic. The fibre-optic systems are generally constructed as rings that allow signals to flow in and out of each primary hub through two paths, providing protection from a fibre cut or other disruption. These high-capacity fibre-optic networks deliver high performance and reliability and have substantial reserves for future growth in the form of dark fibre and unused optical wavelengths. Our primary hubs serve from 4,000 to 248,000 subscribers, with two of our primary hubs each serving over 200,000 subscribers.
Optical fibre joins the primary hub to the optical nodes in the cable distribution plant. Final distribution to subscriber homes from optical nodes uses co-axial cable with two-way amplifiers to support on-demand television and Internet service. Co-axial cable capacity has been increased repeatedly by introducing more advanced amplifier technologies. We believe co-axial cable is the most cost-effective and widely deployed means of carrying two-way television and high-speed Internet services to residential subscribers.
Groups of an average of 640 homes are served from each optical node in a cable architecture commonly referred to as fibre-to-the-feeder (FTTF). The FTTF plant provides bandwidth up to 750 MHz or 860 MHz, which includes 37 MHz of bandwidth used for “upstream” transmission from the subscribers’ premises to the primary hub. We believe the upstream bandwidth is sufficient to support multiple cable modem systems and data traffic from interactive digital set-top terminals for at least the near term future. When necessary, additional upstream capacity can be provided by reducing the number of homes served by each optical node. Fibre cable has been placed to permit a reduction of the average node size from 640 to 300 homes by installing additional optical transceiver modules and optical transmitters and return receivers in the head-ends and primary hubs.
More than 92% of our cable plant has been upgraded to 750/860 MHz FTTF architecture, with approximately 96% of our plant capable of transmitting 550 MHz of bandwidth or greater. Through the completion of our scheduled network upgrade program, 96% will be rebuilt to 750/860 MHz FTTF by early 2004 and, by year end 2004, approximately 85% of our network will be upgraded to 860 MHz. Some smaller communities and rural areas continue to use more traditional two-way cable architectures with 2,000 subscribers per node and 600 MHz bandwidth. Overall, 96% of our total cable plant was two-way addressable at December 31, 2003 and 99% of the homes passed in our service areas had digital cable available.
We believe that the 750/860 MHz FTTF architecture provides us with sufficient bandwidth for foreseeable growth in television, data and future services, a high quality picture, advanced two-way capability and increased reliability. In addition, our clustered network of cable systems served by regional head-ends facilitates our ability to rapidly introduce new services to subscribers with a lower capital cost.
Together with RCI, we announced an initiative on February 12, 2004, to deploy an advanced broadband IP multimedia network to support primary line voice-over-cable telephony and other new services across our cable service areas. This investment plan, the completion of which assumes a regulatory environment supportive of competition from voice-over-cable telephony, includes the capital costs required to deploy a scalable primary line quality digital voice-over-cable telephony service utilizing PacketCable and DOCSIS standards, including the costs associated with switching, transport, IP network redundancy, multi-hour network and customer premises powering, network status monitoring, customer premises equipment, information technologies and systems integration. We expect the PP&E expenditures required to deploy this platform will be approximately $200 million over two years. We also expect the majority of the PP&E expenditures will occur in the first 12 to 18 months of the deployment, with 2004 expenditures
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expected to be between $140 million and $170 million. Once this initial platform is deployed, the additional variable PP&E expenditures associated with adding each voice-over-cable telephony service subscriber, which includes uninterruptible backup powering at the home, is expected to be in the range of $300 to $340 per subscriber addition.
We are currently refining our business strategies with respect to voice-over-cable telephony services. As a result, the PP&E expenditures, costs and timeline described above are initial estimates. In addition, together with RCI, we are considering offering the telephony services described above through another wholly-owned RCI subsidiary, Rogers Telecom. RCI is currently in the process of recruiting an industry executive to lead Rogers Telecom. Although our business strategies and organizational structure with respect to telephony services continue to be refined, we plan to incur most or all of the PP&E expenditures described above to upgrade our network to an advanced broadband multimedia platform capable of supporting voice-over-cable telephony and other new services. In the event that Rogers Telecom offers voice-over-cable telephony services, we would enter into an agreement with Rogers Telecom which could relate to, among other things, access to and the use of our network.
Our Strategy
We seek to maximize our revenue, operating profit, as defined below, and return on investment by leveraging our technologically advanced cable network to meet the information, entertainment and communications needs of our subscribers, from basic cable television to advanced two-way cable services including digital cable, Internet access, impulse PPV, VOD, PVR and HDTV. The key elements of our strategy are as follows:
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| • | clustering of cable systems in and around metropolitan areas; |
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| • | offering a wide selection of products and services; |
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| • | maintaining technologically advanced cable networks; |
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| • | continuing to focus on increased quality and reliability of service; |
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| • | leveraging our relationships within the Rogers group of companies to identify opportunities for bundled product and service offerings as well as for cost and infrastructure sharing; |
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| • | continuing to develop brand awareness and to promote the “Rogers” brand as a symbol of quality, innovation and value and of a diversified Canadian media and communications company; and |
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| • | deploying advanced IP capabilities to provide high quality digital primary line voice telephony service. |
Key Performance Indicators
We measure the success of our strategies using a number of key performance indicators, which are outlined below. With the exception of revenue, the following key performance indicators are not measurements in accordance with Canadian or U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other measure of performance under Canadian or U.S. GAAP.
We derive the majority of our revenue from recurring monthly and transactional charges for fees in connection with cable and Internet services, as well as other transactional rentals or sales of PPV and VOD services, video rentals and other products.
We determine the number of subscribers of our services based on active subscribers. A cable subscriber is represented by a dwelling unit. In the case of multiple units in one dwelling, such as an apartment building, each tenant with cable service, whether invoiced individually or having services
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included in his or her rent, is counted as one subscriber. Commercial or institutional units, such as hospitals or hotels, are considered to be one subscriber. When subscribers are deactivated either voluntarily or involuntarily for non-payment, they are considered to be deactivations in the period the services are discontinued.
Subscriber churn is calculated on a monthly basis. For any particular month, subscriber churn represents the number of subscribers deactivating in the month divided by the aggregate number of subscribers at the beginning of the month. When used or reported for a period greater than one month, subscriber churn represents the monthly average of the subscriber churn for the period.
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| Average Revenue per Subscriber |
The average revenue per subscriber, or ARPU, is calculated on a monthly basis. For any particular month, ARPU represents monthly revenue divided by the average number of subscribers during the month. ARPU, when used in connection with a particular type of subscriber, represents monthly revenue generated from these subscribers divided by the average number of these subscribers during the month. When used or reported for a period greater than one month, ARPU represents the monthly average of the ARPU calculations for the period. We believe ARPU helps indicate whether we have been successful in attracting and retaining higher value subscribers.
Operating expenses are segregated into four categories for assessing business performance:
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| • | cost of sales, which is composed of video store merchandise and rental asset depreciation; |
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| • | sales and marketing expenses, which include sales and retention-related advertising and customer communications as well as other acquisition costs such as sales support and commissions and costs of operating, advertising and promoting the Rogers Video store chain; |
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| • | operating, general and administrative expenses, which include all other expenses incurred to operate the business on a day-to-day basis and service existing subscription relationships, including programming costs, Internet transit and e-mail services; and |
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| • | management fees paid to RCI. |
In the cable industry in Canada, the demand for services, particularly Internet and digital services, continues to grow at a substantial rate and the variable costs, such as commissions for subscriber activations, as well as the fixed costs of acquiring new subscribers are significant. Fluctuations in the number of activations of new subscribers from period to period result in fluctuations in sales and marketing expenses.
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| Operating Expense per Subscriber |
Operating expense per subscriber, expressed as a monthly average, is calculated by dividing total operating, general and administrative expenses, plus management fees paid to RCI by the average number of subscribers during the period. Operating expense per subscriber is tracked as a measure of our ability to leverage our operating cost structure across a growing subscriber base, and we believe that it is an important measure of our ability to achieve the benefits of scale as we increase our business.
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| Operating Profit and Operating Profit Margin |
We define operating profit as net income before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, income taxes and non-operating items, which include foreign exchange (gain) loss, loss on repayment of debt, dividend income, writedown of investments, gains on the sales of subsidiaries and investments, and other income and the 2002 workforce reduction costs, as well as the 2000 and 2001 cable system
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integration and At Home termination costs. When we calculate operating profit for each of our cable and video segments, we exclude the impact of management fees. Operating profit is a standard measure used in the cable and communications industry to assist in understanding and comparing operating results and is often referred to by our competitors as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) or operating income before depreciation and amortization (OBIDA). We believe this is an important measure because it allows us to assess our ongoing businesses without the impact of depreciation or amortization expenses as well as non-operating factors. It is intended to indicate our ability to incur or service debt, invest in PP&E and allow us to compare our company to our competitors who have different capital or organizational structures. This measure is not a defined term under GAAP.
We calculate total operating profit margin after management fees by dividing operating profit by revenue. In the case of our cable segment operating profit margin, total cable operating profit before management fees is divided by total cable revenue, and for our video segment, video operating profit before management fees is divided by video revenue. This measure is not a defined term under GAAP.
PP&E expenditures include those costs associated with acquiring and placing our PP&E into service. Because the cable and Internet business requires extensive and continual investment in new technologies and expansion of geographical reach and capacity, PP&E expenditures are significant and management focuses continually on the planning, funding and management of these expenditures. We focus more on managing PP&E expenditures than we do on managing depreciation and amortization of expense because PP&E expenditures directly impact our cash flow whereas depreciation and amortization are non-cash accounting measures required under GAAP.
Seasonality
Our subscriber additions and disconnections are subject to modest seasonal fluctuations which are largely attributable to movements of university and college students and individuals temporarily suspending service due to extended vacations. These fluctuations generally have a minimal impact on our financial results.
Recent Cable Industry Trends
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| Investment in Improved Cable Television Networks and Expanded Service Offerings |
In recent years, North American cable television companies have made substantial investments in the installation of fibre-optic cable and electronics in their respective networks and in the development of Internet and digital cable services. These investments have enabled cable television companies to offer expanded packages of analog and digital cable television services, including VOD, PPV services, expanded analog and digital services, pay television packages, interactive television services, HDTV programming and Internet services.
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| Increased Competition from Alternative Broadcasting Distribution Undertakings |
Canadian cable television systems generally face legal and illegal competition from several alternative multi-channel broadcasting distribution systems. See “Competition” below for a discussion of these various competitive forces.
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| Development of Cable Telephony Offerings |
Many of the larger cable system operators or Multiple System Operators (MSOs) in North America have deployed or announced the pending deployment of local telephony service offerings over all or portions of their cable systems. The MSOs utilize either older circuit switched technologies or newer soft switch-based voice over IP (VoIP) technologies to deploy local telephony. VoIP, when offered over a DOCSIS cable modem connection to an MSO’s network that is utilizing industry standard Packet Cable
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certified components, enables an MSO to emulate, with the exception of network powering, the features, functionality and quality of service of traditional local telephone service. VoIP is increasingly being proven a reliable and scalable technology for enabling MSOs (and other next generation telecommunications carriers) to enter the local telephony services market.
Overview of Government Regulation and Regulatory Developments
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| Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission |
Canadian broadcasting operations, including our cable television systems, are licenced and regulated by the CRTC pursuant to the Broadcasting Act (Canada). Under the Broadcasting Act (Canada), the CRTC is responsible for regulating and supervising all aspects of the Canadian broadcasting system with a view to implementing certain broadcasting policy objectives enunciated in the Broadcasting Act (Canada). The CRTC is also responsible under the Telecommunications Act (Canada) for the regulation of telecommunications common carriers that provide Internet services.
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| Copyright Board of Canada |
The Copyright Board is a regulatory body established pursuant to the Copyright Act (Canada) to oversee the collective administration of copyrights in Canada and to establish the royalties payable for the use of certain copyrighted works. The Copyright Board is responsible for the review, consideration and approval of copyright tariff royalties payable to copyright collectives by Canadian broadcasting undertakings including us.
The technical aspects of frequency-related operations of the cable television networks in Canada are subject to the licencing requirements and oversight of Industry Canada. Industry Canada may set technical standards for telecommunications under the Radiocommunication Act (Canada) and the Telecommunications Act (Canada).
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| Restrictions on Non-Canadian Ownership and Control |
Non-Canadians are permitted to own and control directly or indirectly up to 33 1/3% of the voting shares and 33 1/3% of the votes of a holding company that has a subsidiary operating company licenced under the Broadcasting Act (Canada). In addition, up to 20% of the voting shares and 20% of the votes of the operating licencee company may be owned and controlled directly or indirectly by non-Canadians. The chief executive officer and 80% of the members of the board of directors of the operating licencee must be resident Canadians. There are no restrictions on the number of non-voting shares that may be held by non-Canadians at either the holding company or licencee company level. The CRTC retains the discretion to determine as a question of fact whether a given licencee is controlled by non-Canadians.
On May 10, 2001, the Minister of Canadian Heritage asked a Parliamentary Committee to conduct a review of the Broadcasting Act (Canada) and examine, among other things, the current restrictions on foreign ownership of companies licenced under the Broadcasting Act (Canada).
In November 2002, the Minister of Industry initiated a review process of Canada’s current restrictions on foreign ownership of telecommunications carriers in Canada with a view towards the possible relaxation or elimination of such rules. We support and will participate in the review but cannot predict what, if any, changes might result from it. We have advocated the position that any such relaxation should apply equally to both telecommunications and cable television providers.
In April 2003, the House of Commons Industry Committee released a report calling for the removal of foreign ownership restrictions for telecommunications carriers and broadcasting distribution undertakings. In June 2003, the House of Commons Heritage Committee released a report opposing the Industry Committee’s recommendation. The Cabinet responded to the Industry Committee report in September 2003 and to the Heritage Committee report in November 2003. Officials from the Industry and Heritage
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departments are seeking to reconcile the two positions. It is expected that sometime during 2004, the Government of Canada intends to be in a position to examine possible solutions. We support the recommendation as it pertains to the removal of foreign ownership restrictions for both telecommunications carriers and broadcasting distribution undertakings but cannot predict what, if any, changes might result.
The CRTC’s new community-based media policy framework came into effect in January 2003. Under the framework, we can retain a higher proportion of the payments that would otherwise go to support Canadian programming funds. We are permitted to use these retained payments to support our own community television channels.
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| Distribution of Digital Television Signals |
In November 2003, the CRTC released its policy framework for the distribution of digital television signals. Under the framework, we are required to distribute the digital signal of a Canadian broadcaster once the signal is available over the air. Both the analog and digital versions of a Canadian television signal are to be distributed until 85% of the subscribers have digital set-top boxes or digital receivers.
On January 21, 2004, the CRTC renewed the licences of 22 specialty services. Three services were granted basic rate increases that come into effect on April 20, 2004. Depending on the system, the new rates could represent a basic fee increase of as much as $0.13 per subscriber per month or approximately $2.5 million in incremental wholesale fees, prorated at $1.7 million in 2004.
Competition
Canadian cable television systems generally face legal and illegal competition from several alternative multi-channel broadcasting distribution systems, including two Canadian direct-to-home satellite providers, U.S. direct broadcast satellite service, satellite master antenna television, and multi-channel, multi-point distribution system, as well as from the direct reception by antenna of over-the-air local and regional broadcast television signals.
In recent years, telephone companies have acquired licences to operate terrestrial broadcast distribution undertakings (BDUs). These companies include TELUS Corporation (TELUS), Saskatchewan Telecommunications (Sasktel), MTS Communications Inc. (MTS), and Aliant Inc. (Aliant). We compete directly with Aliant in New Brunswick and Newfoundland and TELUS in Ontario. During 2003, BCE Inc. (Bell) announced that it will apply for a BDU licence allowing it to deliver television service to residential homes and apartment buildings using digital subscriber line (DSL) technology. If proven viable, DSL technologies such as very high speed digital subscriber lines (VDSL) will potentially provide the ability to offer a complete array of broadcast television services including VOD and HDTV. In particular, Bell has stated an objective to target MDUs with the VDSL product. Our premium services, such as movie networks, U.S. superstations, pay-per-view and video on demand services, also compete to varying degrees with other communications and entertainment media, including home video, movie theatres and live theatre.
Since their launch in 1997, the two DTH providers licenced by the CRTC to operate in Canada, Bell ExpressVu LLP and Star Choice Communications Inc., have become aggressive competitors to cable television systems in Canada. In addition, illegal access to U.S. DBS signals by individuals residing in Canada has become an increasing source of black and grey market competition for Canadian cable television systems. The “black market” refers to pirate DBS equipment Canadian residents illegally obtain and operate. This equipment enables them to take, without paying a fee, programming services from U.S. DBS providers by defeating the operation of the systems that prevent unauthorized access. The “grey market” refers to U.S. DBS equipment that Canadian residents obtain and illegally bring into and operate in Canada. Such residents illegally give a false U.S. service address to the U.S. DBS providers, paying a
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fee to receive programming services not offered for sale in Canada. Unauthorized access by Canadian residents with pirate DTH equipment and theft of Canadian DTH services is another source of competition to Canadian cable companies. In April 2002, the Supreme Court of Canada issued a decision clarifying that the decoding of programming signals, except in accordance with the authorization of a licenced Canadian distributor, is prohibited in Canada. The decision has led to increased criminal and civil enforcement activity against black and grey market satellite television dealers in Canada.
Our objective is to offer the fullest possible range of programming and services to our customers. In September 2001, we launched approximately 70 of the new Category 1 and Category 2 digital services licenced by the CRTC in 2000. Since that time, we have launched additional Category 2 and foreign digital services. We offer more third language digital services than any other Canadian distributor. In late 2001, we also launched a digital offering consisting of HDTV versions of the U.S. networks sourced from Detroit. In early 2002, we launched a digital timeshifting package that included distant Canadian conventional broadcast signals and a version of the U.S. networks sourced from Seattle. In March 2002, we began offering HDTV versions of selected pay and PPV programming. In 2003, we added HDTV versions of City TV Toronto, TSN, Rogers Sportsnet and U.S. networks sourced from Seattle and Spokane. We have a large and diverse, highly-competitive offering relative to Canadian DTH and other Canadian cable providers.
Our Internet access service competes generally with a number of other ISPs, offering competing residential and commercial Internet access services. Many ISPs offer telephone dial-up Internet access services that provide significantly reduced bandwidth and download speed capabilities compared to broadband technologies such as cable modem or DSL. Our Internet service competes directly with Bell’s DSL Internet service in the high-speed Internet market in Ontario, and with the DSL Internet services of Aliant in some of our service areas in New Brunswick and Newfoundland. We also offer a less expensive Internet Lite service which has fewer features than the standard high-speed package. Our Internet Lite service competes against similar slower speed DSL services and, because of its reduced speed, competes more directly with dial-up services.
We have increasingly offered our services to customers at either a discounted price for taking multiple services or, more recently, in product bundles which are priced at a discount to the sum of the prices of the individual products if they were to be taken separately. We believe that such customer loyalty programs and multi-product bundling enables us to reduce individual product churn, to increase the average revenue received from our customers by selling multiple products to them and to better service our customers by offering a single bill and single points of customer service contact. Late in 2003, we and Rogers Wireless launched a combined bundle which offered combinations of our video, high-speed Internet and wireless services. Our primary competitor, Bell, also markets similar product bundles at similar price points in competition with us. However, Bell’s practice of bundling telephone services with Internet and DTH service is currently under review by the CRTC.
We face emerging competition from other utilities such as hydroelectric companies as these companies look to utilize their infrastructure to provide Internet and other services, such as VoIP, that may directly compete with our current and future service offerings.
Rogers Video competes with other videocassette, DVD and video game sales and rental store chains, such as Blockbuster Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc., as well as individually owned and operated outlets. Competition is principally based on location, price and availability of titles.
Intercompany and Related Party Transactions
From time to time, we enter into agreements with RCI, RCI’s subsidiaries and other related parties that we believe are mutually advantageous to us and our affiliates.
Our arrangements with RCI include a management services agreement under which we receive a range of management services, including strategic planning, financial and information technology services. We also maintain contractual relationships with RCI involving other cost sharing and services agreements.
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In late 2001, RCI began providing customer service call centre services thereby expanding the contractual relationships between the companies. In January 2003, RCI began managing the collection of our accounts receivable.
We are also a party to agreements with Rogers Wireless and Rogers Media. We have agreed to receive sales and distribution services from Rogers Wireless for certain of our products and services. We also distribute products and services of Rogers Wireless through Rogers Video. With Rogers Media, we purchase advertising at discounted rates and provide Rogers Media with advertising space on one of our cable channels.
We monitor our intercompany and related party agreements to ensure that the agreements remain beneficial to us. We are continually evaluating the expansion of existing arrangements and entry into new contracts.
See the section entitled “Certain Transactions and Relationships” below.
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| Critical Accounting Policies |
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis is made with reference to our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the period. These estimates are based on management’s historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
We have identified the accounting policies outlined below as critical to our business operations and an understanding of our results of operations. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations are discussed throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
The Audit Committee reviews our accounting policies. The Audit Committee also reviews all quarterly and annual filings and recommends adoption of our annual financial statements to our board of directors. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.
We consider revenue to be earned as services are performed, provided that ultimate collection is reasonably assured. Our revenue is categorized into the following types:
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| • | installation revenue in connection with cable and Internet services are recorded as revenue to the extent of direct selling costs incurred; |
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| • | monthly fees in connection with cable and Internet services are recorded as revenue on a pro rata basis over the month; and |
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| • | revenue from PPV and VOD services, video rentals and other transactional sales of products are recorded as revenue as the services or products are provided. |
Unearned revenue includes subscriber deposits and amounts received from subscribers related to services to be provided in future periods.
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| Allowance for Doubtful Accounts |
A significant portion of our revenue is earned from selling on credit to business and consumer subscribers. The allowance for doubtful accounts, as disclosed on the consolidated balance sheet of the consolidated financial statements, is calculated by taking into account factors such as our historical
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collection and write-off experience, the number of days the subscriber is past due, and the status of a subscriber’s account with respect to whether or not the subscriber is continuing to receive service. As a result, fluctuations in the aging of subscriber accounts will directly impact the amount of bad debt expense. For example, events or circumstances that result in a deterioration in the aging of subscriber accounts will in turn increase the reported amount of bad debt expense. Conversely, as circumstances improve and subscriber accounts are brought current, the reported amount of bad debt expense will decline.
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| Subscriber Acquisition Costs |
We operate within a highly-competitive industry and generally incur significant costs to attract new cable and Internet subscribers. All sales and marketing expenditures related to subscriber acquisitions are expensed at the time of activation of the subscriber. A percentage of the subscriber acquisition costs is variable in nature and directly related to the acquisition of a subscriber.
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| Costs of Subscriber Retention |
In keeping with the practice of expensing costs related to the acquisition of new subscribers, costs related to subscriber retention are expensed in the period incurred. Increased retention activities in a given period will, in turn, increase expenses in the same period.
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| Capitalization of Direct Labour and Overhead |
As outlined in the recommendations of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) with respect to PP&E, capitalization of costs includes the consideration expended to acquire, construct, develop or better an item of PP&E and includes all costs directly attributable to those activities. The cost of an item of PP&E includes direct construction or software development costs, such as materials and labour, and overhead costs directly attributable to the construction or software development activity. The cost to enhance the service potential of an item of PP&E is considered a betterment. Service potential may be enhanced where there is an increase of the previously assessed physical output or service capacity, associated operating costs are lowered, the life or useful life is extended, or the quality of service is improved. Costs incurred in the maintenance of the service potential of an item of PP&E are expensed as incurred.
We capitalize direct labour and direct overhead incurred to construct new assets and better existing assets. These costs are capitalized as they include the construction costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction, development or betterment of our networks through either increased service capacity or lowered associated operating costs. Repairs and maintenance expenditures are charged to operating expenses as incurred. Although interest costs are permitted to be capitalized during construction, it is our policy not to capitalize interest.
Amounts of direct labour and direct overhead that are capitalized fluctuate from year-to-year depending on the level of subscriber growth and new services or network expansion. In addition, the level of capitalization fluctuates depending on the proportion of internal labour versus external contractors used in construction projects.
The percentage of direct labour capitalized in many cases is determined by the nature of activities in a specific department. For example, all labour and direct overhead of the construction department is capitalized due to the nature of the activity performed by those departments. In some cases, the amount of capitalization depends on the level of maintenance versus capital activity that a department performs. In these cases, an analysis of work activity is applied to determine this percentage allocation.
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| Depreciation Policies and Useful Lives |
We depreciate the cost of PP&E over the estimated useful service lives of the items. These estimates of useful lives involve considerable judgment. In determining these estimates, we take into account cable industry trends and company-specific factors, including changing technologies and expectations for the in-
51
service period of these assets. On an annual basis, we reassess our existing estimates of useful lives to ensure they match the anticipated life of the technology from a revenue producing perspective. If technological change happens more quickly or in a different way than we have anticipated, we might have to shorten the estimated life of certain PP&E, which could result in a higher depreciation expense in future periods or an impairment charge to write down the value of PP&E.
The valuations of all long-lived assets along with goodwill are subject to annual reviews for impairment.
A two-step process determines impairment of long-lived assets. The first step determines when impairment must be measured and compares the carrying value to the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from their use and eventual disposition. If the carrying value exceeds this sum, a second step is performed, which measures the amount of the impairment as the difference between the carrying value of the long-lived asset and its fair value, calculated using quoted market price or discounted cash flows. An impaired asset is written down to its estimated fair value based on the information available at that time. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate cash flows. Assumptions used in estimating these cash flows are consistent with those used in internal forecasting and are compared for reasonability to forecasts prepared by external analysts. Significant changes in assumptions with respect to the competitive environment could result in impairment of these assets.
In testing for impairment of goodwill, we conduct a two-step process. In the first step, the fair value of our reporting units is compared with the respective carrying value of their net assets. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no impairment is considered to have occurred. The second step is performed when the carrying value exceeds the fair value, in which case the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is determined in the same manner as it would be determined in a business combination.
We cannot predict whether an event that triggers an impairment will occur, when it will occur or how it will affect the asset values reported.
We are subject to various claims and contingencies related to lawsuits, taxes and commitments under contractual and other commercial obligations. We recognize liabilities for contingencies when a loss is probable and capable of being estimated. Significant changes in assumptions as to the likelihood and estimates of the amount of a loss could result in the recognition of an additional liability.
| |
| Related Party Transactions |
All material related party transactions are reviewed by the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.
Refer to the section entitled “Certain Transactions and Relationships” below and to Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on related party transactions.
New Accounting Standards
In 2003, we adopted the following new accounting standards as a result of changes to Canadian GAAP:
| |
| Asset Retirement Obligations |
Under new Canadian and U.S. accounting standards, we are now required to record the fair value of the liability for an asset retirement obligation in the year in which it is incurred and when a reasonable estimate can be made. Fair value is defined as the amount at which that liability could be settled in a current transaction between willing parties.
52
We reviewed our existing contracts and commitments to determine where such obligations exist and determined many of our contracts do not have any such asset retirement obligations. We then assessed what the estimated fair value of the obligations that exist would be and the probability that these would be incurred. We determined that fair value of the obligations was not significant. We will monitor contracts on an ongoing basis and when we determine that an obligation exists, we will record such obligations at their fair value.
| |
| Impairment of Long-Lived Assets |
On January 1, 2003, we prospectively adopted the new accounting pronouncement, “Impairment of Long-Lived Assets” which establishes standards for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of the impairment of long-lived assets held for use and harmonizes Canadian requirements with U.S. GAAP impairment provisions. Previously, under Canadian GAAP, the impairment of long-lived assets was measured as the difference between the carrying value of the asset and the future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. Under the new pronouncement, as described above, this measurement is used to determine if impairment has occurred, and the amount of impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value of the asset and its fair value, calculated using quoted market prices or discounted cash flows. The adoption had no impact on us because no impairment of long-lived assets had occurred at December 31, 2003.
Recent Accounting Developments
We will adopt the following new accounting standards in future periods:
Until now, there has been no clear definition of the order of authority for sources of GAAP. As a result, the Canadian standard setters have issued new standards that explain more clearly what constitutes Canadian GAAP and the sources of Canadian GAAP, which are described in Note 2((s)(iv)) to the consolidated financial statements. This standard is effective for our 2004 fiscal year and results in “industry practice” no longer being a justification for a particular accounting policy. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of these standards on our consolidated financial statements.
We use derivative instruments, including cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements, interest rate exchange agreements and foreign exchange forward contracts, to manage risks from fluctuations in exchange rates and interest rates. As more fully described in Note 2((s)(ii)) to our consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2004, Canadian GAAP will require us to maintain detailed documentation regarding these derivative financial instruments in order to continue accounting for these derivative instruments as hedges. Further, we will be required to assess whether the hedging relationship is effective, both at its inception and on an on-going basis.
If we determine that these derivative instruments will not continue to be accounted for as hedges, we will adjust the recorded amount of the liabilities related to these instruments from their carrying value of $198.3 million at December 31, 2003, to their fair value of $267.8 million. The corresponding adjustment of $69.5 million will be recorded as a deferred loss and amortized into income over the remaining life of the underlying debt. Going forward, this liability will be marked to market on a quarterly basis and any changes in value will be recorded on the statement of income. This is consistent with our treatment of these instruments under U.S. GAAP.
Effective January 1, 2004, Canadian GAAP will require companies to estimate the fair value of stock-based compensation to employees and to expense the fair value over the vesting period of the options. As a result, in 2004, we will begin expensing the fair value of options granted to employees since January 1,
53
2002, and will record an adjustment to opening retained earnings in the amount of $2.9 million, representing the expense for the 2002 and 2003 fiscal years. The estimated impact of adopting this accounting standard in 2004, if we were to continue using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, would be an increase in compensation expense of approximately $5.7 million.
New accounting pronouncements were introduced under Canadian and U.S. GAAP regarding the timing of revenue recognition, which are described in Notes 2((s)(i)) and 23(n) to our consolidated financial statements, respectively. Effective January 1, 2004, to the extent we have bundled sales arrangements with multiple products or services, these arrangements will be divided into separate units of accounting if specific criteria are met. The separate units will then be recognized as revenue only when specific revenue recognition criteria have been met, based on each unit’s relative fair value. We are currently evaluating the impact of adoption of these new pronouncements on our consolidated financial statements.
Alternative Acceptable Accounting Policies
GAAP permits, in certain circumstances, alternative acceptable accounting policies. The three primary areas where we have a choice are: (1) the accounting for subscriber acquisition costs, (2) the accounting for stock-based compensation cost and (3) capitalized interest.
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| Accounting for Subscriber Acquisition Costs |
Subscriber acquisition costs are fully expensed in the period we incurred them An alternative method would be to defer and amortize these costs over the expected life of the relationship with the subscriber. We have elected to expense these costs in the period they are incurred because we believe these costs reflect period costs that may or may not be recoverable depending on the length of the relationship with the subscriber. In addition, subscriber acquisition costs on a per subscriber acquired basis fluctuate based on the success of promotional activity and seasonality of the business. Accordingly, we believe these costs should be reflected as costs at the point in time that they are incurred.
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| Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation |
We do not record any expense for employee stock options; however, we provide note disclosure of the pro forma expense using the fair-value-based method of accounting calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. While we acknowledge that stock options represent a form of compensation, we have elected to disclose the pro forma expense in Note 12(c) to the consolidated financial statements, rather than expense such compensation, to maintain comparability to other peer companies in our industries. In response to activities and decisions by accounting standard setters in Canada with respect to the adoption of mandatory expensing of stock options, as described above, effective January 1, 2004, we will adopt the policy of expensing the fair value of stock options granted to employees.
Canadian GAAP permits, but does not require, the capitalization of interest expense as part of the cost of acquiring certain assets that require a period of time to prepare for their intended use. We do not capitalize interest as part of our PP&E expenditures.
U.S. GAAP Differences
We prepare our financial statements in accordance with Canadian GAAP. U.S. GAAP differs from Canadian GAAP in certain respects. The areas of principal differences and their impact on our
54
consolidated financial statements are described in Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements. The significant differences include:
| | |
| • | accounting for the gain on sale and exchange on certain cable television systems; |
|
| • | accounting for pre-operating costs; |
|
| • | accounting for interest capitalization and related depreciation impact; and |
|
| • | accounting for changes in the fair value of financial instruments. |
| |
| Accounting for the Gain on Sale and Exchange on Certain Cable Television Systems |
Under Canadian GAAP, the cash proceeds of a non-monetary exchange of cable assets in 2000 were recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of PP&E. Under U.S. GAAP, a portion of the cash proceeds received was recognized as a gain in the consolidated statement of income, which amounted to $40.3 million before income taxes.
In addition, under Canadian GAAP the after tax gain arising on the sale of certain of our cable television systems in prior years was recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of goodwill acquired in a contemporaneous acquisition of certain cable television systems. Under U.S. GAAP, the gain was included in net income, net of related deferred income taxes.
As a result of accounting for gains on sale and exchanges of certain cable television systems under U.S. GAAP, our consolidated loss for U.S. GAAP was increased by $4.0 million, $4.0 million and $7.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
| |
| Accounting for Pre-Operating Costs |
Under Canadian GAAP, we defer the incremental costs relating to the development and pre-operating phases of new businesses and amortize these costs on a straight-line basis over periods up to five years. Under U.S. GAAP, these costs are expensed as incurred. As a result, under U.S. GAAP the consolidated loss for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 was decreased by $7.9 million, $9.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively.
| |
| Accounting for Interest Capitalization and the Related Depreciation Impact |
U.S. GAAP requires capitalization of interest costs as part of the historical cost of acquiring certain qualifying assets that require a period of time to prepare for their intended use. This is not required under Canadian GAAP. The impact of capitalizing interest under U.S. GAAP is to decrease consolidated loss by $3.2 million, $5.3 million and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
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| Accounting for Changes in the Fair Value of Financial Instruments |
Under U.S. GAAP, the changes in the fair value of cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements and interest rate exchange agreements must be recorded as an adjustment to net income (loss). Accordingly, our consolidated loss under U.S. GAAP for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 has been decreased (increased) by $(114.7) million, $41.7 million and $38.2 million, respectively. Further, our loss under U.S. GAAP for the year ended December 31, 2001 was increased by the cumulative transition adjustment of $34.6 million.
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Operating and Financial Results
For purposes of this discussion, revenue has been classified according to the following categories:
| | |
| • | core cable, which includes revenue derived from: |
| | |
| – | analog cable service revenue, consisting of basic cable service fees plus extended basic (or tier) service fees, installation fees and access fees for use of channel capacity by third and related parties and |
|
| – | digital cable service revenue, consisting of digital channel service fees, including premium and specialty service subscription fees, PPV service fees, interactive television service fees, VOD and set-top terminal rental fees; |
| | |
| • | Internet, which includes service revenues from residential and commercial Internet access service and modem rental fees plus installation fees; and |
|
| • | Rogers Video, which includes the sale and rental of videocassettes, DVDs, video games and confectionery, as well as commissions Rogers Video earns while acting as an agent to sell other Rogers’ services, such as wireless, Internet and digital cable. |
Internet service has essentially become another service that leverages the cable infrastructure and which, for the most part, shares the same physical infrastructure and sales, marketing and support resources as other core cable offerings. This, combined with our expanded bundling of cable television and Internet services, increasingly led to allocations of bundled revenues and network and operating costs between our core cable and Internet operations. As such, commencing January 1, 2003, reporting of the core cable and Internet segments of the cable segment were combined. We continue to provide separate statistical information on our Internet subscribers as we do for the digital cable subscriber subset of our core cable operations. In addition, we are continuing to report Internet revenues separate from those of core cable.
Operating expenses are segregated into four categories for assessing business performance:
| | |
| • | cost of sales, which are composed of Rogers Video store merchandise and depreciation related to the acquisition of rental assets; |
|
| • | sales and marketing expenses, which include sales and retention-related advertising and customer communications as well as other acquisition costs such as sales support and commissions and costs of operating, advertising and promoting the Rogers Video store chain; |
|
| • | operating, general and administrative expenses which include: |
| | |
| – | the monthly contracted payments for the acquisition of programming paid directly to the programming supplier as well as to copyright collectives and the Canadian Programming Production Funds, |
|
| – | Internet interconnectivity and usage charges and the cost of operating the e-mail service, |
|
| – | technical service expenses, which includes the costs of operating and maintaining the cable network as well as certain customer service activities ranging from installations to repair, |
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| – | customer care expenses, which include the costs associated with the order-taking and billing inquiries of subscribers, |
|
| – | community television expenses, which are a regulatory requirement and consist of the costs to operate a series of local community-based television stations, which traditionally have filled a unique and localized customer-oriented niche, |
|
| – | general and administrative expenses, and |
|
| – | expenses related to the national management of the Rogers Video stores; and |
| | |
| • | management fees paid to RCI. |
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Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2002
| |
| Summarized Consolidated Financial Results |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 2003 | | 2002 | | % Chg |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | | | |
| | (in millions of dollars, | | |
| | except per share data) | | |
Operating revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Core cable | | $ | 1,167.5 | | | $ | 1,095.7 | | | | 6.6 | |
| Internet | | | 322.3 | | | | 242.6 | | | | 32.9 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total cable revenue | | | 1,489.8 | | | | 1,338.3 | | | | 11.3 | |
| Video stores | | | 282.6 | | | | 263.0 | | | | 7.5 | |
| Intercompany eliminations | | | (3.2 | ) | | | (4.9 | ) | | | — | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total operating revenue | | | 1,769.2 | | | | 1,596.4 | | | | 10.8 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cost of video stores sales | | | 129.9 | | | | 121.3 | | | | 7.1 | |
| Sales and marketing expenses | | | 206.8 | | | | 193.6 | | | | 6.8 | |
| Operating, general and administrative expenses | | | 772.2 | | | | 723.0 | | | | 6.8 | |
| Management fees | | | 35.4 | | | | 31.7 | | | | 11.7 | |
| Intercompany eliminations | | | (3.2 | ) | | | (4.9 | ) | | | (34.7 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total operating expense | | | 1,141.1 | | | | 1,064.7 | | | | 7.2 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating profit(1) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cable(2) | | | 639.8 | | | | 541.9 | | | | 18.1 | |
| Video stores(2) | | | 23.7 | | | | 21.5 | | | | 10.2 | |
| Management fees | | | (35.4 | ) | | | (31.7 | ) | | | 11.7 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total operating profit(1) | | | 628.1 | | | | 531.7 | | | | 18.1 | |
Workforce reduction costs | | | — | | | | 5.9 | | | | — | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 482.1 | | | | 484.2 | | | | — | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating income | | | 146.0 | | | | 41.6 | | | | 251.0 | |
Interest expense | | | 240.7 | | | | 213.3 | | | | 12.8 | |
Foreign exchange (gain) loss | | | (49.3 | ) | | | 3.1 | | | | — | |
Loss (gain) on repayment of long-term debt | | | 5.9 | | | | 20.9 | | | | — | |
Investment and other income (expense) | | | (4.0 | ) | | | 9.5 | | | | — | |
Income tax expense (reduction) | | | 7.5 | | | | (146.4 | ) | | | — | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Loss | | $ | (54.8 | ) | | $ | (58.8 | ) | | | (6.8 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Loss per share, basic and diluted | | $ | (0.27 | ) | | $ | (0.29 | ) | | | 6.9 | |
Total assets | | $ | 3,720.1 | | | $ | 3,806.8 | | | | (2.3 | ) |
Total liabilities | | $ | 3,049.4 | | | $ | 2,904.7 | | | | 5.0 | |
Property, plant and equipment expenditures | | $ | 509.6 | | | $ | 650.9 | | | | (21.7 | ) |
Cable operating profit margin (1) (2) | | | 42.9 | % | | | 40.5 | % | | | | |
Video stores operating profit margin (1) (2) | | | 8.4 | % | | | 8.2 | % | | | | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | | | |
Total operating profit margin (1) (2) | | | 35.5 | % | | | 33.3 | % | | | | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | | | |
57
| |
(1) | As defined in the “— Key Performance Indicators — Operating Profit and Operating Profit Margin” section. |
|
(2) | As defined in the “— Key Performance Indicators — Operating Profit and Operating Profit Margin” section and is calculated as follows: |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 2003 | | 2002 |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in millions of dollars) |
Operating revenue | | | | | | | | |
| Cable | | $ | 1,489.8 | | | $ | 1,338.3 | |
| Video stores | | | 282.6 | | | | 263.0 | |
| Intercompany eliminations | | | (3.2 | ) | | | (4.9 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| |
Total operating revenue | | $ | 1,769.2 | | | $ | 1,596.4 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
Operating profit | | | | | | | | |
| Cable | | $ | 639.8 | | | $ | 541.9 | |
| Video stores | | | 23.7 | | | | 21.5 | |
| Management fees | | | (35.4 | ) | | | (31.7 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| |
Total operating profit | | $ | 628.1 | | | $ | 531.7 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
| | | | |
Cable operating profit margin — 2003 | | | $639.8 divided by $1,489.8 = 42.9% | |
Cable operating profit margin — 2002 | | | $541.9 divided by $1,338.3 = 40.5% | |
Video store operating profit margin — 2003 | | | $23.7 divided by $282.6 = 8.4% | |
Video store operating profit margin — 2002 | | | $21.5 divided by $263.0 = 8.2% | |
Total operating profit margin — 2003 | | | $628.1 divided by $1,769.2 = 35.5% | |
Total operating profit margin — 2002 | | | $531.7 divided by $1,596.4 = 33.3% | |
Operating Highlights and Significant Developments of 2003
| | |
| • | Total revenues increased 10.8% and total operating profit increased 18.1% compared to 2002. Operating profit margin, excluding video, grew by 240 basis points year-over-year to 42.9%. |
|
| • | Basic subscriber levels were relatively flat, as compared to year end 2002. |
|
| • | Internet subscriber base increased by 23.6%, or 151,100 net new subscribers, and digital cable subscriber base increased by 33.3%, or 133,800 net new subscribers during the year. |
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| • | The network rebuild project progressed further, increasing to 96% of our homes passed being two-way addressable, 99% of subscribers digital capable and more than 92% of the cable plant capable of transmitting 750 MHz of bandwidth or greater. |
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| • | We continue to expand the availability of our VOD service, Rogers on Demand, with availability reaching over 1.8 million homes by year end 2003, while continuing to expand the number of VOD contract agreements with various production studios to bring the total number of available titles to over 1,000. |
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| • | We increased the throughput of our high-speed Internet service up to 3Mbps, introduced our first PVR and launched nine new HDTV channels. |
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| • | Seven new Rogers Video stores were added, raising the total number of Rogers Video stores to 279. |
|
| • | We issued US$350.0 million (Cdn. equivalent $470.4 million) 6.25% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2013. These funds were used by us to repay advances outstanding under our bank credit facility, intercompany debt owing to RCI and to redeem US$74.8 million aggregate |
58
| | |
| | principal amount of our 10% Senior Secured Second Priority Debentures due 2007 at a redemption price of 105.0% of the aggregate principal amount, and for general corporate purposes. |
|
| • | We recorded a loss of $54.8 million in 2003 compared to a loss of $58.8 million in 2002. The primary reasons for the improvement were a $104.4 million increase in operating income combined with the recognition of $52.4 million of additional foreign exchange gains primarily resulting from the translation of the unhedged portion of U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt as the Canadian dollar strengthened against the U.S. dollar, offset by a $27.4 million increase in interest expense and a $153.9 million increase in income tax expense as a $152.9 million tax reduction was recognized in 2002. |
| |
| Cable Revenue and Subscribers |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 2003 | | 2002 | | Chg | | % Chg |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (subscriber statistics in thousands) |
Homes passed | | | 3,215.4 | | | | 3,103.2 | | | | 112.2 | (1) | | | 3.6 | |
Basic cable subscribers | | | 2,269.4 | | | | 2,270.4 | | | | (1.0 | ) | | | — | |
Basic cable, net additions (losses) | | | (1.0 | ) | | | (16.0 | ) | | | 15.0 | | | | 93.8 | |
Internet subscribers | | | 790.5 | | | | 639.4 | | | | 151.1 | | | | 23.6 | |
Internet, net additions | | | 151.1 | | | | 160.6 | | | | (9.5 | ) | | | (5.9 | ) |
Digital terminals in service | | | 613.6 | | | | 456.2 | | | | 157.4 | | | | 34.5 | |
Digital terminals, net additions | | | 157.4 | | | | 142.1 | | | | 15.3 | | | | 10.8 | |
Digital households | | | 535.3 | | | | 401.5 | | | | 133.8 | | | | 33.3 | |
Digital households, net additions | | | 133.8 | | | | 129.4 | | | | 4.4 | | | | 3.4 | |
VIP customers | | | 661.6 | | | | 593.0 | | | | 68.6 | | | | 11.6 | |
VIP customers, net additions | | | 68.6 | | | | 95.5 | | | | (26.9 | ) | | | (28.2 | ) |
| |
(1) | Homes passed for 2003 include adjustments based on a periodic audit process to reflect, among other things, new homes constructed. An additional 32,000 homes, representing 28.7% of the increase, were identified in 2003. |
Core cable revenue, which accounted for 66.0% of total revenues in 2003, totalled $1,167.5 million, a $71.8 million, or 6.6%, increase over 2002. Analog service increased year-over-year by $29.7 million due to price increases in August 2003, offset partially by lower installation revenues. The remaining $42.1 million increase is primarily attributable to increased revenues related to the growing number of subscriptions to digital services and the rental of digital set-top terminal equipment.
Core cable average monthly revenue per subscriber was $42.99 in 2003, an increase from $40.29 in 2002. We ended the year with 613,600 digital terminals in 535,300 households, increases of 34.5% and 33.3% over the prior year, respectively. At December 31, 2003, the penetration of digital households as a percentage of basic households was 23.6%, up from the December 31, 2002 penetration of 17.7%. The growth of digital cable subscribers, as well as of Internet subscribers as discussed below, was supported by continued healthy sales of a suite of bundled offers combining analog cable, digital cable and Internet that were launched during 2002. As of December 31, 2003, approximately 162,400 bundles had been sold, up significantly from the over 84,000 bundles that had been sold at the end of 2002. Late in 2003, we and Rogers Wireless jointly introduced Rogers’ first combined bundles which included both cable and wireless products.
In our analog cable service, we offer three expanded analog channel groupings called tiers in addition to our basic cable offering. At December 31, 2003, 81.2% of basic cable service customers also subscribed to one or more tier services, compared to 81.9% at December 31, 2002. We ended the year with
59
approximately 661,600 customers who subscribe to multiple products and participate in our high-value customer loyalty program, which we refer to as our “VIP” program.
Internet revenue for 2003 was $322.3 million, representing growth of $79.7 million, or 32.9%, from 2002, and reflecting the significant increase in the number of subscribers. Average revenue per Internet subscriber per month for 2003 was $37.58, an increase from $37.13 for 2002, reflecting continued strong sales of the Internet product offering and sales of the higher priced business Internet offering, partially offset by customer additions to our lower priced Internet Lite product introduced during 2002. Year-over-year, the Internet subscriber base has grown by 151,100, or 23.6%, resulting in 34.8% Internet penetration of basic cable households, or 24.6% Internet penetration as a percentage of cable homes passed.
Video revenue grew by $19.6 million, or 7.5%, to $282.6 million for 2003 driven by a combination of the opening of 7 stores and a 4.4% increase in same store revenues. “Same stores” are stores that were open for a full year in both 2003 and 2002. At the end of 2003, many of the 279 Rogers Video stores were integrated Rogers Video stores that offered access to a wide variety of cable and wireless products and services in addition to the core video rental and sales offerings.
| |
| Cable and Video Operating Expenses |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 2003 | | 2002 | | Chg | | % Chg |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in millions of dollars) |
Cable operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Sales and marketing expenses | | $ | 91.0 | | | $ | 84.5 | | | $ | 6.5 | | | | 7.7 | |
| Operating, general and administrative expenses | | | 759.0 | | | | 711.9 | | | | 47.1 | | | | 6.6 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total Cable operating expenses | | | 850.0 | | | | 796.4 | | | | 53.6 | | | | 6.7 | |
Video stores operating expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cost of sales | | | 129.9 | | | | 121.3 | | | | 8.6 | | | | 7.1 | |
| Sales and marketing expenses | | | 115.8 | | | | 109.1 | | | | 6.7 | | | | 6.1 | |
| Operating, general and administrative expenses | | | 13.2 | | | | 11.1 | | | | 2.1 | | | | 18.9 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total Video stores operating expenses | | | 258.9 | | | | 241.5 | | | | 17.4 | | | | 7.2 | |
Management fees | | | 35.4 | | | | 31.7 | | | | 3.7 | | | | 11.7 | |
Intercompany eliminations | | | (3.2 | ) | | | (4.9 | ) | | | 1.7 | | | | — | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating expenses | | $ | 1,141.1 | | | $ | 1,064.7 | | | $ | 76.4 | | | | 7.2 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total cable operating expenses of $850.0 million increased $53.6 million or 6.7% from $796.4 million in 2002. The year-over-year increase in our costs is directly attributable to the growth in Internet subscribers combined with increasing penetration of digital subscribers.
Cable sales and marketing expense increased by $6.5 million or 7.7% in 2003 over 2002, primarily related to increases in commissions and advertising costs related to Internet and digital sales. In addition, the current year’s sales and marketing expenses include $1.8 million associated with the partial subsidy on the sale to customers of approximately 10,000 digital set-top terminals.
Cable operating, general and administrative expenses increased by $47.1 million or 6.6% in 2003 over 2002. The increase related to increased costs of programming and Internet transit and e-mail costs associated with the growth in digital and Internet subscribers.
60
Total video store cost of sales increased by 7.1% in 2003 over 2002, primarily as a result of the chains’ growth from 272 stores at December 31, 2002 to 279 stores at December 31, 2003 and the resultant increase in cost of sales related to the growth of the chain. Video sales and marketing costs, which include the cost of the stores, also increased by 6.1% in 2003 as compared to 2002 as a result of the increased number of stores. Operating, general and administrative expenses increased by 18.9% as we incurred higher costs related to functions such as information technology and human resources.
For 2003, consolidated operating profit grew by $96.4 million, or 18.1%, over the same period in 2002, from $531.7 million to $628.1 million. Cable operating profit increased by $97.9 million, or 18.1%, as the impact of higher revenues from price increases and the increase in digital and Internet penetration exceeded the increasing costs of supporting subscribers. Video operating profit increased by $2.2 million, or 10.2%, as revenue growth modestly outpaced cost growth relating to operating efficiencies and improved margins on the sale of products.
The revenue and expense changes described above led to an increase in the cable operating margin from 40.5% in 2002 to 42.9% in 2003, reflecting the growth of Internet and the impact of cable rate increases, while video operating margins grew to 8.4% from 8.2% in the prior year.
| |
| Reconciliation of Operating Profit to Net Income (Loss) |
The items listed below represent the consolidated income and expense amounts that are required to reconcile operating profit with operating income and net income as defined under Canadian GAAP. The following section should be read in conjunction with Note 22 to our consolidated financial statements for details of these amounts on a segment-by-segment basis and an understanding of intersegment eliminations on consolidation.
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended |
| | December 31, |
| |
|
| | 2003 | | 2002 |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in millions of |
| | dollars) |
Operating profit(1) | | $ | 628.1 | | | $ | 531.7 | |
Workforce reduction costs | | | — | | | | 5.9 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 482.1 | | | | 484.2 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
Operating income | | | 146.0 | | | | 41.6 | |
Interest expense | | | 240.7 | | | | 213.3 | |
Foreign exchange (gain) loss | | | (49.3 | ) | | | 3.1 | |
Loss on repayment of long-term debt | | | 5.9 | | | | 20.9 | |
Writedown of investments | | | — | | | | 11.1 | |
Dividend income | | | (4.5 | ) | | | (5.4 | ) |
Other expense | | | 0.5 | | | | 3.8 | |
Income tax expense (reduction) | | | 7.5 | | | | (146.4 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (54.8 | ) | | $ | (58.8 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| |
| |
(1) | As defined in the “Key Performance Indicators — Operating Profit and Operating Profit Margin” section. |
| |
| Workforce reduction costs |
During the fourth quarter of 2002, we reduced our workforce by 187 employees in the technical service, network operations and engineering departments and incurred $5.9 million in costs, primarily
61
related to severance and other termination benefits, associated with this reduction. In addition to these employee separations, we eliminated approximately 62 contract positions. Of this amount, $1.9 million was paid in fiscal 2002, with the balance of $4.0 million being paid in 2003.
| |
| Depreciation and Amortization Expense |
Depreciation and amortization expense in 2003 was $482.1 million, a decrease of $2.1 million from $484.2 million in the prior year. Increased depreciation expense, directly attributable to increased PP&E expenditures and the resultant higher asset levels associated with PP&E spending over the past several years, was more than offset by declining amortization related to deferred costs. With the reduction of PP&E expenditures in 2002 and 2003 from 2001 levels, the increases in depreciation expense are less significant than in previous years.
Operating income as defined under Canadian GAAP increased to $146.0 million in 2003, an increase of $104.4 million from the $41.6 million earned in 2002. The items to reconcile operating income to net income are as follows:
Interest expense in 2003 was $240.7 million, an increase of $27.4 million, or 12.8%, from $213.3 million in 2002. The increased interest expense is attributable to the higher level of long-term debt.
| |
| Foreign Exchange (Gain) Loss |
The Canadian dollar, in relation to the U.S. dollar, strengthened in 2003 continuing the trend experienced in 2002, and accordingly, we recorded a gain of $49.3 million (2002 — loss of $3.1 million) related to both realized and unrealized foreign exchange gains, primarily as a result of the translation of the unhedged portion of U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt.
| |
| Loss on Repayment of Long-Term Debt |
During 2003, we redeemed an aggregate US$74.8 million ($101.5 million) principal amount of Senior Secured Second Priority Debentures. We paid a prepayment premium of $5.1 million, and wrote off deferred financing costs of $0.8 million, resulting in a loss on the repayment of debt of $5.9 million.
During 2002, we repurchased or redeemed approximately US$280.2 million principal amount of U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt and incurred a net loss on these transactions of $20.9 million as described in note 10((m)(i)) of the consolidated financial statements.
| |
| Write-down of Investments |
During 2002, we reviewed the carrying value of all investments and determined a writedown in the amount of $11.1 million related to one of our publicly traded investments was required. This writedown was required to bring the carrying value of the publicly traded investment in line with the December 31, 2002 quoted market value.
Income tax expense, which includes large corporations tax, is calculated under Canadian GAAP as outlined in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements.
During 2002, we completed an intercompany transaction with a wholly-owned subsidiary company of RCI resulting in the utilization of approximately $413.8 million of income tax loss carryforwards by us. For accounting purposes, a valuation allowance previously recorded against certain of these loss carryforwards in the amount of $124.6 million was no longer required as we met the more likely than not criterion of realizing the benefit of these future income assets. As required by GAAP, the valuation allowance for certain of these loss carryforwards was eliminated and recorded as a reduction of income tax expense in the consolidated statements of income.
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The loss for the year was $54.8 million or $0.27 per share on a basic and diluted basis compared to a loss of $58.8 million or $0.29 per share in 2002.
The nature of the cable television business is such that the construction, rebuild and expansion of a cable system is highly capital intensive. We categorize our PP&E expenditures according to a standardized set of reporting categories that were developed and agreed to by U.S. cable television industry and enable easier comparisons between the PP&E expenditures of the companies. Under these industry definitions, PP&E expenditures fall into the following five categories:
| | |
| • | customer premises equipment (“CPE”), which includes the equipment and the associated installation costs; |
|
| • | scaleable infrastructure, which includes non-CPE costs to meet business growth and to provide service enhancements; |
|
| • | line extensions, which includes network costs to enter new service areas; |
|
| • | upgrade and rebuild which includes the costs to modify or replace existing coax and fibre networks; and |
|
| • | support capital, which includes the costs associated with the replacement or enhancement of non-network assets. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 2003 | | 2002 | | % Chg |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in millions of dollars) |
Customer premises equipment | | $ | 181.6 | | | $ | 226.8 | | | | (19.9 | ) |
Scaleable infrastructure | | | 80.1 | | | | 90.0 | | | | (11.0 | ) |
Line extensions | | | 49.4 | | | | 54.6 | | | | (9.5 | ) |
Upgrade and rebuild | | | 114.4 | | | | 185.2 | | | | (38.2 | ) |
Support capital | | | 71.0 | | | | 86.3 | | | | (17.7 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Cable PP&E expenditures | | | 496.5 | | | | 642.9 | | | | (22.8 | ) |
Video stores PP&E expenditures | | | 13.1 | | | | 8.0 | | | | 63.8 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total PP&E expenditures | | $ | 509.6 | | | $ | 650.9 | | | | (21.7 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
For 2003, PP&E expenditures decreased $141.3 million or 21.7% from 2002 to total $509.6 million. The significant factors driving the decline were the reduction in rebuild capital as the 750 MHz portion of the rebuild program was substantially completed in 2003 and the reductions in customer premise equipment spending driven by the declining cost of digital terminals and modems.
Year Ended December 31, 2002 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2001
| |
| Summarized Consolidated Financial Results |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 2002 | | 2001 | | % Chg |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in millions of dollars, |
| | except per share data) |
Operating revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Core cable | | $ | 1,095.7 | | | $ | 1,043.1 | | | | 5.0 | |
| Internet | | | 242.6 | | | | 166.5 | | | | 45.7 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 2002 | | 2001 | | % Chg |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in millions of dollars, |
| | except per share data) |
Total cable revenue | | | 1,338.3 | | | | 1,209.6 | | | | 10.6 | |
| Video stores | | | 263.0 | | | | 228.3 | | | | 15.2 | |
| Intercompany eliminations | | | (4.9 | ) | | | (4.9 | ) | | | — | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total operating revenue | | $ | 1,596.4 | | | $ | 1,433.0 | | | | 11.4 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cost of video stores sales | | | 121.3 | | | | 100.0 | | | | 21.3 | |
| Sales and marketing expenses | | | 193.6 | | | | 159.1 | | | | 21.7 | |
| Operating, general and administrative expenses | | | 723.0 | | | | 662.0 | | | | 9.2 | |
| Management fees | | | 31.7 | | | | 28.8 | | | | 10.1 | |
| Intercompany eliminations | | | (4.9 | ) | | | (4.9 | ) | | | — | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total operating expense | | $ | 1,064.7 | | | $ | 945.0 | | | | 12.7 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating profit(1) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cable(2) | | | 541.9 | | | | 498.3 | | | | 8.7 | |
| Video stores(2) | | | 21.5 | | | | 18.5 | | | | 16.2 | |
| Management fees | | | (31.7 | ) | | | (28.8 | ) | | | 10.1 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total operating profit | | $ | 531.7 | | | $ | 488.0 | | | | 9.0 | |
Other | | | 5.9 | | | | 60.4 | | | | — | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 484.2 | | | | 433.8 | | | | 11.6 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating income (loss) | | | 41.6 | | | | (6.2 | ) | | | — | |
Interest expense | | | 213.3 | | | | 174.6 | | | | 22.2 | |
Loss on repayment of long-term debt | | | 20.9 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Other | | | 12.6 | | | | (39.4 | ) | | | — | |
Income tax expense (reduction) | | | (146.4 | ) | | | 5.3 | | | | | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Loss | | $ | (58.8 | ) | | $ | (146.7 | ) | | | 59.9 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Loss per share, basic and diluted | | $ | (0.29 | ) | | $ | (0.82 | ) | | | 64.6 | |
Total assets | | $ | 3,806.8 | | | $ | 3,661.7 | | | | 4.0 | |
Total liabilities | | $ | 2,904.7 | | | $ | 2,570.8 | | | | 13.0 | |
Property, plant and equipment expenditures | | $ | 650.9 | | | $ | 749.7 | | | | (13.2 | ) |
Cable operating profit margin(1)(2) | | | 40.5 | % | | | 41.2 | % | | | | |
Video stores operating profit margin(1)(2) | | | 8.2 | % | | | 8.1 | % | | | | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | | | |
Total operating profit margin | | | 33.3 | % | | | 34.1 | % | | | | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | | | |
| |
(1) | As defined in the “— Key Performance Indicators — Operating Profit and Operating Profit Margin” section. |
|
(2) | As defined in the “— Key Performance Indicators — Operating Profit and Operating Profit Margin” section and is calculated as follows: |
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| | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 2002 | | 2001 |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in millions of dollars) |
Operating revenue | | | | | | | | |
| Cable | | $ | 1,338.3 | | | $ | 1,209.6 | |
| Video stores | | | 263.0 | | | | 228.3 | |
| Intercompany eliminations | | | (4.9 | ) | | | (4.9 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| |
Total operating revenue | | $ | 1,596.4 | | | $ | 1,433.0 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
Operating profit | | | | | | | | |
| Cable | | $ | 541.9 | | | $ | 498.3 | |
| Video stores | | | 21.5 | | | | 18.5 | |
| Management fees | | | (31.7 | ) | | | (28.8 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| |
Total operating profit | | $ | 531.7 | | | $ | 488.0 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
| | | | |
Cable operating profit margin — 2002 | | $541.9 divided by $1,338.3 = 40.5% |
Cable operating profit margin — 2001 | | $498.3 divided by $1,209.6 = 41.2% |
Video store operating profit margin — 2002 | | $21.5 divided by $263.0 = 8.2% |
Video store operating profit margin — 2001 | | $18.5 divided by $228.3 = 8.1% |
Total operating profit margin — 2002 | | $531.7 divided by $1,596.4 = 33.3% |
Total operating profit margin — 2001 | | $488.0 divided by $1,433.0 = 34.1% |
Operating Highlights and Significant Developments for 2002
| | |
| • | Internet subscriber base increased by 33.5%, or over 160,000 net new Internet subscribers in 2002. |
|
| • | Net new digital cable television households increased by 47.6% from the opening position, an increase of more than 129,000 net new digital cable television households for 2002. |
|
| • | We applied for and received basic rate deregulation in all systems that were formerly basic cable rate regulated, leaving no systems rate regulated. |
|
| • | The transition of the Internet customer base from the At Home network to company-owned network and platforms was successfully completed. |
|
| • | The network rebuild progressed closer to completion, increasing to 94% of homes passed being two-way addressable, 98% of subscribers being digital capable, with at least 95% of the cable plant capable of transmitting 550 MHz of bandwidth or greater and 75% at 750/860 MHz. |
|
| • | VOD was launched commercially, covering an area of 530,000 homes passed in Central Toronto, complete with a library of over 400 titles. |
|
| • | We launched a suite of bundled offers, combining analog cable, digital cable and Internet, which contributed to faster growth and lower churn of Internet and digital cable products. |
|
| • | Twelve new Rogers Video stores were added, raising the total number of Rogers Video stores to 272. |
|
| • | We reduced our workforce by 187 employees and incurred $5.9 million in costs, primarily related to severance associated with this reduction. |
|
| • | We completed a $450.0 million notes offering in Canada and two U.S. notes offerings totalling US$550.0 million (approximately $860.1 million), and also executed an amended and restated $1,075.0 million bank credit facility, providing additional liquidity. Proceeds of these financings, together with $141.4 million from terminations of certain interest rate and cross-currency exchange |
65
| | |
| | agreements, were used to repurchase US$280.2 million in U.S. dollar-denominated debt, prepay our $300.0 million Floating Rate Note, repay outstanding bank debt and for general corporate purposes. |
|
| • | We recorded a loss of $58.8 million in 2002 compared to a loss of $146.7 million in 2001. The primary reasons for the improvement were a $47.8 million improvement in operating income combined with the recognition of $152.9 million of future income tax reductions. |
| |
| Cable Revenue and Subscribers |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 2002 | | 2001 | | Chg | | % Chg |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (subscriber statistics in thousands) |
Homes passed | | | 3,103.2 | | | | 3,041.2 | | | | 62.0 | (1) | | | 2.0 | |
Basic cable subscribers | | | 2,270.4 | | | | 2,286.4 | | | | (16.0 | ) | | | (0.7 | ) |
Basic cable, net additions (losses) | | | (16.0 | ) | | | (4.8 | ) | | | (11.2 | ) | | | — | |
Internet subscribers | | | 639.4 | | | | 478.8 | | | | 160.6 | | | | 33.5 | |
Internet, net additions | | | 160.6 | | | | 166.5 | | | | (5.9 | ) | | | (3.5 | ) |
Digital terminals in service | | | 456.2 | | | | 314.1 | | | | 142.1 | | | | 45.2 | |
Digital terminals, net additions | | | 142.1 | | | | 113.0 | | | | 29.1 | | | | 25.8 | |
Digital households | | | 401.5 | | | | 272.1 | | | | 129.4 | | | | 47.6 | |
Digital households, net additions | | | 129.4 | | | | 100.0 | | | | 29.4 | | | | 29.4 | |
VIP customers | | | 593.0 | | | | 497.5 | | | | 95.5 | | | | 19.2 | |
VIP customers, net additions | | | 95.5 | | | | 138.1 | | | | (42.6 | ) | | | (30.8 | ) |
| |
(1) | Homes passed for 2001 has been updated from 2,981,500 to 3,041,200 to reflect the results of a periodic audit. |
Core cable revenue, which accounted for 68.6% of our total revenues in 2002, totalled $1,095.7 million, a $52.6 million, or 5.0%, increase over 2001. Analog cable service increased year-over-year by $20.6 million due partially to:
| | |
| • | an average rate increase of $2.88 per subscriber to approximately 600,000 subscribers effective August 1, 2002; |
|
| • | an average rate increase of $1.78 per subscriber to approximately 260,000 subscribers effective in October 2002; |
|
| • | increases in tier pricing, offset by a $4.4 million year-over-year reduction in revenue due to the sale of our Alaska cable systems to General Communication, Inc. in November 2001; and |
|
| • | the impact from the year-over-year loss of approximately 16,000 basic cable subscribers. |
The remaining $36.5 million increase is primarily attributable to increased revenues related to digital services and rental of equipment.
Core cable average monthly revenue per subscriber was $40.29 in 2002, an increase from $38.09 in 2001. We ended the year with 456,200 digital terminals in 401,500 households, increases of 45.2% and 47.6% over the prior year, respectively. At December 31, 2002, the penetration of digital households as a percentage of basic households was 17.7%, up from the December 31, 2001 penetration of 11.9%. The growth of digital cable subscribers, as well of Internet subscribers as discussed below, was supported by the successful launch during the year of a suite of bundled offers combining analog cable, digital cable and Internet. More than 84,000 bundles have been sold since their introduction.
66
In our analog cable service, we offer three expanded analog channel groupings called tiers in addition to our basic cable offering. At December 31, 2002, 81.9% of basic cable service customers also subscribed to one or more tier services, compared to 84.2% at December 31, 2001. We ended the year with approximately 593,000 VIP customers.
Internet revenue for 2002 grew by $76.1 million, or 45.7%, from the same period in 2001, reflecting the significant increase in the number of subscribers. Average revenue per Internet subscriber per month for 2002 was $37.13, an increase from $36.20 for 2001, reflecting price increases implemented during the year on the core Internet product offering and sales of the higher priced business Internet offering, partially offset by customer additions to our lower priced Internet Lite product introduced during 2002. Year-over-year, the Internet subscriber base has grown by 160,600, or 33.5%, resulting in 28.2% penetration of Internet households as a percentage of basic subscribers and 20.6% penetration as a percentage of homes passed.
Video revenue grew by $34.7 million, or 15.2%, to $263.0 million for 2002 due to the opening of 12 stores and to a 4.9% increase in same store revenues. Same stores are stores that were open for a full year in both 2002 and 2001. At the end of 2002, many of the 272 Rogers Video stores were integrated Rogers Video stores that offered access to a wide variety of cable and wireless products and services in addition to the core video rental and sale offerings.
| |
| Cable and Video Operating Expenses |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 2002 | | 2001 | | Chg | | % Chg |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in millions of dollars) |
Cable operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Sales and marketing expenses | | $ | 84.5 | | | $ | 60.4 | | | $ | 24.1 | | | | 39.9 | |
| Operating, general and administrative expenses | | | 711.9 | | | | 650.9 | | | | 61.0 | | | | 9.4 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total Cable operating expenses | | | 796.4 | | | | 711.3 | | | | 85.1 | | | | 12.0 | |
Video stores operating expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cost of sales | | | 121.3 | | | | 100.0 | | | | 21.3 | | | | 21.3 | |
| Sales and marketing expenses | | | 109.1 | | | | 98.7 | | | | 10.4 | | | | 10.5 | |
| Operating, general and administrative expenses | | | 11.1 | | | | 11.1 | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total video stores operating expenses | | | 241.5 | | | | 209.8 | | | | 31.7 | | | | 15.1 | |
Management fees | | | 31.7 | | | | 28.8 | | | | 2.9 | | | | 10.1 | |
Intercompany eliminations | | | (4.9 | ) | | | (4.9 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating expenses | | $ | 1,064.7 | | | $ | 945.0 | | | $ | 119.7 | | | | 12.7 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Consolidated operating expenses in 2002 increased by $119.7 million, or 12.7%, over 2001, with $85.1 million of the increase related to Cable expenses and $31.7 million related to Video expenses with the remainder related to management fees. Costs for cable increased year-over-year due to:
| | |
| • | programming costs associated with the increased subscriptions to digital programming; |
|
| • | sales and marketing costs related to these new digital programming offerings, product bundles introduced during the year and the costs associated with acquiring new Internet subscribers; and |
|
| • | increased customer service and network access costs. |
67
During the year, operating expenses included approximately $1.6 million associated with the partial subsidy on the sale to customers of approximately 19,300 digital set-top terminals. Digital terminals were not offered for sale in previous years.
Video expenses in 2002 contributed to the remainder of the overall increase in expenses, and primarily reflect the initial and ongoing expenses associated with the opening of 12 new stores during the year.
For 2002, consolidated operating profit grew by $43.7 million or 9.0% over 2001, from $488.0 million to $531.7 million. Cable operating profit increased by $43.6 million, or 8.7%, as the impact of higher revenues from price increases and increased digital and Internet penetration exceeded the increasing costs of supporting subscribers and the loss of basic and tier subscribers over the year. Video operating profit increased by $3.0 million, or 16.2%, as revenue growth outpaced cost growth due primarily to related operating efficiencies and improved margins on the sale of products.
The revenue and expense changes described above led to a modest decline in the cable operating margin from 41.2% in 2001 to 40.5% in 2002, reflecting the increased costs of subscriber acquisition and retention while the Video operating margins grew to 8.2% from 8.1%.
| |
| Reconciliation of Operating Profit to Net Income (Loss) |
The items listed below represent the consolidated income and expense amounts that are required to reconcile operating profit with operating income and net income as defined under Canadian GAAP. The following section should be read in conjunction with Note 22 to our consolidated financial statements for details of these amounts on a segment-by-segment basis and an understanding of intersegment eliminations on consolidation.
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended |
| | December 31, |
| |
|
| | 2002 | | 2001 |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in millions of |
| | dollars) |
Operating profit(1) | | $ | 531.7 | | | $ | 488.0 | |
Other | | | 5.9 | | | | 60.4 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 484.2 | | | | 433.8 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
Operating income (loss) | | | 41.6 | | | | (6.2 | ) |
Interest expense | | | 213.3 | | | | 174.6 | |
Foreign exchange loss | | | 3.1 | | | | 1.5 | |
Loss on repayment of long-term debt | | | 20.9 | | | | — | |
Gain on sale of subsidiary | | | — | | | | (17.8 | ) |
Gain on sale of investments | | | — | | | | (16.2 | ) |
Writedown of investments | | | 11.1 | | | | 26.0 | |
Dividend income | | | (5.4 | ) | | | (32.2 | ) |
Other expense (income) | | | 3.8 | | | | (0.7 | ) |
Income tax expense (reduction) | | | (146.4 | ) | | | 5.3 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
Loss for the year | | $ | (58.8 | ) | | $ | (146.7 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| |
| |
(1) | As defined in the “Key Performance Indicators — Operating Profit and Operating Profit Margin” section. |
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During the fourth quarter of 2002, we reduced our workforce by 187 employees in the technical service, network operations and engineering departments and incurred $5.9 million in costs, primarily related to severance and other termination benefits associated with this reduction. Of this amount, $4.0 million had not been paid at December 31, 2002. In addition to these employee separations, we eliminated approximately 62 contract positions.
The 2001 expense of $60.4 million consists of (i) $44.0 million related to the cost of transitioning Internet subscribers to our own network and terminating arrangements with At Home Corporation and (ii) cable systems integration costs of $16.4 million related to the integration of systems acquired on the exchange of certain Canadian cable television properties with Shaw as well as systems acquired with respect to the February 2001 acquisition of Cable Atlantic.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization in 2002 was $484.2 million, an increase of $50.4 million, or 11.6%, from $433.8 million in the prior year. Increased depreciation and amortization expense was primarily due to increased PP&E levels.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased from $174.6 million in 2001, to $213.3 million in 2002. Interest expense increased by approximately 22.2% with the increase attributable to the increase in long-term debt in 2002 compared to the previous year and also because a greater portion of our long-term debt was at fixed interest rates in 2002.
Foreign Exchange Loss
Commencing January 1, 2002, we adopted the amended standards (CICA Handbook Section 1650) with respect to accounting for exchange gains or losses on translating long-term debt. Under this standard, long-term debt denominated in U.S. dollars is translated into Canadian dollars at the year-end rate of exchange. Exchange gains or losses on translating this long-term debt are recognized immediately on the statement of income, whereas previously, these gains or losses were deferred and amortized over the life of the long-term debt to which they related. As a result of this change, the 2001 results were restated as detailed in Note 2(g) of the consolidated financial statements.
Loss on Repayment of Long-Term Debt
During the year, we repurchased or redeemed approximately US$280.2 million principal amount of U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt and incurred a net loss on these transactions of $20.9 million as described in Note 10((m)(i)) of the consolidated financial statements.
Gain on Sale of Subsidiary and Investments
In 2001, we sold our U.S. cable system, comprising Rogers American Cablesystems, Inc. and our operating subsidiary Rogers Cablesystems of Alaska, Inc., and recorded a gain of $17.8 million. We also sold shares of Terayon Communication Systems, Inc. and recorded a gain of $16.2 million.
Writedown of Investments, Net of Gains or Losses on the Sale of Investments
During 2002, we reviewed the carrying value of all investments and determined a writedown in the amount of $11.1 million was required to bring the carrying value of our publicly traded investments to the December 31, 2002 quoted market value. Based on a review of investments in 2001, a writedown of $26.0 million was required with respect to a privately held investment to reflect the estimated fair value of this investment.
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Income taxes
Income tax expense, which includes large corporations tax, and is calculated under Canadian GAAP as outlined in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements.
During 2002, we completed an intercompany transaction with a wholly-owned subsidiary company of RCI resulting in the utilization of approximately $413.8 million of income tax loss carryforwards by us. For accounting purposes, a valuation allowance previously recorded against certain of these loss carryforwards in the amount of $124.6 million was no longer required as we met the more likely than not criterion of realizing the benefit of these future income assets. As required by GAAP, the valuation allowance for certain of these loss carryforwards was eliminated and recorded as a reduction of income tax expense in the consolidated statements of income.
Loss
The loss for the year was $58.8 million or $0.29 per share on a basic and diluted basis compared to a loss of $146.7 million or $0.82 per share in 2001.
Employees
Remuneration represents a material portion of our expenses. We ended the year with approximately 5,470 full-time equivalent employees (2,500 of which were employed by Rogers Video), an increase of 170 employees from the 5,300 at December 31, 2002. The increase in employees is entirely attributable to growth at the Rogers Video stores as we opened new stores and continued to focus on sales of both cable and wireless services and products in addition to our traditional video rental and sales business.
Total remuneration paid to employees (both full and part-time) in 2003 was approximately $236.6 million, an increase of $6.0 million or 2.6% from $230.6 million in the prior year.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash generated from operations before changes in non-cash operating items, which is calculated by adding back all non-cash items such as depreciation and amortization to the loss for the year, increased to $447.5 million in 2003 from $361.4 million in 2002. The $86.1 million increase is mainly the result of the increase in operating profit as discussed above.
Taking into account the changes in non-cash operating items for the 2003 fiscal year, cash generated from operations increased by $166.3 million to $472.6 million compared to $306.3 million in the previous year. The change in non-cash operating items is primarily attributable to reduced levels of accounts payable primarily related to reduced PP&E spending in 2003 combined with year-over-year increases in receivables due to growth in the subscriber base.
Cash flow from operations of $472.6 million, together with funds generated from financing activities, including $470.4 million of proceeds received from the issuance of our 6.25% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2013, resulted in total funds raised in 2003 of approximately $943.0 million.
Net funds used during 2003 totalled approximately $963.7 million as follows:
| | |
| • | to fund net PP&E additions of $507.5 million; |
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| • | to fund the net repayment of $204.5 million of inter-company advances owing to RCI; |
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| • | additions to video rental inventory of $58.5 million; |
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| • | to fund the payment of $4.5 million in back-to-back dividends on our first preferred shares; |
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| • | to fund the net repayment of $1.0 million of advances under the bank credit facility; |
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| • | to fund the $6.2 million financing costs for the US$350.0 million 6.25% Notes issued in June 2003; |
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| | |
| • | $101.5 million for the redemption of US$74.8 million debentures due 2007, together with a prepayment premium of $5.1 million; |
|
| • | the repayment of $2.9 million in capital lease obligations; and |
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| • | the capital distribution to RCI to fund $72.0 million. |
In total $20.7 million of funds were used in the year. Taking into account the $3.7 million cash balance at the beginning of the year, the cash deficit at the end of 2003 was $17.0 million.
We expect to continue to incur significant PP&E expenditures. In 2004, excluding the telephony initiative, we expect to incur PP&E expenditures of between $440.0 million and $465.0 million primarily relating to the purchase and placement of CPE associated with new digital and Internet subscribers, the upgrading of certain portions of our network and scalable infrastructure, the extension of our network into newly constructed areas and buildings, as well as for information technology and other general capital initiatives, including the forced movement of the plant associated with municipal and other improvement projects. In 2004, we anticipate investments of between $140 million and $170 million during 2004 associated with the deployment of an advanced IP multimedia network to support primary line voice-over-cable telephony and other new services across our cable service areas as discussed in “Overview — Telephony Initiative” above. We expect operating profit to increase in 2004 and anticipate generating a net cash shortfall in 2004. We believe we will have sufficient capital resources to satisfy our cash funding requirements in 2004, taking into account cash from operations and the amount that will be available under the $1.075 billion amended and restated bank credit facility.
Financing
Our long-term financial instruments are described in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements. Financing activity is outlined below.
In June 2003, we issued US$350.0 million (Cdn. equivalent $470.4 million) 6.25% Senior Secured Second Priority Notes due 2013 and redeemed US$74.8 million (Cdn. equivalent $101.5 million) aggregate principal amount of our 10% Senior Secured Second Priority Debentures due 2007 at a redemption price of 105.0% of the aggregate principal amount. In addition, during 2003, we repaid a net aggregate amount of $204.5 million of intercompany advances owing to RCI.
Our required repayments on all long-term debt in the next five years totals $827.5 million, excluding an aggregate $33.7 million effect of cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements. In 2004, required repayments total $0.1 million. In 2005, required repayments total $376.8 million, which represents the repayment of our 10% Senior Secured Second Priority Notes due 2005. In 2006, required repayments total $0.6 million. In 2007, required repayments total $450.0 million, consisting of the repayment of our 7.60% Senior Secured Second Priority Notes due 2007. In 2008, there are no required repayments.
Our amended and restated bank credit facility, which was established in January 2002, is composed of two tranches (1) the $600 million Tranche A that matures on January 2, 2009 and (2) the $475 million Tranche B that reduces by 25% annually on each of January 2, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. In September 2003, we amended our bank credit facility to eliminate the possibility of earlier than scheduled maturity of Tranche B and availability on a $400.0 million portion of Tranche B has been reserved to repay our Senior Secured Notes due 2005. The $400.0 million reserved amount will be reduced by an amount equal to any repayment of the Notes due 2005, made from time to time from any source including Tranche B and, as a result, an amount equal to such repayments become available to us under Tranche B.
The terms of the bank credit facility generally impose the most restrictive limitations on our operations and activities as compared to our debt instruments. The most significant of these restrictions are debt incurrence and maintenance tests based upon certain ratios of debt to operating profit. We are currently in compliance with all of the covenants under our respective debt instruments and expect to remain in compliance with all of these covenants. Based on our most restrictive covenants at December 31, 2003, we could have borrowed approximately $1.7 billion of additional long-term debt, of which
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$1.04 billion could have been borrowed under our bank credit facility, including $400.0 million available under Tranche B of our bank credit facility for the repayment of debt maturing in 2005.
On December 31, 2003, we executed a corporate reorganization that involved the transfer of substantially all of our assets to our wholly-owned subsidiary, RCCI. As part of the reorganization, our subsidiaries, Rogers Cablesystems Ontario Limited, Rogers Ottawa Limited/ Limitée, Rogers Cable Atlantic Inc. and Rogers Cablesystems Georgian Bay Limited, amalgamated with and continued as RCCI. As a result of the reorganization, we, through RCCI, continue to conduct all of our operations and provide all of our services. RCCI assumed, as co-obligor, our obligations under our deed of trust and public indentures on a joint and several basis with us.
On February 7, 2003, Moody’s revised its ratings on our Senior Secured and Senior Subordinated public debt downward from Baa3 and Ba1 to Ba2 and Ba3, respectively. Moody’s provided a stable outlook for these newly revised debt ratings.
On March 5, 2003, Standard & Poor’s revised its ratings outlook downward on both our Senior Secured and Senior Subordinated public debt, which are rated BBB- and BB- respectively, to negative from stable.
On February 23, 2004, we redeemed $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 9.65% Senior Secured Second Priority Debentures due 2014 at a redemption price of 104.825% of the aggregate principal amount.
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements other than the cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements described below.
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| Interest Rate and Foreign Exchange Management |
We use derivative financial instruments to manage our risks from fluctuations in foreign exchange and interest rates. These instruments include cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements, foreign exchange forward contracts and, from time-to-time, foreign exchange option agreements. All such agreements are used for risk management purposes only and are designated as a hedge of specific debt instruments. In order to minimize the risk of counterparty default under these agreements, we assess the creditworthiness of these counterparties. At December 31, 2003, all of our counterparties to these agreements are financial institutions with a Standard & Poor’s rating (or other equivalent) ranging from A+ to AA.
Because our operating profit is almost exclusively denominated in Canadian dollars, the incurrence of U.S. dollar-denominated debt has caused substantial foreign exchange exposure. We have established a target of hedging at least 50% of our foreign exchange exposure through the use of instruments outlined above. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, we had U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt of US$1,305.2 million and US$1,030.0 million, respectively. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, US$1,058.4 million and US$883.4 million, or 81.1% and 85.8% respectively, was hedged with cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements at an average exchange rate of $1.4798 to US$1.00 for 2003 and $1.5066 to US$1.00 for 2002.
The cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements have the effect of converting the interest rate on US$1,058.4 million of long-term debt from an average U.S. dollar fixed interest rate of 8.44% per annum to a weighted average Canadian dollar fixed interest rate of 9.40% per annum on $1,566.2 million, compared with the 2002 effect of converting US$883.4 million of long-term debt from an average U.S. dollar fixed interest rate of 8.88% per annum to a weighted average Canadian dollar fixed interest rate of 9.74% per annum on $1,331.0 million. In addition, we assumed an interest rate exchange agreement upon completion of an acquisition in February 2001 that has the effect of converting $30.0 million of floating rate debt to a fixed interest rate of 7.72%. Total long-term debt at fixed interest rates at December 31, 2003 and 2002 was $2,635.9 million and $2,316.1 million, respectively, or 98.7% and 98.4%, respectively, of total long-term debt. Our effective weighted average interest rate on all long-term debt as
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at December 31, 2003 and 2002, including the effect of the interest rate and cross-currency exchange agreements, was 8.93% and 9.39% per annum, respectively.
We will continue to monitor our hedged position with respect to interest rate and foreign exchange fluctuations and, depending upon market conditions and other factors, may adjust our hedged position with respect to foreign exchange fluctuations or interest rates in the future, unwinding certain existing hedges or by entering into new cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements or by using other hedging instruments.
The following table summarizes the effect of changes in the foreign exchange rate on the unhedged portion of our U.S. dollar-denominated debt and the resulting change in the principal carrying amount of debt, interest expense and earnings per share based on a full year impact.
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| | Change in | | | | Earnings |
| | Debt Principal | | Change in Interest | | per |
Change in Cdn$ vs. US$(1) | | Amounts | | Expense | | Share(2) |
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| |
| |
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| | ($ millions) | | ($ millions) | | |
$0.01 | | $ | 2.5 | | | $ | 0.2 | | | $ | 0.012 | |
0.03 | | | 7.4 | | | | 0.6 | | | | 0.037 | |
0.05 | | | 12.3 | | | | 1.1 | | | | 0.062 | |
0.10 | | | 24.7 | | | | 2.2 | | | | 0.123 | |
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(1) | Canadian equivalent of unhedged U.S. dollar-denominated debt if U.S. dollar costs an additional Canadian cent. |
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(2) | Assumes no income tax effect. Based on the number of shares outstanding as of December 31, 2003. |
At December 31, 2003, interest expense would have increased by $0.4 million per year if there was a 1% increase in the interest rate on the portion of long-term debt that is not at fixed interest rates.
Dividends and Distributions
We paid dividends on the First Preferred Shares of $4.5 million, $5.4 million, $32.2 million, $39.4 million and $35.5 million in the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively, and paid dividends on our Class A and Class B Common Shares of nil, $57.6 million, nil, nil and $263.8 million in the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. These dividends were paid to RCI and a wholly-owned subsidiary of RCI.
During 2003, we distributed $72.0 million as a return of capital to RCI. This distribution was permitted under all agreements governing our outstanding indebtedness. As a result of this distribution, the stated value of the Class B Common Shares was reduced. In January 2004, RCI directed us to establish, and we adopted, a distribution policy to distribute $6.0 million of cash per month to RCI on a regular basis beginning in January 2004.
In 2002, in a series of transactions with a wholly-owned subsidiary of RCI, we were able to utilize tax losses of $413.8 million, the benefit of which had previously been recorded at a value of $124.6 million. For accounting purposes, the utilization of these losses has been recorded as a distribution. See Note 6(b)(ii) to the consolidated financial statements.
Commitments and Contractual Obligations
Our material obligations under firm contractual arrangements, including commitments for future payments under long-term debt arrangements, capital lease obligations and operating lease arrangements are summarized below as at December 31, 2003, and are further discussed in Notes 10 and 19 of the audited consolidated financial statements.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Payments Due By Periods |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in thousands of dollars) |
| | Less than | | | | More than | | |
| | 1 Year | | 1-3 Years | | 3-5 Years | | 5 Years | | Total |
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| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Long-term Debt | | $ | — | | | $ | 376,777 | | | $ | 450,000 | | | $ | 1,646,074 | | | $ | 2,472,851 | |
Capital Lease | | | 82 | | | | 600 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 682 | |
Operating Leases | | | 68,512 | | | | 122,165 | | | | 93,141 | | | | 100,434 | | | | 384,252 | |
Purchase Obligations(1) | | | 9,757 | | | | 571 | | | | 54 | | | | — | | | | 10,382 | |
Other Long-Term Liabilities reflected on the Balance Sheet under GAAP | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
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| | | |
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| | | |
| | | |
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Total | | $ | 78,351 | | | $ | 500,113 | | | $ | 543,195 | | | $ | 1,746,508 | | | $ | 2,868,167 | |
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(1) | Purchase obligations consist of agreements to purchase goods and services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms including fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased, price provisions and timing of the transaction. In addition, we incur expenditures for other items that are volume-dependant. Based on our approximately 2.3 million basic cable subscribers as of December 31, 2003, we estimate that our total payment obligation to programming suppliers in 2004 will be approximately $400.0 million, including amounts payable to the copyright collectives and the Canadian programming production funds. We estimate that Rogers Video will spend approximately $63.0 million in 2004 on the acquisition of videocassettes, DVDs and video games (as well as non-rental merchandise) for rental or sale in Rogers Video stores. In addition, we expect to pay an additional amount of approximately $25.0 million in 2004 to movie studios as part of our revenue-sharing arrangements with those studios. |
Additional Information
Additional information relating to us, including a discussion of our most recent quarterly results, may be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
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BUSINESS
General
We are Canada’s largest cable television company, serving close to 2.3 million basic cable subscribers at December 31, 2003, representing approximately 29% of basic cable subscribers in Canada. At December 31, 2003, we provided digital cable services to 535,300 subscribers and Internet service to approximately 790,500 subscribers.
We have highly-clustered and technologically advanced broadband networks in Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. Our Ontario cable systems, which comprise approximately 90% of our 2.3 million basic cable subscribers, are concentrated in three principal clusters in and around: (i) the greater Toronto area, Canada’s largest metropolitan centre; (ii) Ottawa, the capital city of Canada; and (iii) the Guelph to London corridor in southern Ontario. Our New Brunswick and Newfoundland cable systems in Atlantic Canada comprise the balance of our subscribers.
Through our technologically advanced broadband networks, we offer a diverse range of services, including analog and digital cable television services and residential and commercial Internet services. We also offer videocassette, DVD and video game sales and rentals through Rogers Video, Canada’s second largest chain of video stores. There were 279 Rogers Video stores at December 31, 2003, many of which provide customers with the additional ability to purchase cable and wireless products and services, pay their cable television, Internet or Rogers Wireless bills and to pick up and return cable TV and Internet equipment.
Our cable systems in Ontario and New Brunswick, with a few exceptions, are interconnected to regional head-ends by inter-city fibre-optic rings. The fibre interconnections allow our multiple Ontario and New Brunswick cable systems to function as a single cable network. Our remaining subscribers in Newfoundland and New Brunswick are served by local head-ends. Our two regional head-ends in Toronto, Ontario and Moncton, New Brunswick provide the source for most television signals used in the cable systems. At December 31, 2003, 99% of the homes passed in our service areas had digital cable available and 96% of our homes passed were two-way addressable. Approximately 96% of our cable plant is capable of transmitting 550 MHz or greater and more than 92% of our cable plant was upgraded to 750/860 MHz FTTF architecture at December 31, 2003.
Our analog cable service consists of basic and tiered analog cable television service, typically comprising 31 channels of basic programming services and a choice of three additional tiers comprised of up to 30 additional channels. Our digital cable service allows subscribers to augment their analog services with a wide selection of digital programming services, selecting from digital programming services individually, in pre-set theme packages or in customer selected packages. In addition, digital cable service generally provides subscribers with a platform to select our advanced cable services, such as interactive television, enhanced television, time-shifting, PVR, HDTV and VOD. Our VOD service was launched in August 2002 and now covers 1.8 million homes in Ontario, primarily in the greater Toronto area. We currently have a library of over 1,000 titles. Our digital cable service also provides additional features, including a detailed interactive programming guide, interactive PPV ordering, parental control features and 40 channels of digital CD quality music. At December 31, 2003, we had 613,600 digital terminals in 535,300 households, representing a penetration rate of 23.6% of our basic cable households.
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Overview of Canadian Cable Television Industry
Cable television service has been available in Canada for approximately 50 years, with the country’s first cable systems established in Vancouver (British Columbia), London (Ontario) and Montreal (Quebec). The following table summarizes the Canadian cable television industry over the last five years:
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| | As of August 31, |
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|
| | 1999 | | 2000 | | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
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Television households (millions) | | | 11.4 | | | | 11.6 | | | | 11.6 | | | | 11.8 | | | | 11.9 | |
Total homes passed by cable (millions) | | | 10.4 | | | | 10.5 | | | | 10.6 | | | | 11.2 | | | | 11.6 | |
Total homes passed by cable as a percentage of television households | | | 91.2 | % | | | 90.5 | % | | | 91.4 | % | | | 94.9 | % | | | 97.5 | % |
Total basic cable subscribers (millions) | | | 8.4 | | | | 8.3 | | | | 8.2 | | | | 7.9 | | | | 7.8 | |
Basic cable subscribers as a percentage of total homes passed by cable | | | 80.8 | % | | | 79.0 | % | | | 77.4 | % | | | 70.5 | % | | | 67.2 | % |
Source: Canadian Cable Television Association, except 2003 figures, which are based on management estimates.
The Canadian cable television industry is regulated at the federal level, primarily by the CRTC. Canadian cable companies operate under licences issued by the CRTC. See the section entitled “Business — Governmental Regulation”.
There were approximately 1,985 licenced cable television systems in Canada serving approximately 7.8 million cable television subscribers as of August 31, 2003. Approximately 500 of these licenced cable television systems are owned and operated by the four largest Canadian cable companies serving approximately 6.6 million basic cable subscribers as of August 31, 2003, representing approximately 85% of the total Canadian cable subscribers. The following table provides a summary of the four largest Canadian cable television companies and the provinces in which each company provides service:
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As of August 31, 2003 |
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| | Basic Cable | | |
| | Subscribers | | |
Company | | (millions) | | % of Total | | Provinces Served |
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Rogers Cable | | | 2.3 | | | | 29.5% | | | Ontario (greater Toronto, Ottawa and the Guelph to London corridor), New Brunswick and Newfoundland |
Shaw Cablesystems | | | 2.1 | | | | 26.9% | | | British Columbia (greater Vancouver), Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton), Saskatchewan, Manitoba (Winnipeg) and Ontario (Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie) |
Vidéotron Ltée | | | 1.4 | | | | 17.9% | | | Quebec |
Cogeco Cable | | | 0.8 | | | | 10.3% | | | Ontario (Hamilton and surrounding area) and Quebec |
Source: Company reports of Shaw Cablesystems, Vidéotron Ltée and Cogeco Cable.
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Business Strategy
We seek to maximize our revenue, operating profit and return on investment by leveraging our technologically advanced cable network to meet the information, entertainment and communications needs of our subscribers, from basic cable television to advanced two-way cable services, including digital cable, Internet access, PPV services, VOD, PVR and HDTV. The key elements of our strategy are as follows:
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| Geographically Concentrating and Clustering Cable Systems |
Clustering allows us to maximize operating efficiencies through centralized billing and the sharing of general management, customer service, marketing and technical support. In addition, clustering of cable systems in major metropolitan areas improves the economics that allow us to develop and launch new services, such as digital cable and Internet services, and spread the capital and operating costs associated with such services over a large subscriber base. Accordingly, clustering allows us to more rapidly and effectively deploy new products and services, enhancing our ability to increase both subscribers and revenues. Finally, concentrating our cable systems in a geographic area is designed to result in a higher quality and more reliable cable system.
We actively pursue the acquisition and development of cable television systems in communities that are within close proximity to our existing systems in order to increase our revenues and maximize economies of scale and operating efficiencies. We believe that the most cost effective and reliable method of providing our subscribers with both the highest quality entertainment services and the earliest availability of new services is to cluster and interconnect our cable television systems.
As a part of this clustering strategy, during 2000, we entered into an agreement with Shaw to exchange certain cable television and Internet assets effective November 1, 2000. We exchanged our cable television and Internet assets in Vancouver and the surrounding region of southwestern British Columbia, with approximately 623,000 basic cable subscribers, for Shaw’s cable television and Internet assets in southern Ontario and New Brunswick, with approximately 601,000 basic cable subscribers. As a result, all of our cable systems are now located in eastern Canada, with approximately 90% of our basic cable subscribers clustered in Ontario.
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| Offering a Wide Selection of Products and Services |
We believe that offering a wide variety of products and services enables us to preserve our existing subscriber base, increase revenue generated from each subscriber, increase subscriber satisfaction and reduce subscriber deactivations. The clustering and interconnection of our cable systems and the maintenance of our technologically advanced cable network allow us to accelerate the introduction of new and advanced cable services, such as digital cable service and Internet service. Our ability to offer digital cable service allows us to offer a more extensive array of products and services than those available from analog cable service. Digital cable technology allows us to offer a greater number of channels, expanded PPV service, premium, specialty and multicultural channels, timeshifting, PVR, VOD, HDTV and digital music channels. Our VOD service was launched in August 2002 and now covers 1.8 million homes in Ontario, primarily in the greater Toronto area. We currently have a library of over 1,000 titles. In addition, we provide our subscribers with greater choice and flexibility by offering our digital specialty channels individually, in pre-set theme packages or in customer-selected packages of 5, 10, 15, 20 or 30 channels.
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| Maintaining Technologically Advanced Cable Networks |
We believe that we are among the leaders in the deployment of cable network technology in North America, making substantial investments in the installation of fibre optic cable and the interconnection of our cable systems in order to have the capacity necessary to offer our subscribers a wide array of cable products and services. We are currently in the process of upgrading our cable network to 750/860 megahertz, with more than 92% of our network upgraded as of December 31, 2003. We believe that our network capacity will be sufficient to support multiple cable modem systems as well as data and video traffic from interactive digital set-top terminals for at least the near term future. We also believe that
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our network architecture provides us with significant advantages, including more bandwidth for advanced products and services, improved picture quality, increased reliability and reduced maintenance.
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| Increasing Quality and Reliability of Service |
We continue to focus on ways to increase the quality of service that we provide to our subscribers, by improving technical service, enhancing customer support, increasing product quality and providing service with greater reliability. For example, we are focusing on methods to improve the quality of our cable installation procedures in order to minimize maintenance costs and service interruptions. We are also taking steps to improve our customer service experience through efforts to provide more comprehensive customer service functions through our call centres as well as through our existing distribution network and our website. We believe that quality control measures not only reduce subscriber deactivations, but lower our overall costs by eliminating expenses attributable to corrective action such as installation repair. In addition, we intend to improve operating efficiencies through direct cost reductions, wherever possible.
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| Leveraging our Relationships within the Rogers Group of Companies |
We work with the Rogers group of companies to identify areas where we can combine products, services and resources to reduce subscriber deactivations, improve operating efficiencies and maximize revenue. For example, we have leveraged our relationship with the Rogers group of companies to provide bundled product and service offerings to our subscribers at attractive prices, including through the Rogers VIP Program. The Rogers VIP Program is a partnered discount program offered to our subscribers who take the full suite of basic and tier products along with extra outlets. Rogers VIP Program members are currently entitled to discounts on cable service, Internet service, Rogers Video rentals, Rogers Wireless services, Rogers Media products and The Shopping Channel purchases, as well as discounts on products of third party promotion partners, such as RadioShack Canada. At December 31, 2003, there were approximately 661,600 Rogers VIP Program members. The Rogers VIP Program has been a key factor in the continued growth of our extended analog tier cable service penetration levels and, more importantly, in the retention of our existing subscribers. In 2002, we introduced the Rogers Incredible Bundles (Bundles). The Bundles are pre-set packages of analog, digital and Internet products packaged together at a discounted price. Bundle customers also participate in the VIP Program benefits. The Bundles were modified in late 2003 to include an option for Rogers Wireless in combination with Cable and/or Internet services.
We are also working with Wireless to provide common customer support for our subscribers. We and Wireless have common call centres for subscribers of Wireless and Rogers Cable service. Common call centres enable us to offer our common subscribers a single point of contact and facilitate our efforts to conduct cross-promotional campaigns to a larger target base. In addition, in conjunction with Wireless, we offer our common subscribers the option of receiving a common bill both for wireless telecommunications, cable television and Internet services. We believe that common billing provides subscribers with a level of convenience that increases customer satisfaction rates and, as a result, further reduces deactivations.
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| Continuing to Develop Brand Awareness |
We have taken significant steps to promote the “Rogers” brand as a symbol of a diversified communications company that delivers products and services ranging from cable television and Internet services to wireless services and magazine publications. We believe that a strong brand representing a diversified portfolio of products and services will allow us to take advantage of the benefits afforded by our association with the Rogers group of companies. For example, we are able to take advantage of cross-selling opportunities to bundle products and services. We believe that our ability to promote a wide array of products and services provides us with a distinct advantage over many of our competitors, promotes consumer loyalty and offers a channel to increase the revenue generated by each subscriber. In addition, we believe that consumers that have a positive experience with a particular Rogers product are more likely to translate that experience into a preference for additional Rogers products and services, including cable service.
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Since we believe that these opportunities are bolstered by a strong Rogers brand, we have taken a number of steps to promote brand awareness. We utilize our Rogers Video stores as a vehicle to promote to consumers a wide variety of Rogers products and services, including cable and wireless services. We actively promote a unified Rogers website, www.rogers.com, where consumers are able to access information regarding all of the Rogers products and services, order products and services, pay cable and wireless bills and sign-up for electronic bill presentment. We also engage in a variety of community service activities, including charity sponsorships, providing local community access channels and employee volunteer programs, all under the banner of our Rogers brand. We believe that these measures have bolstered the recognition of the Rogers brand and, accordingly, have allowed us to more effectively promote our cable products and services.
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| Deploying Advanced Internet Capabilities to Develop High Quality Telephony Service |
In February 2004, together with RCI, we announced an initiative to deploy an advanced broadband IP multimedia network to support primary line voice-over-cable telephony and other new services across our cable service areas. In order to augment our service offerings, we plan to provide Canadian consumers and small businesses in our cable service areas with access to a high quality telephone service with all of the traditional functionality, reliability and quality of service that they expect today. In addition, we plan to expand our telephony services over time to include new VoIP-based telephony features not available on traditional networks, such as video telephony and advanced presence-based voice services. We believe that our ability to provide a seamless, high quality service will allow us to differentiate our telephony services from other potential telephony competitors and will provide us with capabilities that are at least equal to the capabilities of the traditional telephony service providers. We expect that investing in a broadband IP multimedia network also will serve as the foundation for the deployment of other new advanced IP services, such as broadband gaming and interactive video services.
Network
Our cable networks in Ontario and New Brunswick, with few exceptions, are interconnected to regional head-ends by inter-city fibre-optic rings. The fibre-optic interconnections allow our multiple Ontario and New Brunswick cable systems to function as a single cable network. Our remaining subscribers in Newfoundland and New Brunswick are served by local head-ends. Our regional head-ends in Toronto, Ontario and Moncton, New Brunswick provide the source for most television signals used in the cable systems.
Our technology architecture is based on a three-tiered structure of primary hubs, optical nodes and co-axial cable distribution. The primary hubs, located in each region that we serve, are connected together by inter-city fibre-optic systems carrying television, Internet, network control and monitoring and administrative traffic. The fibre-optic systems are constructed as rings that generally allow signals to flow in and out of each primary hub through two paths, providing protection from a fibre cut or other disruption. The high-capacity fibre-optic networks deliver high performance and reliability and have substantial reserves for future growth in the form of dark fibre and unused optical wavelengths. Our primary hubs serve from 4,000 to 248,000 subscribers, with two of our primary hubs each serving over 200,000 subscribers.
Optical fibre joins the primary hub to the optical nodes in the cable distribution plant. Final distribution to subscriber homes from optical nodes uses co-axial cable with two-way amplifiers to support on-demand television and Internet service. Co-axial cable capacity has been increased repeatedly by introducing more advanced amplifier technologies. We believe co-axial cable remains the most cost-effective and widely deployed means of carrying two-way television and Internet services to residential subscribers.
Groups of an average of 640 homes are served from each optical node in FTTF architecture. The FTTF plant provides bandwidth up to 750 MHz or 860 MHz, which includes 37 MHz of bandwidth used for “upstream” transmission from the subscribers’ premises to the primary hub. The upstream bandwidth
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is projected to be sufficient to support multiple cable modem systems and data traffic from interactive digital set-top terminals for at least the near term future. When necessary, additional upstream capacity can be provided by reducing the number of homes served by each optical node. Fibre cable has been placed to permit a reduction of the average node size from 640 to 300 homes by installing additional optical transceiver modules and optical transmitters and return receivers in the head-ends and primary hubs.
More than 92% of our cable plant was upgraded to 750/860 MHz FTTF architecture through our network upgrade program as of December 31, 2003. Some smaller communities and rural areas continue to use more traditional two-way cable architectures with 2,000 subscribers per node and 600 MHz bandwidth. Overall, 96% of our total cable plant was capable of transmitting 550 MHz of bandwidth or greater and was two-way addressable at December 31, 2003.
We believe that the 750/860 MHz FTTF architecture provides us with sufficient bandwidth for foreseeable growth in television, data and future services, a high quality picture, advanced two-way capability and increased reliability. In addition, our clustered network of cable systems served by regional head-ends facilitates our ability to rapidly introduce new services to subscribers with a lower capital cost.
Products and Services
We offer a broad range of products and services, which we customarily classify into three operating revenue sources:
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| • | core cable services; |
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| • | Internet services; and |
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| • | video stores operations. |
Core cable services consists of analog and digital cable services. Revenue from core cable services accounted for 66.0% of our consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003. Internet services consists of providing e-mail and Internet access to residential and commercial subscribers through our cable network, and generated 18.2% of our consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003. Our video stores operations segment consists of our 279 Rogers Video stores which offer videocassette, DVD and video game sales and rentals, and Rogers Wireless products and services. Revenues from our Rogers Video operations generated 15.8% of our consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003.
Together with RCI, we announced an initiative on February 12, 2004, for the deployment of voice-over-cable telephony services. These primary line digital telephone offerings will deliver high-quality voice service over our IP based multimedia network. These services will provide customers with popular calling features such as directory assistance, call waiting and caller ID.
Core Cable Services
Analog Cable Service.Our analog cable service provides subscribers with basic analog cable programming and the option to expand their basic cable service with tiers of additional programming in analog format.
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| • | Basic Cable Service — All of our cable television subscribers, including our digital cable subscribers, subscribe to basic cable service for access to traditional programming. Basic cable service can be accessed through a normal cable-ready television set without the need for an additional set-top terminal. Basic cable service typically consists of approximately 31 channels comprised of Canadian services, including affiliates of the major Canadian networks, United States networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS and Fox), a community access channel, a television home shopping channel (The Shopping Channel, operated by Rogers Media), Canadian specialty programming services (such as CBC Newsworld, CTV NewsNet and YTV) and a non-programming service channel. The |
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| | subscriber pays a monthly fee for service; these rates were recently deregulated by the CRTC. See the section entitled “Business — Governmental Regulation”. |
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| • | Tier Service — We also offer our basic cable subscribers an extended tier cable service which, in most areas, provides subscribers with a choice of up to three tiers of additional specialty channels, which in most areas are comprised from ten United States specialty services (including CNN, TBS, A&E, CNN Headline News and The Golf Channel) and 20 Canadian specialty services (including Showcase, Bravo!, Life Network and The Comedy Network). Tier service can be accessed through a normal cable-ready television set without the need for an additional set-top terminal. Tier subscribers pay a monthly fee that reflects the rate for basic cable service, plus a fee for additional services offered with the selected tier or tiers. See the section entitled “Business — Governmental Regulation”. |
Digital Cable Service.Digital cable is based on digital compression and encryption technology, which enables us to substantially increase the number of channels our cable systems can carry. Digital compression technology converts up to 12 analog signals into a digital format and compresses these signals into the bandwidth normally occupied by one analog signal. Encryption allows us to protect video signals that are distributed by digital technology from unauthorized access. All digital cable subscribers rent or, in some cases, purchase a digital set-top terminal that allows them to access our various digital cable offerings. The digital set-top terminal features a detailed interactive program guide that allows subscribers to navigate between channels, identify the current program, identify additional programming on any channel, obtain a synopsis of current and future programs and use a parental control option to block certain programming. The digital set-top terminal also allows subscribers to access 40 channels of digital CD quality music in a number of different musical genres. At December 31, 2003, we had deployed 613,600 digital set-top terminals in 535,300 households.
Digital cable service provides subscribers with greater programming diversity, better picture quality of digital channels, improved reliability and enhanced service features. The expanded capacity afforded by digital cable allows subscribers to augment their analog services with a greater number of channels and programming choices through our specialty, multicultural, premium and PPV service selections. In addition, digital cable service provides subscribers with a platform to select our advanced cable services, such as HDTV, as well as timeshifting, PVR, and VOD services, collectively referred to as Rogers on Demand services. We currently have a library of over 1,000 VOD titles. The following describes our digital cable service offerings:
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| • | Specialty Service Channels — Digital cable subscribers are able to select from more than 60 specialty channels that are not available on analog cable, such as Animal Planet, BBC Canada, The Biography Channel, MSNBC and Tech TV. Our selection of specialty channels includes news, sports, movies, family and other special interest programming. Subscribers can select from our selection of specialty channels by ordering pre-set theme packages of channels, such as sports, movies or family packs. Alternatively, subscribers may select specialty channels on an individual basis or create their own package of 5, 10, 15, 20 or 30 specialty channels. |
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| • | Time-shifting — Through time-shifting, we broadcast certain programming selections from up to four different time zones, providing digital cable subscribers with more opportunities to view programs on time-shifted offerings. For example, programming on a broadcast network with a scheduled start time is delivered from a variety of time zones, so that subscribers can select from a number of scheduled times to view a particular program. We currently offer up to 21 channels of time-shifted programming service to our digital cable subscribers. |
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| • | Multicultural Services — We also offer our digital cable subscribers a number of foreign language programming choices, including programming in Cantonese, Mandarin, Greek, Portuguese and Arabic. We are currently the leading provider of foreign language programming in Canada, offering more foreign language channel offerings than any other Canadian television provider. Our subscribers select from our multicultural service offerings on an individual basis. |
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| • | Premium Service — Digital cable subscribers can also select from our two premium service offerings. Our digital premium service provides subscribers with two movie services which have been multiplexed into seven channels, together with four superstations, including WGN (Chicago), KTLA (Los Angeles), WPIX (New York) and WSBK (Boston). Subscribers may also select from several adult content offerings as a premium service. Subscribers pay an additional monthly fee for premium service channels. |
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| • | Pay-Per-View — PPV allows subscribers to select and pay for individual movies, sports and other entertainment events, including concerts and boxing. Digital cable subscribers can order PPV programming directly through the set-top terminal with their remote control. We offer our digital cable subscribers up to 48 PPV channels, which typically consist of 12 PPV offerings, each with four different start times. We also offer three sports PPV packages, which allow subscribers to pay a fixed fee for extensive sports coverage for a particular season. We offer a National Football League season package through the NFL Sunday Ticket package on an exclusive basis in our licenced areas, a National Hockey League season package through the NHL Center Ice package and a Major League Baseball season package through the MLB Extra Innings package. We also offer a package that combines all three sports offerings for a monthly fee. |
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| • | High-Definition Television — HDTV provides television service with approximately five times the resolution of current analog television broadcasting and with digital sound quality. Accordingly, HDTV provides subscribers with enhanced picture quality and audio presentation. HDTV is available to those subscribers living in certain of our network areas, with an HDTV ready television set and an HDTV set-top terminal, which is available for rent or purchase. We currently offer up to 19 channels of HDTV programming. |
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| • | Video-on-Demand — VOD service enables digital cable subscribers to rent from a library of movies, documentaries and other programming through their digital set-top box. Our digital cable subscribers are able to rent their VOD selections for a period of 24 hours, which they are then able to watch at their convenience with full stop, rewind, fast forward, pause and replay functionality during that period. Our VOD service was launched in August 2002 and now covers 1.8 million homes in Ontario, primarily in the greater Toronto area. Our subscribers pay for VOD service primarily on a per-selection basis, although we also offer some free content designed to attract users to the services. We plan to offer subscription access to VOD programming, such as children’s programming and premium movies. We currently have a library of over 1,000 VOD titles. |
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| • | Personal Video Recorder — We offer an advanced digital set-top box with PVR service to our customers on a rental or purchased basis. A PVR is capable of recording at least 50 hours of programming to enable subscribers to view at their convenience. The PVR offers full VCR functionality of pause, rewind and fast forward. The PVR has a dual tuner which allows for recording and/or viewing of multiple channels. |
The use of computers, on-line services and the Internet has increased significantly over the last few years. We believe that the market for Internet service and the revenue opportunities of Internet-related services will continue to grow. We are taking advantage of these opportunities by providing Internet access and work-at-home services to residential and commercial subscribers through our Internet access services. At December 31, 2003, we had 790,500 Internet subscribers.
Residential Internet Service.We provide our Internet service to our residential subscribers via cable modems connected to personal computers. By utilizing our hybrid fibre co-axial cable network, we are able to deliver access to the Internet at speeds significantly faster than traditional dial-up modems, capitalizing on the substantial capacity of our network.
In early 2002, we commenced marketing our Internet service under the Rogers Hi-Speed Internet brand. In mid-March 2002, we introduced the Internet Lite service option which is targeted at Internet
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users currently using a dial-up connection. Although not as fast as our Rogers Hi-Speed Internet service, the Internet Lite service option is priced competitively and offers the advantages of a cable modem connection (including higher download and upload speeds and elimination of the need to tie up the telephone line or the expense for a second telephone line or Internet call display services). Our Internet Lite service option currently provides subscribers internet access and one @rogers.com email address at a price of $29.95 per month, including the cable modem rental. In comparison, our Rogers Hi-Speed Internet service currently provides internet access, up to seven @rogers.com email addresses and web page hosting services at a price of $44.95 per month. At December 31, 2003, we had approximately 124,000 subscribers to our Internet Lite service option and approximately 636,000 subscribers to our residential Hi-Speed Internet service.
Commercial Internet Service.Under the brand “Rogers Business Solutions”, we offer a full range of data and Internet products to small and medium business customers. In addition, agreements have been signed with large enterprise customers to begin providing corporate Internet services. We also offer virtual private network (VPN) products, allowing employees to work from home. We also are currently deploying multi-location services, such as point of sale, WiFi and connectivity, for large corporate customers.
Bundled Services.In May 2002, we launched Bundles offering customers the ability to combine their Internet, digital, and analog services on one bill at a competitive price. We continue to enhance our Bundle offerings. In the fourth quarter of 2003, we introduced additional bundles with the option to add wireless service at competitive prices. As of December 31, 2003, approximately 162,400 customers have subscribed to a bundled package of their choice.
Co-Branded Internet Services.We have entered into a multi-year agreement with Yahoo to provide co-branded Internet services to customers of our Internet services. Yahoo will assume operation of our e-mail services and will provide a suite of customized Yahoo content, products and services to our Internet access customers. We also anticipate offering premium packages of products and services to subscribers for an additional fee in the future. A number of ancillary agreements have not yet been finalized.
We own and operate Rogers Video, Canada’s second largest chain of video stores, providing videocassette, DVD and video game sales and rentals. There were 279 Rogers Video stores at December 31, 2003, with many stores located in our licenced cable television system areas in order to take advantage of the brand awareness generated by our Rogers cable service.
Rogers Video enables us to provide customer and promotional support for our cable products and services and also functions as a retail outlet for Rogers Wireless. Our video stores provide our subscribers with locations to purchase our cable and Rogers Wireless’ products and services and to pick up and return cable TV and Internet equipment. At many of our retail outlets, we also provide customers with demonstrations of our services, such as HDTV, PVR, VOD and Internet. In addition, many of our Rogers Video stores provide subscribers with the ability to pay their cable television, Internet or Wireless bills in real-time and on-line.
Marketing and Sales
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| Marketing and Sales Strategy |
Our marketing strategy is focused on maintaining our subscriber base and leveraging our relationship with existing subscribers by offering them additional products and services. In order to maintain subscribers, we focus on designing product and service offerings that are priced and promoted specifically to meet the demands of our market segments. In order to increase revenues, we focus on promotional techniques to upgrade and expand the product and service offerings selected by our subscribers, such as encouraging subscribers to upgrade from basic to digital service, encouraging basic subscribers to subscribe to tier service, encouraging digital cable subscribers to use PPV and VOD services and offering bundles of products and services, which encourages our cable subscribers to subscribe to Internet service. In addition,
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we focus on building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with the developers and managers of new construction properties and existing MDUs.
We conduct a significant portion of our sales activities through our customer service call centres. Our call centre operators are trained to offer and promote additional services to our existing subscribers when they call to discuss matters relating to their existing service. In addition, we currently share call centres with Wireless, and a significant number of our customer service representatives are trained to handle both Wireless and Rogers Cable subscribers and offer our services to Wireless subscribers when they make customer service calls. We find that we have been able to successfully leverage our relationship with customers of other Rogers companies, such as Rogers Wireless, to successfully market our products and services.
We have taken a number of steps to enhance consumer recognition of the Rogers brand and have developed marketing strategies to leverage our brand name. For example, our Rogers Video stores, located in areas in which we offer cable services, are capable of introducing consumers to our digital cable products and services by offering in-store demonstrations of services, such as HDTV, PVR and VOD and Internet service, and are able to provide a number of customer service functions such as bill payment. In addition, through our Rogers VIP Program and Incredible Rogers Bundles program, we provide bundled product and service offerings across the Rogers group of companies to our subscribers at a discount. Finally, our Internet site for the Rogers group of companies offers a forum for consumers to obtain information about our products and services and to subscribe for cable service.
Our marketing efforts are tailored to each of the following market segments, with promotional activities that are designed to most effectively generate sales from the different segments.
Basic Cable Service.Given the high penetration of basic cable service in our network area, our marketing efforts with respect to basic cable service concentrate on door-to-door sales, telemarketing and direct mail services to promote the value and convenience of our basic cable service. In addition, we are able to promote our basic cable service through our call centres to Wireless subscribers and through the Internet site for the Rogers group of companies.
Tier Service.We primarily promote our tier service through campaigns directed at existing basic cable service subscribers. Our primary promotion for tier service involves the Rogers VIP Program. Through this program, basic cable service subscribers who also subscribe for all three tiers of additional programming receive discounts on analog and digital cable service, Internet service, Rogers Video rentals, Rogers Wireless services, Rogers Media products and The Shopping Channel purchases, as well as discounts on products of third party promotion partners, such as RadioShack Canada. As of December 31, 2003, there were approximately 661,600 Rogers VIP Program members.
Digital Cable Service.We primarily compete for digital cable subscribers with satellite service providers. Our promotional campaigns for digital cable service focus on the wide variety and number of news, sports, movie, family and other specialty channels available through digital cable, which are competitive with the number offered by satellite providers. We also promote our digital cable service, which includes our specialty, multicultural and premium channels, by offering digital cable subscribers a variety of service packages. In addition, we also promote our HDTV, timeshifting, PVR and VOD offerings. For example, digital cable subscribers can select from our digital programming services individually, in pre-set theme packages, which include a series of program offerings based on certain sports or movie genre themes, or in customer-selected packages of 5, 10, 15, 20 or 30 channels. We also promote an “ultimate value” package which offers a wide selection of specialty programming choices, as well as a number of pre-set theme packages, at an attractive price.
In order to promote our digital service, as well as our selection of programming packages, we engage in television, radio and print advertising, telemarketing and direct mail campaigns, as well as promotions through our Internet site. For example, consumers who subscribe for digital service through our Internet
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site currently receive rebates and free previews of specialty channels. We also contact our existing subscribers to promote additional services, or promote these services through our call centres when subscribers make customer service calls. Many of our promotional campaigns offer price discounts on certain programming options, which we are often able to offer by negotiating programming fee discounts with programming suppliers. Finally, we promote our digital products through our Rogers Video stores, allowing consumers to get information about, and subscribe for, digital products in our retail locations and the retail locations of certain third party retail partners, and to pick up and return digital set-top terminals.
Residential Internet Service.We primarily compete for residential Internet subscribers with local telephone service providers who offer DSL Internet service. In addition, in mid-March 2002, we introduced the Internet Lite service option which, although not as fast as our Rogers Hi-Speed Internet service, offers the advantages of a cable modem Internet connection at a competitive price. Our primary marketing strategy for residential Internet service is to offer the service to our existing subscribers as a complement to their cable television service. We engage in television and print advertising, telemarketing and direct mail campaigns to promote our residential Internet service, as well as through our call centres. We also market Rogers Hi-Speed Internet service to consumers who are not subscribers to our cable services.
We also have been able to market our residential Internet service through an extensive national network of over 400 retail locations. Under arrangements with retail outlets such as Future Shop, Best Buy, RadioShack Canada and a variety of computer specialty stores, as well as through our network of Rogers Video stores and certain Rogers Wireless stores and dealers, subscribers are able to obtain information regarding our residential Internet service, receive in-store demonstrations and subscribe for service. We generally pay our retail partners a fixed commission for each sale made, and pricing for service is fixed by us.
Commercial Internet Service.Rogers Business Solutions markets its commercial services by creating bundles and product solutions tailored for the business market. We combine Internet, cable television services and wireless products in bundles and unified billing and service options. In addition, we partner with outside vendors to supply web-hosting, domain name registration and specific data applications, such as point of sale, reporting and inventory, under the Rogers Business Solutions brand.
Rogers Video.We market Rogers Video through traditional marketing channels, from radio, television and print advertising to joint promotional activities with other consumer product companies. In addition, the recent growth in the rentals of DVDs and video games has provided us with additional product promotion vehicles, allowing us to market our extensive inventory and selection of DVD, VHS and video game titles.
We also market our Rogers Video stores through cross-promotion with the other products and services offered by the Rogers group of companies. These promotions encourage consumers to visit our stores and increase the likelihood of return visits. We also promote our Rogers Video stores through call centre recordings, inserts and advertisements in Rogers Media magazines and through the Internet site for the Rogers group of companies.
Competition
Canadian cable television systems generally face legal and illegal competition from several alternative multi-channel broadcasting distribution systems, including two Canadian direct-to-home satellite providers, U.S. direct broadcast satellite service, satellite master antenna television, and multi-channel, multi-point distribution system, as well as from the direct reception by antenna of over-the-air local and regional broadcast television signals.
In recent years, telephone companies have acquired licences to operate terrestrial broadcast distribution undertakings. These companies include TELUS, Sasktel, MTS, and Aliant. We compete directly with Aliant in New Brunswick and Newfoundland and TELUS in Ontario. During 2003, Bell
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announced that it will apply for a BDU licence allowing it to deliver television service to residential homes and apartment buildings using DSL technology. If proven viable, DSL technologies such as VDSL will potentially provide the ability to offer a complete array of broadcast television services including VOD and HDTV. In particular, Bell has stated an objective to target multiple dwelling unit buildings with the VDSL product. Our premium services, such as movie networks, U.S. superstations, pay-per-view and video on demand services, also compete to varying degrees with other communications and entertainment media, including home video, movie theatres and live theatre.
Since their launch in 1997, the two DTH providers licenced by the CRTC to operate in Canada, Bell ExpressVu LLP and Star Choice Communications Inc., have become aggressive competitors to cable television systems in Canada. In addition, illegal access to U.S. DBS signals by individuals residing in Canada has become an increasing source of black and grey market competition for Canadian cable television systems. The “black market” refers to pirate DBS equipment Canadian residents illegally obtain and operate. This equipment enables them to take, without paying a fee, programming services from U.S. DBS providers by defeating the operation of the systems that prevent unauthorized access. The “grey market” refers to U.S. DBS equipment that Canadian residents obtain and illegally bring into and operate in Canada. Such residents illegally give a false U.S. service address to the U.S. DBS providers, paying a fee to receive programming services not offered for sale in Canada. Unauthorized access by Canadian residents with pirate DTH equipment and theft of Canadian DTH services is another source of competition to Canadian cable companies. In April 2002, the Supreme Court of Canada issued a decision clarifying that the decoding of programming signals, except in accordance with the authorization of a licenced Canadian distributor, is prohibited in Canada. The decision has led to increased criminal and civil enforcement activity against black and grey market satellite television dealers in Canada.
Our objective is to offer the fullest possible range of programming and services to our customers. In September 2001, we launched approximately 70 of the new Category 1 and Category 2 digital services licenced by the CRTC in 2000. We offer more third language digital services than any other Canadian distributor. In late 2001, we launched a digital offering consisting of HDTV versions of the U.S. networks sourced from Detroit. In early 2002, we launched a digital timeshifting package that included distant Canadian conventional broadcast signals and a version of the U.S. networks sourced from Seattle. In March 2002, we began offering HDTV versions of selected pay and pay per view programming. In 2003, we added HDTV versions of City TV Toronto, TSN, Rogers Sportsnet and U.S. networks sourced from Seattle and Spokane. We have a large and diverse, highly-competitive offering relative to Canadian DTH and other Canadian cable providers.
Our Internet access service competes generally with a number of other Internet service providers, or ISPs, offering competing residential and commercial Internet access services. Many ISPs offer telephone dial-up Internet access services that provide significantly reduced bandwidth and download speed capabilities compared to broadband technologies such as cable modem or DSL. Our Internet service competes directly with Bell Canada’s DSL Internet service in Ontario, and with the DSL Internet services of Aliant in some of our service areas in New Brunswick and Newfoundland, respectively. We also offer a less expensive Internet Lite service which has fewer features than the standard high-speed package. Our Internet Lite service competes against similar slower speed DSL services and, because of its reduced speed, competes more directly against dial-up services.
We have increasingly offered our services to customers at either a discounted price for taking multiple services or, more recently, in product bundles which are priced at a discount to the sum of the prices of the individual products if they were to be taken separately. We believe that such customer loyalty programs and multi-product bundling enables us to reduce individual product churn, to increase the average revenue received from our customers by selling multiple products to them and to better service our customers by offering a single bill and single points of customer service contact. Late in 2003, we and Rogers Wireless launched a combined bundle which offered combinations of our video, high-speed Internet and wireless services. Our primary competitor, Bell, also markets similar product bundles at similar price
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points in competition with us. However, Bell’s practice of bundling telephone services with Internet and DTH service is currently under review by the CRTC.
We face emerging competition from other utilities such as hydroelectric companies as these companies look to utilize their infrastructure to provide Internet and other services, such as VoIP, that may directly compete with our current and future service offerings.
Rogers Video competes with other videocassette, DVD and video game sales and rental store chains, such as Blockbuster Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc., as well as individually owned and operated outlets. Competition is principally based on location, price and availability of titles.
Governmental Regulation
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| Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission |
Under the Broadcasting Act (Canada), the CRTC is responsible for regulating and supervising all aspects of the Canadian broadcasting system with a view to implementing certain broadcasting policy objectives enunciated in the Broadcasting Act (Canada). Our cable television systems are subject to licensing and regulation by the CRTC under the Broadcasting Act (Canada). On December 7, 2001, the CRTC issued an exemption order that exempted those Class 3 systems, serving less than 2,000 subscribers and operating their own local head-ends, from the requirement to hold a broadcasting licence. Sixty-three of our Class 3 systems in Newfoundland and New Brunswick were exempted from licensing under this order. These cable systems, however, must continue to comply with a number of criteria, such as the carriage of local and regional television signals and the continued compliance with Canadian ownership and control requirements, which are contained in the exemption order. On April 30, 2003, the CRTC extended that exemption order to those Class 2 systems serving fewer than 6,000 subscribers and operating their own local head-ends. This exemption will, when available, apply to eight of our systems in Atlantic Canada.
The CRTC is also responsible under the Telecommunications Act (Canada) for the regulation of telecommunication common carriers, which include cable television distributors when their cable distribution systems are used to provide telecommunications services, such as third-party access to high-speed Internet services.
We are required to provide access to our competitors to our inside wire in single wired MDUs. In 2002, the CRTC approved a cost-based lease rate for such use in MDUs based on existing wiring.
Industry Canada administers the Radiocommunication Act (Canada) and certain aspects of the Telecommunications Act (Canada) and establishes technical requirements and performance standards for cable television systems, as well as other areas of broadcasting and telecommunications.
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| Restrictions on Non-Canadian Ownership and Control |
The legal requirements relating to Canadian ownership and control of cable television undertakings are embodied in a statutory order from the Governor in Council to the CRTC, issued pursuant to authority contained in the Broadcasting Act (Canada). Under this order, non-Canadians are permitted to own and control, directly or indirectly, up to 33 1/3% of the voting shares and 33 1/3% of the votes of a holding company which has a subsidiary operating company licenced under the Broadcasting Act (Canada). In addition, up to 20% of the voting shares and 20% of the votes of the operating licencee company may be owned and controlled, directly or indirectly, by non-Canadians. The chief executive officer and 80% of the members of the board of directors of the licencee operating company must be Canadian. In addition, where the holding company is less than 80% Canadian-owned, the holding company and its directors are prohibited from exercising any control or influence over the programming decisions of
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a subsidiary licencee operating company. There are no restrictions on the number of non-voting shares that may be held by non-Canadians at either the holding company or licencee operating company level. However, the CRTC retains the discretion under this order to determine, as a question of fact, whether a given licencee is controlled by non-Canadians. Our articles give our board of directors the authority to restrict the issue, transfer and voting of our voting shares and the transfer of non-voting shares for the purpose of ensuring that we and our subsidiaries remain qualified to hold or obtain licences to carry on any cable television, broadcasting or telecommunications businesses.
On May 10, 2001, the Minister of Canadian Heritage asked a Parliamentary Committee to conduct a review of the Broadcasting Act (Canada) and examine, among other things, the current restrictions on foreign ownership of companies licenced under the Broadcasting Act (Canada).
In November 2002, the Minister of Industry initiated a review process of Canada’s current restrictions on foreign ownership of telecommunications carriers in Canada with a view towards the possible relaxation or elimination of such rules. We support and will participate in the review but cannot predict what, if any, changes might result from it. We have advocated the position that any such relaxation should apply equally to both telecommunications and cable television providers.
In April 2003, the House of Commons Industry Committee released a report calling for the removal of foreign ownership restrictions for telecommunications carriers and broadcasting distribution undertakings. In June 2003, the House of Commons Heritage Committee released a report opposing the Industry Committee’s recommendation. The Cabinet responded to the Industry Committee report in September 2003 and to the Heritage Committee report in November 2003. Officials from the Industry and Heritage departments are seeking to reconcile the two positions. It is expected that sometime during 2004, the Government of Canada intends to be in a position to examine possible solutions. We support the recommendation as it pertains to the removal of foreign ownership restrictions for both telecommunications carriers and broadcasting distribution undertakings but cannot predict what, if any, changes might result.
The CRTC is empowered under the Broadcasting Act (Canada) to issue licences to operate cable television systems. The licence gives the cable television operator the right, but not the exclusive right, to provide cable television services in its licenced service area. In 1995, the CRTC began to implement a policy of promoting competition in the delivery of broadcasting services to subscribers and has therefore licenced a number of DTH satellite, MMDS, telephone companies and competitive cable television providers to operate within the authorized service areas of incumbent cable licencees.
The CRTC has taken a number of initiatives to ensure that a competitive broadcasting distribution market develops. On April 1, 1999, the CRTC issued a letter to all incumbent cable licencees, including our company, setting out the new marketing rules that apply to those licencees in cases where a customer has chosen to subscribe to a service provided by a competitive distribution operator. These “winback” rules provide that an incumbent cable licencee is prohibited from contacting a customer who has cancelled their cable service through the use of an agent for a period of 90 days following the cancellation. These rules also prohibit us from offering discounts or other inducements not generally offered to the public where a customer personally initiates contact with the cable licencee for the purpose of canceling service. This restriction is in effect for 90 days following the date of cancellation. In October 2002, the Canadian cable industry filed an application with the CRTC seeking the elimination of the winback rules due to changing circumstances in the competitive marketplace. A public proceeding on this matter is currently underway, and we expect a decision from the CRTC by the second quarter of 2004.
In addition to the cable systems that have been exempted from licensing, we hold separate licences for 92 cable systems. These licences have generally been issued for terms of up to five years. In 2003, the majority of these licences were renewed for a one-year period. Most of the remaining licences expire in 2005 and are renewable. We have never failed to obtain a licence renewal for our cable systems.
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The CRTC imposes restrictions on the transfer of ownership and control of cable licences. Pursuant to regulations promulgated by the CRTC, a holder of a cable licence must obtain the prior approval of the CRTC with respect to any act, agreement or transaction that directly or indirectly results in a material change of ownership or effective control of the licencee or of a person that has, directly or indirectly, effective control of the licencee. CRTC approval is contingent upon the purchaser demonstrating that the transfer is in the public interest.
The CRTC regulations govern the types of Canadian and non-Canadian programming services that can be distributed by cable television systems as well as other distributors of video programming. In general, each cable television system is required to distribute all of the Canadian programming services that the CRTC has determined are appropriate for the market it serves, which include local television stations, specialty channels, pay television channels and one PPV service, but does not include Category 2 digital services and VOD services.
The CRTC has determined that it would not be in the interest of the Canadian broadcasting system to permit cable systems to distribute non-Canadian pay television movie channels and specialty programming services that could be considered directly competitive with licenced Canadian pay television and specialty services. For that reason, pay movie channels and certain specialty programming services originating in the United States, such as HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, The Disney Channel, ESPN and Nickelodeon, are not approved for cable distribution in Canada. However, the CRTC has identified a list of non-Canadian specialty services, including certain United States originated satellite services and United States superstations, that are permitted carriage on cable television systems on a discretionary, user-pay basis. These include: Spike TV, The Learning Channel, A&E, CNN, CNN Headline News, CNBC/Financial News Network, WTBS, KTLA, WGN, WSBK and WPIX. The CRTC requires that non-Canadian satellite services be sold to Canadian cable television subscribers in discretionary packages with Canadian pay television services or with Canadian specialty services. Each non-Canadian specialty service must be linked with one Canadian specialty service or up to five non-Canadian specialty services may be linked with one Canadian pay television service. The CRTC also requires that a majority of the video channels and a majority of the audio channels received by a subscriber are devoted to the distribution of Canadian programming services.
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| Cable Ownership of Analog Canadian Pay and Specialty Services |
On June 7, 2001, the CRTC announced a change in its policy on cable ownership of analog pay and specialty services to allow cable companies, and their related entities, to purchase equity interests, including controlling interests, in these services. The CRTC’s prohibition on cable ownership of analog specialty and pay services stemmed from both the historic position of cable operators as gatekeepers for the delivery of discretionary services to subscribers as well as capacity issues. In recent years, structural changes have occurred within the industry to alleviate these concerns. Major convergence trends have resulted in vertically-integrated providers, such as BCE/Bell ExpressVu, competing against cable operators. The CRTC noted that in Canada and internationally, increased competition has prompted media companies to seek entry into new markets and, often, to become more vertically integrated, to compensate for erosion of market share in their traditional areas of business.
The CRTC has licenced 21 digital Category 1 Canadian specialty services for mandatory digital carriage by distribution undertakings that offer programming services to the public using digital technology. More than 270 digital Category 2 Canadian specialty services have been licenced without guaranteed distribution rights. Distribution undertakings must ensure that a majority of services received by subscribers digitally is Canadian. Distribution undertakings are permitted to hold equity interests in new digital services. However, the CRTC requires a distribution undertaking to distribute five non-affiliated digital Category 2 services for each affiliated digital Category 2 service that it distributes. Distribution
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undertakings are also subject to a general obligation to market and package all digital services on an equitable basis.
The CRTC has also imposed new distribution requirements on Class 1 and 2 cable distribution undertakings that use digital distribution technology to deliver programming services to subscribers. Class 1 and 2 cable distribution undertakings using high capacity digital technology (more than 750 megahertz) are required to offer all Canadian English- and French-language specialty services (other than Category 2 services) in analog or digital mode. Other Class 1 and 2 cable distribution undertakings are required to distribute one minority official language Canadian specialty service for every ten majority official language services that are distributed by the undertaking.
As of December 31, 2002, we were basic-rate deregulated in all of our Class 1 systems. Under the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations, which came into force on January 1, 1998, our basic rates may be deregulated in a Class 1 system when two conditions are met: (1) there is evidence that 30% or more of the households in our licenced service area have access to the basic service of another broadcasting distribution undertaking and (2) we have lost 5% or more of our subscribers to competitive broadcasting distribution undertakings. The CRTC has, however, retained the authority to disallow a proposal by a Class 1 system to deregulate basic rates if it determines, within 60 days of receiving the proposal, that deregulation is not in the public interest. The CRTC has advised in a public notice that the first of these conditions was satisfied in all licenced cable areas on August 31, 1997. Two of our Class 1 systems serving St. Thomas and Woodstock, Ontario received CRTC approval to deregulate basic rates on October 4, 2001. Our proposal to deregulate basic rates in three of our Class 1 systems, one serving Ottawa and two serving London, Ontario became effective on February 1, 2002. Our proposal to deregulate basic rates in 12 of our Class 1 systems in Ontario, serving the greater Toronto area, Guelph, Kitchener and Georgian Bay became effective on April 1, 2002. Throughout the rest of 2002, we submitted evidence to the CRTC that resulted in deregulation of our basic rates in all of our remaining Class 1 systems.
The CRTC continues to regulate the fees, on a cost recovery basis, that we charge for the connection of subscriber drop cables to a subscriber’s home. However, fees charged to subscribers for:
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| • | the incremental rate charged for discretionary services over basic cable service rates, |
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| • | the rental of set-top terminals and |
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| • | pay television services, including PPV and VOD programming |
are all unregulated.
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| Financial Contributions for the Creation and Production of Canadian Programming |
Under the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations, all Class 1 and 2 terrestrial broadcast distribution undertakings, or BDUs, and DTH satellite operators are required to contribute not less than 5% of their gross revenues to the production of Canadian programming. For DTH satellite operators, the full 5% must be contributed to certain qualified production funds. Class 1 BDUs with 20,000 or more subscribers must contribute at least 3% to qualified production funds, while the remaining 2% may be satisfied by funding the operation of community channels. For Class 1 BDUs with less than 20,000 subscribers and Class 2 BDUs with less than 6,000 subscribers, the entire 5% requirement may be satisfied by funding the operation of community channels. We meet all of our minimum contribution level requirements by contributing to various qualified production funds and by funding our various community channels. In October 2002, the CRTC amended its community channel policy. Under this policy licencees that operate a French and an English-language community channel in a single Class 1 system may apply to retain an additional 2% of their gross revenues to fund community channel operations. We applied to retain an additional 2% of our gross revenues in our Ottawa, Ontario and Moncton, New Brunswick cable systems in 2003 and expect a decision from the CRTC by the second quarter of 2004.
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The Copyright Act (Canada) provides for the payment by cable television operators of a royalty fee in respect of the retransmission of distant radio and television broadcast signals (defined as over-the-air television signals originating more than a minimum specified distance from a cable operator’s licenced area). The amounts raised from these royalty fees are paid to copyright collectives representing the owners of the copyright in television programming, including producers, broadcasters and major league sports organizations, as well as authors, composers and publishers of the music in these programs. The level of these compulsory royalty fees, which are subject to the approval of the Copyright Board, is currently $0.70 per month per premise, in respect of distant television signal retransmission, for cable systems with more than 6,000 subscribers. The copyright collectives have applied to increase the royalty fee, in respect of the retransmission of distant television signals, to $1.00 per month per premise for the 2004 to 2008 calendar years.
On February 16, 2001, the Copyright Board approved performing rights royalties that are payable in respect of the cable transmission of the music component of non-broadcast television services, such as the Canadian pay television and specialty services and U.S. cable networks offered by us. These royalties are payable in relation to the 1996 to 2000 calendar years. Pursuant to the tariffs approved by the Copyright Board, cable television operators must pay a monthly royalty based on the number of premises that they serve in respect of Canadian specialty services. The royalty rates that we were required to pay for the music component of these specialty services did not exceed $0.155 per month, per premise. The royalty rates that we were required to pay for the music component of Canadian pay television services and U.S. cable networks was an amount equal to 2.1% of the monthly affiliation payments payable to these services in 1996, and 1.8% of the monthly affiliation payments payable to these services in the 1997-2000 tariff period. Furthermore, we await the decision of the Copyright Board regarding proposed royalties in respect of the 2001, 2002 and 2003 calendar years. We are compensated from the various pay television and specialty services and U.S. cable networks that we distribute for 50% of the royalties payable under these tariffs.
On May 1, 2002, the Federal Court of Appeal released a decision allowing, in part, an application for judicial review by the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) of a decision of the Copyright Board dated October 27, 1999. The 1999 Copyright Board decision related to a tariff (Tariff 22) proposed by SOCAN for royalties to be paid for the transmission of music works across the Internet. Numerous parties, including our industry association, the Canadian Cable Television Association (CCTA), opposed Tariff 22 and participated in the Copyright Board proceedings. In its decision, the Copyright Board determined that ISPs should not be liable to SOCAN for the payment of royalties.
While upholding most elements of the Copyright Board’s decision, the Federal Court of Appeal determined that ISPs may have some liability to SOCAN for Tariff 22 royalties, depending on the nature of the ISP’s network configuration. A group of interested industry participants (including the CCTA) has received leave to appeal this judgment to the Supreme Court of Canada. The appeal was heard in December 2003, and we expect a judgment to be issued in the summer of 2004. Depending on the outcome of that proceeding, and a further tariff-setting hearing by the Copyright Board, we may ultimately be liable for royalty payments under Tariff 22.
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| Telecommunications Activities |
On January 30, 1996, the CRTC concluded that the provision of non-programming services by us and other operators comes within the scope of the Telecommunications Act (Canada).The rates charged for the distribution of most non-programming services are not regulated. We are currently required to file and receive approval for tariffs for Internet access service for third party Internet service providers. We have filed an application with the CRTC for forbearance from this tariff requirement insofar as it applies to the business market segment.
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The CRTC has forborne from regulating certain other non-programming services, such as retail Internet services and security services. The CRTC has approved cost-based rates for our Internet access service and has initiated a proceeding to consider outstanding terms and conditions for the Internet access service.
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| Access to Support Structures and Municipal Rights of Way |
Under the Telecommunications Act (Canada), if we are unable to obtain rights of way on any highway or other public place for the construction of transmission lines on terms acceptable to us, we may apply to the CRTC to obtain permission to construct transmission lines on terms set by the CRTC.
On April 8, 1999, the CRTC issued a decision that has the effect of permitting real estate developers to deny cable licencees or telephone companies access to the open trenches in real estate development projects. That decision could have had a significant impact on our ability to install our own cables and facilities in new real estate developments. More recently, however, most municipalities are requiring that all communications companies are provided access to common utility trenches as part of the real estate development approval process.
Our cable systems require access to support structures, such as poles, strand and conduits and to municipal rights of way in order to deploy our facilities. Our cable systems and other Ontario cable systems were not able to reach an agreement with most Ontario municipal hydro-electric companies for pole access following the termination of their previous agreement in December 1996. The cable systems therefore filed an application with the CRTC to gain access to the support structures. In September 1999, the CRTC granted cable operators the right to access poles on the same terms and conditions as are set out in the individual expired agreements, and at a fixed rate of $15.89 per pole per year. However, in a May 2003 decision, the Supreme Court of Canada has determined that the CRTC does not have the jurisdiction to establish the terms and conditions of access to the poles of hydroelectric companies. As a result of this decision, the costs of obtaining access to support structures of hydroelectric companies could be substantially increased. Rates for access to telephone company-owned support structures are regulated by the CRTC by means of a tariff.
In January 2001, the CRTC issued a decision concerning the appropriate terms and conditions, including rates, of access to municipal property in the city of Vancouver. As part of its decision, the CRTC limited the fees charged by the city of Vancouver for access to the recovery of the causal costs to the city of granting access to municipal property. Although the terms of the decision are limited to the specific dispute before the CRTC, the basic principles set out in the decision are expected to apply generally. A number of municipalities appealed the decision of the CRTC to the Federal Court of Canada, which denied the appeal. The municipalities sought leave to appeal the matter to the Supreme Court of Canada, and that leave to appeal was recently denied.
Employees
At December 31, 2003, we had approximately 5,470 full-time equivalent employees, of which approximately 2,500 were employed by Rogers Video. All of our employees are employed in Canada. Of these employees, 640 are subject to collective agreements with terms expiring over a period ranging from August 2005 to August 2009.
Properties
In most instances, we own the assets essential to our operations. Our major fixed assets are co-axial and fibre-optic cables, set-top terminals and cable modems, electronic transmission, receiving, processing, digitizing and distributing equipment, IP routers, data storage servers and network management equipment, microwave equipment and antennae; and radio and television broadcasting equipment (including television cameras and television production facilities). The operating systems and software related to these assets are either owned by us or are used under licence.
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We generally lease various distribution facilities from third parties, including space on utility poles and underground ducts for the placement of some of our cable system and roof rights. We either own or lease land for the placement of our hub sites and head-ends and space for other portions of our distribution system.
We either own or lease our offices from third parties and, in certain instances, from RCI and Rogers Wireless. All except one of our Rogers Video store locations are leased from third parties. We own our service vehicles, data processing facilities and test equipment. Substantially all of our assets, with certain exceptions, are subject to various security interests in favour of the trustee under the deed of trust.
We own or have licenced various brands and trademarks used in our businesses. In January 2000, RCI launched a new logo and brand identity for the Rogers group of companies and, as a result, Rogers Wireless, Rogers Cable and Rogers Media share a common brand identity to reflect the Rogers group of companies’ ability to offer a variety of communications, information and entertainment services. In addition, we maintain customer lists for our businesses. Various of our trade names and properties are protected by trademark copyright. Our intellectual property, including our trade names, brands, properties and customer lists, is important to our operations.
Environmental protection requirements applicable to our operations are not expected to have a significant effect on our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position in the current or future fiscal years.
Legal Proceedings
There exist certain legal actions against us arising in the ordinary course of our business, none of which is expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position.
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MANAGEMENT
Directors and Executive Officers
Set forth below is a list of our directors and executive officers as of the date of this prospectus.
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Name | | Position |
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Edward S. Rogers, O.C.(2)(3) | | Director and Chairman |
H. Garfield Emerson, Q.C.(1)(2)(3) | | Director and Vice-Chairman |
Edward Rogers(2)(4) | | Director, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Dean T. MacDonald(5) | | Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer |
Michael A. Adams(6) | | Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer |
Robert J. Barker | | Senior Vice-President, National Cable Operations |
Donald W. Huff | | Senior Vice-President, Finance |
Dermot J.A. O’Carroll | | Senior Vice-President, Engineering & Network Operations |
Thomas M. Vari | | Senior Vice-President and Chief Information Officer |
Pamela J. Dinsmore | | Vice-President, Regulatory |
Charles W. van der Lee | | President and Chief Executive Officer, Rogers Video |
Colette Watson | | Vice-President, External Relations |
Kenneth G. Engelhart | | Vice-President, Regulatory Law |
M. Lorraine Daly | | Vice-President, Treasurer |
Alan D. Horn | | Vice-President |
Philip B. Lind, C.M. | | Vice-President |
David P. Miller | | Vice-President, General Counsel and Secretary |
E. Jennifer Warren | | Vice-President, Assistant General Counsel |
Albert Gnat, Q.C. | | Director |
Robert W. Korthals | | Director |
John A. MacDonald(1) | | Director |
Stephen D. McDonald(1) | | Director |
Melinda M. Rogers(4) | | Director |
William T. Schleyer | | Director |
J. Christopher C. Wansbrough(1)(3) | | Director |
Colin D. Watson(1) | | Director |
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(1) | Denotes member of the Audit Committee. |
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(2) | Denotes member of the Executive Committee. |
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(3) | Denotes member of the Finance Committee. |
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(4) | Edward Rogers is the son and Melinda Rogers is the daughter of Edward S. Rogers, O.C. |
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(5) | Mr. MacDonald will be leaving our company at the end of March 2004. |
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(6) | Mr. Adams will become our Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, effective April 20, 2004. |
Edward S. Rogers, O.C.has served as Chairman of our Board of Directors since 1999 and has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of RCI since 1979. From February 2003 to May 2003, Mr. Rogers served as a director and Vice Chairman of Rogers Cable. Mr. Rogers also serves as a director of Rogers Wireless, Rogers Media, Rogers Telecommunications Limited, Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. and the Canadian Cable Television Association. Mr. Rogers was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1990 and inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 1994. In 2002, Mr. Rogers was inducted into the U.S. Cable Hall of Fame.
H. Garfield Emerson, Q.C.was appointed non-executive Vice-Chairman of our Board of Directors in 2001. Mr. Emerson has served as non-executive Chairman of the board of directors of RCI since 1993 and has been a director of RCI since 1989. Mr. Emerson is the National Chairman and a senior partner in the
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law firm of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP. Mr. Emerson is also a director of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, CAE Inc., Wittington Investments, Limited, Rogers Wireless, Rogers Media, Rogers Telecommunications Limited and Sunnybrook & Women’s College Health Sciences Centre. From 1990 to 2001, Mr. Emerson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of NM Rothschild & Sons Canada Limited, an investment banking firm.
Edward Rogerswas appointed as a director in June 2003. Mr. Rogers has served as a director of RCI since May 1997 and also serves as a director of Rogers Wireless, Rogers Media and Futureway Communications Inc. Mr. Rogers was appointed our President and Co-Chief Executive Officer in February 2003 and became President and Chief Executive Officer in June 2003. From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Rogers served as our Vice-President and General Manager, Greater Toronto Area. From 2000 to February 2003, Mr. Rogers served as Senior Vice-President, Planning and Strategy for RCI.
Dean T. MacDonaldwas appointed our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in February 2003. Prior to this appointment, Mr. MacDonald served as Senior Vice President, Government Relations of RCI since 2001. Prior to this appointment with RCI in 2001, Mr. MacDonald was associated with Cable Atlantic Inc. for 18 years, most recently as President. Mr. MacDonald will be leaving our company at the end of March 2004.
Michael A. Adamswill become our Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, effective April 20, 2004. Prior to his appointment with us, Mr. Adams has held several senior executive positions with RCN Corporation since 1997, most recently serving as Chief Strategy Officer and Director since 2003. Mr. Adams also serves as a director of Megacable, S.A. de C.V. (a Mexican cable television company) and Megacable Comunicaciones de Mexico S.A. (a local telecommunications provider based in Mexico City.)
Robert J. Barkerwas appointed our Senior Vice-President, National Cable Operations in 1999. From 1988 to 1999, Mr. Barker was Vice-President and General Manager, English Canada for Cogeco Cable Inc., a cable television company.
Donald W. Huffhas been our Senior Vice-President, Finance since 2002. From 1996 to 2000, Mr. Huff served as Corporate Controller. From 2000 to 2002 Mr. Huff served as Vice President, Controller. Mr. Huff has been associated with us since 1990.
Dermot J.A. O’Carrollhas been our Senior Vice-President, Engineering & Network Operations since 1999. Mr. O’Carroll has been associated with us since 1995.
Thomas M. Variwas appointed our Senior Vice-President and Chief Information Officer in February 2004, prior to which Mr. Vari served as our Vice-President, IT and Chief Information Officer since 1998. From 1995 to 1998, Mr. Vari was our Director IT, Digital Project.
Pamela J. Dinsmorehas served as our Vice-President, Regulatory since 1997. Ms. Dinsmore has been associated with us since 1995.
Charles W. van der Leehas been our President and Chief Executive Officer of Rogers Video since 1998 and President and Chief Operating Officer of Rogers Video from 1992 to 1998.
Colette Watsonwas appointed our Vice-President, External Affairs in 2001. Since March 2001, Ms. Watson has been on secondment to the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC), a national public affairs television channel. Ms. Watson has been associated with us since 1990.
Kenneth G. Engelharthas been our Vice-President, Regulatory Law since 1998. Mr. Engelhart has also served as Vice-President, Regulatory Law of RCI since 1992 and has been associated with RCI since 1990.
M. Lorraine Dalyhas been our Vice-President, Treasurer since 1989. Ms. Daly has served as Vice President and Treasurer of Rogers Wireless since 1991 and has also served as Vice-President, Treasurer of RCI since 1989 and has been associated with RCI since 1987.
Alan D. Hornhas served as a Vice-President since 1996. Mr. Horn has served as Vice-President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of RCI since 1996, prior to which Mr. Horn served as Vice-President, Administration of RCI.
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Philip B. Lind, C.M.has been a Vice-President since 1997. Mr. Lind has also served as Vice-Chairman of RCI since 1991, as a director of RCI since 1979 and has been associated with RCI since 1969. Mr. Lind also serves as a director of a number of other companies, including Brascan Corporation, Canadian General Tower Limited, Council for Business and the Arts and Rogers Media Inc.
David P. Millerhas been our Vice-President, General Counsel and Secretary since 1991 and Vice-President, General Counsel since 1988. Mr. Miller has served as Vice-President and General Counsel of RCI since 1987 and as Secretary of RCI since 2002. Mr. Miller has also served as Vice-President, General Counsel and Secretary of Rogers Wireless since 1991.
E. Jennifer Warrenwas appointed our Vice-President, Assistant General Counsel during 2001. Ms. Warren has served as Vice-President and Assistant General Counsel of RCI since 2000. Ms. Warren served as Legal Counsel of RCI from 1996 to 2000.
Albert Gnat, Q.C.has served as one of our directors since 2000 and a director of RCI since 1986. Mr. Gnat is a senior partner in the law firm of Lang Michener. Mr. Gnat also serves as a director of a number of other companies, including Rogers Wireless, CCL Industries Inc., Ikea Limited, AXA Insurance Group of Companies, Enghouse Systems Limited, Leitch Technology Corporation, MDC Corporation Inc., Strategic Vista International Inc., SCOR Canada Reinsurance Company and Vitran Corporation Inc.
Robert W. Korthalshas served as a director of RCI since 1995 and as one of our directors from 1995 to 1998 and since 2000. Mr. Korthals is currently Chairman of the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board and a director of Cognos Inc., Suncor Energy Inc., Mulvihill Exchange Traded Open-End Funds, Easyhome Ltd. and Jannock Properties Ltd. Mr. Korthals is also a Commissioner of the Ontario Securities Commission. From 1967 to 1995, Mr. Korthals served as an officer of a Canadian chartered bank most recently as President from 1981 until his retirement in 1995.
John A. MacDonaldhas served as one of our directors since 2000 and as President and Chief Operating Officer of Allstream Corp. (previously AT&T Canada Inc.), a broadband communications provider, since November 2002. From 1999 to 2001, Mr. MacDonald served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Leitch Technology Corporation, a video and audio signal equipment provider. From 1994 to 1999, Mr. MacDonald served as an executive officer of Bell Canada, a telephone utility, most recently as President and Chief Operating Officer.
Stephen D. McDonaldhas served as one of our directors since 2000. Mr. McDonald served as Chief Executive Officer of a financial services firm from 1999 until 2002, and had been associated with the related Canadian chartered bank since 1983, most recently as Vice-Chairman. In November 2003, Mr. McDonald was appointed U.S. Country Head for another Canadian chartered bank and Executive Managing Director of the related financial services firm owned by the bank.
Melinda M. Rogershas served as one of our directors since 2000. Ms. Rogers was appointed Vice President of Strategic Planning and Venture Investments of RCI in April 2003, prior to which Ms. Rogers served as Vice-President, Venture Investments of RCI from 2000. Ms. Rogers served as a Product Manager with At Home Corporation from 1997 to 1999.
William T. Schleyerhas served as one of our directors since 2000 and as a director of RCI since 1998. Mr. Schleyer was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Adelphia Communications Corp., a cable television and Internet access provider in January 2003, prior to which Mr. Schleyer served as President and Chief Executive Officer of AT&T Broadband, a cable television and Internet service provider from 2001 to 2003. From February 2000 to October 2001, Mr. Schleyer was a principal in Pilot House Ventures, an investment firm, where he served as a liaison between investors and entrepreneurs. Prior to February 2000, Mr. Schleyer served as President and Chief Operating Officer of MediaOne, the broadband services arm of U.S. West Media Group, and as President and Chief Operating Officer of Continental Cablevision, Inc. before that Company’s merger with U.S. West in 1996.
J. Christopher C. Wansbroughhas served as one of our directors since February 2002. Mr. Wansbrough has served as a director of RCI since 1982, as a director of Rogers Wireless since May 2003 and as Chairman of Rogers Telecommunications Limited since December 1997. Mr. Wansbrough
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served as President of National Trust Company from 1984 to 1986, Vice Chairman from 1986 to 1991 and Chairman of the Board of OMERS Realty Corporation from 1989 to 1997. Mr. Wansbrough also serves as a director of The Independent Order of Foresters, United Corporations Ltd. and Rogers Media.
Colin D. Watsonhas served as one of our directors since 2000. Mr. Watson was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Vector Aerospace Corporation, an aviation services firm, in November 2003. Mr. Watson served as Vice-Chairman of Spar Aerospace Limited, an aviation services firm, from January 2000 until January 2002. From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Watson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Spar Aerospace Limited and from 1999 to 2000, as its Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to 1996, Mr. Watson was our President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Watson also serves as a director of a number of other companies, including Vector Aerospace Corporation, Cygnal Technologies Corp., B Split II Corporation, Kasten Chase Applied Research Limited, NorthStar Aerospace, OnX Incorporated, Persona Inc., Great Lakes Carbon Income Fund and Louisiana-Pacific Corporation.
Our Board of Directors currently has 11 directors. Each director is elected by RCI, our sole shareholder, to serve until a successor director is elected or appointed. Executive officers are appointed annually and serve at the discretion of our Board of Directors.
Our Board of Directors has established an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee and a Finance Committee. The Executive Committee consists of three directors who are appointed annually by the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee may exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors in respect of the management and direction of our business and affairs between meetings of the Board of Directors, subject to certain restrictions under applicable laws. The Audit Committee consists of five directors who are appointed annually by our Board of Directors. A majority of the members of the Audit Committee are not officers or employees of us or any of our affiliates. The Audit Committee is responsible for the engagement of our independent auditors and for the review with them of the scope and timing of their audit services and any other services they are asked to perform, their report on our accounts following completion of the audit and our policies and procedures with respect to internal accounting and financial controls. A majority of the members of each of the Executive Committee and the Audit Committee must be Canadian residents.
The Board of Directors may also establish other committees from time to time to assist in the discharge of its responsibilities.
Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors
The following table shows the aggregate amount of cash compensation we paid to our directors and executive officers as a group for services in all capacities provided to us and our subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2003.
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| | Directors’ Fees(1)(2) | | Salaries & Bonuses | | Total |
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| |
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Executive Officers (including one director) | | $ | — | | | $ | 6,091,376 | | | $ | 6,091,376 | |
Directors (not employees) | | | 89,500 | | | | — | | | | 89,500 | |
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| | | |
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| Total | | $ | 89,500 | | | $ | 6,091,376 | | | $ | 6,180,876 | |
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(1) | In 2003, directors were compensated for their services with an annual retainer of $15,000 and with meeting fees of $1,000 per meeting attended. The meeting fees were increased to $1,250 per meeting attended for directors traveling more than 100 km but less than 1,000 km to the meeting and $2,000 per meeting for directors traveling more than 1,000 km to the meeting. A director who acted as chairman of a committee of our Board of Directors was paid an additional annual retainer of $5,000 and received committee meeting fees of $1,500 per committee meeting attended. Directors’ fees are not paid to directors who are also our employees or executive officers. |
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To encourage the directors to align their interests with shareholders, we implemented a Directors’ Deferred Share Unit Plan (the DDSU Plan). Under the DDSU Plan, non-employee directors may receive all or a percentage of their total directors’ fees in the form of Directors’ Deferred Share Units (DDSUs), each of which has a value equal to the market value of a Class B Non-Voting Share of RCI at the commencement of the relevant fiscal quarter. A DDSU is a bookkeeping entry credited to the account of an individual director, which cannot be converted to cash until the director ceases to be a member of the Board of Directors and the boards of directors of our subsidiaries. The value of a DDSU, when converted to cash, will be equivalent to the market value of a Class B Non-Voting Share of RCI at the time the conversion takes place. DDSUs will attract dividends in the form of additional DDSUs at the same rate as dividends on Class B Non-Voting Shares of RCI.
In October 2002, our Board of Directors passed a resolution requiring each non-employee director to acquire direct or indirect beneficial ownership of 4,000 of any combination of Class A Voting Shares of RCI, Class B Non-Voting Shares of RCI and DDSUs during the term of his or her service as a director of our Board.
From time to time, the directors are granted options to participate in the stock option plans of RCI. Non-employee directors may receive all or a percentage of such stock options in the form of DDSUs.
All of our directors are entitled, after ten years of service, to a retiring allowance on retirement from our Board of Directors in an amount equal to $15,000 plus $2,000 per year of service as our director.
| |
(2) | The services of Messrs. E.S. Rogers, O.C., Emerson, Engelhart, Horn, Lind and Miller and of Ms. Daly and Ms. Warren, in their capacities as officers, and Messrs. E.S. Rogers, O.C. and Emerson, in their capacities as directors, are not paid for by us. Their services are provided pursuant to the management services agreement between RCI and us. See “Certain Transactions and Relationships — Management Services Agreement”. |
Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance
Through coverage obtained by our parent, RCI, we have the benefit of insurance policies for ourselves and our directors and officers against liability incurred by them in the performance of their duties as our directors and officers. The approximate amount of the premiums allocated to us in respect of these policies on account of directors’ and officers’ liability for us and our affiliates was $533,000 for the 12 month period ended December 31, 2003. The aggregate amount of coverage under the policies in 2003 is the sum of US$50,000,000 in respect of any one policy period. By the current terms of the policy, in circumstances where a director or officer has a claim against us in respect of a loss covered by the policies, arising out of a suit or suits brought in Canada, we may claim for 100% of the loss over and above US$500,000 and in circumstances where a director or officer has a claim against us in respect of a loss covered by the policy arising out of a suit or suits brought in the United States of America, we may claim for 100% of the loss over and above US$1,000,000. In addition, where a director or officer has a claim against the insurers in respect of a loss covered by the policies, the director or officer may claim on the policy for 100% of the loss with no deductible applicable under the policies.
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Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth all compensation earned during the last three fiscal years by the Chief Executive Officer and our four most highly compensated executive officers, other than the Chief Executive Officer, who served as executive officers at the end of 2003. We refer to these executive officers as the “Named Executive Officers”.
Summary Compensation Table
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Long-Term | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Compensation | | |
| | | | | | Awards | | |
| | | | Annual Compensation | | Securities | | |
| | | |
| | Under | | |
| | | | | | Other Annual | | Options/SARs | | All Other |
| | | | Salary | | Bonus | | Compensation | | Granted | | Compensation |
Name and Principal Position | | Year | | ($) | | ($) | | ($)(1) | | (#) | | ($)(2) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Edward Rogers(3) | | | 2003 | | | | 418,173 | | | | 568,080 | | | | — | | | | 532,600 | | | | 1,701 | |
| President and | | | 2002 | | | | 225,000 | | | | 174,600 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 765 | |
| Chief Executive Officer | | | 2001 | | | | 225,000 | | | | 112,500 | | | | — | | | | 13,500 | | | | 765 | |
John H. Tory(4) | | | 2003 | | | | 572,000 | | | | 886,205 | | | | 15,447 | | | | — | | | | 1,871 | |
| Former Chairman and | | | 2002 | | | | 550,000 | | | | 566,843 | | | | 16,847 | | | | — | | | | 1,871 | |
| Co-Chief Executive Officer | | | 2001 | | | | 550,000 | | | | 454,250 | | | | 14,825 | | | | 250,000 | | | | 1,871 | |
Robert Barker | | | 2003 | | | | 258,000 | | | | 244,274 | | | | 2,370 | | | | 32,900 | | | | 878 | |
| Senior Vice President, | | | 2002 | | | | 250,000 | | | | 115,706 | | | | 3,184 | | | | — | | | | 851 | |
| National Cable Operations | | | 2001 | | | | 249,135 | | | | 106,045 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 851 | |
Dean MacDonald(5) | | | 2003 | | | | 387,000 | | | | 378,720 | | | | — | | | | 400,000 | | | | 1,134 | |
| Executive Vice President and | | | 2002 | | | | 315,000 | | | | 157,500 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,072 | |
| Chief Operating Officer | | | 2001 | | | | 249,923 | | | | 168,875 | | | | — | | | | 18,900 | | | | 1,072 | |
Dermot O’Carroll(6) | | | 2003 | | | | 253,000 | | | | 300,500 | | | | 1,084 | | | | 32,300 | | | | 861 | |
| Senior Vice President, | | | 2002 | | | | 226,600 | | | | 522,821 | | | | 1,834 | | | | — | | | | 771 | |
| Engineering & Network Operations | | | 2001 | | | | 226,092 | | | | 115,150 | | | | 16,488 | | | | — | | | | 771 | |
Charles van der Lee(6) | | | 2003 | | | | 287,000 | | | | 380,935 | | | | 1,087 | | | | 36,500 | | | | 976 | |
| President & Chief Executive | | | 2002 | | | | 265,000 | | | | 347,973 | | | | 3,548 | | | | — | | | | 902 | |
| Officer, Rogers Video | | | 2001 | | | | 264,654 | | | | 362,633 | | | | 16,543 | | | | — | | | | 902 | |
| |
(1) | The value of perquisites and benefits for each Named Executive Officer does not exceed the lesser of $50,000 and 10% of the total of the annual salary and bonus and is not reported herein. The amounts quoted in this column represent the taxable benefits on interest free loans. |
|
(2) | The amounts quoted in this column represent premiums paid by us for group term life insurance for each officer. |
|
(3) | Mr. Rogers was appointed President and Co-Chief Executive Officer in February 2003 and became President and Chief Executive Officer in June 2003. |
|
(4) | Mr. Tory resigned as an executive officer effective May 30, 2003 but continued in the employment of our company providing advisory services until December 31, 2003. See “Management — Employment Contracts”. |
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(5) | Mr. MacDonald will be leaving our company at the end of March 2004. |
|
(6) | The bonuses paid to Messrs. O’Carroll and van der Lee include a special bonus in furtherance of our retention arrangements. |
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Stock Options and SAR Grants
The following table sets forth individual grants of stock options by us during the last financial year to the Named Executive Officers.
Option/ SAR(1) Grants during the Year Ended December 31, 2003
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Market Value | | |
| | | | % of Total | | | | of Securities | | |
| | Securities | | Options/SARs | | | | Underlying | | |
| | Under | | Granted to | | | | Options/SARs | | |
| | Options/SARs | | Employees in | | Exercise or | | on the Date | | |
| | Granted | | Financial | | Base Price | | of Grant | | |
Name | | (#)(2) | | Year | | ($/Security) | | ($/Security) | | Expiration Date |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Edward Rogers | | | 500,000 | | | | 11.92 | % | | $ | 20.88 | | | $ | 20.88 | | | June 19, 2013 |
| | | 32,600 | | | | 0.78 | % | | $ | 17.37 | | | $ | 17.37 | | | April 22, 2013 |
| | | 18,000 | | | | 0.43 | % | | $ | 17.37 | | | $ | 17.37 | | | April 22, 2013 |
Robert Barker | | | 14,900 | | | | 0.36 | % | | $ | 20.84 | | | $ | 20.84 | | | November 12, 2013 |
Dean MacDonald | | | 400,000 | | | | 9.54 | % | | $ | 13.17 | | | $ | 13.17 | | | March 5, 2013 |
| | | 17,700 | | | | 0.42 | % | | $ | 17.37 | | | $ | 17.37 | | | April 22, 2013 |
Dermot O’Carroll | | | 14,600 | | | | 0.35 | % | | $ | 20.84 | | | $ | 20.84 | | | November 12, 2013 |
| | | 20,000 | | | | 0.48 | % | | $ | 17.37 | | | $ | 17.37 | | | April 22, 2013 |
Charles van der Lee | | | 16,500 | | | | 0.39 | % | | $ | 20.84 | | | $ | 20.84 | | | November 12, 2013 |
| |
(1) | We did not grant any stock appreciation rights (SARs) to the Named Executive Officers during 2003. |
|
(2) | Two stock option grants were issued during 2003. |
The following table sets forth each exercise of options during the last financial year by the Named Executive Officers.
Aggregate Option/ SAR Exercises during the Year Ended December 31, 2003
and Financial Year-End Option/ SAR Values
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Value of Unexercised |
| | | | | | Unexercised | | in-the-Money |
| | | | | | Options/SARs at | | Options/SARs at |
| | Securities | | | | December 31, 2003 | | December 31, 2003(1) |
| | Acquired on | | Aggregate Value | | Exercisable/ | | Exercisable/ |
Name | | Exercise(#) | | Realized($) | | Unexercisable(#) | | Unexercisable($) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Edward Rogers | | | — | | | | — | | | | 161,250/569,350(1) | | | | 481,186/359,422 | |
John H. Tory | | | 200,000 | | | | 2,982,623 | | | | 900,000/150,000(1) | | | | 6,020,000/— | |
Robert Barker | | | — | | | | — | | | | 160,000/72,900(1) | | | | —/78,910 | |
Dean MacDonald | | | — | | | | — | | | | 46,950/421,950(1) | | | | —/3,268,000 | |
Dermot O’Carroll | | | — | | | | — | | | | 61,350/41,050(1) | | | | 198,675/77,569 | |
Charles van der Lee | | | 43,750 | | | | 514,667 | | | | 91,850/45,250(1) | | | | 641,150/87,650 | |
| | | 751 | | | | 653 | | | | 1,253/500(2) | | | | 5,311/2,122 | |
| |
(1) | These amounts represent options granted between 1994 and 2003 for Class B Non-Voting Shares of RCI at exercise prices ranging from $6.29 to $36.35 per share. |
|
(2) | These amounts represent convertible preferred shares of RCI issued in 1994 pursuant to the 1991 Management Convertible Preferred Share Plan in the case of Mr. van der Lee, with a conversion price of $17.10 per Class B Non-Voting Share of RCI. An amount equal to the purchase price for shares acquired under the 1991 Plan is provided by us (or an affiliate) to the designated employee by an interest-free loan, repayable in installments over a ten-year period. The shares purchased by the employee are pledged as security for the loan. |
|
(3) | The closing price of Class B Non-Voting Shares of RCI on the Toronto Stock Exchange on December 31, 2003 was $21.34. |
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Pension Plans
Our employees participate in the RCI pension plans. We record our participation in the RCI pension plans as if we had a defined contribution plan. For the year ended December 31, 2003, we made contributions to the plans of $4.5 million, resulting in pension expense of the same amount. The RCI pension plans cover participants across the Rogers group of companies. The value of the accrued pension benefit obligations and the net assets in the RCI pension plans available to provide for these benefits for all Rogers group employees, at market, were $368.2 million and $336.1 million, at the measurement date of September 30, 2003.
The Named Executive Officers are members of the RCI defined benefit plan which credits annual pension, payable at age 65, of 2% of career average earnings for each year of credited service, except that earnings for years before 1997 are replaced by 1997 earnings. The pension benefits for all officers under the RCI defined benefit plan are limited to maximum amounts of $1,722.22 per year of service prior to January 1, 2004 and $1,833.33 per year of service after December 31, 2003, multiplied by years of credited service. Remuneration for pension purposes is defined as the total of salary and commissions not including overtime, bonuses or other special payments. The pensions are payable monthly for the lifetime of the Named Executive Officers and a maximum of 60 monthly payments are guaranteed. The expected years of service at normal retirement date and the estimated annual pensions (based on current levels of remuneration), including the benefits under the supplemental retirement plans described below, are:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Projected | | Estimated |
Executive Officers | | Service | | Benefit |
| |
| |
|
Edward Rogers(1) | | | 38 years | | | $ | 334,500 | |
John H. Tory | | | N/A | | | $ | 15,400 | |
Robert Barker(2) | | | 13 years | | | $ | 67,000 | |
Dean MacDonald(3) | | | 23 years | | | $ | 42,700 | |
Dermot O’Carroll | | | 19 years | | | $ | 34,200 | |
Charles van der Lee | | | 28 years | | | $ | 50,100 | |
| | |
| (1) | In conjunction with his pension, Mr. Rogers has a supplemental plan, which will pay an amount equal to 2% of career average earnings for each year of credited service. In addition, if Mr. Rogers should die after attaining the age of 55 and prior to having attained the age of 65, we will pay a death benefit of $1 million, payable in ten equal annual installments of $100,000 each. |
|
| (2) | In conjunction with his pension, Mr. Barker has a supplemental plan effective the first day of his employment with us. Both plans combined will pay an amount equal to 2% of the average of the last five years base salary multiplied by the number of years of service. |
|
| (3) | Mr. MacDonald will be leaving our company at the end of March 2004. |
Employment Contracts
Mr. Tory had an employment contract with us. This contract encompassed the compensation arrangements noted in this section. Mr. Tory resigned as an executive officer effective May 30, 2003 but continued in the employment of our company providing advisory services until December 31, 2003. During the period ending December 31, 2004, Mr. Tory has agreed that he will not be involved in the cable television or other programming distribution undertaking business, internet access business, or any other business which competes with our business in our licensed territories.
Each of Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Barker has a contract that provides that if his employment is terminated by us, other than for cause, he will receive an amount equal to 12 months salary, his benefits (except disability benefits) will continue for a period of 12 months, and stock options granted to him by us will continue to vest during the 12 month period. Each of Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Barker is prohibited from competing with us during the 12 month period. Mr. MacDonald will be leaving our company at the end of March 2004.
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Mr. O’Carroll’s contract provides that if his employment is terminated by us, other than for cause, he will be entitled to receive payments equal to his salary for a period of up to 24 months.
Mr. van der Lee’s employment contract provides that if his employment is terminated by us, other than for cause, he will be entitled to monthly payments of salary for a period of up to 24 months. Mr. van der Lee will also be entitled to receive his target bonus for the year and his benefits (except disability benefits), will continue during the period in which he is receiving the monthly payments of salary. If there is a change of control of us, Mr. van der Lee may elect to resign and would be entitled to the same compensation and benefits as if his employment had been terminated by us.
Indebtedness of Directors and Executive Officers
All indebtedness described below was incurred prior to July 30, 2002, the date the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 came into effect. In compliance with that legislation, no new personal loans to directors or executive officers were made or arranged, and no existing personal loans were renewed or modified, after July 30, 2002.
As of December 31, 2003 the aggregate indebtedness owed to us or any subsidiary by our present or former directors, officers and employees or of those of any subsidiary in connection with the purchase of securities of RCI totalled $197,647.
The following table sets forth the details of loans made by or outstanding to us during the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003 to our present or former directors, executive officers or senior officers and associates of such persons in connection with the purchase of securities of RCI.
Table of Indebtedness of Directors, Executive Officers
and Senior Officers under Securities Purchase Programs
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Financially Assisted | | |
| | | | Largest Amount | | | | Securities Purchases | | |
| | Involvement of | | Outstanding During the | | Amount Outstanding | | During the Financial | | |
| | Corporation or | | Financial Year Ended | | as at | | Year Ended | | Security for |
Name and Principal Position | | Subsidiary(1) | | December 31, 2003 | | December 31, 2003 | | December 31, 2003 | | Indebtedness |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Charles van der Lee | | Loan from Corporation | | $ | 42,818 | | | $ | 29,976 | | | | — | | | RCI Convertible Preferred Shares |
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(1) | This loan is non-interest bearing and is repayable over ten years with mandatory repayments of 5% on the first to sixth anniversaries of the loan, 10% on the seventh and eighth anniversaries, 15% on the ninth anniversary and 35% on the tenth anniversary. At any time Mr. van der Lee may prepay an amount equal to 10% of the principal amount for each complete year the loan has been outstanding less any mandatory repayments. |
As of December 31, 2003 the aggregate indebtedness to us of all present or former officers, directors and employees that was not entered into in connection with the purchase of securities was $1,594,849.
Table of Indebtedness of Directors, Executive Officers
and Senior Officers Other Than Under Securities Purchase Programs
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Largest Amount | | |
| | | | Outstanding During the | | |
| | Involvement of Corporation | | Financial Year Ended | | Amount Outstanding as |
Name and Principal Position | | or Subsidiary | | December 31, 2003 | | at December 31, 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
|
John H. Tory(1) | | | Loan from Corporation | | | $ | 475,000 | | | | — | |
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(1) | The non-interest bearing loan to Mr. Tory was made to provide assistance in purchasing a residence and was owed to RCI. |
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PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER
As of December 31, 2003, the only person or company who holds any of our voting shares is RCI. The following table contains information with respect to the holdings of RCI of our securities.
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | Number of |
Name and Jurisdiction | | Designation of Class | | Securities Owned |
| |
| |
|
Rogers Communications Inc. | | | Class A Common Shares | | | | 100,000,000 | |
(British Columbia) | | | Class B Common Shares | | | | 118,166,003 | |
| | | Fourth Preferred Shares | | | | 306,904 | |
| | | Seventh Preferred Shares | | | | 151,800 | |
To our knowledge, the only person or company beneficially owning, directly or indirectly, or exercising control or direction over, more than 10% of the outstanding voting shares of RCI is Edward S. Rogers, O.C., the President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of RCI and a director and the Chairman of Rogers Cable Inc., and certain companies owned or controlled by him and trusts for the benefit of Mr. Rogers and his family.
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CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
We have entered into a number of inter-company agreements with RCI, our parent company, and its other subsidiaries. These agreements govern the management, commercial and cost-sharing arrangements that we have with RCI and its other subsidiaries, including Rogers Wireless.
We monitor our intercompany and related party agreements to ensure the agreements remain beneficial to us. We are continually evaluating the expansion of existing arrangements and the entry into new agreements. Our agreements with the Rogers group of companies have historically focused on areas of operations in which joint or combined services provide efficiencies of scale or other synergies. For example, beginning in late 2001, RCI began managing the customer call centre operations of both our company and Rogers Wireless, with a goal of improving productivity, increasing service levels and reducing cost.
More recently, our arrangements with RCI and its other subsidiaries are increasingly focusing on sales and marketing activities. In February 2004, our board of directors approved two additional arrangements between Rogers Wireless and us:
| | |
| • | Distribution — We will receive management services from Rogers Wireless in connection with the distribution of our products and services through retail outlets and dealer channels. Rogers Wireless will also manage our e-commerce relationships and also will manage other distribution relationships for us if mutually agreed by Rogers Wireless and us. |
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| • | Rogers Business Services — Rogers Wireless will establish a division, Rogers Business Solutions, that will provide a single point of contact to offer the full range of our products and services, along with the Rogers Wireless products and services, to small and medium businesses and, in the case of telecommunication virtual private network services, to corporate business accounts and employees. |
The definitive terms and conditions of the agreements between Rogers Wireless and us relating to these arrangements will be subject to the approval of the audit committee of our board of directors.
In addition, we continue to look for other operations and activities that we can share or jointly operate with other companies within the Rogers group. Specifically, we are considering the expansion of inter-company arrangements relating to sales and marketing activities as well as other arrangements that may result in greater integration with other companies within the Rogers group. We also may receive billing and other services from Rogers Wireless in connection with our launch of local voice-over-cable telephony services. If Rogers Telecom assumes responsibility for providing voice-over-cable telephony services, we will enter into an agreement with Rogers Telecom relating to, among other things, the use of our network. In the future, market conditions may require us to further strengthen our arrangements to better coordinate and integrate our sales and marketing and operational activities with our affiliated companies. Any new arrangements will be entered into only if we believe such arrangements are in our best interests.
Arrangements with Affiliated Companies
Management Services Agreement. We have entered into a management services agreement with RCI under which RCI provides executive, administrative, financial, strategic planning, information technology and various additional services to us. Those services relate to, among other things, assistance with tax advice, Canadian regulatory matters, financial advice (including the preparation of business plans and financial projections and the evaluation of PP&E expenditure proposals), treasury services, service on our board of directors and on committees of our boards of directors and advice and assistance on relationships with employee groups, internal audits, purchasing and legal services. In return for these services, we have agreed to pay RCI a fee equal to 2% of our actual consolidated gross revenue. We have also agreed to reimburse RCI for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred in respect of additional services not specifically covered by the management services agreement provided to us.
Call Centres.We are a party to an agreement with RCI pursuant to which RCI provides customer service functions through its call centres. We pay RCI commissions for new subscriptions, products and service options purchased by subscribers through the call centres. We reimburse RCI for the cost of
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providing these services based on the actual costs incurred. We are not obligated to pay additional amounts and may receive a refund if costs, based on actual call volume multiplied by an agreed upon cost per call rate, are higher than actual costs. In addition, we own the assets used in the provision of services. This is a month to month agreement and is terminable upon ninety days notice.
Invoicing of Common Customers.Pursuant to an agreement with Rogers Wireless, Rogers Wireless purchases our accounts receivable for common subscribers who elect to receive a consolidated invoice. Rogers Wireless is compensated for costs of bad debts, billing costs and services and other determinable costs by purchasing receivables from us at a discount. The discount is based on actual costs incurred for the services provided and is reviewed periodically. The agreement is for a term of one year.
Accounts Receivable.RCI manages our subscriber account collection activities. We are responsible, however, for the costs incurred in the collection and handling of our accounts.
Real Estate.We lease, at market rates, office space from Rogers Wireless.
Wireless Services.We receive wireless services from Rogers Wireless. The fees we pay for such services are based on actual usage at market rates.
Distribution of Our Products and Services.Rogers Wireless has agreed to provide us with retail field support and to represent us in the promotion and sales of our business products and services. Under the retail field support agreement, Rogers Wireless pays retail sales representatives for achieving sales targets for cable products and services, and we reimburse Rogers Wireless for such payments.
Distribution of Rogers Wireless’ Products and Services.We have entered into an agreement with Rogers Wireless for the sale of Rogers Wireless’ products and services through our Rogers Video retail outlets. We receive commissions equivalent to amounts Rogers Wireless pays to third-party distributors for new subscriptions.
Transmission Facilities.We have entered into agreements with Rogers Wireless to share the construction and operating cost of certain co-located fibre-optic transmission and microwave facilities. The costs of those facilities are allocated based on usage or ownership as applicable. Since there are significant fixed costs associated with these transmission links, we have achieved economies of scale by sharing these facilities with Rogers Wireless, resulting in reduced capital costs. In addition, we pay Rogers Wireless for the use of its data, circuits, data transmission and links. The cost of these services is based on usage.
Advertising.We advertise our products and services through radio stations and other media outlets owned by Rogers Media. We receive a discount from the customary rates of Rogers Media. Rogers Media also has agreed to compensate us for the placement of advertising on one of our channels.
Other Cost Sharing and Services Agreements.We have entered into other cost sharing and services agreements with RCI and its subsidiaries in the areas of accounting, purchasing, human resources, accounts payable processing, remittance processing, payroll processing, e-commerce, the RCI data centre and other common services and activities. Generally, these services are provided to us and other RCI subsidiaries by RCI and have renewable terms of one year and may be terminated by either party on 30 to 90 days notice. To the extent that RCI incurs expenses and makes PP&E expenditures, these costs are typically reimbursed by us, on a cost recovery basis, in accordance with the services provided on our behalf by RCI.
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Summary of Charges from (to) Related Parties
The following table provides a summary of all significant charges from (to) related parties, which have been accounted for at exchange amounts:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 2003 | | 2002 | | 2001 |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
| | (in thousands of dollars) |
RCI: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Management fees | | $ | 35,385 | | | $ | 31,745 | | | $ | 28,781 | |
| Interest on notes payable | | | 2,867 | | | | 4,687 | | | | 12,036 | |
| Interest related to capital leases | | | 265 | | | | 300 | | | | 318 | |
| Cost of shared operating expenses | | | 84,375 | | | | 85,604 | | | | 25,238 | |
| Cost of PP&E(1) | | | 13,473 | | | | 10,906 | | | | 21,238 | |
RCIL: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Dividends earned | | | (4,488 | ) | | | (5,447 | ) | | | (32,228 | ) |
| Dividends paid | | | 4,488 | | | | 5,447 | | | | 32,228 | |
Rogers Wireless: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Wireless products and services for resale | | | 14,926 | | | | 10,116 | | | | 3,800 | |
| Subscriber activation commissions and customer service | | | (9,511 | ) | | | (8,817 | ) | | | (381 | ) |
| Rent expense | | | 3,516 | | | | 3,587 | | | | 3,552 | |
| Wireless products and services | | | 2,355 | | | | 2,214 | | | | 2,131 | |
| Consolidated billing services | | | 1,499 | | | | 655 | | | | — | |
| Transmission facilities purchased | | | (440 | ) | | | (440 | ) | | | (442 | ) |
Rogers Media: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Access fees | | | (5,771 | ) | | | (5,534 | ) | | | (4,885 | ) |
| Advertising and production costs | | | 2,910 | | | | 3,000 | | | | 2,679 | |
| Sales commissions | | | 872 | | | | 646 | | | | 349 | |
| Programming fees | | | 18,488 | | | | 17,303 | | | | 16,277 | |
Other: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Programming fees paid to related broadcasters | | | 18,967 | | | | 16,949 | | | | 13,559 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | $ | 184,176 | | | $ | 172,921 | | | $ | 124,250 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
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(1) | Cost of PP&E primarily related to expenditures on information technology infrastructure and call centre technologies. |
We entered into certain transactions with companies, the partners or senior officers of which are directors of our company or RCI. During 2003, 2002 and 2001, total amounts paid by us to these related parties for legal services and commissions paid on premiums for insurance coverage aggregated $0.8 million, $1.9 million and $3.4 million, respectively, and for interest charges and telecommunications services aggregated $4.0 million, nil and nil, respectively.
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DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
Bank Credit Facility
Effective January 31, 2002, we entered into an amended and restated bank credit facility with a group of financial institutions that provides for a total credit facility of up to $1,075 million. This bank credit facility replaced our previous bank credit facility. In September 2003, we amended this bank credit facility to eliminate the possibility of earlier than scheduled maturity of the tranche B credit facility and established a carve-out as described in the reduction schedule shown below. The following summary describes certain provisions of the bank credit facility as set out in the second amended and restated loan agreement as of January 31, 2002 for the bank credit facility, although the following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the loan agreement.
The bank credit facility provides for two separate facilities: (1) a $600.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, which we refer to as the “tranche A credit facility” and which will mature on January 2, 2009, and (2) a $475.0 million senior secured reducing/revolving credit facility, which we refer to as the “tranche B credit facility”. Subject to the following paragraph, the tranche B bank credit facility is available on a revolving/reducing basis, with the original amount of credit available under the tranche B credit facility scheduled to reduce as follows:
| | | | |
| | Percentage Reduction |
Date of Reduction | | of Original |
on each January 2, | | Commitment Amount |
| |
|
2006 | | | 25 | % |
2007 | | | 25 | % |
2008 | | | 25 | % |
2009 | | | 25 | % |
Of the $475.0 million availability under the tranche B credit facility, $400.0 million is reserved to repay the aggregate amount of our senior secured second priority notes due 2005 that is outstanding from time to time. When all or any portion of these notes is repaid from time to time from any source, including the tranche B credit facility, the $400.0 million reserved amount is reduced by an amount equal to the repayment and such amount of the tranche B credit facility becomes fully available to us.
The interest rates charged for borrowings under the bank credit facility are based on the ratio of our consolidated total debt to annualized operating cash flow. The interest rate increases as this ratio increases. Borrowings under the tranche A credit facility bear interest at a rate equal to, at our option, (1) the bank’s prime rate or base rate plus the applicable margin of 0% to 1.75% per year or (2) the London inter-bank offered rate or the bankers’ acceptance rate plus the applicable margin of 0.875% to 2.75% per year. Borrowings under the tranche B credit facility bear interest at a rate equal to, at our option, (1) the bank’s prime rate or base rate plus the applicable margin of 0% to 2.25% per year or (2) the London inter-bank offered rate or the bankers’ acceptance rate plus the applicable margin of 1.0% to 3.25% per year. The lenders under the bank credit facility are paid stand-by fees on the unutilized commitments under each of the tranche A credit facility and tranche B credit facility ranging from 25% to 35% of the applicable margin for the London inter-bank offered rate or the bankers’ acceptance rate for each facility as described above, with the stand-by fee decreasing as the level of unutilized commitments decreases.
Our obligations under the bank credit facility are secured by a bond issued by us under a deed of trust and pledged to the agent bank for itself and for the other bank lenders as security for the satisfaction of these obligations. RCCI has assumed, as co-obligor, our obligations under the deed of trust, including under the bond. This bond ranks equally with the bonds that secure our other senior secured debt, including the bond that secures the old notes and that will secure our obligations under the new notes. However, pursuant to the terms of an inter-creditor agreement and the terms of the indentures governing our existing senior secured second priority securities, the proceeds of any enforcement of the security under the deed of trust will be applied first to repay any of our obligations under the tranche A credit facility and any other debt that ranks equally under the deed of trust with outstanding debt under the tranche A credit facility. All additional proceeds will then be applied pro rata to repay all of our other obligations secured by senior bonds.
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The bank credit facility contains covenants that restrict our ability to, among other things:
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| • | incur additional debt; |
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| • | create liens; |
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| • | pay dividends or make other restricted payments; |
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| • | make asset sales; |
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| • | enter into transactions with affiliates; |
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| • | make investments; and |
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| • | merge, amalgamate or consolidate with any other person. |
The bank credit facility also requires us to comply with a number of financial ratios on a quarterly basis and provides for various events of default, including, among other things:
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| • | a default in the payment of interest or principal; |
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| • | a breach of any term, condition or covenant that is not cured within 30 days after receipt of notice of the breach, or the breach of any financial covenant that is not cured within 15 days after receipt of notice of the breach; |
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| • | an acceleration of, or default on payment of, our other indebtedness or certain indebtedness of our subsidiaries in excess of $25.0 million; |
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| • | the rendering of any final judgment against us our any of our restricted subsidiaries in an amount in excess of $25.0 million which remains in effect for more than 30 days; |
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| • | a change in control of us; and |
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| • | various events relating to the bankruptcy or insolvency of us or any of our restricted subsidiaries. |
At December 31, 2003, we had $36.0 million of outstanding indebtedness under our bank credit facility.
Existing Senior Secured Second Priority Securities
In 1995, we issued US$450.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10% senior secured second priority notes due 2005. The 10% senior secured second priority notes due 2005 were issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of March 20, 1995, among us, certain subsidiary guarantors and Chemical Bank, as trustee, as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture dated as of May 29, 1996 and by a second supplemental indenture dated as of December 31, 2003, pursuant to which RCCI became a co-obligor, jointly and severally liable with us, of the 10% senior secured second priority notes due 2005.
In February 2002, we issued Cdn$450.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.60% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2007. The 7.60% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2007 were issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of February 5, 2002, among us and CIBC Mellon Trust Company, as trustee, as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture dated as of December 31, 2003, pursuant to which RCCI became a co-obligor, jointly and severally liable with us, of the 7.60% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2007.
In April 2002, we issued US$350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2012 and US$200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.750% senior (secured) second priority debentures due 2032. The 7.875% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2012 were issued pursuant to an indenture dated April 30, 2002 between us and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee, as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture dated as of December 31, 2003, pursuant to which RCCI became a co-obligor, jointly and severally liable with us, of the 7.875% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2012. The 8.750% senior (secured) second priority debentures due 2032 were issued pursuant to an indenture dated April 30, 2002 between us and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as
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trustee, as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture dated as of December 31, 2003, pursuant to which RCCI became a co-obligor, jointly and severally liable with us, of the 8.750% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2032.
In June 2003, we issued US$350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.25% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2013. The 6.25% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2013 were issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of June 19, 2003, among us and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee, as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture dated as of December 31, 2003, pursuant to which RCCI became a co-obligor, jointly and severally liable with us, of the 6.25% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2013.
At December 31, 2003, we had US$291.5 million outstanding under the 10% senior secured second priority notes due 2005, Cdn$450.0 million outstanding under the 7.60% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2007, US$350.0 million outstanding under the 7.875% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2012, US$350.0 million outstanding under the 6.25% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2013 and US$200.0 million outstanding under the 8.750% senior (secured) second priority debentures due 2032.
The 10% senior secured second priority notes due 2005, the 7.60% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2007, the 7.875% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2012, the 6.25% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2013 and the 8.750% senior (secured) second priority debentures due 2032 are referred to in this prospectus as the “existing senior secured second priority securities”.
The existing senior secured second priority securities are senior secured obligations and rank equally with all of our other senior debt, including debt outstanding under our bank credit facility and the notes. The existing senior secured second priority securities are secured by senior bonds issued under the deed of trust in the same manner and to the same extent as the notes. However, pursuant to the terms of an inter-creditor agreement and the terms of the indentures governing our existing senior secured second priority securities, the proceeds of any enforcement of the security under the deed of trust will be applied first to repay any of our obligations under the tranche A credit facility of our bank credit facility and any other debt that ranks equally under the deed of trust with outstanding debt under the tranche A credit facility. All additional proceeds will then be applied pro rata to repay all of our other obligations secured by senior bonds.
The existing senior secured second priority securities are guaranteed on a secured basis by RCCI, which has pledged all its assets to secure our obligations under the senior bonds issued under the deed of trust, in each case subject to certain exceptions and prior liens.
Interest on the existing senior secured second priority securities is payable semiannually on:
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| • | March 15 and September 15 of each year with respect to the 10% senior secured second priority notes due 2005; |
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| • | February 6 and August 6 of each year with respect to the 7.60% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2007; |
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| • | May 1 and November 1 of each year with respect to the 7.875% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2012; |
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| • | June 15 and December 15 of each year with respect to 6.25% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2013; and |
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| • | May 1 and November 1 of each year with respect to the 8.750% senior (secured) second priority debentures due 2032. |
The 10% senior secured second priority notes due 2005 bear interest at a rate of 10% per year and mature on March 15, 2005. The 7.60% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2007 bear interest at a rate of 7.60% per year and mature on February 6, 2007. The 7.875% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2012 bear interest at a rate of 7.875% per year and mature on May 1, 2012. The 6.25% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2013 bear interest at a rate of 6.25% per year and mature on June 15,
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2013. The 8.750% senior (secured) second priority debentures bear interest at a rate of 8.750% per year and mature on May 1, 2032.
The 10% senior secured second priority notes due 2005 are not redeemable at our option prior to maturity, except in certain circumstances as set forth in the respective indentures. The 7.60% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2007, the 7.875% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2012, the 6.25% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2013 and the 8.750% senior (secured) second priority debentures due 2032 are redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, at any time on not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice. Such securities are redeemable at the redemption prices set forth in the respective indentures, plus accrued interest to the date of redemption.
If we experience a change in control, we will be obligated, subject to certain conditions, to offer to purchase all of the outstanding existing senior secured second priority securities, other than the 7.60% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2007, the 7.875% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2012, the 6.25% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2013 and the 8.750% senior (secured) second priority debentures due 2032, at a purchase price of 101% of the principal amount of such securities plus accrued interest to the date of purchase. In addition, in the case of the 7.875% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2012, the 6.25% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2013 and the 8.750% senior (secured) second priority debentures due 2032, if we experience a change in control and two of the three rating agencies stipulated in the various indentures governing such securities downgrade such securities in the manner set forth in those indentures, we will be obligated, subject to certain conditions, to offer to purchase such securities at a purchase price of 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest to the date of purchase. Under the indentures pursuant to which the 7.60% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2007, the 7.875% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2012, the 6.25% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2013 and the 8.750% senior (secured) second priority debentures due 2032 were issued, securities are downgraded if two of the following three rating agencies — S&P, Moody’s and Fitch IBCA — either rate the securities below an investment grade rating or, if the securities are not so rated, two of the three rating agencies decrease the rating for the securities by one or more rating levels. Under the indentures pursuant to which the existing senior secured second priority securities were issued, a “change in control” is deemed to occur on the first day on which the family of Edward S. Rogers and RCI collectively cease, directly or indirectly, to have the power to control voting securities representing a majority of the total voting power of all of our classes of capital stock.
The indentures pursuant to which the existing senior secured second priority securities were issued contain covenants that restrict our ability to, among other things:
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| • | incur additional debt; |
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| • | create liens; |
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| • | pay dividends or make other restricted payments; |
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| • | make asset sales; |
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| • | enter into transactions with affiliates; |
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| • | make investments; and |
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| • | merge, amalgamate or consolidate with, or sell substantially all of our assets to, any other person. |
The indentures pursuant to which the existing senior secured second priority securities were issued provide for various events of default, including, among other things:
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| • | a default in the payment of interest or principal; |
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| • | a breach of any covenant that is not cured within 60 days after receipt of notice of the breach; |
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| • | an acceleration of, or default on payment of, our other indebtedness or certain indebtedness of our restricted subsidiaries in excess of $20.0 million (in our most restrictive indentures); |
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| • | the rendering of any final judgment against us our any of our restricted subsidiaries in an amount in excess of $20.0 million (in our most restrictive indentures) which remains in effect for more than 60 days; |
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| • | a change in control of us; and |
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| • | various events relating to the bankruptcy or insolvency of our company or one of our restricted subsidiaries. |
The foregoing summary describes certain provisions of the indentures pursuant to which the existing senior secured second priority securities were issued and the terms of the notes. The foregoing summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to each of the respective indentures.
Existing Senior Subordinated Guaranteed Debentures
In 1995, we issued US$125.0 million aggregate principal amount of 11% senior subordinated guaranteed debentures due 2015. The 11% senior subordinated guaranteed debentures due 2015 were issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of November 30, 1995, among us, certain subsidiary guarantors and Chemical Bank, as trustee, as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture dated as of December 31, 2003, pursuant to which RCCI became a co-obligor, jointly and severally liable with us, of the 11% senior subordinated guaranteed debentures due 2015. At December 31, 2003, we had US$113.7 million outstanding under the 11% subordinated guaranteed debentures due 2015. We refer to the 11% subordinated guaranteed debentures due 2015 in this prospectus as the “existing senior subordinated guaranteed debentures”.
The existing senior subordinated guaranteed debentures are senior subordinated unsecured obligations and are subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior debt, including debt under our bank credit facility, the existing senior secured second priority securities and the notes. The existing senior subordinated guaranteed debentures are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by RCCI.
The existing senior subordinated guaranteed debentures bear interest at a rate of 11% per year payable semiannually on June 1 and December 1 of each year and mature on December 1, 2015. The existing senior subordinated guaranteed debentures are redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, at any time on or after December 1, 2005 at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture pursuant to which the existing senior subordinated guaranteed debentures were issued, plus accrued interest to the date of redemption.
If we experience a change in control, we will be obligated, subject to certain conditions, to offer to purchase all of the outstanding existing senior subordinated guaranteed debentures at a purchase price of 101% of the principal amount of the securities plus accrued interest to the date of purchase. Under the indenture pursuant to which the existing senior subordinated guaranteed debentures were issued, a “change in control” is deemed to occur on the first day on which the family of Edward S. Rogers and RCI collectively cease, directly or indirectly, to have the power to control voting securities representing a majority of the total voting power of all of our classes of capital stock.
The indentures pursuant to which the existing senior subordinated guaranteed debentures were issued contain covenants and events of default that are substantially similar to those contained in the indentures governing the existing senior secured second priority securities.
The foregoing summary describes certain provisions of the indenture pursuant to which the existing senior subordinated guaranteed debentures were issued and the terms of the notes. The foregoing summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such indenture.
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Inter-Company Debt
The terms of certain of our outstanding indebtedness permit us to have outstanding debt to RCI and its affiliates under certain circumstances and subject to certain conditions. This debt may be “inter-company subordinated debt” or “inter-company deeply subordinated debt” and may be interest bearing or non-interest bearing and payable on demand or otherwise.
Inter-company subordinated debt is unsecured and ranks junior to debt issued under our bank credit facility, as well as to the existing senior secured second priority securities, the existing senior subordinated guaranteed debentures and the notes. We may make payments of principal or interest on inter-company subordinated debt as long as there is no event of default under our debt instruments. Inter-company subordinated debt is generally included in debt for purposes of financial covenant calculations under the terms of the bank credit facility, the existing senior secured second priority securities and the existing senior subordinated guaranteed debentures.
Inter-company deeply subordinated debt is unsecured and also ranks junior to debt issued under our bank credit facility, as well as to the existing senior secured second priority securities, the existing senior subordinated guaranteed debentures and the notes. Inter-company deeply subordinated debt is not treated as debt for purposes of financial covenant calculations as all payments on inter-company deeply subordinated debt are restricted payments, generally treated in the same manner as dividends on our capital stock.
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DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
The old notes were issued and the new notes (referred to as the “Notes” throughout this section) will be issued under an indenture to be dated as of March 11, 2004 (the “Indenture”), between Rogers Cable and JPMorgan Chase Bank as trustee (the “Trustee”). The terms of the new Notes will be identical in all material respects to the terms of the old Notes, except that the new Notes will be registered under the Securities Act and will be issued free from any covenant requiring registration, including terms providing for an increase in the interest rate on the old Notes upon a failure to file or have declared effective an exchange offer registration statement or to consummate the exchange offer by certain dates. Upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, the Indenture will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The following summary of material terms of the Indenture does not purport to be complete, and where reference is made to particular provisions of the Indenture, such provisions, including the definitions of certain terms, are incorporated by reference as a part of such summaries or terms, which are qualified in their entirety by such reference. The definitions of capitalized terms used in the following summary are set forth below under the subsection entitled “— Certain Definitions”. Capitalized terms that are used in this section but not otherwise defined in this section have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture and such definitions are incorporated herein by reference. Section references herein are to sections of the Indenture. As used in this Description of Notes, “Rogers Cable” means Rogers Cable Inc. and its successors under the Indenture, but not any of its subsidiaries and “RCCI” means Rogers Cable Communications, Inc.
General
The Notes will mature on March 15, 2014. The Notes will be senior obligations of Rogers Cable secured as described below. Each Note will bear interest at the rate set forth on the cover page hereof from and including March 11, 2004 or from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid, payable semiannually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, to the person in whose name the Notes (or any predecessor Note) is registered at the close of business on the March 1 or September 1 next preceding such interest payment date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
Rogers Cable may from time to time without notice to, or the consent of, the Holders of the Notes, create and issue additional Notes under the Indenture, equal in rank to the Notes in all respects (or in all respects except for the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of the new Notes or except for the first payment of interest following the issue date of the new Notes) so that the new Notes may be consolidated and form a single series with the Notes and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Notes, as applicable. In the event that additional Notes are issued, Rogers Cable will prepare a new offering memorandum or prospectus.
Principal of and interest on the Notes will be payable, and the Notes will be exchangeable and transferable, at the office or agency of Rogers Cable in The City of New York (which initially will be the corporate trust office of the Trustee, JPMorgan Chase Bank, 4 New York Plaza, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10004);provided, however, that payment of interest may be made at the option of Rogers Cable by check mailed to the person entitled thereto as shown on the Security Register;provided furtherthat all payments of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest on the Notes, the Holders of which have given wire transfer instructions to the Company or its agent at least 10 business days prior to the applicable payment date, will be required to be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by such holders in such instructions. Any such wire transfer instructions received by the Company or its agent shall remain in effect until revoked by such holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the final payment of principal shall be payable only upon surrender of the Note to the Paying Agent. (Sections 301, 305 and 1002) The Notes will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons, in denominations of US$1,000 or any integral multiple thereof. (Section 302) No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange or redemption of Notes, except for certain taxes or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange. (Section 305)
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The Notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.
In the event that (a) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has not been declared effective on or prior to the 180th day following the date of original issue of the old Notes or (b) the Exchange Offer is not consummated or a Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective on or prior to the 210th day following the date of original issue of the old Notes, the rate per annum at which the old Notes bear interest will be increased temporarily. See the section entitled “Exchange Offer; Registration Rights”.
All old Notes and new Notes are treated as a single class of securities for all purposes under the Indenture.
Ranking
The Notes will be senior obligations of Rogers Cable and will rankpari passuwith all other existing and future senior indebtedness of Rogers Cable, including Rogers Cable’s indebtedness under our bank credit facility and the Existing Senior Secured Second Priority Securities, and will rank senior to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness of Rogers Cable, including indebtedness under the Existing Senior Subordinated Guaranteed Debentures. However, in the event of the enforcement of the security under the Deed of Trust, the Notes will be second in right of payment to certain of our other senior secured indebtedness. See the subsection entitled “— Prior Security Interests to the Security for the Notes”.
Security
The Notes initially will be secured by a Trust Bond issued by Rogers Cable and pledged to the Trustee pursuant to a Pledge Agreement between Rogers Cable and the Trustee. The Trust Bond is, in turn, secured by security interests in substantially all the assets of Rogers Cable and RCCI, subject to certain exceptions and prior liens, pursuant to the Deed of Trust and related documents. Rogers Cable’s obligations under the Deed of Trust Bonds are guaranteed by RCCI and will be guaranteed by any other future Restricted Subsidiary. RCCI has pledged and any other future Restricted Subsidiary will pledge, substantially all of its assets, subject to certain exceptions and prior liens, to secure its respective guarantee under the Deed of Trust. See the section entitled “Description of Collateral for the Notes”.
In the event that (i) on apro formabasis giving effect to the release of the security for the Notes and any other Debt of Rogers Cable with similar release provisions, (A) no Debt of Rogers Cable would be outstanding and (B) there would be no availability to Rogers Cable under any bank credit facilities or operating credit facilities or swap agreements, in the case of each of (A) and (B) that is or are secured by a Lien of the Pledge Agreement or any Collateral Document or any other Lien on the Deed of Trust Collateral, (ii) the ratings assigned to the Notes by at least two of the three Rating Agencies are Investment Grade Ratings, (iii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture and (iv) RCCI or, if a Successor Entity exists, such Successor Entity shall either (A) assume as co-obligor, by supplemental indenture, all of the obligations of Rogers Cable under the Notes and the Indenture or (B) guarantee the obligations of Rogers Cable under the Notes and the Indenture on a senior unsecured basis then, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, Rogers Cable may permanently release the collateral securing the Notes and the Notes will thereafter be senior unsecured obligations of Rogers Cable and subject to the covenants described below under the subsection entitled“— Certain Covenants as Senior Unsecured Notes”. Rogers Cable shall notify the Rating Agencies and the Trustee of its intention to exercise its option to release the collateral at least 45 days prior to the proposed date of such release (the “Release Date”). If on the proposed Release Date each of the conditions specified above has been satisfied and Rogers Cable has not been notified by at least two of the three Rating Agencies that the ratings assigned to the Notes will be downgraded as a result of the release of the security such that the ratings assigned to the Notes will be below Investment Grade, then Rogers Cable may permanently terminate the Liens of the Pledge Agreement or any Collateral Document and any other Lien on the Deed of Trust Collateral. (Section 1018)
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Prior Security Interests to the Security for the Notes
The proceeds of any enforcement of the security under the Deed of Trust and any proceeds of the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary prior to the Release Date will be applied first to repay any obligations of Rogers Cable under the tranche A credit facility of any bank credit facility and any other Tranche A-Type Debt. All additional proceeds will be appliedpro ratato repay all other obligations of Rogers Cable secured by Deed of Trust Bonds, including the Notes, debt under the tranche B credit facility of any bank credit facility, the Existing Senior Secured Second Priority Securities and certain interest rate and currency swaps.
At December 31, 2003, after giving effect to the redemption of Rogers Cable’s 9.65% senior secured second priority debentures due 2014, the issuance of the old Notes and the application of the net proceeds from the issuance of the old Notes as described under the section entitled “Use of Proceeds”, we would have had no amount outstanding under the tranche A credit facility of our bank credit facility and $2,635.1 million of senior secured debt outstanding.
Under the Indenture, Rogers Cable may in the future create Tranche A-Type Debt,providedthat (i) the aggregate amount committed under the tranche A credit facility of any bank credit facility plus the aggregate amount of all outstanding or committed Tranche A-Type Debt may not exceed $600.0 million and (ii) the ratio of all such debt to Rogers Cable’s Annualized Operating Cash Flow for the most recent fiscal quarter prior to the creation of such Tranche A-Type Debt may not exceed 3.0 to 1.
Optional Redemption
The Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of Rogers Cable at any time at a redemption price equal to the greater of:
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| (1) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, and |
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| (2) as determined by the Quotation Agent, the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes (not including any portion of the payments of interest accrued as of the date of redemption) discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate plus 35 basis points, |
plus, in each case, accrued interest thereon to the date of redemption.
“Adjusted Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for the redemption date.
“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Notes.
“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for the redemption date.
“Quotation Agent” means Citigroup Global Markets Inc. or such other Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by Rogers Cable.
“Reference Treasury Dealer” means (1) Citigroup Global Markets Inc. or its successor;provided, however, that if it shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), Rogers Cable shall substitute for it another Primary Treasury Dealer; and (2) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by Rogers Cable.
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“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Reference Treasury Dealer, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted by the Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m. on the third business day preceding the redemption date.
Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed.
Unless Rogers Cable defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions of the Notes called for redemption.
In the case of a partial redemption of Notes, selection of such Notes for redemption will be made on a pro rata basis. If any Note is redeemed in part, the notice of redemption relating to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed;providedthat no Note in an aggregate principal amount of US$1,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. A replacement Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. (Sections 1104 and 1108)
Redemption Upon Changes in Withholding Taxes
The Notes will also be subject to redemption as a whole, but not in part, at the option of Rogers Cable at any time, on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior written notice, at 100% of the principal amount, together with accrued interest thereon to the redemption date, in the event Rogers Cable has become or would become obligated to pay, on the next date on which any amount would be payable with respect to the Notes, any Additional Amounts with respect to the Notes as a result of a change in the laws (including any regulations promulgated thereunder) or treaties of Canada (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein), or any change in any official position regarding the application or interpretation of such laws, rulings, treaties or regulations, which change is announced or becomes effective on or after March 8, 2004. (Sections 1101 and 1105) See the subsection entitled“— Additional Amounts”.
Certain Definitions
Set forth below is a summary of certain of the defined terms used in the Indenture. Reference is made to the Indenture for the full definition of all such terms.
“Affiliate”means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Annualized Operating Cash Flow”means, for any fiscal quarter, the Operating Cash Flow for such fiscal quarter multiplied by four.
“Attributable Debt”means, as of the date of its determination, the present value (discounted semiannually at the interest rate implicit in the terms of the lease) of the obligation of a lessee for rental payments pursuant to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction (reduced by the amount of the rental obligations of any sublessee of all or part of the same property) during the remaining term of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which the lease relating thereto has been extended), such rental payments not to include amounts payable by the lessee for maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments and similar charges and for contingent rates (such as those based on sales),provided, however, that in the case of any Sale and Leaseback Transaction in which the lease is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, Attributable Debt shall mean the lesser of the present value of (i) the rental payments to be paid under such Sale and Leaseback Transaction until the first date (after
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the date of such determination) upon which it may be so terminated plus the then applicable penalty upon such termination and (ii) the rental payments required to be paid during the remaining term of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction (assuming such termination provision is not exercised).
“bank credit facility”means any credit agreement or working capital facility among Rogers Cable and/or its Subsidiaries and one or more lenders, as such credit agreement or working capital facility may be amended, renewed, extended, substituted, refinanced, restructured, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified (including with other lenders) from time to time, regardless of whether any other credit agreement or working capital facility or any portion thereof was outstanding or in effect at the time of such amendment, renewal, extension, substitution, refinancing, restructuring, replacement, supplement or modification.
“Capital Lease Obligation”means, with respect to any Person, an obligation incurred or assumed in the ordinary course of business under or in connection with any capital lease of real or personal property which, in accordance with GAAP, has been recorded as a capitalized lease.
“Capital Stock”means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or equivalents (however designated) of such Person’s capital stock whether now outstanding or issued after the date of the Indenture, including, without limitation, all common stock and preferred stock.
“Collateral Documents”means, collectively, the Trust Bond, the Deed of Trust, the Pledge Agreement, the Inter-Creditor Agreement and each other agreement or instrument executed and delivered pursuant to or in connection with any thereof or which otherwise contains a guarantee of, or grants a Lien to secure, the Trust Bond or any guarantee thereof.
“Commission”means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or if at any time after the execution of the Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the U.S. Trust Indenture Act of 1939, then the body performing such duties at such time.
“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets”means the Consolidated Tangible Assets of any Person, less such Person’s current liabilities.
“Consolidated Tangible Assets”means the Tangible Assets of any Person after eliminating inter-company items, determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP including appropriate deductions for any minority interest in Tangible Assets of such Person’s Restricted Subsidiaries.
“Consolidation”means the consolidation of the accounts of the Restricted Subsidiaries with those of Rogers Cable, if and to the extent the accounts of each such Restricted Subsidiary would normally be consolidated with those of Rogers Cable, all in accordance with GAAP;provided, however, that “Consolidation” will not include consolidation of the accounts of any Unrestricted Subsidiary. For purposes of clarification, it is understood that the accounts of Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary include the accounts of any partnership, the beneficial interests in which are controlled (in accordance with GAAP) by Rogers Cable or any such Restricted Subsidiary. The term “Consolidated” has a correlative meaning.
“Debt”means, with respect to any Person, without duplication and (except as provided in clause (i) below) without regard to any interest component thereof (whether actual or imputed) that is not due and payable:
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| (i) money borrowed (including, without limitation, by way of overdraft) or indebtedness represented by notes payable and drafts accepted representing extensions of credit; |
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| (ii) the face amount of any drafts of a corporation in Canadian dollars and accepted by a Canadian lender for discount in Canada; |
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| (iii) all obligations (whether or not with respect to the borrowing of money) which are evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments or not so evidenced but which would be considered to be indebtedness for borrowed money in accordance with GAAP; |
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| (iv) all liabilities upon which interest charges are customarily paid by such Person; |
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| (v) shares of Disqualified Stock not held by Rogers Cable or a wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiary; |
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| (vi) Capital Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Obligations, determined in each case in accordance with GAAP; and |
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| (vii) any guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business) in any manner of any part or all of an obligation included in clauses (i) through (vi) above; |
providedthat “Debt” shall not include (A) trade payables and accrued liabilities which are current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business, (B) Inter-Company Deeply Subordinated Debt and (C) except as otherwise expressly provided in the Indenture, Inter-Company Subordinated Debt.
“Deed of Trust”means the Restated Deed of Trust and Mortgage dated as of January 31, 1995, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Deed of Trust and Mortgage dated as of December 31, 2003, among Rogers Cable, RCCI and the Deed Trustee as in effect on the date hereof and as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Deed of Trust Bonds”means, collectively, the Trust Bond and any other bonds from time to time issued and outstanding under the Deed of Trust.
“Deed of Trust Collateral”means, collectively, all of the property and assets that are intended from time to time to secure the Deed of Trust Bonds or any guarantee thereof pursuant to the Collateral Documents.
“Deed Trustee”means National Trust Company, a trust company subsisting under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada and its successors and assigns, as trustee under the Deed of Trust.
“Default”means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Deferred Management Fees”means, for any period, any Management Fees that were payable during any prior period, the payment of which was not effected when due.
“Disqualified Stock”means any Capital Stock of Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the option of the holder) or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the maturity date of the Notes for cash or securities constituting Debt;providedthat shares of Preferred Stock of Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary that are issued with the benefit of provisions requiring a change in control offer to be made for such shares in the event of a change in control of Rogers Cable or such Restricted Subsidiary, which provisions have substantially the same effect as the relevant provisions of the Indenture described under the subsection entitled “— Change in Control”, shall not be deemed to be “Disqualified Stock” solely by virtue of such provisions. For purposes of this definition, the term “Debt” includes Inter-Company Subordinated Debt.
“Exchange Act”means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as in force at the date as of which the Indenture is executed.
“Exchange Notes”means the Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer evidencing the same indebtedness as the Notes.
“Exchange Offer”means the exchange offer that may be effected pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Excluded Assets”means (i) all Existing Excluded Assets; (ii) all assets of any Person other than Rogers Cable or a Restricted Subsidiary; (iii) Investments in the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted
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Subsidiary held by Rogers Cable or a Restricted Subsidiary; (iv) any Investment by Rogers Cable or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent paid for with cash or other property that constitutes Excluded Assets or Excluded Securities, so long as at the time of acquisition thereof and after giving effect thereto there exists no Default or Event of Default; and (v) proceeds of the sale of any Excluded Assets or Excluded Securities received by Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary from a Person other than Rogers Cable or a Restricted Subsidiary.
“Excluded Securities”means any Debt, Preferred Stock or Common Stock issued by Rogers Cable, or any Debt or Preferred Stock issued by any Restricted Subsidiary, in either case to an Affiliate thereof other than Rogers Cable or a Restricted Subsidiary;providedthat, at all times, such Excluded Securities shall:
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| (i) in the case of Debt not owed to Rogers Cable or a Restricted Subsidiary, constitute Inter-Company Deeply Subordinated Debt; |
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| (ii) in the case of Debt, not be guaranteed by Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary unless such guarantee shall constitute Inter-Company Deeply Subordinated Debt; |
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| (iii) in the case of Debt, not be secured by any assets or property of Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary; |
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| (iv) provide by its terms that interest or dividends thereon shall be payable only to the extent that, after giving effect to any such payment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and |
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| (v) provide by its terms that no payment (other than payments in the form of Excluded Securities) on account of principal (at maturity, by operation of sinking fund or mandatory redemption or otherwise) or other payment on account of redemption, repurchase, retirement or acquisition of such Excluded Security shall be permitted until the earlier of (x) the final Stated Maturity of the Notes or (y) the date on which all principal of and interest on Notes shall have been duly paid or provided for in full. |
“Existing Excluded Assets”means (i) all assets of 969056 Ontario Limited, Rogers Cablesystems Investments Inc. and Solv Signals Limited, (ii) the shares of Capital Stock of 969056 Ontario Limited, Rogers Cablesystems Investments Inc. and Solv Signals Limited, owned directly or indirectly by Rogers Cable and in each case as such shares may be subdivided, consolidated or reclassified, and including any additional shares of any such issues received as a stock dividend on such shares and (iii) the proceeds of the sale of any assets or shares referred to in the foregoing clause (i) or (ii) received by Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary from a Person other than Rogers Cable or a Restricted Subsidiary.
“Existing Senior Secured Second Priority Securities”means securities evidencing indebtedness under Rogers Cable’s 10% senior secured second priority notes due 2005, 7.60% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2007, 7.875% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2012, 6.25% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2013, and 8.750% senior (secured) second priority debentures due 2032.
“Existing Senior Subordinated Guaranteed Debentures”means securities evidencing indebtedness under Rogers Cable’s 11% senior subordinated guaranteed debentures due 2015.
“Fifth Anniversary”means the fifth anniversary of the date of the original issuance of the Notes.
“Fitch IBCA”means Fitch IBCA or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”or“GAAP”means generally accepted accounting principles, in effect in Canada, as applied from time to time by Rogers Cable in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.
“Inter-Company Deeply Subordinated Debt”means all indebtedness of Rogers Cable or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (except from one to the other) for money borrowed from Rogers Entities under which payments by Rogers Cable or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, with respect thereto
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are subordinated to the Notes in the manner and to the extent set forth in Exhibit A to the Indenture and in respect of which the agreement or instrument evidencing such indebtedness contains or incorporates by reference the provisions of Exhibit A to the Indenture for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes.
“Inter-Company Subordinated Debt”means all indebtedness of Rogers Cable or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (except from one to the other) for money borrowed from Rogers Entities and under which payments by Rogers Cable or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, with respect thereto are subordinated to the Notes in the manner and to the extent set forth in Exhibit B to the Indenture and in respect of which the agreement or instrument evidencing such indebtedness contains or incorporates by reference the provisions of Exhibit B to the Indenture for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes.
“Inter-Creditor Agreement”means the amended and restated inter-creditor agreement dated as of August 1, 1992, among Rogers Cable, certain of its subsidiaries and the lender parties thereto, to which RCCI became a party as of December 31, 2003.
“Investment”means (i) directly or indirectly, any advance, loan or capital contribution to, the purchase of any stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities of, the acquisition, by purchase or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business or assets or stock or other evidence of beneficial ownership of, any Person or making of any investment in any Person, (ii) the designation of any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (iii) the transfer of any assets or properties from Rogers Cable or a Restricted Subsidiary to any Unrestricted Subsidiary, other than the transfer of assets or properties made in the ordinary course of business. Investments shall exclude extensions of trade credit on commercially reasonable terms in accordance with normal trade practices.
“Investment Grade Rating”means a rating equal to or higher than BBB — (or the equivalent) by S&P, Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s or BBB — (or the equivalent) by Fitch IBCA.
“Lien”means any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, privilege, security interest, hypothecation and transfer, lease of real property or other encumbrance upon or with respect to any property of any kind of Rogers Cable or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, real or personal, moveable or immoveable, now owned or hereafter acquired.
“Management Fees”means any amounts payable by Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of management or similar services.
“Moody’s”means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“Net Tangible Assets”means the Tangible Assets of any Person, less such Person’s current liabilities.
“Operating Cash Flow”means, for any period, all as determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, (i) the net income or loss of Rogers Cable and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, adjusted, to the extent included in calculating such net income or loss, by excluding (a) any gain or loss attributable to the sale, conversion or other disposition of assets other than in the ordinary course of business, (b) any gains resulting from the write-up of assets and any loss resulting from the write-down of assets, (c) any gain or loss on the repurchase or redemption of any securities (including in connection with the early retirement or defeasance of any Debt), (d) any foreign exchange gain or loss, (e) any other extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual items incurred by Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary and (f) all income or losses of Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Persons (other than Subsidiaries) accounted for by Rogers Cable using the equity method of accounting, except to the extent of cash dividends, cash interest or other cash distributions received directly or indirectly from any such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Person, plus (ii) all amounts deducted in making the calculation pursuant to clause (i) for interest expense and other financing costs, depreciation and amortization, all Management Fees and all income taxes, whether or not deferred, applicable to such period, less (iii) the aggregate amount of Management Fees (including Deferred Management Fees) actually paid in such period. For
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purposes of clarification, the components of “Operating Cash Flow” listed above shall be determined by including the accounts of Rogers Cable, any Restricted Subsidiary and any partnership, the beneficial interests in which are controlled (in accordance with GAAP) by Rogers Cable or any such Restricted Subsidiary.
For purposes of calculating Operating Cash Flow for the fiscal quarter most recently completed prior to any date on which an action is taken that requires a calculation of the Superior Debt to Annualized Operating Cash Flow Ratio, (1) any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on such date (or would become a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the transaction that requires the determination of such ratio) shall be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such fiscal quarter, (2) any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on such date (or would cease to be a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the transaction that requires the determination of such ratio) shall be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such fiscal quarter and (3) if Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have in any manner acquired or disposed of any operating business during or subsequent to the most recently completed fiscal quarter, such calculation shall be made on a pro forma basis on the assumption that such acquisition or disposition had been completed on the first day of such completed fiscal quarter.
“Person”means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity.
“Pledge Agreement”means the agreement between Rogers Cable and the Trustee, dated as of the date of the Indenture and substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C to the Indenture, pursuant to which Rogers Cable has pledged the Trust Bond to and in favor of the Trustee for and on behalf of the Trustee and each of the Holders.
“Principal Property”means, as of any date of determination, any cable system and equipment related to operating and monitoring any cable system and any equipment related to distributing and offering any of the products and services offered by Rogers Cable and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any land, land improvements, building and associated laboratory and office constituting a manufacturing, development, warehouse, service, office or operating facility owned by or leased to Rogers Cable or a Restricted Subsidiary, located within Canada and having an acquisition cost plus capitalized improvements in excess of 0.25% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of such date of determination, other than any such property (i) which our Board of Directors determines is not of material importance to Rogers Cable and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii) which is not used in the ordinary course of business or (iii) in which the interest of Rogers Cable and all its Subsidiaries does not exceed 50%.
“Purchase Money Obligations”means, with respect to any Person, obligations, other than Capital Lease Obligations, incurred or assumed in the ordinary course of business in connection with the purchase of property to be used in the business of such Person.
“Rating Agencies”means S&P, Moody’s and Fitch IBCA, and each of such Rating Agencies is referred to individually as a“Rating Agency”.
“Rating Date”means the date which is 90 days prior to the earlier of (i) a Change in Control and (ii) public notice of the occurrence of a Change in Control or of the intention of Rogers Cable to effect a Change in Control.
“Rating Decline”means the occurrence of the following on, or within 90 days after, the date of public notice of the occurrence of a Change in Control or of the intention by Rogers Cable to effect a Change in Control (which period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies): (a) in the event the Notes are assigned an Investment Grade Rating by at least two of the three Rating Agencies on the Rating Date, the rating of the Notes by at least two of the three Rating Agencies shall be below an Investment Grade Rating; or (b) in the event the Notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by at least two of the three Rating Agencies on the Rating Date, the rating of the Notes by at least two of the three Rating
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Agencies shall be decreased by one or more gradations (including gradations within rating categories as well as between rating categories).
“RCI”means Rogers Communications Inc., a corporation continued under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, and its successors and assigns.
“Registration Rights Agreement” means the agreement among Rogers Cable and the Initial Purchasers in respect of the Notes dated the date of the Indenture, as described under “Exchange Offer; Registration Rights”.
“Release Guarantor” means any Person who provides a guarantee of the obligations of Rogers Cable under the Notes and the Indenture in order to satisfy the condition for the release of the collateral securing the Notes, and its successors and assigns.
“Restricted Subsidiary” means (a) prior to the Release Date, any Subsidiary that is a restricted subsidiary under the Deed of Trust, and includes any Unrestricted Subsidiary or other Person, in either case, that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the“Restricted Subsidiaries” covenant for the Notes and excludes any Person (including any of the foregoing), that ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the“Restricted Subsidiaries” covenant for the Notes or (b) on or after the Release Date, any Subsidiary of Rogers Cable other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary. As of the date of this prospectus, RCCI is the only Restricted Subsidiary of Rogers Cable.
“Rogers Entities” means RCI and its Affiliates.
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of McGraw Hill, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Principal Property (whether such Principal Property is now owned or hereafter acquired) that has been or is to be sold or transferred by us or such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person, other than (i) temporary leases for a term, including renewals at the option of the lessee, of not more than three years, (ii) leases between Rogers Cable and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries and (iii) leases of Principal Property executed by the time of, or within 180 days after the latest of, the acquisition, the completion of construction or improvement (including any improvements on property which will result in such property becoming Principal Property), or the commencement of commercial operation of such Principal Property.
“Secured Debt” means:
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| • | Debt of Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary secured by any Lien upon any Principal Property or the stock or Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary; or |
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| • | any conditional sale or other title retention agreement covering any Principal Property or Restricted Subsidiary; |
but does not include any Debt secured by any Lien or any conditional sale or other title retention agreement:
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| • | incurred or entered into on or after the Release Date to finance the acquisition, improvement or construction of such property and either secured by Purchase Money Obligations or Liens placed on such property within 180 days of acquisition, improvement or construction and securing Debt not to exceed $50.0 million at any time outstanding; |
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| • | on Principal Property or the stock or Debt of Restricted Subsidiaries and existing at the time of acquisition of the property, stock or Debt; |
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| • | owing to Rogers Cable or any other Restricted Subsidiary; and |
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| • | existing at the time a corporation becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; |
each of the foregoing being referred to as“Exempted Secured Debt”.
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“Subsidiary” means any firm, partnership, corporation or other legal entity in which Rogers Cable, Rogers Cable and one or more Subsidiaries, or one or more Subsidiaries owns, directly or indirectly, a majority of the Voting Shares or has, directly or indirectly, the right to elect a majority of the board of directors, if it is a corporation, or the right to make or control its management decisions, if it is some other Person.
“Successor Entity”means (i) any entity that RCCI has amalgamated or consolidated with or merged with or into or (ii) any other Person to whom RCCI has conveyed, transferred, leased or otherwise disposed of its properties and assets substantially as an entirety, by liquidation, winding-up or otherwise (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) or such further successor or transferee.
“Tangible Assets” means, at any date, the gross book value as shown by the accounting books and records of any Person of all its property both real and personal, less (i) the net book value of all its licenses, patents, patent applications, copyrights, trademarks, trade names, goodwill, non-compete agreements or organizational expenses and other like intangibles, (ii) unamortized Debt discount and expenses, (iii) all reserves for depreciation, obsolescence, depletion and amortization of its properties and (iv) all other proper reserves which in accordance with GAAP should be provided in connection with the business conducted by such Person.
“Tranche A-Type Debt” means any Debt of Rogers Cable secured by the pledge of a Deed of Trust Bond, which ranks in right of payment, as among Senior Secured Bondholders (as defined in the Deed of Trust), prior to orpari passuwith Debt under the tranche A credit facility under any bank credit facility, whether or not any Debt under any tranche A credit facility exists at the time of creation of such Tranche A-Type Debt.
“Trust Bond” means a senior secured bond in the principal amount of US$700 million in respect of the Notes, issued by Rogers Cable, with RCCI as co-obligor under the Deed of Trust, and pledged to and in favor of the Trustee for and on behalf of the Trustee and each of the Holders of the Notes pursuant to the Pledge Agreement.
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means (a) prior to the Release Date, any Subsidiary that is not a Restricted Subsidiary and includes any Restricted Subsidiary that becomes an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the“Restricted Subsidiaries” covenant for the Notes or (b) on or after the Release Date, (i) any Subsidiary of Rogers Cable that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the“Restricted Subsidiaries” covenant and (ii) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“Voting Shares” means any Capital Stock having voting power under ordinary circumstances to vote in the election of a majority of the directors of a corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).
Change in Control
Under the Indenture, a Change in Control Triggering Event is deemed to occur upon both a Change in Control and a Rating Decline with respect to the Notes.
A“Change in Control” means (i) any transaction (including an amalgamation, merger or consolidation or the sale of Capital Stock of Rogers Cable) the result of which is that any Person or group of Persons (as the term “group” is used in Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), other than Members of the Rogers Family or RCI or a Person or group controlled by one or more of the Members of the Rogers Family or RCI, acquires, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the total voting power of all classes of Voting Shares of Rogers Cable or (ii) any transaction (including an amalgamation, merger or consolidation or the sale of Capital Stock of Rogers Cable) the result of which is that any Person or group, other than (A) Members of the Rogers Family or RCI or a Person or group controlled by one or more of the Members of the Rogers Family or RCI or (B) for so long as the only primary beneficiaries of a Qualifying Trust established under the last will and testament of Edward S. Rogers are one or more
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Individuals or Additional Spouses, any Person designated by the trustees of such Qualifying Trust to exercise voting rights attaching to the shares held by such trustees, has elected to the Board of Directors of Rogers Cable such number of its or their nominees so that such nominees so elected shall constitute a majority of the number of the directors comprising the Board of Directors of Rogers Cable;providedthat to the extent that one or more regulatory approvals are required for any of the transactions or circumstances described in clauses (i) or (ii) above to become effective under applicable law, such transactions or circumstances shall be deemed to have occurred at the time such approvals have been obtained and become effective under applicable law. The Indenture provides that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, a “Change in Control” will not occur so long as either Members of the Rogers Family or RCI control the Voting Shares of, or elect directors to the Board of Directors of, Rogers Cable as and to the extent provided in the preceding sentence. (Section 501)
The occurrence of any Change in Control Triggering Event will constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture. (Section 501(k)) Such Event of Default may be cured under the Indenture if, (i) within 20 business days after the occurrence of the Change in Control Triggering Event, Rogers Cable notifies the Trustee in writing of such event and an offer is made to all Holders of the Notes to purchase all outstanding Notes properly tendered (a “Change in Control Offer”) at a purchase price (the “Change in Control Purchase Price”) equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the Change in Control Purchase Date (as defined below) and (ii) on the date that is 40 business days after the occurrence of the Change in Control (the “Change in Control Purchase Date”) all Notes properly tendered into the Change in Control Offer are purchased. (Sections 516 and 1109)
In order to effect such Change in Control Offer, Rogers Cable shall, within 20 business days after the occurrence of the Change in Control Triggering Event, notify the Trustee, who shall mail to each Holder of Notes a copy of the Change in Control Offer, which shall state, among other things, the procedures that Holders of Notes must follow to accept the Change in Control Offer. In the event of a Change in Control Offer, Rogers Cable shall comply with all applicable tender offer rules including Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, to the extent applicable.
The Event of Default arising upon a Change in Control Triggering Event will also be cured if a third party makes the Change in Control Offer in the manner and at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements applicable to a Change in Control Offer to be made by Rogers Cable, including the obligations of Rogers Cable described under the subsection entitled“— Additional Amounts”, and purchases all Notes properly tendered under such Change in Control Offer. (Section 516(c)) The failure of Rogers Cable (or the third party, in the case of a Change in Control Offer made by a third party) to make or consummate the Change in Control Offer or pay the Change in Control Purchase Price on the Change in Control Purchase Date will give the Trustee and the Holders of Notes the rights described under the subsection entitled“— Events of Default”.
An Event of Default arising from a Change in Control Triggering Event may only be waived with the consent of the Holders of all outstanding Notes.
“Member of the Rogers Family” means Edward S. Rogers who was born on May 27, 1933, such individual being referred to as “Edward S. Rogers”, his spouse, his widow, his issue (including adoptees adopted prior to their age of majority and their issue), any half-sister of Edward S. Rogers, the issue of any such half-sister and any trust in which any one or more of the foregoing individuals (“Individuals”) or the spouse of the issue (whether surviving or not) of Edward S. Rogers or his half-sister (“Additional Spouses”) have a beneficial interest (a “Qualifying Trust”) but, in the case of a Qualifying Trust, the voting rights of securities of Rogers Cable controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Qualifying Trust shall be included in the computation of the voting rights held by Members of the Rogers Family only to the extent that it is reasonable to regard such securities as being held, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of Individuals and Additional Spouses. (Section 501)
Our bank credit facility, the Existing Senior Secured Second Priority Securities and the Existing Senior Subordinated Guaranteed Debentures also contain similar provisions regarding changes in control. See “Description of Other Indebtedness”. In the event of a change in control, the total debt under our
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bank credit facility, the Existing Senior Secured Second Priority Securities, the Existing Senior Subordinated Guaranteed Debentures and the Notes could become due and payable.
Certain Covenants as Senior Secured Second Priority Notes
Until such time as the collateral securing the Notes is released, Rogers Cable and its Restricted Subsidiaries will be subject to the covenants described below under the subsections entitled“— Limitation on Liens”,“— Restricted Subsidiaries”and“— Provision of Financial Information”and the“Mergers, Amalgamations and Sales of Assets by Rogers Cable”covenant.
Limitation on Liens.Prior to the Release Date, Rogers Cable will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, affirm, incur, or suffer to exist any Lien of any kind upon any of its property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired, other than:
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| (i) Liens on Excluded Assets; |
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| (ii) Liens securing Debt under Capital Lease Obligations and/or Purchase Money Obligations not exceeding at any time an aggregate amount equal to 10% of Rogers Cable’s Consolidated Tangible Assets;providedthat no assets or property of Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than the property acquired in connection with such Capital Lease Obligation or Purchase Money Obligation) are subject to any Lien securing such Debt; |
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| (iii) Liens securing Debt of a Person outstanding on the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary,providedthat such Liens (A) were not incurred in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and (B) are not applicable to Rogers Cable or any other Restricted Subsidiary, or the properties or assets of Rogers Cable or any other Restricted Subsidiary; |
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| (iv) Liens on property or assets acquired by Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary from another Person which are existing at the time of such acquisition,providedthat such Liens (1) were not incurred in contemplation of the acquisition of such property or assets and (2) are applicable only to such property or assets; |
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| (v) Liens on the property and assets of Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary provided or granted to the Deed Trustee pursuant to the Deed of Trust, including, for greater certainty, Liens securing Debt (and other related obligations) under any bank credit facility,providedthat (1) such Debt was incurred in compliance with the provisions of the Indenture, (2) such Liens are limited to a pledge of Deed of Trust Bonds and (3) the aggregate amount of Debt committed under the Tranche A credit facility of any bank credit facility plus the aggregate amount of all outstanding or committed Tranche A-Type Debt (collectively, “Superior Debt”) does not exceed $600.0 million; |
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| (vi) Liens securing Debt (and other related obligations) if (A) such Debt was incurred in compliance with the provisions of the Indenture, (B) such Liens are limited to a pledge of a Deed of Trust Bond and (C) if such Debt is Tranche A-Type Debt then immediately prior thereto, and immediately thereafter and after giving effect thereto, (x) no Default or Event of Default shall exist, (y) the aggregate amount of Superior Debt does not exceed $600.0 million and (z) the ratio of Superior Debt to Rogers Cable’s Annualized Operating Cash Flow for the most recently completed fiscal quarter of Rogers Cable does not exceed 3.0 to 1; |
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| (vii) pledges or deposits under worker’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Debt) or leases or deposits of cash or bonds or other direct obligations of the United States, Canada or any Canadian province to secure surety or appeal bonds or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rents; |
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| (viii) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers, warehousemen’s, and mechanics’ liens or other liens arising out of judgments or awards with respect to which an appeal or other proceeding for review is being prosecuted (and as to which any foreclosure or other enforcement proceeding shall have been effectively stayed); |
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| (ix) Liens for property taxes not yet subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings (and as to which foreclosure or other enforcement proceedings shall have been effectively stayed); |
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| (x) Liens in favor of issuers of surety bonds issued in the ordinary course of business; |
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| (xi) minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, easements or reservations of or rights of others for rights of way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of the Person incurring them or the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with Debt or other extensions of credit and which do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of such properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person; |
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| (xii) Liens in favor of Bell Canada under any partial system agreement or related agreement providing for the construction and installation by Bell Canada of cables, attachments, connectors, support structures, closures and other equipment in accordance with the plans and specifications of Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary and the lease by Bell Canada of such equipment to Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with tariffs published by Bell Canada from time to time as approved by regulatory authorities, the absence of which would materially and adversely affect Rogers Cable and its Restricted Subsidiaries considered as a whole; |
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| (xiii) any other Lien existing on the date of the Indenture; and |
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| (xiv) Liens, other than Liens incurred pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i) to (xiii), securing or otherwise in respect of up to $20.0 million aggregate amount of obligations of Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary at any time outstanding. (Section 1008) |
Restricted Subsidiaries.(a) The Board of Directors of Rogers Cable may designate any Restricted Subsidiary or any Person that is to become a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary may transfer any assets or properties to an Unrestricted Subsidiary, if (i) prior to and immediately after such designation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (ii) such Subsidiary or Person, together with all other Unrestricted Subsidiaries, shall not in the aggregate have Net Tangible Assets greater than 15% of Rogers Cable’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, and (iii) prior to the Release Date, such Restricted Subsidiary becomes an unrestricted subsidiary under the Deed of Trust; provided, however, that for the purposes of this “Restricted Subsidiaries” covenant, (1) Rogers Cable’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets shall also include the aggregate Net Tangible Assets of such Subsidiary or Person and all other Unrestricted Subsidiaries and (2) Excluded Assets shall be excluded from the calculation of Net Tangible Assets and Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. (Section 1009)
(b) The Board of Directors of Rogers Cable may not designate (1) any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or (2) prior to the Release Date, any Person that is to become a Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, unless:
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| (i) such Unrestricted Subsidiary or such Person is incorporated or organized in Canada or a Province or territory thereof, or in the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia; |
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| (ii) immediately before and after giving effect to such designation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and |
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| (iii) prior to the Release Date, such Unrestricted Subsidiary or such Person becomes a restricted subsidiary under the Deed of Trust. (Section 1009) |
(c) Nothing in this“Restricted Subsidiaries” covenant shall restrict or limit Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary from transferring any asset that is an Excluded Asset to any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Person that is to become an Unrestricted Subsidiary. (Section 1009)
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Provision of Financial Information.(a) Rogers Cable shall supply without cost to each Holder of the Notes, and file with the Trustee within 30 days after Rogers Cable is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and quarterly reports and of the information, documents and other reports which Rogers Cable may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(b) If Rogers Cable is not required to file with the Commission such reports and other information, Rogers Cable shall furnish without cost to each Holder of the Notes and file with the Trustee (i) within 110 days after the end of each fiscal year, audited year-end financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and substantially in the form prescribed by applicable Canadian regulatory authorities for Canadian public reporting companies (whether or not Rogers Cable is a public reporting company at the time), (ii) within 60 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, unaudited quarterly financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and substantially in the form prescribed by applicable Canadian regulatory authorities for Canadian public reporting companies (whether or not Rogers Cable is a public reporting company at the time). Rogers Cable shall also make such reports available to prospective purchasers of the Notes, securities analysts and broker-dealers upon their request. (Section 1013)
Certain Covenants as Senior Unsecured Notes
If the collateral securing the Notes is released, the Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of Rogers Cable. In such circumstances, Rogers Cable and its Subsidiaries will be subject only to the covenants described below under the subsections entitled“— Limitation on Secured Debt” and“— Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions” and“— Limitation on Restricted Subsidiary Debt”, the covenants described above under the subsections entitled“— Restricted Subsidiaries” and“— Provision of Financial Information” and the“Mergers, Amalgamations and Sales of Assets by Rogers Cable” covenant.
Limitation on Secured Debt.On or after the Release Date, Rogers Cable will not, and Rogers Cable will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, assume, incur or guarantee any Secured Debt unless and for so long as Rogers Cable secures the Notes equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Secured Debt. However, Rogers Cable may incur Secured Debt without securing the Notes if, immediately after incurring the Secured Debt, the aggregate amount of all Secured Debt plus the aggregate amount of the Attributable Debt then outstanding pursuant to Sale and Leaseback Transactions would not exceed 15% of Rogers Cable’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. The aggregate amount of all Secured Debt in the preceding sentence excludes Secured Debt which is secured equally and ratably with the Notes and Secured Debt that is being repaid concurrently. Any Lien which is granted to secure the Notes under this covenant shall be discharged at the same time as the discharge of the Lien securing the Secured Debt that gave rise to the obligation to secure the Notes under this covenant. (Section 1010)
Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.On or after the Release Date, Rogers Cable will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction, unless either (a) immediately thereafter, the sum of (1) the Attributable Debt to be outstanding pursuant to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and all other Sale and Leaseback Transactions entered into by Rogers Cable or a Restricted Subsidiary on or after the Release Date (or, in the case of a Restricted Subsidiary, the date on which it became a Restricted Subsidiary, if on or after the Release Date) and (2) the aggregate amount of all Secured Debt, excluding Secured Debt which is secured equally and ratably with the Notes, would not exceed 15% of Rogers Cable’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets or (b) an amount equal to the greater of the net proceeds to Rogers Cable or a Restricted Subsidiary from such sale and the Attributable Debt to be outstanding pursuant to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, is used within 180 days to retire Debt of Rogers Cable or a Restricted Subsidiary,providedthat such retirement of Debt complies with all other conditions of the Indenture and,provided further that, in no event shall Rogers Cable be required on or prior to the Fifth Anniversary to retire Notes pursuant to this covenant that, have an aggregate principal amount in excess of 25% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes, andprovided furtherthat, promptly after the Fifth Anniversary, Rogers Cable will
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retire any Notes that would have been retired under this covenant but for the foregoing proviso. However, Debt which is subordinate to the Notes or which is owed to Rogers Cable or a Restricted Subsidiary may not be retired. (Section 1011)
Limitation on Restricted Subsidiary Debt.On or after the Release Date, Rogers Cable will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Debt (other than Debt to the extent that the Notes are secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Debt), unless (1) the obligations of Rogers Cable under the Notes are guaranteed (which guarantee may be on an unsecured basis) by such Restricted Subsidiary such that the claim of the Holders of the Notes under such guarantee ranks prior to orpari passuwith such Debt or (2) after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds therefrom, the sum of (without duplication) (x) the aggregate principal amount of Debt (other than Exempted Secured Debt) of all Restricted Subsidiaries, (y) the then outstanding principal amount of Secured Debt of Rogers Cable (not on a Consolidated basis) and (z) Attributable Debt relating to then outstanding Sale and Leaseback Transactions, would not exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets;provided, however, that this restriction will not apply to, and there will be excluded from, any calculation hereunder, (A) Debt owing by a Restricted Subsidiary to Rogers Cable or to another Restricted Subsidiary and (B) Debt secured by Liens that would otherwise be permitted under clauses (i) and (vii) to (xiii) of the“Limitation on Liens”covenant for the Notes; andprovided, further, that this restriction will not prohibit the incurrence of Debt in connection with any extension, renewal or replacement (including successive extensions, renewals or replacements), in whole or in part, of any Debt of the Restricted Subsidiaries (providedthat the principal amount of such Debt immediately prior to such extension, renewal or replacement is not increased). (Section 1012)
Mergers, Amalgamations and Sales of Assets by Rogers Cable
Rogers Cable may not amalgamate or consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person by liquidation, winding-up or otherwise (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) unless: (a) either (1) Rogers Cable shall be the continuing corporation or (2) the Person (if other than Rogers Cable) formed by such amalgamation or consolidation or into which Rogers Cable is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition the properties and assets of Rogers Cable substantially as an entirety (i) shall be a corporation, partnership or trust organized and validly existing under (A) the laws of the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia or (B) the federal laws of Canada or any Province thereof, and (ii) shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, all of the obligations of Rogers Cable under the Notes, the Indenture and, prior to the Release Date, the Collateral Documents; and (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Debt which becomes an obligation of Rogers Cable or a Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of such transaction as having been incurred at the time of such transaction), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. In the event that a Release Guarantor exists, such Release Guarantor shall, in addition to Rogers Cable, be bound by a covenant with the same terms as this“Mergers, Amalgamations and Sales of Assets by Rogers Cable” covenant, with appropriate revisions to reflect the name and the obligations of the Release Guarantor. (Section 801)
In the event of any transaction described in and complying with the conditions listed in the immediately preceding paragraph in which Rogers Cable is not the continuing corporation, the successor Person formed or remaining will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, Rogers Cable under the Indenture, and thereafter Rogers Cable will, except in the case of a lease, be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Notes. (Section 802)
If, as a result of any such transaction, any of Rogers Cable’s properties or assets or any properties or assets of any Subsidiary of Rogers Cable becomes subject to a Lien, then, unless such Lien could be created pursuant to the Indenture provisions described under the“Limitation on Liens”covenant or the“Limitation on Secured Debt”covenant above (as applicable) without equally and ratably securing the
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Notes, Rogers Cable, simultaneously with or prior to such transaction, will cause the Notes to be secured equally and ratably with or prior to the Debt secured by such Lien. (Section 803)
An Event of Default will occur with respect to the Notes pursuant to the Indenture if:
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| (a) there shall be a failure to pay when due the principal of (or the redemption price of) any of the Notes; or |
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| (b) there shall be a failure to pay any interest or any Additional Amounts on any of the Notes for 30 days after the date when due; or |
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| (c) Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary shall fail to perform or observe any other covenant or warranty contained in the Indenture or any Collateral Document for a period of 60 days after written notice of such failure shall have been given to Rogers Cable by the Trustee or to Rogers Cable and the Trustee by the Holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding; or |
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| (d) (i) there shall have occurred one or more defaults of Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary in the payment of the principal of or premium on any Debt aggregating $25.0 million or more, when the same becomes due and payable at the stated maturity thereof, and such default or defaults shall continue after any applicable grace period and have not been cured or waived or (ii) there shall occur and be continuing any acceleration of the maturity of any Debt aggregating $25.0 million or more and, in any case referred to in the foregoing clause (i) the Debt has not been paid or in any case referred to in the foregoing clause (ii), such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled, in each case within 10 days of such nonpayment or acceleration; or |
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| (e) any judgments or orders aggregating $25.0 million or more rendered against Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary remain unsatisfied and unstayed for 60 consecutive days; or |
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| (f) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization affecting Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary shall occur; or |
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| (g) prior to the Release Date, any Collateral Document shall, at any time, cease to be in full force and effect for any reason (other than the termination thereof pursuant to the Indenture or the satisfaction in full of all obligations under the Indenture and discharge of the Indenture) or shall be declared invalid or unenforceable; or if Rogers Cable or any Restricted Subsidiary shall assert, in any pleading filed in a court of competent jurisdiction, that any Collateral Document is invalid or unenforceable; or |
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| (h) prior to the Release Date, there shall have occurred one or more defaults of Rogers Cable in payment on demand of any principal or interest owing under or secured by any Deed of Trust Bond; or |
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| (i) a Change in Control Triggering Event shall occur; or |
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| (j) prior to the Release Date, the whole or substantially the whole of the Specifically Mortgaged Property or of the Mortgaged Property (as such terms are defined in the Deed of Trust) shall be taken by exercise of certain powers referred to in the Deed of Trust or shall be sold or otherwise disposed of in anticipation thereof. (Section 501) |
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (f) or (i) above) shall occur and be continuing or an Event of Default specified in clause (i) above shall occur and be continuing and Rogers Cable (or a third party) shall fail to make a Change in Control Offer or to purchase the Notes properly tendered in response to the Change in Control Offer at the times and in the manner specified in the Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare the principal of all Notes due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (f) above occurs and is continuing, then the principal of all the Notes shall become due
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and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. After a declaration of acceleration, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, by written notice to Rogers Cable and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if (a) Rogers Cable has paid or deposited, or caused to be paid or deposited, with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (i) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee under the Indenture and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, (ii) all overdue interest on all Notes, (iii) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Notes that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate borne by the Notes, and (iv) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate borne by the Notes; and (b) all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of principal of the Notes which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived. (Section 502)
The Indenture contains a provision entitling the Trustee, subject to the duty of the Trustee during the existence of an Event of Default to act with the required standard of care, to be indemnified by the Holders of Notes before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the Indenture at the request of such Holders. The Indenture provides that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee. (Sections 507 and 512)
During the existence of an Event of Default, the Trustee is required to exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.
Rogers Cable will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement as to any default by Rogers Cable in the performance and observance of its obligations under the Indenture. (Section 1015)
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance of Indenture
Rogers Cable may, at its option, and at any time, elect to have the obligations of Rogers Cable discharged with respect to all outstanding Notes (“defeasance”). Such defeasance means that Rogers Cable shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes and to have satisfied its other obligations under the Indenture, except for (i) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Notes when such payments are due, (ii) Rogers Cable’s obligations with respect to the Notes relating to the issuance of temporary Notes, the registration, transfer and exchange of Notes, the replacement of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes, the payment of Additional Amounts, the maintenance of any office or agency in the City of New York, the holding of money for security payments in trust and statements as to compliance with the Indenture, (iii) its obligations in connection with the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, (iv) the defeasance provisions of such Indenture and (v) Rogers Cable’s right of redemption in the event of Additional Amounts becoming payable under certain circumstances. (Sections 401 and 402) In addition, Rogers Cable may, at its option and at any time, elect to be released from its obligations with respect to certain of its covenants under the Indenture (including those described under the subsection entitled“— Certain Covenants as Senior Secured Second Priority Notes” and“— Certain Covenants as Senior Unsecured Notes” (“covenant defeasance”) and any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the Notes. In the event covenant defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment, bankruptcy and insolvency events) described under the subsection entitled“— Events of Default” will no longer constitute Events of Default with respect to the Notes. (Section 403)
In order to exercise either defeasance or covenant defeasance, (i) Rogers Cable must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, certain
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U.S. government obligations or a combination thereof in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest on the outstanding Notes on the Stated Maturity (or Redemption Date, if applicable) of such principal (and premium, if any) or installment of interest; (ii) in the case of defeasance, Rogers Cable shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States stating that (x) Rogers Cable has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (y) since the date of the Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred; (iii) in the case of covenant defeasance, Rogers Cable shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States to the effect that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gains or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred; (iv) in the case of defeasance or covenant defeasance, Rogers Cable shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in Canada to the effect that Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Canadian federal or provincial income tax or other tax (including withholding tax) purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, and will be subject to Canadian federal or provincial income tax and other tax (including withholding tax) on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, had not occurred (which condition may not be waived by any Holder or the Trustee); and (v) Rogers Cable must comply with certain other conditions. (Section 404)
Additional Amounts
All payments made by Rogers Cable under or with respect to the Notes will be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other governmental charge imposed or levied by or on behalf of the Government of Canada or of any province or territory thereof or by any authority or agency therein or thereof having power to tax (hereinafter “Taxes”), unless Rogers Cable is required to withhold or deduct Taxes by law or by the interpretation or administration thereof. If Rogers Cable is so required to withhold or deduct any amount for or on account of Taxes from any payment made under or with respect to the Notes, Rogers Cable will pay as interest such additional amounts (“Additional Amounts”) as may be necessary so that the net amount received by each Holder of such Notes (including Additional Amounts) after such withholding or deduction will not be less than the amount such Holder would have received if such Taxes had not been withheld or deducted;providedthat no Additional Amounts will be payable with respect to a payment made to a Holder of Notes (an “Excluded Holder”) (i) with which Rogers Cable does not deal at arm’s length (within the meaning of theIncome Tax Act(Canada)) at the time of making such payment, (ii) which is subject to such Taxes by reason of its being connected with Canada or any province or territory thereof otherwise than by the acquisition or mere holding of Notes or the receipt of payments thereunder or the enforcement of rights with respect to the Collateral Documents, (iii) if the Notes are presented for payment more than 15 days after the date on which such payment or such Notes became due and payable or the date on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever is later (except to the extent that the Holder would have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had the Notes been presented on the last day of such 15-day period) or (iv) to the extent that such withholding is imposed on a payment to a Holder who is an individual pursuant to European Union Directive 2004/48/ EC on the taxation of savings or any law implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such Directive. Rogers Cable will also (a) make such withholding or deduction and (b) remit the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant authority in accordance with applicable law. Upon the written request of a Holder of Notes, Rogers Cable will furnish, as soon as reasonably practicable, to such Holder of Notes certified copies of tax receipts evidencing such payment by Rogers Cable. Rogers Cable will
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indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of Notes (other than to the extent the Holder is an Excluded Holder) and, upon written request of any Holder of Notes (other than to the extent the Holder is an Excluded Holder), reimburse such Holder for the amount of (i) any such Taxes so levied or imposed and paid by such Holder as a result of any failure of Rogers Cable to withhold, deduct or remit to the relevant tax authority, on a timely basis, the full amounts required under applicable law; and (ii) any such Taxes so levied or imposed with respect to any reimbursement under the foregoing clause (i), so that the net amount received by such Holder after such reimbursement would not be less than the net amount such Holder would have received if such taxes on such reimbursement had not been imposed.
At least 30 days prior to each date on which any payment under or with respect to the Notes is due and payable, if Rogers Cable will be obligated to pay Additional Amounts with respect to such payment, Rogers Cable will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating the fact that such Additional Amounts will be payable, stating the amounts so payable and setting forth such other information necessary to enable the Trustee to pay such Additional Amounts to Holders of Notes on the payment date. Whenever in the Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of principal (and premium, if any), redemption price, Change in Control Purchase Price, interest or any other amount payable under or with respect to any Notes, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof. (Section 1014)
For a discussion of the exemption from Canadian withholding taxes that should be applicable to payments under or with respect to the Notes, see the section entitled “Income Tax Consequences — Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences”.
In the event that Rogers Cable has become or would become obligated to pay, on the next date on which any amount would be payable under or with respect to the Notes, any Additional Amounts as a result of certain changes affecting Canadian withholding tax laws, Rogers Cable may redeem all, but not less than all, the Notes at any time at 100% of the principal amount, together with accrued interest thereon to the redemption date. See the subsection entitled“— Redemption Upon Changes in Withholding Taxes”.
Modification and Waiver
Modifications and amendments of the Indenture and the Pledge Agreement relating to the Notes may be entered into by Rogers Cable and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes;provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby: (i) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any such Note, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon, or reduce the redemption price thereof, or change the coin or currency in which any such Note or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date); (ii) reduce the amount of, or change the coin or currency of, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of, the Change in Control Purchase Price; (iii) reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding Notes the consent of whose Holders is necessary to amend or waive compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or to waive certain defaults; (iv) modify any of the provisions relating to supplemental indentures requiring the consent of Holders of outstanding Notes or relating to the waiver of past defaults or relating to the waiver of certain covenants, except to increase the percentage of outstanding Notes the consent of whose Holders is required for such actions or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Note affected thereby; or (v) permit the creation of any Lien (other than the Lien of the Pledge Agreement) on the Trust Bond or terminate the Lien of the Pledge Agreement as to any part thereof. (Section 903)
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may waive compliance with certain restrictive covenants and provisions of the Indenture. (Sections 513 and 1017)
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Modifications and amendments of the Collateral Documents other than the Pledge Agreement may be approved by Rogers Cable and the Trustee with the consent of Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes;provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note (i) modify certain provisions of the Deed of Trust (including provisions relating to the ranking of the Deed of Trust Bonds, requirements for actions of holders of Deed of Trust Bonds and the rights of holders of Deed of Trust Bonds following an event of default under the Deed of Trust); (ii) modify any provisions of the Inter-Creditor Agreement except as permitted under the Indenture; or (iii) except as permitted under the Indenture and by the Deed of Trust, permit the creation of any Lien ranking prior to or on a parity with the Lien securing the Trust Bond or any guarantee thereof or terminate such Lien as to any part of the Deed of Trust Collateral. (Section 904)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Rogers Cable, the Restricted Subsidiaries and the Trustee, without the consent of any Holder, may modify and amend the Indenture and the Collateral Documents to terminate the Lien of the Pledge Agreement and any other Lien on the Deed of Trust Collateral if all of the conditions listed in the second paragraph under the subsection entitled“— Security” have been satisfied. (Section 1018)
Form Denomination, Book-Entry Procedures and Transfer
The old Notes were offered and sold to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A (“Rule 144A Notes”). The old Notes also may be offered and sold in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S (“Regulation S Notes”).
Rule 144A Notes initially are represented by one or more Notes in registered, global form (collectively, the “Restricted Global Notes”). The Restricted Global Notes will be deposited on issuance with the Trustee as custodian for DTC, in New York, New York, and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC as described below. Rule 144A Notes (including beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes) will be subject to certain restrictions on transfer set forth therein and in the Indenture and bear a restrictive legend as described under “Notices to Investors”.
The Regulation S Notes initially are represented by one or more Notes in global form (collectively, the “Regulation S Global Notes”). The Regulation S Global Notes were registered in the name of a nominee of DTC and deposited with the Trustee as custodian for DTC for credit to Euroclear Bank S.A./ N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”), and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (“Clearstream, Luxembourg”), for credit to the respective beneficial owners thereof in accordance with the rules thereof.
Each Restricted Global Note and Regulation S Global Note (collectively, the “Global Notes”) is held by DTC on behalf of its account holders. Except as set forth below, the Global Notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may not be exchanged for Notes in certificated form except in the limited circumstances described below. See the subsection entitled“— Exchange of Book-Entry Notes for Certificated Notes”. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Notes or vice versa except in accordance with the transfer and certification requirements described below under the subsection entitled“— Exchanges between Regulation S Global Notes and Restricted Global Notes”.
DTC has advised Rogers Cable that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the “Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants include securities brokers and dealers (including Citigroup Global Markets Inc.), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
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organizations. Access to DTC’s system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the “Indirect Participants”). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the Indirect Participants. The ownership interest and transfer of ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.
DTC has also advised Rogers Cable that, pursuant to procedures established by it, (i) upon deposit of the Global Notes, DTC will credit the accounts of Participants designated by the Initial Purchasers with the respective principal amount of the individual beneficial interests represented by such Global Notes and (ii) ownership of such interests in the Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the Participants) or by the Participants and the Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes).
Investors in the Restricted Global Notes may hold their interests therein directly through DTC if they are Participants in such system, or indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg) that are Participants in such system. Investors in the Regulation S Global Notes may hold their interests therein through Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, if they are participants in such systems, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in such systems, or through organizations other than Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg that are Participants in the DTC system. Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg will hold interests in the Regulation S Global Notes on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in their respective names on the books of their respective depositories, which are Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of Euroclear, and Citibank, N.A., as operator of Clearstream, Luxembourg. The depositories, in turn, will hold such interests in the Regulation S Global Notes in customers’ securities accounts in the depositories’ names on the books of DTC. All interests in a Global Note, including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. Those interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg may also be subject to the procedures and requirements of such system. The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in certificated form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to such persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of Participants, which in turn act on behalf of Indirect Participants and certain banks, the ability of a person having beneficial interests in a Global Note to pledge such interests to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests. For certain other restrictions on the transferability of the Notes, see the subsections entitled“— Exchange of Book-Entry Notes for Certificated Notes” and “— Exchanges between Regulation S Notes and Rule 144A Notes”.
Except as described below, owners of interests in the Global Notes will not have Notes registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of Notes in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners or holders thereof under the Indenture for any purpose.
Payments in respect of the Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable to DTC in its capacity as the registered holder under the Indenture. Under the terms of the Indenture, the Trustee will treat the persons in whose names the Notes, including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. Consequently, neither the Trustee nor any agent thereof has or will have any responsibility or liability for (i) any aspect of DTC’s records or any Participant’s or Indirect Participant’s records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC’s records or any Participant’s or Indirect Participant’s records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes or (ii) any other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its Participants or Indirect Participants. DTC has advised Rogers Cable that its current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as the Notes, is to
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credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the payment on the payment date, in amounts proportionate to their respective holdings in principal amount of beneficial interests in the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Payments by the Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of the Notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the Trustee or Rogers Cable. Neither Rogers Cable nor the Trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Notes, and Rogers Cable and the Trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.
Except for trades involving only Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg participants, interests in the Global Notes will trade in DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System and secondary market trading activity in such interests will therefore settle in immediately available funds, subject in all cases to the rules and procedures of DTC and its Participants.
Transfers between Participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds. Transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.
Subject to compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Notes described herein, cross-market transfers between the Participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, by its respective depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depositary or take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant Global Notes in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and Clearstream, Luxembourg participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositories for Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg.
Because of the time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg participant purchasing an interest in a Global Note from a Participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg participant, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg) immediately following the settlement date of DTC. Cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as a result of sales of interest in a Global Note by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg participant to a Participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg following DTC’s settlement date.
DTC has advised Rogers Cable that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of Notes only at the direction of one or more Participants to whose account with DTC interests in the Global Notes are credited and only in respect to such portion of the principal amount of the Notes as to which such Participant or Participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the Indenture, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Notes for legended Notes in certificated form and to distribute such Notes to its Participants.
The information in this section concerning DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg and their book-entry systems has been obtained from sources that Rogers Cable believes to be reliable, but Rogers Cable takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
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Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interest in the Regulation S Global Notes and in the Restricted Global Notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither Rogers Cable nor the Trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or their respective participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.
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| Exchanges between Regulation S Global Notes and Restricted Global Notes |
Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes may be transferred to a person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in the Regulation S Global Notes, only if the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in the Indenture) to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 under the Securities Act (if available).
Until and including the 40th day after the later of the commencement of the offering of the old Notes and the original issue date of the old Notes (such period, the “Restricted Period”), beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may be held only through Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, unless delivery is made through the Restricted Global Note in accordance with the certification requirements described below.
Prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note may be transferred to a person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in the Restricted Global Note only upon receipt by the Trustee of a written certification from the transferor (in the form provided in the Indenture) to the effect that such transfer is being made to a person who the transferor reasonably believes is purchasing for its own account or accounts as to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that such person and each such account is a Qualified Institutional Buyer, in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or any other jurisdiction. After the expiration of the Restricted Period, such certification requirement will no longer apply to such transfers. Any beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note that is transferred to a person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in the Restricted Global Note will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in the Regulation S Global Note and will become an interest in the Restricted Global Note and, accordingly, will thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions and other procedures applicable to beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Note for as long as it retains such an interest.
A beneficial interest in a Regulation S Note may be transferred to a person who takes delivery in the form of a Restricted Global Note without any certification.
Transfers involving an exchange of a beneficial interest in Regulation S Global Notes for a beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Notes or vice versa, will be effected in DTC by means of an instruction originated by the Trustee through the DTC Deposit/ Withdraw at Custodian (“DWAC”) system. Accordingly, in connection with any such transfer, appropriate adjustments will be made to reflect a decrease in the principal amount of the Regulation S Global Notes and a corresponding increase in the principal amount of the Restricted Global Notes or vice versa, as applicable.
Any beneficial interest in one of the Global Notes that is transferred to a person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in the other Global Notes will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in such Global Note and will become an interest in the other Global Note and, accordingly, will thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions and other procedures applicable to a beneficial interest in such other Global Note for so long as it remains such an interest.
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| Exchange of Book-Entry Notes for Certificated Notes |
A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Note in certificated form unless (i) DTC (x) notifies Rogers Cable that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Notes or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and in either case Rogers Cable thereupon fails to appoint a successor Depositary, (ii) Rogers Cable, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of the Notes in certificated form or (iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Notes. In all cases, certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). Any certificated Notes issued in exchange for an interest in a Global Note will bear the legend restricting transfers that is borne by such Global Note. Any such exchange will be effected through the DWAC System and an appropriate adjustment will be made in the records of the applicable security registrar to reflect a decrease in the principal amount of the relevant Global Note.
Concerning the Trustee
JPMorgan Chase Bank is the Trustee under the Indenture. JPMorgan Chase Bank also acts as trustee under the indentures governing Rogers Cable’s other U.S. dollar-denominated debt securities and under several indentures of RCI and an affiliate of RCI.
Governing Law
The Indenture and the Notes will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. The Pledge Agreement will be governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
Enforceability of Judgments
Since substantially all of the assets of Rogers Cable are outside the United States, any judgment obtained in the United States against Rogers Cable, including judgments with respect to the payment of principal, redemption price or Change in Control Purchase Price on the Notes, may not be collectible within the United States.
Rogers Cable has been informed by its Canadian counsel, Torys LLP, that the laws of the provinces of Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein permit an action to be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in the provinces of Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland (a “Canadian Court”) on any final and conclusive judgment in personam of any federal or state court located in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York (“New York Court”) that is subsisting and unsatisfied and that is not impeachable as void or voidable under the internal laws of the State of New York for a sum certain if (i) the court rendering such judgment had jurisdiction over the judgment debtor, as recognized by a Canadian Court (and submission by Rogers Cable in the Indenture to the jurisdiction of the New York Court will be sufficient for the purpose); (ii) such judgment was not obtained by fraud or in a manner contrary to natural justice and the enforcement thereof would not be inconsistent with public policy, as such term is understood under the laws of the provinces of Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, as the case may be, or contrary to any order made by the Attorney General of Canada under the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act (Canada); (iii) the enforcement of such judgment does not constitute, directly or indirectly, the enforcement of foreign revenue, expropriatory or penal laws; and (iv) the action to enforce such judgment is commenced within the applicable limitation period under the laws of such relevant province, which commences to run from the date of that judgment. In the opinion of such counsel, a Canadian Court would not avoid enforcement of judgments of a New York Court respecting the Indenture or the Notes on the basis of public policy, as that term is understood under the
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laws of the provinces of Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
Consent to Jurisdiction and Service
The Indenture provides that Rogers Cable will appoint CT Corporation System, 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011, as its agent for service of process in any suit, action or proceeding with respect to the Indenture or the Notes issued thereunder and for actions brought under federal or state securities laws brought in any federal or state court located in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York and submits to such jurisdiction.
Ratings
The Notes have been assigned a rating of BBB- by S&P and a rating of Ba2 by Moody’s. Credit ratings are intended to provide investors with an independent measure of credit quality of an issue of securities. Ratings for debt instruments range from AAA, in the case of S&P, or Aaa in the case of Moody’s, which represent the highest quality of securities rated, to D, in the case of S&P, and C, in the case of Moody’s, which represent the lowest quality of securities rated.
The credit ratings accorded to the Notes by the Rating Agencies are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell the Notes inasmuch as such ratings do not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. There is no assurance that any rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that any rating will not be revised or withdrawn entirely by a Rating Agency in the future if in its judgment circumstances so warrant.
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DESCRIPTION OF COLLATERAL FOR NOTES
General
The Notes are secured by the Trust Bond issued by Rogers Cable Inc. under the Deed of Trust and pledged to the Trustee by Rogers Cable Inc. as security for the satisfaction of Rogers Cable Inc.’s liabilities and obligations under the Notes and the Indenture. As used in this “Description of Collateral for Notes”, “Rogers Cable Inc.” means Rogers Cable Inc. and its successors under the Indenture, but not its subsidiaries. Capitalized terms that are used in this section but not otherwise defined in this section have the meanings assigned to them in the section entitled “Description of Notes”.
In Canada, corporations commonly secure obligations by granting fixed and floating charges on their assets. These charges create security interests similar to those granted by corporations in the United States. The Trust Bond is secured by fixed and floating charges which provide the Deed Trustee with a security interest in substantially all the assets of Rogers Cable Inc. and Rogers Cable Communications Inc., subject to certain exceptions and prior liens described below. These security interests include charges on all of the outstanding capital stock of Rogers Cable Communications Inc., a “Designated Subsidiary” of Rogers Cable Inc. under the Deed of Trust and will include charges on the capital stock of any other future “Designated Subsidiary” of Rogers Cable Inc. under the Deed of Trust. Each Restricted Subsidiary under the Indenture will be required to be a Designated Subsidiary under the Deed of Trust. Accordingly, in this “Description of Collateral for Notes” the term “Restricted Subsidiary” will be used to refer to both a Restricted Subsidiary under the Indenture and a Designated Subsidiary under the Deed of Trust.
On December 31, 2003, Rogers Cable Communications Inc. became a co-obligor, jointly and severally liable with Rogers Cable Inc. of bonds issued under the Deed of Trust and, in doing so, granted a lien over substantially all of its assets to secure its obligations as co-obligor under the Deed of Trust. In addition, Rogers Cable Inc.’s obligations under the Trust Bond are guaranteed by Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and will be guaranteed by any other future Restricted Subsidiaries. Rogers Cable Communications Inc. has pledged, and each future Restricted Subsidiary will pledge, substantially all its assets, subject to certain exceptions and prior liens, to secure its respective guarantee. The proceeds of any enforcement of the security under the Deed of Trust will be subject to the priority described under the subsection entitled “— Classes of Bonds and Ranking”.
Classes of Bonds and Ranking
The Deed of Trust provides for the issuance of (i) senior bonds (Senior Secured Bonds) and (ii) subordinated bonds (Deferred Payment Bonds). Senior Secured Bonds and Deferred Payment Bonds are collectively referred to herein as the “Deed of Trust Bonds”. Prior to the date of the issuance of the Trust Bond securing the Notes, Senior Secured Bonds have been issued to secure the obligations of Rogers Cable Inc. under our bank credit facility and of Rogers Cable Inc. and Rogers Cable Communications Inc. under the existing senior secured second priority securities. Rogers Cable Inc. has secured all of its existing, and may secure certain of its future, obligations arising from time to time in connection with interest rate and currency exchange agreements entered into or guaranteed by Rogers Cable Inc. (Swaps) by the issue of Senior Secured Bonds.
The Trust Bond is a Senior Secured Bond. The Senior Secured Bonds rankpari passuwith each other and are equally and ratably secured under the Deed of Trust according to the aggregate amount of indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of Rogers Cable Inc. for which such Senior Secured Bonds are pledged as security. However, pursuant to the terms of an inter-creditor agreement and the terms of the indentures governing our existing senior secured second priority securities, the proceeds of any enforcement of the security under the Deed of Trust, and any proceeds of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. or any other future Restricted Subsidiary, will be applied first to repay any obligations of Rogers Cable Inc. under the tranche A credit facility of our bank credit facility, and any other debt that rankspari passuwith outstanding debt under the tranche A credit facility (“Tranche A-Type Debt”). All additional proceeds will be appliedpro ratato repay all other
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obligations of Rogers Cable Inc. secured by other Senior Secured Bonds, including the Notes, the existing senior secured second priority securities, debt under the tranche B credit facility of our bank credit facility and the Swaps.
Under the Indenture, Rogers Cable Inc. may in the future create Tranche A-Type Debt,providedthat (1) the aggregate amount committed under the tranche A credit facility of any bank credit facility plus the aggregate amount of all outstanding or committed Tranche A-Type Debt may not exceed $600.0 million and (2) the ratio of all such debt to our annualized operating cash flow for the most recent fiscal quarter prior to the creation of such Tranche A-Type Debt may not exceed 3.0 to 1.
In the event that Rogers Cable has no Debt outstanding that is secured by any Bond issued under the Deed of Trust, debt under a tranche A credit facility and Tranche A-Type Debt, if any, would rankpari passuwith the other senior indebtedness of Rogers Cable, including the Notes.
Voting Rights
A holder of a Senior Secured Bond is entitled to voting rights under the Deed of Trust according to the greater of (i) the aggregate principal amount of debt of Rogers Cable Inc. outstanding at the time secured by such Senior Secured Bond and (ii) the maximum aggregate principal amount of credit which such holder is obliged to make available to Rogers Cable Inc. (including all amounts of debt of Rogers Cable Inc. outstanding at such time) at the time secured by such Senior Secured Bond (such greater amount, the “Available Commitment”).
The holders of the Senior Secured Bonds securing the Swaps have agreed, however, that they will not have voting rights under the Deed of Trust unless no other Senior Secured Bonds are outstanding (other than a Related Corporation Bond (as defined in the Deed of Trust) or a Senior Secured Bond issued to secure Swaps).
The following table illustrates the voting rights of holders of Senior Secured Bonds issued under the Deed of Trust at December 31, 2003, after giving effect to the redemption of our 9.65% Senior Secured Debentures due 2014, the issuance of the old Notes and the application of the net proceeds from the issuance of the old Notes as described under the section entitled “Use of Proceeds”.
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| | | | Voting |
| | Available Commitment | | Rights |
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Lenders under the bank credit facility | | Cdn$ | 1,075.0 million | | | | 30.5 | % |
Holders of 10% senior secured second priority notes due 2005 | | US$ | 291.5 million | | | | 10.7 | %(1) |
Holders of 7.60% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2007 | | Cdn$ | 450.0 million | | | | 12.8 | % |
Holders of 7.875% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2012 | | US$ | 350.0 million | | | | 12.9 | %(1) |
Holders of 6.25% senior (secured) second priority notes due 2013 | | US$ | 350.0 million | | | | 12.9 | % |
Holders of 8.750% senior (secured) second priority debentures due 2032 | | US$ | 200.0 million | | | | 7.3 | %(1) |
Holders of Notes | | US$ | 350.0 million | | | | 12.9 | % |
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| Total | | | | | | | 100.0 | % |
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(1) | Assumes such U.S. dollar denominated debt is translated into Canadian dollars based on the noon rate of exchange as reported by the Bank of Canada on December 31, 2003 of US$1.00 = Cdn$1.2924. |
Voting rights under the Deed of Trust are generally exercised pursuant to Bondholders’ Resolutions and Unanimous Bondholders’ Resolutions. A Bondholders’ Resolution is an instrument approving, requesting or consenting to certain actions by the Deed Trustee, which is approved by the holders of Senior Secured Bonds representing at least two-thirds of the aggregate Available Commitments or is adopted by holders of Senior Secured Bonds representing at least two-thirds of the aggregate Available
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Commitments that are present or represented at a meeting. A Unanimous Bondholders’ Resolution is an instrument approving, requesting or consenting to certain actions by the Deed Trustee, which is approved by the holders of Senior Secured Bonds representing all of the Available Commitments or is adopted by holders of Senior Secured Bonds representing all of the Available Commitments that are present or represented at a meeting. As stated above, the holders of Senior Secured Bonds securing the Swaps will not, except in the limited circumstance described, have any voting rights under the Deed of Trust.
If a default in payment of any principal or interest owing under or secured by a Deed of Trust Bond has occurred, any holder of a Senior Secured Bond may require the Deed Trustee to proceed to enforce the liens securing the Deed of Trust Bonds. Holders of Senior Secured Bonds may, by Bondholders’ Resolution, waive a default (other than a default in payment under a Senior Secured Bond) under the Deed of Trust and direct and control enforcement actions by the Deed Trustee. A Bondholders’ Resolution is also necessary under the Deed of Trust in order to, among other things, (i) approve the issuance of additional Deed of Trust Bonds, (ii) authorize the Deed Trustee to refrain from enforcing any covenant of Rogers Cable Inc. or Rogers Cable Communications Inc., (iii) authorize the removal of the Deed Trustee, (iv) authorize modifications and alterations to certain provisions of the Deed of Trust that do not require a Unanimous Bondholders’ Resolution, (v) authorize application or release of the expropriation proceeds, insurance proceeds and certain other proceeds of the security received by the Deed Trustee (providedthat under the Pledge Agreement by which the Trust Bond is pledged to the Trustee, if such proceeds are released to the Trustee, they must be repaid to the Deed Trustee unless an Event of Default under the Indenture shall have occurred and be continuing), (vi) authorize the reorganization or amalgamation of Rogers Cable Inc. or Rogers Cable Communications Inc. (unless otherwise permitted without a Bondholders’ Resolution) and (vii) approve certain matters relating to the guarantee and security therefor required to be given to the Deed Trustee by a Restricted Subsidiary. Certain actions are subject to Unanimous Bondholders’ Resolutions and thus may not be undertaken without the affirmative vote of the holder of the Trust Bond. See the subsection entitled “— Modification and Governing Law”.
Issuance of Additional Deed of Trust Bonds
Deed of Trust Bonds may be issued under the Deed of Trust only by way of pledge as security for the indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of Rogers Cable Inc. specified in the applicable pledge instrument. Rogers Cable Inc. may issue additional Deed of Trust Bonds under the Deed of Trust only if authorized by a Bondholders’ Resolution. Under the Indenture, the Trustee is required to vote in favour of the issuance of additional Deed of Trust Bonds if the debt to be secured thereby is permitted under the Indenture and each other financing instrument secured by Deed of Trust Bonds.
Security
The Deed of Trust Bonds are secured by fixed and floating charges in favour of the Deed Trustee on substantially all of the assets of Rogers Cable Inc. and Rogers Cable Communications Inc., including the outstanding stock of Rogers Cable Communications Inc. The fixed and floating charges are subject to certain exceptions and prior liens as described below. Rogers Cable Inc.’s obligations under the Deed of Trust Bonds also are guaranteed by Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and will be guaranteed by any other future Restricted Subsidiaries. Rogers Cable Communications Inc. has pledged, and any other future Restricted Subsidiary will pledge, substantially all its assets, subject to certain exceptions and prior liens, to secure its respective guarantee.
Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and any other future Restricted Subsidiary may, until the Deed Trustee has become bound to enforce its security under the Deed of Trust and subject to any applicable restrictions under the Indenture or other financing arrangements, dispose of, encumber or otherwise deal with the assets subject to these charges.
The security interests under the Deed of Trust are subject to certain exceptions and prior liens. The exceptions to these security interests include certain excluded assets and any proceeds thereof, and any investments made with such excluded assets and any proceeds of any such investments, which we define in
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the “Description of Notes” section as “Excluded Assets”. At the date hereof, the Excluded Assets consist of the shares and assets of our Unrestricted Subsidiaries, which are listed below. In addition, under relevant Canadian law, it is uncertain whether Rogers Cable Inc.’s or Rogers Cable Communications Inc.’s cable television licences may be made subject to a charge under the Deed of Trust.
Under the Deed of Trust, if either Rogers Cable Inc. or Rogers Cable Communications Inc. wishes to designate a subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, it must grant the Deed Trustee a pledge of all of the issued and outstanding shares of such subsidiary owned by Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. or any other future Restricted Subsidiary and such Subsidiary must provide a guarantee of the obligations of Rogers Cable Inc. under the Deed of Trust Bonds secured by substantially all its assets. Although the guarantee by Rogers Cable Communications Inc. of Rogers Cable Inc.’s obligations under the Senior Secured Bonds, including the Trust Bond, are not limited, the ability of any other future Restricted Subsidiary to guarantee the Deed of Trust Bonds may be limited by the statute under which such Restricted Subsidiary is subsisting. A subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary ceases to have that status only if approved by a Unanimous Bondholders’ Resolution. Currently, the only Restricted Subsidiary under the Deed of Trust is Rogers Cable Communications Inc. Currently, Rogers Cable Inc.’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries are 969056 Ontario Limited, Rogers Cablesystems Investments Inc. and Solv Signals Limited.
Event of Default Under Deed of Trust
Failure by Rogers Cable Inc. or Rogers Cable Communications Inc. to satisfy a demand for payment under the Trust Bond would constitute an event of default under the Deed of Trust. Although the Trust Bond is stated to be payable on demand, the Trustee may not demand payment of the Trust Bond unless or until an Event of Default under the Indenture (other than an Event of Default arising as a result of a Change in Control Triggering Event) occurs and is continuing or an Event of Default arising as a result of a Change in Control Triggering Event occurs and is continuing and Rogers Cable Inc. fails to make a Change in Control Offer or to purchase the Notes properly tendered into the Change in Control Offer at the times and in the manner specified in the Indenture.
Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Deed of Trust, the Deed Trustee must, if so required in writing by any Senior Secured Bondholder, proceed to enforce the liens under the Deed of Trust by any or all of the following procedures: (a) entry and possession in accordance with the Deed of Trust, (b) the appointment of a receiver in accordance with the Deed of Trust, (c) sale of all or any part of the security under the Deed of Trust, (d) lease or sublease of all or any part of the security, (e) proceeding in a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a receiver or for sale of all or any part of the security or foreclosure and (f) any other remedy or proceeding authorized by the Deed of Trust or by law. Upon receipt by the Deed Trustee of such a written request to realize upon the security, the Deed Trustee is required to give notice thereof to all of the holders of the Deed of Trust Bonds. If the Deed Trustee has been instructed to enforce the liens securing the Deed of Trust Bonds, only the Senior Secured Bondholders who have demanded payment of their Senior Secured Bonds may, acting unanimously, instruct the Deed Trustee to cease enforcement.
If any holder of a Senior Secured Bond requests the Deed Trustee to proceed to realize upon the security granted pursuant to the Deed of Trust, one or more of the holders of Senior Secured Bonds may initiate proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction seeking an order appointing a receiver to take possession of such security granted pursuant to the Deed of Trust unless such holder rescinds such request. No holder of a Senior Secured Bond is otherwise entitled to proceed directly against Rogers Cable Inc. or Rogers Cable Communications Inc. or any other future Restricted Subsidiary unless the Deed Trustee, having become obligated to proceed, fails to do so.
Except as may be required by law or by the order of a court, the proceeds from any realization of the security granted pursuant to the Deed of Trust will be applied in the following order: (a) firstly, if the Deed Trustee deems it in the interests of the holders of the Deed of Trust Bonds, to pay prior ranking liens on the charged assets, (b) secondly, to pay all amounts due to the Deed Trustee, (c) thirdly, to pay
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all amounts due on the Senior Secured Bonds,pro rata, first, for principal, then for interest, including interest on overdue interest, and then for all other amounts owing thereunder (provided that the proceeds will be applied first to repay obligations under the tranche A credit facility under our bank credit facility and any other Tranche A-Type Debt), (d) fourthly, to pay all amounts due on the Deferred Payment Bonds and (e) fifthly, to pay any surplus to Rogers Cable Inc. or its assigns. In determining the ratable and proportionate amounts due on the Senior Secured Bonds, the amounts due on U.S. dollar denominated Senior Secured Bonds will be calculated by applying the spot rate of exchange used by a specified Canadian chartered bank at its main branch in Toronto on the second banking day prior to the date of payment.
Modification and Governing Law
The Deed of Trust provides that modifications or alterations thereto and to the Deed of Trust Bonds may be made if authorized by a Bondholders’ Resolution. However, a Unanimous Bondholders’ Resolution is required in order to amend or otherwise vary, among other things (a) the definitions of “Bondholders’ Resolution”, “Event of Default”, “Permitted Lien” and “Unanimous Bondholders’ Resolution” set out in the Deed of Trust, (b) any power exercisable by written direction of a Senior Secured Bondholder, (c) any Senior Secured Bond, including the Trust Bond, (d) any guarantee of Deed of Trust Bonds and security therefor granted to the Deed Trustee, (e) any security granted to the Deed Trustee by Rogers Cable Inc., (f) any provision of the Deed of Trust which expressly requires a Unanimous Bondholders’ Resolution, (g) the ranking of the Deed of Trust Bonds, (h) provisions of the Deed of Trust concerning application of the proceeds from realization on the security and (i) provisions of the Deed of Trust which enable a bondholder in certain circumstances to seek judicial remedies upon an event of default. In addition, no modification or alteration may be made to any of the Deed of Trust Bonds that materially adversely affects the rights of the holders of Deferred Payment Bonds relative to the rights of the holders of Senior Secured Bonds without the approval, by unanimous resolution, of the holders of Deferred Payment Bonds.
The Deed of Trust and the Deed of Trust Bonds, including the Trust Bond, are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
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EXCHANGE OFFER; REGISTRATION RIGHTS
We have entered into a registration rights agreement, with respect to the old notes, with the initial purchasers, under which we have agreed, for the benefit of the holders of the old notes, to use commercially reasonable efforts, at our cost, to:
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| • | no later than 120 days after the date of original issuance of the old notes, file an exchange offer registration statement with the SEC with respect to a registered offer to exchange the old notes for new notes having terms substantially identical in all material respects to the old notes, and evidencing the same indebtedness as, the old notes, except that, among other things, the exchange notes will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions; and |
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| • | cause the exchange offer registration statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act not later than 180 days after the date of original issuance of the old notes. |
Upon the effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement, we will offer the exchange notes in exchange for surrender of the old notes. We will keep the exchange offer open for not less than 30 days (or longer if required by applicable laws) after the date of notice of the exchange offer is mailed to the holders of the old notes. For each old note surrendered to us pursuant to the exchange offer, the holder of the old note will receive an exchange note having a principal amount equal to that of the surrendered old note and evidencing the same indebtedness as the surrendered note. Interest on each exchange note will accrue from the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the note surrendered in exchange thereof or, if no interest has been paid on the note surrendered, from the date of its original issue. Under existing SEC interpretations as set forth in some letters issued by the SEC known as “no-action” letters, the exchange notes will be freely transferable by holders without further registration under the Securities Act only if the holder acquires the exchange notes in the ordinary course of its business and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the exchange notes. This does not apply, however, to a holder who is an “affiliate” of ours within the meaning of Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Any holder of the old notes using the exchange offer to participate in a distribution of the exchange notes cannot rely on the no-action letters referred to above. This includes a broker-dealer that acquired old notes directly from us, but not as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. Consequently, the holder must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in the absence of an exemption from such requirements.
Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account in exchange for old notes, as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes. The SEC has taken the position that broker-dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with respect to exchange notes, other than a resale of an unsold allotment from the original sale of the old notes with the prospectus contained in the exchange offer registration statement. Under the registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers, we are required to allow broker-dealers and other persons, if any, with similar prospectus delivery requirements to use the prospectus contained in the exchange offer registration statement in connection with the resale of the exchange notes.
Each holder of old notes who wishes to exchange those notes for exchange notes in the exchange offer will be required to represent to us that, among other things:
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| • | the exchange notes to be received in the exchange offer will be acquired in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving the exchange notes; |
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| • | neither the holder nor any such other person has an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of such new notes; and |
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| • | neither the holder nor any such other person is our “affiliate” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act. |
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If the holder is a broker-dealer that will receive exchange notes for its own account in exchange for old notes, it will acknowledge that it acquired such old notes as the result of market-making activities or other trading activities and it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes.
Under the registration rights agreement, we have agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a shelf registration statement to cover resales of the old notes in the event that:
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| • | applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC do not permit us to effect the exchange offer; |
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| • | for any other reason the exchange offer registration statement is not declared effective within 180 days after the date of the original issuance of the old notes or the exchange offer is not consummated within 210 days after the original issuance of the old notes; |
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| • | following the consummation of the exchange offer, any initial purchaser claims with respect to old notes that, pursuant to applicable law, such initial purchaser was not permitted to exchange in the exchange offer; or |
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| • | any holder of old notes, other than an initial purchaser, is not eligible to participate in the exchange offer or does not receive exchange notes that are freely tradeable in the United States in the exchange offer other than by reason of the holder being an affiliate of ours. |
If we are obligated, we will, at our cost, file a shelf registration statement, as promptly as practicable after becoming so obligated and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the shelf registration statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act. We will use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the shelf registration statement effective until two years after its effective date or until one year after its effective date if the shelf registration statement is filed at the request of an initial purchaser. We will, in the event a shelf registration statement is filed, among other things, provide to each holder for whom the shelf registration statement was filed copies of the prospectus which is a part of the shelf registration statement, notify each such holder when the shelf registration statement has become effective and take other actions as are required to permit unrestricted resales of the old notes or the exchange notes, as the case may be. A holder selling old notes or exchange notes pursuant to the shelf registration statement generally would be required to be named as a selling security holder in the related prospectus and to deliver a prospectus to purchasers, will be subject to applicable civil liability provisions under the Securities Act in connection with sales of that kind and will be bound by the provisions of the registration rights agreement which are applicable to that holder, including certain indemnification obligations.
If:
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| • | on or prior to the 120th day following the date of original issuance of the old notes, neither the exchange offer registration statement nor a shelf registration statement has been filed with the SEC; |
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| • | on or prior to the 180th day following the date of original issuance of the old notes, neither the exchange offer registration statement nor a shelf registration statement has been declared effective; or |
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| • | on or prior to the 210th day following the date of original issuance of the old notes, neither the exchange offer has been consummated nor a shelf registration statement has been declared effective; |
each event referred to in the above clauses being a registration default, the stated interest on the old notes will be increased by 0.25% per annum,providedthat the aggregate increase in the interest rate shall in no event exceed 0.25% per annum. Upon the cure of any such registration default, the interest rate will be reduced to the stated interest rate. The summary herein of provisions of the registration rights agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the registration rights agreement, a copy of which is available upon request.
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INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
Purchasers of the notes should consult their own tax advisors with respect to their particular circumstances and with respect to the effects of state, local or foreign (including Canadian) tax laws to which they may be subject.
Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences
This section summarizes the material Canadian tax consequences to holders of notes. It represents the views of our tax counsel, Torys LLP. This section applies to you if you are not, and are not deemed to be, a resident of Canada.
The discussion is limited in the following ways:
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| • | The discussion only covers you if you bought your notes in the initial offering and exchange them pursuant to this exchange offer. |
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| • | The discussion does not apply to you if you use or hold, or are deemed to use or hold, the notes in carrying on a business in Canada. |
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| • | The discussion does not apply to you if you are a non-resident insurer who carries on business in Canada and elsewhere. |
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| • | The discussion is based on current law and administrative practice of the Canadian taxation authorities. |
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| • | The discussion does not cover provincial, territorial or foreign law. |
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| • | The discussion is of a general nature only. We suggest that you consult your own tax advisor about the consequences of holding the notes in your particular situation. |
A holder of notes will not be subject to Canadian withholding tax in respect of interest, principal or premium paid or credited on the notes by us provided the holder deals with us at arm’s length within the meaning of the Canadian Income Tax Act at the time of such payment or credit. For purposes of the Canadian Income Tax Act, related persons, as defined therein, are deemed not to deal with each other at arm’s length and it is a question of fact whether persons not related to each other deal with each other at arm’s length.
No other tax on income, including taxable capital gains, is payable under the Canadian Income Tax Act in respect of the holding, redemption or disposition of the notes, or any interest or premium received on the notes by a holder.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
This section summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders of notes. It represents the views of our tax counsel, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. However, the discussion is limited in the following ways:
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| • | The discussion only covers you if you bought your notes in the initial offering and exchange them pursuant to this exchange offer. |
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| • | The discussion only covers you if you hold your notes as a capital asset (that is, for investment purposes), and if you do not have a special tax status. |
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| • | The discussion does not cover tax consequences that depend upon your particular tax situation in addition to your ownership of notes, such as if you are a tax-exempt entity, insurance company or financial institution, you hold the notes as a hedge against, or the notes are hedged against, currency risk or as part of a straddle or conversion transaction, or your functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. We suggest that you consult your tax advisor about the consequences of holding notes in your particular situation. |
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| • | The discussion is based on current law. Changes in the law may change the tax treatment of the notes, possibly with retroactive effect. |
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| • | The discussion does not cover state, local or foreign law. |
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| • | We have not requested a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on the tax consequences of owning the notes. As a result, the IRS could disagree with portions of this discussion. |
If a partnership holds notes, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding notes, we suggest that you consult your tax advisor.
We suggest that you consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of holding or exchanging the notes in your particular situation.
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| Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders |
This section applies to you if you are a “U.S. Holder”. A “U.S. Holder” is:
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| • | an individual U.S. citizen or resident alien; |
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| • | a corporation or entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes that was created under U.S. law (federal, state or District of Columbia); |
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| • | an estate whose worldwide income is subject to U.S. federal income tax; or |
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| • | a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. |
Exchange of Notes
The exchange of notes pursuant to this exchange offer will not constitute a taxable event to U.S. holders. Consequently, no gain or loss will be recognized by a U.S. holder upon receipt of an exchange note. The holding period and tax basis of an exchange note will be the same as the holding period and tax basis, immediately before the exchange, in the note so exchanged.
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| • | If you are a cash method taxpayer (including most individual holders), you must report interest on the notes in your income as ordinary interest income when you receive it. |
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| • | If you are an accrual method taxpayer, you must report interest on the notes in your income as ordinary interest income as it accrues. |
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| • | Such interest will constitute foreign source income for U.S. foreign tax credit limitation purposes, but with certain exceptions, will be treated separately, together with other items of “passive income” or, in the case of certain holders, “financial services income” for purposes of computing the foreign tax credit allowable under U.S. federal income tax laws. |
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| • | Subject to certain conditions and limitations, Canadian tax withheld on interest payments may be deducted from your taxable income or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability. |
If you receive additional interest on your notes upon a registration statement default (see the section entitled “— Exchange Offer; Registration Rights”):
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| • | We believe it should be treated in the same manner as regular interest on the notes. |
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| • | However, you might instead be required to report it as income when it accrues or becomes fixed, even if you are a cash method taxpayer. |
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| Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Retirement of Notes |
On your sale, exchange, redemption or retirement of your note:
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| • | You will have taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount received by you and your tax basis in the note. Your tax basis in the note is your cost, subject to certain adjustments. |
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| • | Your gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss, and will be long term capital gain or loss if you held the note for more than one year. For noncorporate taxpayers, including individuals, the maximum tax rate on long term capital gains is 15% for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2009 and 20% thereafter. Deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. |
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| • | If you sell the note between interest payment dates, a portion of the amount you receive reflects interest that has accrued on the note but has not yet been paid by the sale date. That amount is treated as ordinary interest income and not as sale proceeds. |
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| • | Your gain or loss generally will be treated as U.S. source income for U.S. foreign tax credit limitation purposes. |
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| • | You will not have taxable gain or loss on the exchange of your notes for the exchange notes. |
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| Information Reporting and Backup Withholding |
Under the tax rules concerning information reporting to the IRS:
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| • | Assuming you hold your notes through a broker or other securities intermediary, the intermediary must provide information to the IRS and to you on IRS Form 1099 concerning interest and retirement proceeds on your notes, unless an exemption applies. |
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| • | Similarly, unless an exemption applies, you must provide the intermediary with your Taxpayer Identification Number on IRS Form W-9 for its use in reporting information to the IRS. If you are an individual, this is your Social Security number. You are also required to comply with other IRS requirements concerning information reporting. |
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| • | If you are subject to these requirements but do not comply, the intermediary must withhold 28% of all amounts payable to you on the notes (including principal payments) or the proceeds from the sale or disposition of the notes. This is called “backup withholding”. If the intermediary withholds payments, you may use the withheld amount as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided you furnish the required information to the IRS. |
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| • | All individuals are subject to these requirements. Some holders, including all corporations, tax-exempt organizations and individual retirement accounts, are exempt from these requirements. |
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| Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders |
This section applies to you if you are a “Non-U.S. Holder”. A “Non-U.S. Holder” is:
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| • | an individual that is a nonresident alien; |
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| • | a corporation or entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes created under non-U.S. law; or |
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| • | an estate or trust that is not taxable in the United States on its worldwide income. |
Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to any U.S. federal income tax on interest paid with respect to the notes unless the Non-U.S. Holder has an office or other fixed place of business in the United States to which the interest is attributable and the interest is derived in the active conduct of a banking, financing or similar business within the United States.
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| Sale or Retirement of Notes |
If you sell a note or it is redeemed, you will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain unless one of the following applies:
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| • | the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business that you conduct in the United States; |
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| • | you are an individual, you are present in the United States for at least 183 days during the year in which you dispose of the note, and a number of other conditions are satisfied; or |
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| • | the gain represents accrued interest, in which case the rules for interest would apply. |
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If you hold your note in connection with a trade or business that you are conducting in the United States:
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| • | Any interest on the note, and any gain from disposing of the note, generally will be subject to income tax as if you were a U.S. Holder. |
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| • | If you are a corporation, you may be subject to the “branch profits tax” on your earnings that are connected with your U.S. trade or business, including earnings from the note. This tax is at a rate of 30%, but may be reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty. |
If you are an individual, your notes will not be subject to U.S. estate tax when you die. However, this rule only applies if, at your death, payments on the notes were not effectively connected to a trade or business that you were conducting in the United States.
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| Information Reporting and Backup Withholding |
U.S. rules concerning information reporting and backup withholding are described above. These rules apply to Non-U.S. Holders as follows:
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| • | Sales proceeds you receive on a sale of your notes through a broker may be subject to information reporting and/or backup withholding if you are not eligible for an exemption. In particular, information reporting and backup withholding may apply if you use the U.S. office of a broker, and information reporting (but not backup withholding) may apply if you use the foreign office of a broker that has certain connections to the United States. In general, you may file Form W-8BEN or Form W-8ECI to claim an exemption from information reporting and backup withholding. We suggest that you consult your tax advisor concerning information reporting and backup withholding on a sale. |
European Union Requirements
The European Union has adopted a Directive on the taxation of savings income. Subject to a number of important conditions being met, the Directive will require Member States to provide to the tax or other relevant authorities of another Member State details of payments of interest or other similar income made by a person within its jurisdiction to an individual resident in that other Member State, except that certain Member States have opted instead for a withholding system for a transitional period in relation to such payments. Certain non-Member States may adopt similar reporting or withholding rules pursuant to such Directive. Investors should rely on their own analysis of the proposals and should take advice from appropriate legal or taxation professionals.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the new notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of new notes received in exchange for old notes where the old notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that to the extent any broker-dealer participates in the exchange offer, we will use our reasonable best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form F-4 filed in connection with the exchange offer for a period of 180 days following the completion of the exchange offer.
We will not receive any proceeds from any sales of the new notes by broker-dealers. The new notes received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the new notes or a combination of methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to these prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Any resale may be made directly to the purchaser or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from the broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of the new notes. Any broker-dealer that resells the new notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of the new notes may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on any resale of new notes and any commissions or concessions received by any of those persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.
We have agreed to pay the expenses incident to the exchange offer, other than commission or concessions of any brokers or dealers and the fees of any counsel or other advisors or experts retained by the holders of old notes, and will indemnify the holders of the new notes (including any broker-dealers) against related liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
The new notes have not been and will not be qualified for sale under the securities laws of any province or territory of Canada.
LEGAL MATTERS
Legal matters in connection with the exchange offer will be passed upon for us by Torys LLP, Toronto, with respect to matters of Canadian law and by Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, New York, with respect to matters of U.S. law.
EXPERTS
Our consolidated balance sheets as at December 31, 2002 and 2003 and our consolidated statements of income, deficit and cash flows for the three years ended December 31, 2003 have been included in this prospectus, in reliance upon the report of by KPMG LLP, independent chartered accountants, and upon their authority as experts in auditing and accounting. The audit report covering the December 31, 2003 consolidated financial statements included Comments by Auditors for U.S. Readers on Canada-U.S. Reporting Differences, which referred to changes in accounting principles relating to our adoption of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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Description | | Page |
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Report of Independent Chartered Accountants | | | F-2 | |
Consolidated Balance Sheets | | | F-3 | |
Consolidated Statements of Income | | | F-4 | |
Consolidated Statements of Deficit | | | F-5 | |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | | | F-6 | |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | | | F-7 | |
F-1
AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Rogers Cable Inc. as at December 31, 2002 and 2003 and the consolidated statements of income, deficit and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003. 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 auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. 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, 2002 and 2003 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003 in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Chartered Accountants
Toronto, Canada
January 28, 2004, except as to Note 24(d), which is as of March 11, 2004
COMMENTS BY AUDITORS FOR U.S. READERS ON CANADA-U.S.
REPORTING DIFFERENCES
In the United States, reporting standards for auditors require the addition of an explanatory paragraph (following the opinion paragraph) when there is a change in accounting principles that has a material effect on the comparability of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, such as the changes as at January 1, 2002 to the consolidated financial statements relating to the adoption by the Company of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (note 2(f)). Our report to the Board of Directors of Rogers Cable Inc. dated January 28, 2004, except as to Note 24(d), which is as of March 11, 2004, is expressed in accordance with Canadian reporting standards which do not require a reference to such changes in accounting principles in the auditors’ report when the change is properly accounted for and adequately disclosed in the consolidated financial statements.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Chartered Accountants
Toronto, Canada
January 28, 2004, except as to Note 24(d), which is as of March 11, 2004
F-2
ROGERS CABLE INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands of Canadian dollars)
| | | | | | | | | |
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| | December 31, |
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| | 2002 | | 2003 |
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ASSETS |
Property, plant and equipment (note 4) | | $ | 2,556,847 | | | $ | 2,595,761 | |
Goodwill (note 5(a)) | | | 926,445 | | | | 926,445 | |
Intangible assets (note 5(b)) | | | 1,040 | | | | 520 | |
Investments (note 6) | | | 100,799 | | | | 799 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | 3,696 | | | | — | |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $10,120 at December 31, 2002 and $8,338 at December 31, 2003 | | | 91,616 | | | | 86,229 | |
Deferred charges (note 7) | | | 50,063 | | | | 41,529 | |
Other assets (note 8) | | | 76,272 | | | | 68,804 | |
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| | $ | 3,806,778 | | | $ | 3,720,087 | |
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
| Bank advances, arising from outstanding cheques | | $ | — | | | $ | 16,975 | |
| Long-term debt (note 10) | | | 2,353,055 | | | | 2,671,852 | |
| Notes payable to Rogers Communications Inc. (note 11) | | | 204,500 | | | | — | |
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | | 288,143 | | | | 317,463 | |
| Due to parent and affiliated companies (note 17(a)) | | | 23,783 | | | | 10,782 | |
| Unearned revenue | | | 35,256 | | | | 32,305 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
| | | 2,904,737 | | | | 3,049,377 | |
Shareholder’s equity (notes 2(g) and 12) | | | 902,041 | | | | 670,710 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
| | $ | 3,806,778 | | | $ | 3,720,087 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
Commitments (note 19)
Contingent liabilities (note 20)
Guarantees (note 21)
Canadian and United States accounting policy differences (note 23)
Subsequent events (note 24)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
ROGERS CABLE INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Years Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Operating revenue (note 22(b)) | | $ | 1,433,029 | | | $ | 1,596,401 | | | $ | 1,769,220 | |
Cost of video store sales | | | 99,962 | | | | 121,335 | | | | 129,938 | |
Sales and marketing expenses | | | 159,119 | | | | 193,644 | | | | 206,843 | |
Operating, general and administrative expenses | | | 657,143 | | | | 717,942 | | | | 768,965 | |
Management fees (note 17(b)(i)) | | | 28,781 | | | | 31,745 | | | | 35,385 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating income before the following | | | 488,024 | | | | 531,735 | | | | 628,089 | |
Workforce reduction (note 13) | | | — | | | | 5,850 | | | | — | |
Cable system integration and At Home termination costs (note 14) | | | 60,436 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 433,829 | | | | 484,224 | | | | 482,050 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating income (loss) | | | (6,241 | ) | | | 41,661 | | | | 146,039 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Interest: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Long-term debt | | | 162,590 | | | | 208,645 | | | | 237,803 | |
| Notes payable to Rogers Communications Inc. (note 11) | | | 12,036 | | | | 4,687 | | | | 2,867 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | 174,626 | | | | 213,332 | | | | 240,670 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | (180,867 | ) | | | (171,671 | ) | | | (94,631 | ) |
Dividend income from affiliated company (note 6(b)(i)) | | | 32,228 | | | | 5,447 | | | | 4,488 | |
Write-down of investments (note 6(a)(ii) and 6(c)) | | | (26,000 | ) | | | (11,136 | ) | | | — | |
Gain on sale of a subsidiary (note 3(b)) | | | 17,807 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Gain on sale of an investment (note 6(a)(i)) | | | 16,195 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Loss on repayment of long-term debt (note 10(m)) | | | — | | | | (20,880 | ) | | | (5,945 | ) |
Foreign exchange gain (loss) (note 2(g)) | | | (1,452 | ) | | | (3,090 | ) | | | 49,302 | |
Other income (expense) | | | 698 | | | | (3,887 | ) | | | (516 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Loss before income taxes | | | (141,391 | ) | | | (205,217 | ) | | | (47,302 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Income tax expense (reduction) (note 15): | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Current | | | 5,314 | | | | 6,515 | | | | 7,541 | |
| Future | | | — | | | | (152,902 | ) | | | — | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | 5,314 | | | | (146,387 | ) | | | 7,541 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Loss for the year | | $ | (146,705 | ) | | $ | (58,830 | ) | | $ | (54,843 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Basic and diluted loss per share (note 16) | | $ | (0.82 | ) | | $ | (0.29 | ) | | $ | (0.27 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
ROGERS CABLE INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF DEFICIT
(In thousands of Canadian dollars)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Years Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Deficit, beginning of year: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As previously reported | | $ | (1,449,690 | ) | | $ | (1,640,234 | ) | | $ | (1,894,412 | ) |
| Adjustment related to change in accounting for foreign currency translation (note 2(g)) | | | (19,312 | ) | | | (7,701 | ) | | | — | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| As restated | | | (1,469,002 | ) | | | (1,647,935 | ) | | | (1,894,412 | ) |
Loss for the year | | | (146,705 | ) | | | (58,830 | ) | | | (54,843 | ) |
Dividends on preferred shares | | | (32,228 | ) | | | (5,447 | ) | | | (4,488 | ) |
Dividends on common shares | | | — | | | | (57,600 | ) | | | — | |
Distribution to 610829 British Columbia Ltd. (note 6(b)(ii)) | | | — | | | | (124,600 | ) | | | — | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Deficit, end of year | | $ | (1,647,935 | ) | | $ | (1,894,412 | ) | | $ | (1,953,743 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
ROGERS CABLE INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands of Canadian dollars)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Years Ended December 31, |
| |
|
| | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Cash provided by (used in): | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Loss for the year | | $ | (146,705 | ) | | $ | (58,830 | ) | | $ | (54,843 | ) |
| Adjustments to reconcile the loss to net cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Depreciation and amortization | | | 466,592 | | | | 540,749 | | | | 542,466 | |
| | Future income taxes | | | — | | | | (152,902 | ) | | | — | |
| | Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) | | | 1,452 | | | | (1,162 | ) | | | (46,219 | ) |
| | Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment | | | — | | | | 1,560 | | | | 183 | |
| | Loss on repayment of long-term debt (note 10(m)) | | | — | | | | 20,880 | | | | 5,945 | |
| | Write-down of investments (note 6(a)(ii) and (c)) | | | 26,000 | | | | 11,136 | | | | — | |
| | Equity loss in At Home Canada, net | | | 244 | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | Gain on sale of a subsidiary and an investment (notes 3(b) and 6(a)(i)) | | | (34,002 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | 313,581 | | | | 361,431 | | | | 447,532 | |
| Change in non-cash operating items (note 9(a)) | | | 38,474 | | | | (55,162 | ) | | | 25,060 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | 352,055 | | | | 306,269 | | | | 472,592 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Financing activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Issue of long-term debt | | | 515,500 | | | | 2,282,130 | | | | 815,367 | |
| Repayment of long-term debt | | | (519,519 | ) | | | (1,674,078 | ) | | | (450,352 | ) |
| Premium on early repayment of long-term debt (note 10(m)) | | | — | | | | (21,773 | ) | | | (5,073 | ) |
| Proceeds on termination of cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements (note 10(m)(i)) | | | — | | | | 141,380 | | | | — | |
| Issue of capital stock (note 12(a)(ii)) | | | — | | | | 57,602 | | | | — | |
| Issue of notes payable to Rogers Communications Inc. (note 11) | | | 981,000 | | | | 216,500 | | | | 24,000 | |
| Repayment of notes payable to Rogers Communications Inc. (note 11) | | | (495,400 | ) | | | (497,600 | ) | | | (228,500 | ) |
| Dividends paid | | | (32,228 | ) | | | (63,047 | ) | | | (4,488 | ) |
| Capital distribution to Rogers Communications Inc. (note 12(b)(i)) | | | — | | | | — | | | | (72,000 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | 449,353 | | | | 441,114 | | | | 78,954 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Investing activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Additions to property, plant and equipment | | | (749,747 | ) | | | (650,871 | ) | | | (509,562 | ) |
| Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment | | | — | | | | 4,296 | | | | 2,110 | |
| Additions to video rental inventory | | | (36,880 | ) | | | (59,304 | ) | | | (58,544 | ) |
| Additions to deferred charges | | | (5,910 | ) | | | (29,381 | ) | | | (6,221 | ) |
| Acquisition of Rogers Cable Atlantic Inc. (note 3(a)) | | | (88,856 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
| Proceeds on sale of a subsidiary (note 3(b)) | | | 29,366 | | | | — | | | | — | |
| Proceeds on sale of an investment (note 6(a)(i)) | | | 16,195 | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | (835,832 | ) | | | (735,260 | ) | | | (572,217 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | | (34,424 | ) | | | 12,123 | | | | (20,671 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents (deficiency), beginning of year | | | 25,997 | | | | (8,427 | ) | | | 3,696 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Cash and cash equivalents (deficiency), end of year | | $ | (8,427 | ) | | $ | 3,696 | | | $ | (16,975 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Cash and cash equivalents (deficiency) are defined as cash and short-term deposits, which have an original maturity of less than 90 days, less bank advances.
For supplemental cash flow information and disclosure of non-cash transactions, see note 9.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
1. Nature of the Business:
Rogers Cable Inc. (“RCAB”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rogers Communications Inc. (“RCI”). RCAB owns and operates cable television systems, a chain of video stores, and provides Internet access service through its cable network. RCAB and its subsidiary companies are collectively referred to herein as the “Company”.
On December 31, 2003, the Company executed a corporate reorganization that involved the transfer of substantially all of the assets of the Company to a wholly owned subsidiary, Rogers Cable Communications Inc. (“RCCI”). As part of the reorganization, the Company’s subsidiaries, Rogers Cablesystems Ontario Limited, Rogers Ottawa Limited/ Limitée, Rogers Cable Atlantic Inc. and Rogers Cablesystems Georgian Bay Limited, amalgamated with and continued as RCCI. As a result of the reorganization, the Company, through RCCI, continues to conduct all of the operations and provide all of the services described above.
2. Significant Accounting Policies:
(a) Basis of Presentation:
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and, except as outlined in note 23, are, in all material respects, in accordance with United States GAAP. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of RCAB and its subsidiary companies. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation.
Other investments are recorded at cost and are written down when there is evidence that a decline in value that is other than temporary has occurred.
(b) Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”) are recorded at purchase cost. During construction of new cable areas or during the rebuilding or upgrading of cable television systems, direct costs plus a portion of applicable overhead costs are capitalized. Repairs and maintenance expenditures are charged to operating expense as incurred.
The cost of the initial subscriber installation is capitalized. Costs of all other connections and disconnections are expensed.
F-7
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
(c) Depreciation:
PP&E and video rental inventory are depreciated annually over their estimated useful lives as follows:
| | | | |
Asset | | Basis | | Rate |
| |
| |
|
Buildings | | Diminishing balance | | 5% |
Towers and headends | | Straight line | | 10% |
Distribution cable and subscriber drops | | Straight line | | 6 2/3%-10% |
Converters, modems and set-top terminals | | Straight line | | 20%-33 1/3% |
Programming and other equipment | | Diminishing balance | | Mainly 20% and 30% |
Computer equipment | | Straight line | | 25% |
Leasehold improvements | | Straight line | | Over term of lease |
Other equipment | | Diminishing balance | | 20%-30% |
Video rental inventory | | Diminishing balance | | 6 months |
Depreciation expense for video rental inventory is charged to operating expenses and amounted to $32.2 million, $56.5 million and $60.4 million in the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively.
(d) Asset Retirement Obligations:
Effective January 1, 2003, the Company retroactively adopted The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants’ (“CICA”) Handbook Section 3110, “Asset Retirement Obligations”, which harmonizes Canadian GAAP with U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (��FASB”) Statement No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”. The standard provides guidance for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of liabilities for asset retirement obligations and the associated asset retirement costs. The standard applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that result from acquisition, construction, development or normal operations.
The standard requires the Company to record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the year in which it is incurred and when a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The standard describes the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation as the amount at which that liability could be settled in a current transaction between willing parties, that is, other than in a forced or liquidation transaction. The Company is subsequently required to allocate that asset retirement cost to expense using a systematic and rational method over the asset’s useful life.
The adoption of this standard had no material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
(e) Long-lived Assets:
Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted CICA Handbook Section 3063, “Impairment of Long-Lived Assets”. Long-lived assets, including PP&E and intangible assets with finite useful lives, are amortized over their useful lives. The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of a group of assets is less than its carrying amount, it is considered to be impaired. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the group of assets exceeds its fair value. At December 31, 2003, no such impairment had occurred.
F-8
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
For the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company’s policy was to review the recoverability of PP&E annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicated that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Recoverability was measured by comparing the carrying amounts of a group of assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by that group of assets. As at December 31, 2002, no impairment in the carrying amount had occurred. Intangible assets with definite lives were tested for impairment by comparing their book values with the undiscounted cash flow expected to be received from their use. At December 31, 2002, no impairment had occurred.
| |
(f) | Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: |
Goodwill is the residual amount that results when the purchase price of an acquired business exceeds the sum of the amounts allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired, less liabilities assumed, based on their fair values. When the Company enters into a business combination, the purchase method of accounting is used. Goodwill is assigned as of the date of the business combination to reporting units that are expected to benefit from the business combination.
Goodwill is not amortized but instead is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test is carried out in two steps. In the first step, the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill, is compared with its fair value. When the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered to be impaired and the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary. The second step is carried out when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, in which case, the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill, determined in the same manner as the value of goodwill is determined in a business combination, is compared with its carrying amount to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any.
For the year ended December 31, 2001, goodwill was amortized over a period of 40 years on a straight-line basis from the date of acquisition. On January 1, 2002, the Company discontinued amortization of all existing goodwill on a prospective basis.
The following table presents the effect on the December 31, 2001 consolidated statement of income as though the Company had retroactively adopted the change in accounting policy of not amortizing goodwill:
| | | | |
| | Year Ended |
| | December 31, |
| | 2001 |
| |
|
| | |
Loss for the year, as reported | | $ | (146,705 | ) |
Amortization of goodwill | | | 25,518 | |
| | |
| |
Loss for the year before amortization of goodwill | | $ | (121,187 | ) |
| | |
| |
Basic and diluted loss per share, as reported | | $ | (0.82 | ) |
Amortization of goodwill | | | 0.12 | |
| | |
| |
Basic and diluted loss per share for the year before amortization of goodwill | | $ | (0.70 | ) |
| | |
| |
Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recorded at their fair values, and all intangible assets are tested for impairment annually or more frequently when events or changes in
F-9
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Intangible assets with determinable lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, and are tested for impairment as described in note 2(e). An impaired loss on indefinite life intangible assets is required when the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value.
The Company has tested goodwill and intangible assets for impairment at December 31, 2002 and 2003, and determined no impairment in the carrying value of these assets existed.
| |
(g) | Foreign Currency Translation: |
Long-term debt denominated in U.S. dollars is translated into Canadian dollars at the period-end rate of exchange. The effect of cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements is shown separately in note 10. Exchange gains or losses on translating long-term debt are recognized in the consolidated statements of income. In 2003, foreign exchange gains related to the translation of long-term debt totalled $46.2 million (2002 — $1.2 million gain, 2001 — $1.5 million loss).
Until December 31, 2001, foreign exchange gains and losses on long-term monetary items had been deferred and amortized over the life of the item. Upon adoption of the amended standard on January 1, 2002, the consolidated statement of income was restated for the year ended December 31, 2001 to recognize foreign exchange losses by the following amounts:
Consolidated statement of income:
| | | | |
| | 2001 |
| |
|
Loss for the year, as previously reported | | $ | (158,316 | ) |
Decrease in amortization expense | | | 13,063 | |
Increase in foreign exchange loss | | | (1,452 | ) |
| | |
| |
Loss for the year, as restated | | $ | (146,705 | ) |
| | |
| |
Basic and diluted loss per share for the year, as previously reported | | $ | (0.87 | ) |
Restatement, as a result of change in accounting policy for foreign exchange translation | | | 0.05 | |
| | |
| |
Basic and diluted loss per share for the year, as restated | | $ | (0.82 | ) |
| | |
| |
The effect of the adoption of the amended standard was to decrease the Company’s loss for the year ended December 31, 2001 by approximately $11.6 million ($0.05 per share) and to increase the Company’s loss for the year ended December 31, 2002 by approximately $9.6 million ($0.04 per share).
The costs of obtaining bank and other debt financing are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the effective life of the debt to which they relate.
During the development and pre-operating phases of new products and businesses, related incremental costs are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over periods up to five years.
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost, on a first-in, first-out basis, and net realizable value. Video rental inventory, which includes videocassettes, DVDs and videogames, is depreciated to a pre-determined
F-10
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
residual value. The residual value of the video rental inventory is recorded as a charge to operating expense on the sale of the video rental inventory. Depreciation of video rental inventory is charged to operating expense on a diminishing-balance basis over a six-month period.
(j) Pension Benefits:
Substantially all of the Company’s employees are provided defined benefit pensions through the RCI Pension Plan. The Company accounts for its participation in the RCI Pension Plan as a defined contribution plan and, accordingly, pension expense for the year is recognized for the contributions required to be made to the RCI Pension Plan during the year. For the year ended December 31, 2003, contributions of $4.5 million were required (2002 and 2001 — nil), resulting in pension expense of the same amount. The Company does not provide its employees with post-retirement benefits other than pensions.
Future income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future income tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Future income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted or substantively enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is recorded against any future income tax asset if it is more likely than not that the asset will not be realized. Income tax expense is the sum of the Company’s provision for current income taxes and the difference between opening and ending balances of future income tax assets and liabilities.
| |
(l) | Financial Instruments: |
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage risks from fluctuations in exchange rates and interest rates. These instruments include cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements, interest rate exchange agreements, foreign exchange forward contracts and, from time to time, foreign exchange option agreements. All such instruments are only used for risk management purposes and are designated as hedges of specific debt instruments. The Company accounts for these financial instruments as hedges and, as a result, the carrying values of the financial instruments are not adjusted to reflect their current fair value. The net receipts or payments arising from financial instruments relating to interest are recognized in interest expense on an accrual basis. Upon redesignation or amendment of a derivative financial instrument, the carrying value of the instrument is adjusted to fair value. If the related debt instrument that was hedged has been repaid, then the gain or loss is recorded as a component of the gain or loss on repayment of the debt. Otherwise, the gain or loss is deferred and amortized over the remaining life of the original debt instrument.
These instruments, which have been entered into by the Company to hedge exposure to interest rate risk and foreign exchange risk, are periodically examined by the Company to ensure that the instruments are highly effective at reducing or modifying interest rate or foreign exchange risk associated with the hedged item. For those instruments that do not meet the above criteria, variations in their fair value are marked-to-market on a current basis in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.
F-11
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
(m) Revenue Recognition:
The Company earns revenue from several sources. The principal sources of revenue to the Company and recognition of these revenues for financial statement purposes are as follows:
| | |
| (i) | Installation revenues in connection with cable and internet services are recorded as revenue to the extent of direct selling costs incurred. |
|
| (ii) | Monthly fees in connection with cable and internet services are recorded as revenue on a pro rata basis over the month. |
|
| (iii) | Revenue from pay-per-view and video-on-demand services, video rentals and other transactional sales of products are recorded as revenue as the services or products are provided. |
Unearned revenue includes subscriber deposits and amounts received from subscribers related to services and subscriptions to be provided in future periods.
(n) Subscriber Acquisition Costs:
The Company expenses commissions and equipment subsidies related to the acquisition of new cable and internet subscribers upon activation. Sales and marketing and other associated costs related to the acquisition of new cable and internet subscribers are expensed as incurred.
(o) Stock-based Compensation:
RCI has a stock option plan for its employees and directors, including those of the Company. All stock options issued under this plan have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying RCI Class B Non-Voting shares on the date of grant. As a result, the Company records no compensation expense on the grant of options to the Company’s employees under the plan. The Company discloses the pro forma effect of accounting for these awards under the fair value-based method (note 12(c)).
The Company accounts for all stock-based payments to non-employees and employee awards that are direct awards of stock, call for settlement in cash or other assets, or are stock appreciation rights that call for settlement by the issuance of equity instruments using the fair value-based method.
RCI has an employee share purchase plan in which the Company participates. Under the terms of the plan, participating employees with the Company at the end of the term of the plan, which is usually one year, receive a bonus based on a percentage of their purchase. Compensation expense is recognized in connection with the employee share purchase plan to the extent of the bonus provided to employees from the market price of the Class B Non-Voting shares of RCI on the date of issue. Consideration paid by employees on the exercise of stock options or the purchase of shares is recorded as share capital and contributed surplus in RCI. The employee share purchase plan is more fully described in note 12(d).
The Company has a directors’ deferred share unit plan, under which directors of the Company are entitled to elect to receive their remuneration in deferred share units. Upon departure as a director, these deferred share units are redeemed by the Company at the then current RCI Class B Non-Voting shares’ market price. Compensation expense is recognized in the amount of the directors’ remuneration as their services are rendered. The related accrued liability is adjusted to the market price of the RCI Class B Non-Voting shares at each balance sheet date and the related adjustment is recorded in operating income. At December 31, 2003, a total of 1,601 (2002 — 1,421) deferred share units were outstanding.
F-12
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
(p) Earnings Per Share:
The Company uses the treasury stock method for calculating diluted earnings per share. The diluted earnings per share calculation considers the impact of potentially dilutive instruments.
(q) Guarantees:
Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted CICA Accounting Guideline 14, “Disclosure of Guarantees” (“AcG-14”) (note 21), which requires a guarantor to disclose significant information about certain types of guarantees that it has provided, including certain types of indemnities and indirect guarantees of indebtedness to others, without regard to the likelihood of whether it will have to make any payments under the guarantees. The disclosure required by AcG-14 is in addition to the existing disclosure required for contingencies.
(r) Use of Estimates:
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the year. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Key areas of estimation, where management has made difficult, complex or subjective judgments, often as a result of matters that are inherently uncertain, are the provision for bad debts, the ability to use income tax loss carryforwards and other future tax assets, capitalization of labour and overhead, useful lives of depreciable assets, asset retirement obligations, and the recoverability of PP&E, goodwill and intangible assets. In addition, the Company has investments some of which have experienced declines in market valuation. Significant changes in the assumptions, including those with respect to future business plans and cash flows, could change the recorded amounts by a material amount. In addition, continuing declines in market valuations could result in impairment of these investments.
(s) Recent Canadian Accounting Pronouncements:
(i) Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables:
In December 2003, the Emerging Issues Committee issued Abstract 142, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables”, which the Company will apply prospectively beginning January 1, 2004. This Abstract is consistent with the U.S. standard with the same title, and addresses both when and how an arrangement involving multiple deliverables should be divided into separate units of accounting and how the arrangement’s consideration should be allocated among separate units. The Company is currently determining the impact of adoption of this standard.
(ii) Hedging Relationships:
In November 2001, the CICA issued Accounting Guideline 13, “Hedging Relationships” (“AcG-13”), and in November 2002, the CICA amended the effective date of the guideline. AcG-13 establishes new criteria for hedge accounting and will apply to all hedging relationships in effect on or after January 1, 2004. Effective January 1, 2004, the Company will re-assess all hedging relationships to determine whether the criteria are met or not and will apply the new guidance on a prospective basis. To qualify for hedge accounting, the hedging relationship must be appropriately documented at the inception of the hedge and there must be reasonable assurance, both at the inception and throughout the term of the
F-13
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
hedge, that the hedging relationship will be effective. Effectiveness requires a high correlation of changes in fair values or cash flows between the hedged item and the hedging item. The Company is currently determining the impact of the guideline.
(iii) Stock-based Compensation:
In 2003, the CICA amended Handbook Section 3870, “Stock-based Compensation and other Stock-based Payments”, to require the recording of compensation expense on the granting of all stock-based compensation awards, including stock options to employees, calculated using the fair-value method. The Company will adopt this standard on January 1, 2004, retroactively without restatement. If the Company were to use the Black-Scholes option pricing model for calculating the fair value of the stock-based compensation, the Company would record a charge to opening retained earnings on January 1, 2004 of $2.9 million related to stock options granted on or after January 1, 2002 (note 12(c)).
| |
| (iv) Generally Accepted Accounting Principles: |
In June 2003, the CICA released Handbook Section 1100, “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”. This section establishes standards for financial reporting in accordance with Canadian GAAP, and describes what constitutes Canadian GAAP and its sources. This section also provides guidance on sources to consult when selecting accounting policies and determining appropriate disclosures, when a matter is not dealt with explicitly in the primary sources of GAAP. The new standard is effective on a prospective basis beginning January 1, 2004. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.
| |
3. | Acquisition and Divestiture: |
The Company completed the following acquisition and divestiture. The acquisition has been accounted for by the purchase method and the results of operations of the acquired business are included in the consolidated statements of income from the effective date of acquisition. Similarly, the results of operations of the divested business have been excluded from the consolidated statements of income from the effective date of divestiture.
| |
| (a) Acquisition of Rogers Cable Atlantic Inc. (formerly Cable Atlantic Inc.): |
On February 7, 2001, RCI acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Rogers Cable Atlantic Inc. (“RCAI”) (formerly Cable Atlantic Inc.), which at the time of the acquisition had cable television systems serving approximately 75,000 basic subscribers in Newfoundland. On February 12, 2001, the Company acquired from RCI, at RCI’s cost, all of the outstanding shares of RCAI for a total consideration of $251.5 million, including costs of acquisition, consisting of cash of $88.9 million, net of cash acquired, and the issuance of 151,800 seventh preferred shares in the amount of $162.6 million (note 14(a)).
F-14
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
Details of the net assets acquired, at fair value, were as follows:
| | | | |
PP&E | | $ | 42,497 | |
Other assets | | | 10,546 | |
Goodwill | | | 216,733 | |
| | |
| |
| | | 269,776 | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | | 15,400 | |
Future income taxes | | | 2,877 | |
| | |
| |
| | | 18,277 | |
| | |
| |
Total consideration, net of cash acquired | | $ | 251,499 | |
| | |
| |
| |
| (b) Sale of Rogers American Cablesystems, Inc.: |
On November 19, 2001, the Company sold all of the shares of Rogers American Cablesystems, Inc. (“American Cablesystems”), a wholly owned subsidiary, to General Communication Inc. American Cablesystems’ wholly owned subsidiary, Rogers Cablesystems of Alaska, Inc., owned and operated cable systems in Alaska which, at the time of the sale, served approximately 7,400 basic cable subscribers. Total cash proceeds on the sale amounted to $29.4 million, which resulted in a gain on sale of $17.8 million before income taxes.
| |
4. | Property, Plant and Equipment: |
Details of PP&E are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
|
| | | | Net Book | | | | Net Book |
| | Cost | | Value | | Cost | | Value |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Land and buildings | | $ | 60,137 | | | $ | 47,019 | | | $ | 61,268 | | | $ | 46,160 | |
Towers and headends | | | 507,470 | | | | 264,759 | | | | 561,421 | | | | 266,662 | |
Distribution cable and subscriber drops | | | 3,136,545 | | | | 1,785,510 | | | | 3,438,248 | | | | 1,855,201 | |
Converters, modems and set-top terminals | | | 534,201 | | | | 231,171 | | | | 613,741 | | | | 212,026 | |
Programming and other equipment | | | 79,796 | | | | 24,973 | | | | 83,882 | | | | 23,980 | |
Computer equipment | | | 394,331 | | | | 135,629 | | | | 424,031 | | | | 123,304 | |
Leasehold improvements | | | 97,246 | | | | 26,449 | | | | 104,145 | | | | 27,398 | |
Other equipment | | | 176,865 | | | | 41,337 | | | | 188,241 | | | | 41,030 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | $ | 4,986,591 | | | $ | 2,556,847 | | | $ | 5,474,977 | | | $ | 2,595,761 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 amounted to $389.5 million, $461.8 million and $468.4 million, respectively.
PP&E not yet in service and, therefore, not depreciated at December 31, 2002 and 2003 amounted to $113.8 million and $108.8 million, respectively.
F-15
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
| |
5. | Goodwill and Intangible Assets: |
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
|
Goodwill | | $ | 1,091,068 | | | $ | 1,091,068 | |
Less accumulated amortization | | | 164,623 | | | | 164,623 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
| | $ | 926,445 | | | $ | 926,445 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
Amortization of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 amounted to $25.5 million, nil and nil, respectively.
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
|
Subscribers | | $ | 5,200 | | | $ | 5,200 | |
Less accumulated amortization | | | 4,160 | | | | 4,680 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
| | $ | 1,040 | | | $ | 520 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
Subscribers are being amortized on a straight-line basis over 10 years. Amortization of subscribers for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 amounted to $0.5 million per annum.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| | | | | |
| |
|
| | | | | | Quoted | | | | Quoted | | |
| | | | | | Market | | Book | | Market | | Book |
| | Number | | Description | | Value | | Value | | Value | | Value |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Publicly traded companies: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Liberate Technologies Inc. (“Liberate”) | | | 220,222 | | | | Common | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | shares | | | $ | 495 | | | $ | 495 | | | $ | 882 | | | $ | 495 | |
| | | — | | | | Warrants | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | (2002- 200,000 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Terayon Communication Systems, Inc. (“Terayon”) | | | 580,000 | | | | Common | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | shares | | | | 1,878 | | | | 1 | | | | 3,373 | | | | 1 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | | | | | | | | $ | 2,373 | | | | 496 | | | $ | 4,255 | | | | 496 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Affiliated companies: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rogers Cable Investments Limited (“RCIL”) | | | — | | | | First | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | preferred | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | (2002- 100,000 | ) | | | shares | | | | | | | | 100,000 | | | | | | | | — | |
Other investments, at cost, net of write-downs | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 303 | | | | | | | | 303 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 100,799 | | | | | | | $ | 799 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| |
F-16
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
| |
| (a) Publicly Traded Companies: |
The Company reviews the carrying value of investments against market values and other available information and records a write-down in values when a decline in value other than temporary has occurred.
(i) In 2001, the Company sold 970,000 common shares of Terayon for proceeds of and a gain on sale of $16.2 million before income taxes.
(ii) In 2002, the Company wrote down its investment in Liberate by $11.1 million due to a decline in the quoted market value that was considered to be other than temporary.
(b) Affiliated Companies:
| |
| (i) The first preferred shares of RCIL entitle the Company to dividends at the bank prime rate plus 1.25% per annum, payable quarterly. RCIL is an affiliate of the Company and a wholly owned subsidiary of RCI. Dividends earned from RCIL for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 amounted to $32.2 million, $5.4 million and $4.5 million, respectively. |
|
| The investment in the first preferred shares of RCIL was completed in connection with transactions that have the effect of transferring tax losses of the Company to a subsidiary of the Company. |
|
| During 2001, the redemption of 363,000 first preferred shares of RCIL, held by the Company valued at $363.0 million, were offset by the redemption of 363,000 of its first preferred shares held by RCIL. This reduced the investment held by the Company in the first preferred shares of RCIL to $100.0 million. |
|
| During 2003, the redemption of 100,000 first preferred shares of RCIL held by the Company, valued at $100.0 million, were offset by the redemption of 100,000 of the Company’s first preferred shares held by RCIL (note 12(b)(ii)) resulting in the elimination in the Company’s investment in the first preferred shares of RCIL. |
|
| (ii) In July 2002, 610829 British Columbia Ltd. (“610 Ltd.”), a wholly owned subsidiary company of RCI, transferred 19,328,795 Deposit Receipts (“DRs”) of AT&T Canada Inc., a public company to the Company in exchange for 1,000,000 eighth preferred shares. The transaction was valued at $934.7 million, representing the fair market value of these DRs based upon the quoted market value of the DRs at the time of transfer. The Company subsequently sold the DRs to 610 Ltd. and received 1,000,000 first preferred shares of 610 Ltd. The eighth preferred shares of the Company were redeemed for a demand promissory note payable to 610 Ltd. Following these transfers, the first preferred shares of 610 Ltd. were redeemed and the Company received a demand promissory note receivable from 610 Ltd. The note receivable from 610 Ltd. was then satisfied by the set-off against the demand promissory note payable to 610 Ltd. (note 12(a)(i)). |
|
| This transaction utilized available tax losses of the Company of approximately $413.8 million, the benefit of which had previously been recorded at a value of $124.6 million. For accounting purposes, the utilization of these losses has been recorded as a distribution to 610 Ltd. (note 15). |
(c) Other Investments:
In 2001, the Company wrote down other investments by $26.0 million due to a decline in value that was considered to be other than temporary.
F-17
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
7. Deferred Charges:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
|
Financing costs | | $ | 34,225 | | | $ | 33,610 | |
Pre-operating costs | | | 15,838 | | | | 7,919 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
| | $ | 50,063 | | | $ | 41,529 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
Amortization of deferred charges for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 amounted to $18.9 million, $21.9 million and $13.2 million, respectively. Accumulated amortization as at December 31, 2002 and 2003 amounted to $31.8 million and $43.6 million, respectively.
In connection with the repayment of certain long-term debt in 2002, the Company recorded a gain on the unwinding and maturity of cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements of $3.2 million, paid a prepayment premium of $21.8 million and wrote off deferred financing costs of $2.3 million (note 10(m)(i)).
In connection with the repayment of certain long-term debt in 2003, the Company paid a prepayment premium of $5.1 million and wrote off deferred financing costs of $0.8 million (note 10(m)(ii)).
8. Other Assets:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
|
Amounts receivable from employees under RCI share purchase plans, including $83 and $44 at December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively, from officers, secured by the underlying shares of RCI | | $ | 2,976 | | | $ | 197 | |
Mortgages and loans receivable, including $1,164 and $518 at December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively, from officers | | | 3,277 | | | | 1,594 | |
Inventories | | | 26,611 | | | | 26,266 | |
Video rental inventory | | | 33,557 | | | | 31,685 | |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | | | 9,851 | | | | 9,062 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
| | $ | 76,272 | | | $ | 68,804 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
9. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
(a) Change in Non-cash Operating Items:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Accounts receivable | | $ | 1,446 | | | $ | 12,842 | | | $ | 5,387 | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | | 12,246 | | | | (81,004 | ) | | | 30,028 | |
Unearned revenue | | | (17,845 | ) | | | 7,976 | | | | (2,951 | ) |
Other assets | | | 46,787 | | | | 16,148 | | | | 5,597 | |
Due to parent and affiliated companies | | | (4,160 | ) | | | (11,124 | ) | | | (13,001 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | $ | 38,474 | | | $ | (55,162 | ) | | $ | 25,060 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
F-18
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
(b) Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Interest paid | | $ | 166,430 | | | $ | 192,740 | | | $ | 204,267 | |
Income taxes paid | | | 5,314 | | | | 6,515 | | | | 4,719 | |
| |
| (c) Supplemental Disclosure of Non-cash Financing and Investing Activities: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Distribution to 610 Ltd. on sale of investment in AT&T DRs (note 6(b)(ii)) | | $ | — | | | $ | (124,600 | ) | | $ | — | |
Seventh preferred shares issued in consideration for acquisition of RCAI (note 3(a)) | | | 162,643 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Redemption of first preferred shares held by RCIL (note 6(b)(i)) | | | (363,000 | ) | | | — | | | | (100,000 | ) |
As further described in notes 6(b)(ii) and 12(a)(i), in 2002, the Company completed a series of non-cash transactions with a subsidiary of RCI.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Interest Rate | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
|
(a) Bank credit facilities | | | Floating | | | $ | 37,000 | | | $ | 36,000 | |
(b) Senior Secured Second Priority Notes, due 2005 | | | 10 | % | | | 460,506 | | | | 376,777 | |
(c) Senior Secured Second Priority Notes, due 2007 | | | 7.60 | % | | | 450,000 | | | | 450,000 | |
(d) Senior Secured Second Priority Debentures, due 2007 | | | 10 | % | | | 118,167 | | | | — | |
(e) Senior Secured Second Priority Notes, due 2012 | | | 7.875 | % | | | 552,860 | | | | 452,340 | |
(f) Senior Secured Second Priority Notes, due 2013 | | | 6.25 | % | | | — | | | | 452,340 | |
(g) Senior Secured Second Priority Debentures, due 2014 | | | 9.65 | % | | | 300,000 | | | | 300,000 | |
(h) Senior Secured Second Priority Debentures, due 2032 | | | 8.75 | % | | | 315,920 | | | | 258,480 | |
(l) Senior Subordinated Guaranteed Debentures, due 2015 | | | 11 | % | | | 179,561 | | | | 146,914 | |
Obligations under capital leases | | | Various | | | | 3,563 | | | | 682 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | | | | | 2,417,577 | | | | 2,473,533 | |
Effect of cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements | | | | | | | (64,522 | ) | | | 198,319 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | |
| |
| | | | | | $ | 2,353,055 | | | $ | 2,671,852 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | |
| |
Further details of long-term debt are as follows:
| |
| (a) Bank Credit Facilities: |
Effective January 31, 2002, the Company entered into a new amended and restated bank credit facility (the “New Bank Credit Facility”) providing a bank credit facility of up to $1,075.0 million. At
F-19
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
December 31, 2003, $36.0 million (2002 — $37.0 million) was outstanding under the New Bank Credit Facility. The New Bank Credit Facility provides for two separate facilities: (i) a $600 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Tranche A Credit Facility”) which will mature on January 2, 2009 and (ii) a $475 million senior secured reducing/ revolving credit facility (the “Tranche B Credit Facility”) which is subject to reduction on an annual basis and which will be scheduled to reduce to nil on January 2, 2009, as outlined below. In September 2003, the Company amended its New Bank Credit Facility to eliminate the possibility of earlier than scheduled maturity of the Tranche B Credit Facility and established a carve-out as described in the reduction schedule shown below.
The New Bank Credit Facility is secured by the pledge of a senior bond issued under a deed of trust which is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and RCCI, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, subject to certain exceptions and prior liens. In addition, under the terms of an inter-creditor agreement, the proceeds of any enforcement of the security under the deed of trust would be applied first to repay any obligations outstanding under the Tranche A Credit Facility. Additional proceeds would be applied pro rata to repay all other obligations of the Company secured by senior bonds, including the Tranche B Credit Facility and the Company’s senior secured notes and debentures.
The Tranche B Credit Facility is available, subject to the restrictions discussed below*, on a reducing/revolving basis, with the amount of credit available scheduled to reduce as follows:
| | | | |
| | Reduction |
Date of Reduction | | at Each Date |
| |
|
On January 2: | | | | |
2006 | | $ | 118,750 | |
2007 | | | 118,750 | |
2008 | | | 118,750 | |
2009 | | | 118,750 | |
| |
* | Of the $475.0 million availability under the Tranche B Credit Facility, $400.0 million is reserved to repay the aggregate amount of the Company’s Senior Secured Second Priority Notes, due 2005 (the “Notes”) (note 10(b)) that is outstanding from time to time. When all or any portion of the aggregate amount of the Notes is repaid from time to time from any source, including the Tranche B Credit Facility, the $400.0 million reserved amount is reduced by an amount equal to the repayment and such amount of the Tranche B Credit Facility becomes fully available to the Company. |
The New Bank Credit Facility requires, among other things, that the Company satisfy certain financial covenants, including the maintenance of certain financial ratios. The interest rate charged on the New Bank Credit Facility ranges from nil to 2.25% per annum over the bank prime rate or base rate or 0.875% to 3.25% per annum over the bankers’ acceptance rate or LIBOR.
(b) Senior Secured Second Priority Notes, Due 2005:
The Company’s U.S. $291.5 million Senior Secured Second Priority Notes mature on March 15, 2005.
(c) Senior Secured Second Priority Notes, Due 2007:
On February 5, 2002, the Company issued $450.0 million 7.60% Senior Secured Second Priority Notes due on February 6, 2007. The notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in
F-20
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
part, at any time with at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior notice subject to a certain prepayment premium.
(d) Senior Secured Second Priority Debentures, Due 2007:
The Company’s U.S. $74.8 million Senior Secured Second Priority Debentures mature on December 1, 2007. During 2002, the Company repurchased U.S. $36.0 million principal amount of the debentures (note 10(m)(i)). On June 26, 2003, the Company’s U.S. $74.8 million Senior Secured Priority Notes were redeemed at a redemption price of 105% of the aggregate principal amount (note 10(m)(ii)).
(e) Senior Secured Second Priority Notes, Due 2012:
On April 30, 2002, the Company issued U.S. $350.0 million 7.875% Senior Secured Second Priority Notes due on May 1, 2012. The notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time with at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior notice subject to a certain prepayment premium.
(f) Senior Secured Second Priority Notes, Due 2013:
On June 19, 2003, the Company issued U.S. $350.0 million 6.25% Senior Secured Second Priority Notes, due on June 15, 2013. The notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time with at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior notice subject to a certain prepayment premium.
(g) Senior Secured Second Priority Debentures, Due 2014:
The Company’s $300.0 million Senior Secured Second Priority Debentures mature on January 15, 2014. The debentures are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time on or after January 15, 2004, at 104.825% of the principal amount, declining rateably to 100% of the principal amount on or after January 15, 2008, plus, in each case, interest accrued to the redemption date.
(h) Senior Secured Second Priority Debentures, Due 2032:
On April 30, 2002, the Company issued U.S. $200.0 million 8.75% Senior Secured Second Priority Debentures due on May 1, 2032. The debentures are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time with at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior notice subject to a certain prepayment premium.
(i) Senior Secured Second Priority Notes, Due 2002:
The Company’s U.S. $98.1 million Senior Secured Second Priority Notes were repaid during 2002, of which U.S. $36.4 million principal amount was repurchased on April 30, 2002 and the balance was repaid at maturity on August 1, 2002 (note 10(m)(i)).
(j) Senior Secured Notes, Due 2002:
The Company’s $300.0 million Senior Secured floating rate notes were issued on November 21, 2000. These notes were prepaid in full in February 2002 with a portion of the net proceeds received on the issuance of the 7.60% Senior Secured Second Priority Notes, due 2007 (note 10(c)).
F-21
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
(k) Senior Secured Second Priority Debentures, Due 2012:
The Company’s U.S. $134.8 million Senior Secured Second Priority Debentures were scheduled to mature on September 1, 2012. During 2002, U.S. $110.2 million principal amount was repurchased with the balance of U.S. $24.6 million being redeemed on September 3, 2002 (note 10(m)(i)).
Each of the Company’s senior secured notes and debentures described above is secured by the pledge of a senior bond which is secured by the same security as the security for the New Bank Credit Facility described in note 10(a) and rank equally in regard to the proceeds of any enforcement of security with the Tranche B Credit Facility.
(l) Senior Subordinated Guaranteed Debentures, Due 2015:
The Company’s U.S. $113.7 million Senior Subordinated Guaranteed Debentures mature on December 1, 2015. During 2002, the Company repurchased U.S. $11.3 million principal amount of the debentures (note 10(m)(i)). The subordinated debentures are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time on or after December 1, 2005, at 105.5% of the principal amount, declining rateably to 100% of the principal amount on or after December 1, 2009 plus, in each case, interest accrued to the redemption date. The subordinated debentures are subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior indebtedness of the Company (including the New Bank Credit Facility and the senior secured notes and debentures) and are not secured by the pledge of a senior bond.
Interest is paid semi-annually on all of the Company’s notes and debentures except for the Senior Secured Notes due 2002 in note 10(j), which were paid monthly.
| |
| (i) During 2002, an aggregate of U.S. $411.0 million notional amount of cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements were terminated either by unwinding or maturity, resulting in total net cash proceeds of $141.4 million. The Company used these proceeds to assist in the repurchase or redemption of an aggregate of U.S. $280.2 million principal amount of notes and debentures as reflected in the reduction of outstanding long-term debt in note 10(d), (i), (k) and (l). As a result, the Company recorded a gain on the unwinding and maturity of cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements of $3.2 million, paid a prepayment premium of $21.8 million and wrote off deferred financing costs of $2.3 million, resulting in a net loss on the repayment of long-term debt of $20.9 million. |
|
| (ii) During 2003, the Company redeemed an aggregate of U.S. $74.8 million principal amount of debentures as reflected in the reduction of outstanding long-term debt in note 10(d). As a result, the Company paid a prepayment premium of $5.1 million, and wrote off deferred financing costs of $0.8 million, resulting in a loss on repayment of long-term debt of $5.9 million. |
| |
| (n) Interest Exchange Agreements: |
| |
| (i) At December 31, 2002 and 2003, total U.S. dollar denominated long-term debt amounted to U.S. $1,030.0 million and U.S. $1,305.2 million, respectively. The Company has entered into several cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements in order to reduce the Company’s exposure to changes in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar as compared to the Canadian dollar. At December 31, 2002 and 2003, U.S. $883.4 million and $1,058.4 million, or 85.8% and 81.1%, respectively, is hedged through cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements at an average rate at December 31, 2002 and 2003 of Cdn. $1.5066 and Cdn. $1.4798, respectively, to U.S. $1.00. |
F-22
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
| |
| (ii) The cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements have the effect of converting the interest rate on U.S. $1,058.4 million (2002 — U.S. $883.4 million) of long-term debt from an average U.S. dollar fixed interest rate of 8.44% (2002 — 8.88%) per annum to an average Canadian dollar fixed interest rate of 9.40% (2002 — 9.74%) per annum on $1,566.2 million (2002 — $1,331.0 million). In addition, the Company assumed an interest rate exchange agreement upon completion of an acquisition in February 2001 that has the effect of converting $30.0 million of floating rate obligations of the Company to a fixed interest rate of 7.72% per annum. |
|
| The total long-term debt at fixed interest rates at December 31, 2002 and 2003 was $2,316.1 million and $2,635.9 million, respectively, or 98.4% and 98.7%, respectively, of total long-term debt. |
|
| The Company’s effective weighted average interest rate on all long-term debt as at December 31, 2002 and 2003, including the effect of the interest exchange agreements and cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements, was 9.39% and 8.93%, respectively. |
|
| The obligations of the Company to the counterparties under these cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements and interest exchange agreements are secured by a pledge of certain senior bonds, each of which is secured by the same security as the security for the New Bank Credit Facility and the senior secured notes and debentures described above. |
| |
| (o) Principal Repayments: |
At December 31, 2003, principal repayments due within each of the next five years and in total thereafter on all long-term debt are as follows:
| | | | |
2004 | | $ | 82 | |
2005 | | | 376,818 | |
2006 | | | 559 | |
2007 | | | 450,000 | |
2008 | | | — | |
| | |
| |
| | | 827,459 | |
Thereafter | | | 1,646,074 | |
| | |
| |
| | | 2,473,533 | |
Effect of cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements | | | 198,319 | |
| | |
| |
| | $ | 2,671,852 | |
| | |
| |
The provisions of the long-term debt agreements described above impose, in most instances, restrictions on the operations and activities of the Company. Generally, the most significant of these restrictions are debt incurrence and maintenance tests, restrictions upon additional investments, sales of assets and payment of dividends. In addition, the repayment dates of certain debt agreements may be accelerated if there is a change in control of the Company. At December 31, 2002 and 2003, the Company was in compliance with all terms of the long-term debt agreements.
F-23
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
11. Notes Payable to Rogers Communications Inc.:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
|
Intercompany subordinated demand promissory notes payable to RCI, unsecured, bearing interest at December 31, 2002 at 5.00% per annum | | $ | 204,500 | | | $ | — | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
During 2001, the Company issued $981.0 million in intercompany subordinated demand promissory notes payable to RCI, of which the interest rate on $495.4 million of the notes was 9.00% per annum and the interest rate on $485.6 million of the notes was at 6.25% per annum. During 2001, the Company repaid $495.4 million of these notes.
During 2002, the Company issued $216.5 million in intercompany subordinated demand promissory notes payable to RCI at an interest rate of 5.00% per annum. During 2002, the Company repaid $12.0 million of these notes. The Company also repaid during 2002, $485.6 million of the intercompany subordinated demand promissory notes payable at an interest rate of 6.25% per annum that were outstanding at December 31, 2001.
During 2003, the Company issued $24.0 million in intercompany subordinated demand promissory notes payable to RCI at an interest rate of 5.00% per annum and repaid $228.5 million of these notes during the year.
The demand promissory notes payable to RCI are subordinated to the bank indebtedness and other long-term debt.
F-24
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
12. Shareholder’s Equity:
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
|
Capital stock: | | | | | | | | |
| Authorized: | | | | | | | | |
| | Unlimited Class A common shares, voting | | | | | | | | |
| | Unlimited Class B common shares, voting | | | | | | | | |
| | 100,000,000 Class B preferred shares | | | | | | | | |
| | Unlimited prime plus 1.25%, cumulative, first preferred shares, redeemable at $1,000 per share | | | | | | | | |
| | Unlimited 9.625%, cumulative, third preferred shares, redeemable at $1,000 per share | | | | | | | | |
| | Unlimited 9.65%, non-cumulative, fourth preferred shares, redeemable at $1,000 per share | | | | | | | | |
| | Unlimited 9.7%, non-cumulative, fifth preferred shares, redeemable at $1,000 per share | | | | | | | | |
| | Unlimited 9.75%, non-cumulative, sixth preferred shares, redeemable at $1,000 per share | | | | | | | | |
| | Unlimited 9.8%, non-cumulative, seventh preferred shares, redeemable at $1,000 per share | | | | | | | | |
| | Unlimited 8.0%, cumulative, eighth preferred shares, redeemable at fair market value per share of consideration received | | | | | | | | |
| Issued: | | | | | | | | |
| | 100,000,000 Class A common shares | | $ | 229,014 | | | $ | 229,014 | |
| | 118,166,003 Class B common shares (2002 — 118,166,003) | | | 2,294,808 | | | | 2,222,808 | |
| | Nil first preferred shares (2002 — 100,000) | | | 100,000 | | | | — | |
| | 306,904 fourth preferred shares | | | 1 | | | | 1 | |
| | 151,800 seventh preferred shares | | | 162,643 | | | | 162,643 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
| | | 2,786,466 | | | | 2,614,466 | |
Contributed surplus | | | 9,987 | | | | 9,987 | |
Deficit | | | (1,894,412 | ) | | | (1,953,743 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| |
| | $ | 902,041 | | | $ | 670,710 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
| |
(a) | During 2002, the Company Completed the Following Capital Stock Transactions: |
| |
| (i) 610 Ltd. transferred 19,328,795 AT&T Canada Inc. DRs to the Company in exchange for 1,000,000 eighth preferred shares. The shares were issued at a value of $934.7 million, representing the fair market value of these DRs. The Company subsequently sold the DRs to 610 Ltd. and in exchange received first preferred shares of 610 Ltd. The eighth preferred shares were subsequently redeemed for a demand promissory note payable to 610 Ltd. The first preferred shares of 610 Ltd. were subsequently redeemed for a demand promissory note receivable from 610 Ltd. The demand promissory note payable to 610 Ltd. was subsequently set off against the demand promissory note receivable from 610 Ltd. (note 6(b)(ii)). |
F-25
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
| |
| (ii) RCI subscribed to one Class B common share for $57.6 million representing the estimated fair market value of the tax losses of approximately $413.8 million used in the transaction with 610 Ltd. |
| |
(b) | During 2003, the Company Completed the Following Capital Stock Transactions: |
| |
| (i) The Company distributed $72.0 million to RCI as a return of capital. This distribution was permitted under all agreements governing the Company’s outstanding indebtedness. As a result of this distribution, the stated value of the Class B common shares was reduced by $72.0 million. |
|
| (ii) The Company redeemed 100,000 of its first preferred shares held by RCIL valued at $100.0 million, satisfied by an offsetting redemption of 100,000 first preferred shares in RCIL, held by the Company (note 6(b)(i)). |
| |
(c) | Stock-based Compensation: |
For stock options of RCI granted to employees on or after January 1, 2002, had the Company determined compensation expense based on the fair value method at the grant date of such stock option awards, the loss for the year and loss per share would have been reported as the pro forma amounts indicated below. The fair value of the options is amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Loss for the year, as reported | | $ | (146,705 | ) | | $ | (58,830 | ) | | $ | (54,843 | ) |
Stock-based compensation expense | | | — | | | | (297 | ) | | | (2,642 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Pro forma loss for the year | | $ | (146,705 | ) | | $ | (59,127 | ) | | $ | (57,485 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Basic and diluted loss per share, as reported | | $ | (0.82 | ) | | $ | (0.29 | ) | | $ | (0.27 | ) |
Effect of stock-based compensation expense | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.01 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Pro forma basic and diluted loss per share | | $ | (0.82 | ) | | $ | (0.29 | ) | | $ | (0.28 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
The weighted average estimated fair value at the date of the grant for the RCI options granted in the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 was $12.02, $10.39 and $10.55, respectively.
The fair value of each RCI option granted was estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes fair value option pricing model with the following assumptions:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Risk-free interest rate | | | 5.17 | % | | | 4.86 | % | | | 4.29 | % |
Dividend yield | | | — | | | | — | | | | 0.16 | % |
Volatility factor of the future expected market price of RCI’s common shares | | | 49.08 | % | | | 48.82 | % | | | 50.06 | % |
Weighted average expected life of the options | | | 5 years | | | | 5 years | | | | 6.6 years | |
| |
| (d) Employee Share Purchase Plan: |
The employee share purchase plan was provided to enable certain employees of the Company an opportunity to obtain an equity interest in RCI by permitting them to acquire RCI Class B Non-Voting shares. A total of 1,180,000 RCI Class B Non-Voting shares were set aside and reserved for allotment and issuance pursuant to the employee share purchase plan.
F-26
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
Under the terms of the employee share purchase plan, participating employees of the Company may have received a bonus at the end of the term of the plan. The bonus was calculated as the difference between the RCI share price at the date the employee receives the loan and the lesser of 85% of the closing price at which the shares traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange on the trading day immediately prior to the purchase date or the closing price on a date that is approximately one year subsequent to the original issue date.
Compensation expense recorded for the Company’s portion of RCI’s employee share purchase plan for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 was $0.4 million, $1.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively.
13. Workforce Reduction:
During 2002, the Company reduced its workforce by 187 employees in the technical service, network operations and engineering departments of the cable services segment. The Company incurred $5.9 million in costs primarily related to severance and other employee termination benefits. Of this amount, $1.9 million was paid in fiscal 2002, with the balance of $4.0 million being paid in fiscal 2003.
14. Cable System Integration and At Home Termination Costs:
The cable system integration and At Home termination costs incurred in 2001 consisted of the following:
| | | | |
| | 2001 |
| |
|
Cable system integration costs(a) | | $ | 16,462 | |
At Home termination costs(b) | | | 43,974 | |
| | |
| |
| | $ | 60,436 | |
| | |
| |
| |
| (a) Cable System Integration Costs: |
During 2001, the Company incurred integration costs related to the exchange of cable systems with Shaw Communications Inc. and the acquisition of RCAI (note 3(a)).
| |
| (b) At Home Termination Costs: |
In 2001 and prior years, the Company offered its subscribers internet service through an exclusive agreement with At Home Corporation (“At Home”), a U.S. based broadband access provider. In exchange for royalty payments by the Company, At Home provided the Company’s internet subscribers with broadband content, access to the internet and applications, including e-mail service. On September 28, 2001, At Home filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. During 2001, the Company accelerated plans to develop its own internet network as an alternative to the network provided by At Home and to transition all of its internet subscribers to the Company’s own network. As a result, during 2001 the Company incurred incremental operating expenses of $44.0 million, which primarily comprised a U.S. $15.0 million payment to At Home under a transitional agreement and identifiable incremental customer service and customer communication expenses.
F-27
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
15. Income Taxes:
The income tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of future income tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | |
| | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
|
Future income tax assets: | | | | | | | | |
| Non-capital income tax loss carryforwards | | $ | 211,474 | | | $ | 144,701 | |
| Net deductions relating to long-term debt and other transactions denominated in foreign currencies | | | 26,866 | | | | 19,177 | |
| Investments | | | 5,593 | | | | 6,692 | |
| Other deductible differences | | | 4,686 | | | | 2,088 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
| Total future income tax assets | | | 248,619 | | | | 172,658 | |
| Less valuation allowance | | | 51,010 | | | | 87,202 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
| | | 197,609 | | | | 85,456 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
Future income tax liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
| PP&E and video rental inventory | | | (153,016 | ) | | | (35,554 | ) |
| Goodwill and intangible assets | | | (39,474 | ) | | | (47,047 | ) |
| Other taxable differences | | | (5,119 | ) | | | (2,855 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| |
| Total future income tax liabilities | | | (197,609 | ) | | | (85,456 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| |
Net future income taxes | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
In assessing the realizability of future income tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the future income tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of future income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the years in which the temporary differences are deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversals of future income tax liabilities, the character of the income tax asset, and the tax planning strategies in place when making this assessment. To the extent that management believes that the realization of future income tax assets does not meet the more likely than not realization criterion, a valuation allowance is recorded against the future tax assets.
During 2002, the Company completed an intercompany transaction with 610 Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary company of RCI, resulting in the utilization of approximately $413.8 million of income tax loss carryforwards of the Company. For accounting purposes, a valuation allowance previously recorded against certain of these loss carryforwards in the amount of $124.6 million was no longer required as the Company met the more likely than not criterion of realizing the benefit of these future income assets. As required by GAAP, the valuation allowance for certain of these loss carryforwards was eliminated and recorded as a reduction of income tax expense in the consolidated statements of income.
F-28
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
Income tax expense (reduction) varies from the amounts that would be computed by applying the statutory income tax rate to the loss before income taxes for the following reasons:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Statutory income tax rate | | | 42.1 | % | | | 38.6 | % | | | 36.6 | % |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Income tax reduction on the loss before income taxes | | $ | (59,526 | ) | | $ | (79,255 | ) | | $ | (17,313 | ) |
Decrease (increase) in income tax reduction resulting from: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Change in the valuation allowance for future income tax assets | | | 43,831 | | | | (56,552 | ) | | | 36,192 | |
| Adjustments to future income tax assets and liabilities for changes in substantively enacted tax rates | | | 32,416 | | | | (170 | ) | | | (14,115 | ) |
| Non-deductible depreciation and amortization | | | 10,125 | | | | 201 | | | | 190 | |
| Non-taxable dividend income | | | (13,574 | ) | | | (2,103 | ) | | | (1,643 | ) |
| Non-deductible long-term debt repayment costs | | | — | | | | 4,007 | | | | — | |
| Non-taxable portion of capital loss (gain) | | | (6,499 | ) | | | 2,150 | | | | (6,687 | ) |
| Other items | | | (6,773 | ) | | | (21,180 | ) | | | 3,376 | |
| Large Corporations Tax | | | 5,314 | | | | 6,515 | | | | 7,541 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Income tax expense (reduction) | | $ | 5,314 | | | $ | (146,387 | ) | | $ | 7,541 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
As at December 31, 2003, the Company has the following non-capital income tax losses available to reduce future years’ income for income tax purposes:
| | | | |
Income tax losses expiring in the year ending December 31: | | | | |
2004 | | $ | 34,217 | |
2005 | | | 73,482 | |
2006 | | | 51,044 | |
2007 | | | 26,280 | |
2008 | | | 216,459 | |
| | |
| |
| | $ | 401,482 | |
| | |
| |
F-29
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
The following table sets forth calculation of basic and diluted loss per share:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Numerator for basic and diluted loss per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Loss for the year | | $ | (146,705 | ) | | $ | (58,830 | ) | | $ | (54,843 | ) |
| Less dividends on preferred shares | | | (32,228 | ) | | | (5,447 | ) | | | (4,488 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | $ | (178,933 | ) | | $ | (64,277 | ) | | $ | (59,331 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Denominator for basic and diluted loss per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Weighted average number of Class A common shares and Class B common shares (in thousands) | | | 218,166 | | | | 218,166 | | | | 218,166 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Basic and diluted loss per share | | $ | (0.82 | ) | | $ | (0.29 | ) | | $ | (0.27 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
The Company did not have any dilutive securities during any of the years presented.
17. Related Party Transactions:
(a) The amount due to (from) RCI and its subsidiaries is comprised of the following:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
|
RCI | | $ | 23,288 | | | $ | 9,757 | |
Rogers Wireless Communications Inc. (“RWCI”) | | | (28 | ) | | | (137 | ) |
Rogers Media Inc. (“Media”) | | | 523 | | | | 1,162 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
| | $ | 23,783 | | | $ | 10,782 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
The above amounts reflect short-term intercompany charges for capital and operating expenditures.
(b) The Company has entered into certain transactions and agreements with RCI and its subsidiaries as follows:
| |
| The Company has entered into a management agreement under which RCI agrees to provide supplemental executive, administrative, financial, strategic planning, information technology and various other services to the Company. The Company has agreed to pay RCI a monthly fee equal to 2% of the Company’s consolidated gross revenue. Interest is charged by RCI on unpaid management fees at the bank prime rate plus 1% per annum. |
| |
| (ii) Cost-sharing arrangements: |
| |
| The Company has entered into certain cost-sharing arrangements with RCI and its affiliates including accounting, purchasing, human resources, customer service call centres and collections call centres, real estate administration, accounts payable processing, remittance processing, payroll processing, e-commerce, the RCI data centre and other common services and activities. The Company shares both the operating expense and PP&E expenditures related to these activities on a cost recovery basis in accordance with the services provided. |
F-30
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
| |
| The Company has entered into agreements with RWCI to share, on a pro rata basis, the cost of certain microwave and fibre optic transmission facilities. In addition, long-term service arrangements exist with RWCI for transmission services on fibre optic facilities owned by the Company. |
|
| The Company has entered into an agreement with RWCI whereby RWCI purchases accounts receivable from the Company for customers who receive a consolidated invoice. The Company pays a fee, based on actual costs incurred by RWCI, for billing and collection services. The Company and RWCI have also entered into an agreement to cooperate in the offering of RWCI products and services through the Company’s video store operations. |
|
| In addition, the Company leases certain office space from RWCI. |
| |
| The Company incurs certain costs from other RCI subsidiary companies and companies accounted for by RCI using the equity method at the exchange amounts agreed to between the parties. |
F-31
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
| |
| A summary of all significant charges from (to) related parties, which have been accounted for at exchange amounts, is as follows: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
|
RCI: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Management fees | | $ | 28,781 | | | $ | 31,745 | | | $ | 35,385 | |
| Interest on notes payable | | | 12,036 | | | | 4,687 | | | | 2,867 | |
| Interest related to capital leases | | | 318 | | | | 300 | | | | 265 | |
| Cost of shared operating expenses | | | 25,238 | | | | 85,604 | | | | 84,375 | |
| Cost of PP&E | | | 21,238 | | | | 10,906 | | | | 13,473 | |
RCIL: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Dividends earned | | | (32,228 | ) | | | (5,447 | ) | | | (4,488 | ) |
| Dividends paid | | | 32,228 | | | | 5,447 | | | | 4,488 | |
RWCI: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Wireless products and services | | | 2,131 | | | | 2,214 | | | | 2,355 | |
| Wireless products and services for resale | | | 3,800 | | | | 10,116 | | | | 14,926 | |
| Transmission facilities purchased | | | (442 | ) | | | (440 | ) | | | (440 | ) |
| Rent expense | | | 3,552 | | | | 3,587 | | | | 3,516 | |
| Consolidated billing services | | | — | | | | 655 | | | | 1,499 | |
| Subscriber activation commissions and customer service | | | (381 | ) | | | (8,817 | ) | | | (9,511 | ) |
Media: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Access fees | | | (4,885 | ) | | | (5,534 | ) | | | (5,771 | ) |
| Advertising and production costs | | | 2,679 | | | | 3,000 | | | | 2,910 | |
| Sales commissions | | | 349 | | | | 646 | | | | 872 | |
| Programming fees | | | 16,277 | | | | 17,303 | | | | 18,488 | |
Other: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Programming fees paid to related broadcasters | | | 13,559 | | | | 16,949 | | | | 18,967 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | $ | 124,250 | | | $ | 172,921 | | | $ | 184,176 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
(c) The Company has entered into certain transactions with companies, the partners or senior officers of which are directors of the Company. During the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003, the total amounts paid by the Company to these related parties for legal services and commissions paid on premiums for insurance aggregated $3.4 million, $1.9 million, and $0.8 million, respectively, and for interest charges and telecommunications services aggregated nil, nil, and $4.0 million, respectively.
F-32
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
18. Financial Instruments:
(a) Fair Values:
The Company has determined the fair values of its financial instruments as follows:
| |
| (i) Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, amounts receivable from employees under RCI share purchase plans, mortgages and loans receivable, bank advances arising from outstanding cheques, accounts payable and accrued liabilities and due to parent and affiliated companies: |
| |
| The carrying amounts in the consolidated balance sheets approximate fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. |
| |
| The fair values of the investments in affiliated companies approximate their carrying values as the dividend rates on these investments approximate current rates. |
|
| The fair value of investments which are publicly traded are determined by the quoted market values for each of the investments (note 6). Management believes that the fair values of other investments is not significantly different from their carrying amounts. |
| |
| The fair values of each of the Company’s long-term debt instruments are based on the period-end trading values. |
| |
| (iv) Notes payable to RCI: |
| |
| The fair values of the intercompany subordinated demand promissory notes payable to RCI approximate their carrying values due to the demand repayment terms of the notes and the Company’s current borrowing rate being approximately the same as the interest rate on the notes. |
| |
| (v) Interest exchange agreements: |
| |
| The fair values of the Company’s interest exchange agreements and cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements are based on values quoted by the counterparties to the agreements. |
|
| The estimated fair values of the Company’s long-term debt and related interest exchange agreements as at December 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
|
| | Carrying | | Estimated | | Carrying | | Estimated |
| | Amount | | Fair Value | | Amount | | Fair Value |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Liability (asset): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Long-term debt | | $ | 2,417,577 | | | $ | 2,387,145 | | | $ | 2,473,533 | | | $ | 2,671,389 | |
| Cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements | | | (64,522 | ) | | | (109,794 | ) | | | 198,319 | | | | 267,773 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | $ | 2,353,055 | | | $ | 2,277,351 | | | $ | 2,671,852 | | | $ | 2,939,162 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
F-33
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
(b) Other Disclosures:
(i) The credit risk of the interest exchange agreements and cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements arises from the possibility that the counterparties to the agreements may default on their obligations under the agreements in instances where these agreements have positive fair value to the Company. The Company assesses the creditworthiness of the counterparties in order to minimize the risk of counterparty default under the agreements. All of the portfolio is held by financial institutions with a Standard & Poors rating (or the equivalent) ranging from A+ to AA.
(ii) The Company does not require collateral or other security to support the credit risk associated with the interest exchange agreements and cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements due to the Company’s assessment of the creditworthiness of the counterparties.
(iii) The Company does not have any significant concentrations of credit risk related to any financial asset.
19. Commitments:
(a) The future minimum lease payments under operating leases for the rental of premises, distribution facilities, equipment and microwave towers and commitments for other contracts at December 31, 2003 are as follows:
| | | | |
Year ending December 31: | | | | |
2004 | | $ | 68,512 | |
2005 | | | 64,256 | |
2006 | | | 57,909 | |
2007 | | | 49,448 | |
2008 | | | 43,693 | |
2009 and thereafter | | | 100,434 | |
| | |
| |
| | $ | 384,252 | |
| | |
| |
Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 amounted to $64.2 million, $69.7 million and $71.3 million, respectively.
(b) Pursuant to Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (“CRTC”) regulation, the Company is required to make contributions to the Canadian Television Fund (“CTF”), which is a cable industry fund designed to foster the production of Canadian television programming. Contributions to the CTF are based on a formula, including gross broadcast revenues and the number of subscribers. The Company may elect to spend a portion of the above amount for local television programming and may also elect to contribute a portion to another CRTC-approved independent production fund. The Company estimates that its total contribution for 2004 will amount to approximately $30.0 million.
| |
20. | Contingent Liabilities: |
(a) There exist certain claims and potential claims against the Company, none of which is expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position of the Company.
(b) The Company requires access to support structures and municipal rights of way in order to deploy facilities. In a 2003 decision, the Supreme Court of Canada determined that the CRTC does not
F-34
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
have the jurisdiction to establish the terms and conditions of access to the poles of hydroelectric companies. As a result of this decision, the costs of obtaining access to the poles of hydroelectric companies could be substantially increased on a prospective basis and, for certain arrangements, on a retroactive basis. The Company, together with other Ontario cable companies, has applied to the Ontario Energy Board to request that it assert jurisdiction over the fees paid by such companies to hydroelectric distributors. The amount of this contingency is presently not determinable.
The Company has made certain warranties and indemnities with respect to the sale of shares of American Cablesystems in November 2001 (note 3(b)). These warranties and indemnifications expire in 2005 and are limited to the total purchase price paid being $29.4 million. To date, there have been no claims under the warranties and indemnities and the Company does not anticipate that any will occur.
| |
22. | Segmented Information: |
(a) Operating segments:
The Company provides cable services through its cable television systems and operates a chain of video stores. All of these operations are in Canada. Accounting policies for these operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Performance of the segments is evaluated based on operating income before management fees, depreciation and amortization and certain other charges.
The cable services segment includes basic and extended basic services, digital specialty services, which include premium, specialty and pay-per-use services, installation and access fees, subscriber equipment rentals and residential and commercial internet services.
The video stores segment includes the sale and rental of videocassettes, DVDs and video games, and the sales of other products and accessories.
Prior to January 1, 2003, the Company maintained three operating segments: core cable services, internet services and video stores operations. Internet service has become another service that leverages the Company’s cable infrastructure and which, for the most part, shares the same physical infrastructure and sales, marketing and support resources as other cable offerings. This, combined with the Company’s expanded bundling of cable television and internet services, has increasingly led to allocations of bundled revenues and network and operating costs between the core cable and internet operations and a change in the way in which core cable and internet services are evaluated and reported. As a result, commencing January 1, 2003, reporting of the core cable and internet segments has been combined into one segment, being cable services. The segmented information for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 have been restated to comply with the presentation adopted in 2003.
F-35
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
Information by operating segment for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Video | | Corporate | | |
| | Cable | | Stores | | Items and | | Consolidated |
2001 | | Services | | Operations | | Eliminations | | Totals |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Operating revenue | | $ | 1,209,597 | | | $ | 228,301 | | | $ | (4,869 | ) | | $ | 1,433,029 | |
Cost of sales | | | — | | | | 99,962 | | | | — | | | | 99,962 | |
Sales and marketing expenses | | | 60,440 | | | | 98,679 | | | | — | | | | 159,119 | |
Operating, general and administrative expenses | | | 650,890 | | | | 11,122 | | | | (4,869 | ) | | | 657,143 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating income before the following | | $ | 498,267 | | | $ | 18,538 | | | $ | — | | | | 516,805 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | | | |
Management fees | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 28,781 | |
Cable system integration and At Home termination costs | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 60,436 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 433,829 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
Operating loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (6,241 | ) |
Interest expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 162,590 | |
Intercompany: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12,036 | |
| Dividends | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (32,228 | ) |
Gain on sale of a subsidiary and an investment | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (34,002 | ) |
Write-down of an investment | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 26,000 | |
Other items, net | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 754 | |
Income tax expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5,314 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
Loss for the year | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | (146,705 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
PP&E expenditures | | $ | 733,712 | | | $ | 16,035 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 749,747 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Goodwill acquired | | $ | 216,733 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 216,733 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total assets | | $ | 3,573,373 | | | $ | 88,349 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,661,722 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
F-36
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Corporate | | |
| | Cable | | Video Stores | | Items and | | Consolidated |
2002 | | Services | | Operations | | Eliminations | | Totals |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Operating revenue | | $ | 1,338,371 | | | $ | 262,995 | | | $ | (4,965 | ) | | $ | 1,596,401 | |
Cost of sales | | | — | | | | 121,335 | | | | — | | | | 121,335 | |
Sales and marketing expenses | | | 84,542 | | | | 109,102 | | | | — | | | | 193,644 | |
Operating, general and administrative expenses | | | 711,882 | | | | 11,025 | | | | (4,965 | ) | | | 717,942 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating income before the following | | $ | 541,947 | | | $ | 21,533 | | | $ | — | | | | 563,480 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | | | |
Management fees | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 31,745 | |
Workforce reduction | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5,850 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 484,224 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
Operating income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 41,661 | |
Interest expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 208,645 | |
Intercompany: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4,687 | |
| Dividends | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (5,447 | ) |
Loss on repayment of long-term debt | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 20,880 | |
Write-down of an investment | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11,136 | |
Other items, net | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6,977 | |
Income tax reduction | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (146,387 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
Loss for the year | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | (58,830 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
PP&E expenditures | | $ | 642,878 | | | $ | 7,993 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 650,871 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total assets | | $ | 3,713,318 | | | $ | 93,460 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,806,778 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
F-37
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Corporate | | |
| | Cable | | Video Stores | | Items and | | Consolidated |
2003 | | Services | | Operations | | Eliminations | | Totals |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Operating revenue | | $ | 1,489,786 | | | $ | 282,635 | | | $ | (3,201 | ) | | $ | 1,769,220 | |
Cost of sales | | | — | | | | 129,938 | | | | — | | | | 129,938 | |
Sales and marketing expenses | | | 91,012 | | | | 115,831 | | | | — | | | | 206,843 | |
Operating, general and administrative expenses | | | 758,986 | | | | 13,180 | | | | (3,201 | ) | | | 768,965 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Operating income before the following | | $ | 639,788 | | | $ | 23,686 | | | $ | — | | | | 663,474 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Management fees | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 35,385 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 482,050 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
Operating income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 146,039 | |
Interest expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 237,803 | |
Intercompany: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,867 | |
| Dividends | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (4,488 | ) |
Loss on repayment of long-term debt | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5,945 | |
Other items, net | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (48,786 | ) |
Income tax expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7,541 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
Loss for the year | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | (54,843 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
PP&E expenditures | | $ | 496,512 | | | $ | 13,050 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 509,562 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Total assets | | $ | 3,619,040 | | | $ | 101,047 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,720,087 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Revenue from external customers is comprised of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Core cable services | | $ | 1,043,069 | | | $ | 1,095,736 | | | $ | 1,167,496 | |
Internet services | | | 166,528 | | | | 242,635 | | | | 322,290 | |
Video stores | | | 228,301 | | | | 262,995 | | | | 282,635 | |
Corporate items and eliminations | | | (4,869 | ) | | | (4,965 | ) | | | (3,201 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| | $ | 1,433,029 | | | $ | 1,596,401 | | | $ | 1,769,220 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
23. Canadian and United States Accounting Policy Differences:
The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with GAAP as applied in Canada. In the following respects, GAAP as applied in the United States differs from that applied in Canada.
F-38
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
If United States GAAP were employed, the loss in each year would be adjusted as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Loss for the year based on Canadian GAAP | | $ | (146,705 | ) | | $ | (58,830 | ) | | $ | (54,843 | ) |
Year 2000 costs capitalized(a) | | | 2,893 | | | | 1,926 | | | | 507 | |
Pre-operating costs(b) | | | 741 | | | | 9,399 | | | | 7,919 | |
Gain on sale of cable systems(c) | | | (7,605 | ) | | | (4,028 | ) | | | (4,028 | ) |
Capitalized interest(d) | | | 1,831 | | | | 5,267 | | | | 3,244 | |
Goodwill amortization(e) | | | (775 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Income taxes(g) | | | 40,215 | | | | — | | | | 345 | |
Impact of adoption of SFAS 133(h) | | | (34,551 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Financial instruments(h) | | | 38,170 | | | | 41,654 | | | | (114,727 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Loss for the year based on United States GAAP | | $ | (105,786 | ) | | $ | (4,612 | ) | | $ | (161,583 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Basic and diluted loss per share based on United States GAAP | | $ | (0.63 | ) | | $ | (0.05 | ) | | $ | (0.76 | ) |
The cumulative effect of these adjustments on the consolidated shareholder’s equity of the Company is as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
|
Shareholder’s equity based on Canadian GAAP | | $ | 902,041 | | | $ | 670,710 | |
Year 2000 costs capitalized(a) | | | (507 | ) | | | — | |
Pre-operating costs(b) | | | (15,838 | ) | | | (7,919 | ) |
Gain on sale of cable systems(c) | | | 128,993 | | | | 124,965 | |
Capitalized interest(d) | | | 10,922 | | | | 14,166 | |
Acquisition of RCAI(e) | | | 34,673 | | | | 34,673 | |
Unrealized holding gain on investments(f) | | | 1,877 | | | | 3,760 | |
Financial instruments(h) | | | 45,273 | | | | (69,454 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| |
Shareholder’s equity based on United States GAAP | | $ | 1,107,434 | | | $ | 770,901 | |
| | |
| | | |
| |
The areas of material difference between Canadian and United States GAAP and their impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company are described below:
| |
| (a) Year 2000 costs capitalized: |
| |
| Under Canadian GAAP, the Company capitalized certain costs incurred to modify its computer systems to ensure these systems continue to operate beyond the year 1999. Under United States GAAP, these costs were expensed as incurred. As a result, under United States GAAP, depreciation expense in subsequent periods is reduced due to the Company expensing the Year 2000 costs under United States GAAP. |
| |
| Under Canadian GAAP, the Company defers the incremental costs relating to the development and pre-operating phases of new businesses and amortizes these costs on a straight-line basis over periods up to five years. Under United States GAAP, these costs are expensed as incurred. |
F-39
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
| |
| (c) Gain on sale of cable systems: |
| |
| Under Canadian GAAP, the cash proceeds on the non-monetary exchange of the cable assets in 2000 were recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of PP&E. Under United States GAAP, a portion of the cash proceeds received must be recognized as a gain in the consolidated statements of income on an after-tax basis. The gain amounted to $40.3 million before income taxes. |
|
| Under Canadian GAAP, the after-tax gain arising on the sale of certain of the Company’s cable systems in prior years was recorded as a reduction of the carrying value of goodwill acquired in a contemporaneous acquisition of certain cable systems. Under United States GAAP, the Company included the gain on sale of the cable systems in income, net of related deferred income taxes. |
|
| As a result of these transactions, amortization expense under United States GAAP is increased in subsequent years. |
| |
| (d) Capitalized interest: |
| |
| United States GAAP requires capitalization of interest costs as part of the historical cost of acquiring certain qualifying assets that require a period of time to prepare for their intended use. This is not required under Canadian GAAP. |
| |
| United States GAAP requires that shares issued in connection with a purchase business combination be valued based on the market price at the announcement date of the acquisition. Canadian GAAP had required that shares issued in connection with a purchase business combination be valued based on the market price at the consummation date of the acquisition. Accordingly, the seventh preferred shares issued in respect of the acquisition of RCAI in 2001 are recorded at $35.4 million more under United States GAAP than under Canadian GAAP. This resulted in an increase to goodwill in this amount, with a corresponding increase in the value of seventh preferred shares in the amount of $35.4 million. Further, goodwill amortization under United States GAAP in 2001 was increased by $0.8 million. |
| |
| (f) Unrealized holding gain on investments: |
| |
| United States GAAP requires that certain investments in equity securities that have a readily determinable fair value be recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at their fair value. The unrealized holding gains and losses from these investments, which are considered to be “available-for-sale securities” under United States GAAP, are included as a separate component of shareholder’s equity and comprehensive income, net of related future income taxes. |
|
| As at December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003, this amount represents the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income. |
| |
| Included in the caption “income taxes” is the tax effect of various adjustments where appropriate and the impact of substantively enacted rate changes that would not have been recorded under United States GAAP until enacted. Under Canadian GAAP, future income tax assets and liabilities are remeasured for substantively enacted rate changes, whereas under United States GAAP, future income tax assets and liabilities are only remeasured for enacted tax rates. |
F-40
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
| |
| (h) Financial instruments: |
| |
| Under Canadian GAAP, the Company accounts for its cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements and interest exchange agreements as hedges of specific debt instruments. Under United States GAAP, these instruments are not accounted for as hedges as a result of adopting the new pronouncement entitled “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 133”), effective January 1, 2001. As a result, the Company recorded as a cumulative transition adjustment to net income under United States GAAP the net excess of the fair values of the cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements and interest exchange agreements over the carrying values of these instruments as at January 1, 2001, being $34.6 million. |
|
| For the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003, under United States GAAP, the Company recorded in income the change in the fair values of the cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements since January 1, 2001. |
| |
| (i) Operating income before undernoted: |
| |
| United States GAAP requires that workforce reduction, cable system integration and At Home termination costs and depreciation and amortization be included in the determination of operating income and does not permit the disclosure of subtotals of the amounts of operating income before these items. Canadian GAAP permits the subtotals of the amounts of operating income before these items. |
| |
| (j) Statements of cash flows: |
| |
| (i) Canadian GAAP permits the disclosure of a subtotal of the amount of funds provided by operations before changes in non-cash working capital items in the consolidated statements of cash flows. United States GAAP does not permit this subtotal to be included. |
|
| (ii) Canadian GAAP permits bank advances to be included in the determination of cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated statements of cash flows. United States GAAP requires that bank advances be reported as financing cash flows. As a result, under United States GAAP, the decrease in bank advances of $6.5 million in 2001, the decrease in bank advances of $8.4 million in 2002 and the increase in bank advances of $17.0 million in 2003, reflected in the consolidated statements of cash flows would be reported as a source (use) of cash in 2001, 2002 and 2003, under the heading “Financing activities” in the consolidated statements of cash flows. |
| |
| (k) Statement of comprehensive income: |
| |
| United States GAAP requires disclosure of a statement of comprehensive income. Comprehensive income generally encompasses all changes in shareholder’s equity, except those arising from transactions with shareholders. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Loss for the year based on United States GAAP | | $ | (105,786 | ) | | $ | (4,612 | ) | | $ | (161,583 | ) |
Other comprehensive income (loss): | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Unrealized gains (losses) on securities, net of income taxes | | | (4,634 | ) | | | 185 | | | | 1,538 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Comprehensive loss based on United States GAAP | | $ | (110,420 | ) | | $ | (4,427 | ) | | $ | (160,045 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
F-41
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
| |
| United States GAAP requires the Company to disclose accrued liabilities, which is not required under Canadian GAAP. Accrued liabilities included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities as at December 31, 2002 and 2003 were $219.1 million and $249.3 million, respectively. Accrued liabilities in respect of PP&E totalled $39.4 million (2002 — $33.7 million), accrued interest payable totalled $51.6 million (2002 — $55.0 million), accrued liabilities related to payroll totalled $30.3 million (2002 — $24.2 million), and accrued liabilities for the cost of programming totalled $50.4 million (2002 — $44.3 million). |
| |
| (m) Stock-based compensation disclosures: |
| |
| The Company measures compensation expense relating to employee stock option plans for United States GAAP purposes using the intrinsic value method specified by APB Opinion No. 25, which in the Company’s circumstances would not be materially different from compensation expense as determined under Canadian GAAP. |
|
| For options granted by RCI to the Company’s employees, had the Company determined compensation costs based on the fair values at grant dates of the stock options granted by RCI consistent with the method prescribed under SFAS No. 123, the Company’s loss for the year and loss per share would have been reported as the pro forma amounts indicated below: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2001 | | 2002 | | 2003 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Loss for the year in accordance with United States GAAP, as reported | | $ | (105,786 | ) | | $ | (4,612 | ) | | $ | (161,583 | ) |
Stock-based compensation expense | | | (11,696 | ) | | | (14,590 | ) | | | (12,920 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Pro forma loss for the year | | $ | (117,482 | ) | | $ | (19,202 | ) | | $ | (174,503 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Basic and diluted loss per share, as reported | | $ | (0.63 | ) | | $ | (0.05 | ) | | $ | (0.76 | ) |
Effect of stock-based compensation expense | | | (0.05 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | | | (0.06 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
Pro forma basic and diluted loss per share | | $ | (0.68 | ) | | $ | (0.12 | ) | | $ | (0.82 | ) |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| |
| |
| See note 12(c) for further details of stock-based compensation. |
| |
| (n) Recent United States accounting pronouncements: |
| |
| In 2002, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached a consensus regarding EITF Issue 00-21, “Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables”. The consensus addresses not only when and how an arrangement involving multiple deliverables should be divided into separate units of accounting but also how the arrangement’s consideration should be allocated among separate units. The pronouncement is effective for the Company commencing with its 2004 fiscal year. The Company is currently determining the impact of prospectively adopting EITF 00-21. |
|
| In 2003, the FASB issued SFAS 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity”. This statement requires that under specified circumstances, these instruments be reclassified from equity to liabilities on the balance sheet. This statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective for the Company’s year beginning January 1, 2004. The Company did not enter into any financial instruments within the scope of this statement after May 31, 2003, |
F-42
ROGERS CABLE INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003
| |
| and is presently assessing the impact of adopting this standard prospectively on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. |
| |
| (a) In January 2004, the Company submitted a notice of redemption to redeem $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 9.65% Senior Secured Second Priority Debentures, due 2014 at a redemption price of 104.825% of the aggregate principal amount on February 23, 2004. |
|
| (b) In January 2004, the Company announced a multi-year agreement with Yahoo! Inc. (“Yahoo”) to provide co-branded internet services to current and future customers of the Company’s high speed residential internet access services. In return for payment by the Company of a monthly fee, Yahoo will assume operation of the Company’s e-mail service and provide a suite of customized Yahoo content, products and services to the Company’s broadband internet access customers. These content, products and services include the following: a customizable browsing environment; personalized homepage; enhanced e-mail services such as spam control, parental controls, premium pop-up blocking and storage; enhanced instant messaging capabilities; and multi-media services. Depending on the level of internet access service, subscribers will receive some or all of these features as part of a monthly subscription payment. The agreement also contemplates that the Company and Yahoo may collaborate to offer premium products and services to the Company’s subscribers for an additional fee. |
|
| (c) In January 2004, the Company established a distribution policy to distribute $6.0 million per month to RCI commencing in January 2004. |
|
| (d) On March 11, 2004, the Company completed an offering of U.S. $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Second Priority Notes due 2014. The Company intends to use approximately U.S. $243.3 million of the net proceeds to refinance the drawdown under its New Bank Credit Facility, which was used to fund the redemption on February 23, 2004 of $300.0 million 9.65% Senior Secured Debentures due 2014 at a redemption price of 104.825%. The Company intends to use the balance of the net proceeds from this offering to repay other existing indebtedness outstanding under the New Bank Credit Facility and for general corporate purposes. |
F-43
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Under theBusiness Corporations Act(Ontario), the Registrant may indemnify a present or former director or officer or a person who acts or acted at the Registrant’s request as a director or officer of another corporation of which the Registrant is or was a shareholder or creditor, and his or her heirs and legal representatives, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him or her in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he or she is made a party by reason of being, or having been, a director or officer of the Registrant or such other corporation, provided that the director or officer acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Registrant and, in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, had reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful. Such indemnification may be made in connection with a derivative action only with court approval. A director or officer is entitled to indemnification from the Registrant as a matter of right if he or she was substantially successful on the merits and fulfilled the conditions set forth above.
In accordance with theBusiness Corporations Act(Ontario), the By-laws of the Registrant indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer, or a person who acts or acted at the Registrant’s request, as a director or officer of a corporation in which the Registrant is or was a shareholder or creditor against any and all losses and expenses reasonably incurred by him in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative proceeding to which he was made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of the Registrant or other corporation if he acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Registrant, and, in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by monetary penalty, he had reasonable grounds in believing that his conduct was lawful. Furthermore, the Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with certain of its officers and directors that indemnify such persons to the maximum amount permitted by applicable law.
A policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance is maintained by the Registrant which insures directors and officers of the Registrant for losses as a result of claims based upon their acts or omissions as directors and officers, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, and also reimburses the Registrant for payments made pursuant to the indemnity provisions under theBusiness Corporations Act(Ontario).
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
| | | | | | |
Exhibit | | | | |
Number | | | | Description |
| | | |
|
| †3.1 | | | — | | Certificate and Articles of Amalgamation of Rogers Cable Inc. and Certificates and Articles of Amendment thereof |
| †3.2 | | | — | | By-laws of Rogers Cable Inc. |
| †4.1 | | | — | | Indenture dated as of March 11, 2004, between Rogers Cable Inc., as Issuer, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee, relating to the 5.500% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2014 |
| †4.2 | | | — | | Form of 5.500% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Note due 2014 (included in Exhibit 4.1) |
II-1
| | | | | | |
Exhibit | | | | |
Number | | | | Description |
| | | |
|
| †4.3 | | | — | | Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 11, 2004, among Rogers Cable Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, TD Securities (USA) Inc., Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., RBC Dominion Securities Corporation, CIBC World Markets Corp., Nesbitt Burns Corp. and SG Cowen Securities Corporation, relating to the 5.500% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2014 |
| †4.4 | | | — | | Pledge Agreement dated as of March 11, 2004, among Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee, relating to the 5.500% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2014 |
| †4.5 | | | — | | Subordination Agreement dated as of March 11, 2004, among Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee under the Subordinated Debt Indenture (as defined therein), as Trustee under the Note Indenture (as defined therein) and as Trustee under the 2004 Note Indenture (as defined therein) |
| **4.6 | | | — | | Restated Deed of Trust and Mortgage dated as of January 31, 1995 (the “Deed of Trust”), between Rogers Cablesystems Limited (now Rogers Cable Inc.) and National Trust Company |
| †4.7 | | | — | | First Supplemental Deed of Trust dated December 31, 2003, among Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and National Trust Company, with respect to the Restated Deed of Trust dated January 31, 1995 |
| †4.8 | | | — | | United States Dollar Bond issued under the Deed of Trust relating to the 5.500% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2014 |
| *4.9 | | | — | | Amended and Restated Inter-Creditor Agreement dated as of August 1, 1992, among Rogers Cablesystems Limited (now Rogers Cable Inc.) and the holders of Senior Secured Bonds (as defined in The Deed of Trust) and certain other lenders named therein (the “Inter-Creditor Agreement”) (included as Exhibit C to Exhibit 10.6) |
| †4.10 | | | — | | Counterparty Agreement dated as of March 11, 2004, to the Inter-Creditor Agreement, entered into by JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee under the Indenture relating to the 5.500% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2014 |
| 4.11 | | | — | | Amended Guarantee Agreement dated as of December 31, 2003, between Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and National Trust Company |
| †5.1 | | | — | | Opinion of Torys LLP |
| †5.2 | | | — | | Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP |
| *10.1 | | | — | | Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2002, among Rogers Cable Inc., as Borrower, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, as Administration Agent, and the lenders named therein |
| **10.2 | | | — | | Indenture, dated as of March 20, 1995, among Rogers Cablesystems Limited (now Rogers Cable Inc.), as Issuer, Rogers Cablesystems Ontario Limited, Rogers Ottawa Limited/ Limitée, Rogers Cablesystems Georgian Bay Limited, Rogers Cablesystems North Bay Limited, Rogers Cablesystems Huntsville Limited and Rogers Canguard Inc., as Guarantors, and Chemical Bank, as Trustee, relating to the issuance of Rogers Cable Inc.’s 10% Senior Secured Second Priority Notes due 2005 |
| †10.3 | | | — | | Second Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture dated December 31, 2003, among Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, with respect to the 10% Senior Secured Second Priority Notes due 2005 |
| ****10.4 | | | — | | Indenture, dated as of November 30, 1995, among Rogers Cablesystems Limited (now Rogers Cable Inc.), as Issuer, Rogers Cablesystems Ontario Limited, Rogers Ottawa Limited/ Limitée, Rogers Cablesystems Georgian Bay Limited, Rogers Cablesystems North Bay Limited, Rogers Cablesystems Huntsville Limited and Rogers Canguard Inc., as Guarantors, and Chemical Bank, as Trustee, relating to the issuance of Rogers Cable Inc.’s 11% Senior Subordinated Guaranteed Debentures due 2015 |
II-2
| | | | | | |
Exhibit | | | | |
Number | | | | Description |
| | | |
|
| †10.5 | | | — | | First Supplemental Indenture dated December 31, 2003, among Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, with respect to the 11% Senior Subordinated Guaranteed Debentures due 2015 |
| *10.6 | | | — | | Indenture, dated as of February 5, 2002 between Rogers Cable Inc., as Issuer, and CIBC Mellon Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to the issuance of Rogers Cable Inc.’s 7.60% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2007 |
| †10.7 | | | — | | First Supplemental Indenture dated December 31, 2003, among Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and CIBC Mellon Trust Company, with respect to the 7.60% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2007 |
| *10.8 | | | — | | Indenture dated as of April 30, 2002, between Rogers Cable Inc., as Issuer, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee, relating to the 7.875% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2012 |
| †10.9 | | | — | | First Supplemental Indenture dated December 31, 2003, among Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, with respect to the 7.875% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2012 |
| *10.10 | | | — | | Indenture dated as of April 30, 2002, between Rogers Cable Inc., as Issuer, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee, relating to the 8.750% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Debentures due 2032 |
| †10.11 | | | — | | First Supplemental Indenture dated December 31, 2003, among Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, with respect to the 8.750% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Debentures due 2032 |
| ******10.12 | | | — | | Indenture, dated as of June 19, 2003 between Rogers Cable Inc., as Issuer, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee, relating to the issuance of Rogers Cable Inc.’s 6.25% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2013 |
| †10.13 | | | — | | First Supplemental Indenture dated December 31, 2003, among Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, with respect to the 6.25% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2013 |
| *****10.14 | | | — | | Amended and Restated Management Agreement dated as of January 1, 1988, between Rogers Canada Inc. (formerly Canadian Cablesystems Limited) and Rogers Communications Inc., Assignment thereof by Rogers Canada Inc. to Rogers Cablesystems Limited (now Rogers Cable Inc.), dated as of April 30, 1990, and Memorandum of Agreement dated as of July 16, 1991 between Rogers Cablesystems Limited (now Rogers Cable Inc.) and Rogers Communications Inc. |
| †12.1 | | | — | | Computation of Deficiency of Earnings Available to Cover Fixed Charges (under Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP) |
| †12.2 | | | — | | Computation of Pro Forma Deficiency of Earnings Available to Cover Fixed Charges (under Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP) |
| †12.3 | | | — | | Computation of Financial Ratios (under Canadian GAAP) |
| †12.4 | | | — | | Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts |
| †21.1 | | | — | | Subsidiaries of Rogers Cable Inc. |
| †23.1 | | | — | | Consent of Torys LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) |
| †23.2 | | | — | | Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2) |
| 23.3 | | | — | | Report and Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Chartered Accountants |
| †24.1 | | | — | | Power of Attorney (included on signature pages of this Registration Statement) |
| †25.1 | | | — | | Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee, relating to the 5.500% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2014, on Form T-1 |
| †99.1 | | | — | | Form of Letter of Transmittal |
II-3
| | | | | | |
Exhibit | | | | |
Number | | | | Description |
| | | |
|
| †99.2 | | | — | | Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery |
| †99.3 | | | — | | Form of Letter to Securities Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees |
| †99.4 | | | — | | Form of Letter to Clients |
| | |
| † | Filed as an exhibit to the initial submission of this Registration Statement No. 333-113565 |
| | |
| * | Filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement No. 333-87972 and incorporated herein by reference thereto |
| | |
| ** | Filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement No. 33-90714 and incorporated herein by reference thereto |
| | |
| *** | Filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement No. 33-73092 and incorporated herein by reference thereto |
| | |
| **** | Filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement No. 33-98044 and incorporated herein by reference thereto |
| | |
| ***** | Filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement No. 33-48588 and incorporated herein by reference thereto |
| |
****** | Filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement No. 333-106348 and incorporated herein by reference thereto |
Item 22. Undertakings
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(c) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes (i) to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means; and (ii) to arrange or provide for a facility in the U.S. for the purpose of responding to such requests. The undertaking in subparagraph (i) includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.
(d) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.
II-4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Toronto, Province of Ontario, Country of Canada, on March 22, 2004.
| |
| ROGERS CABLE INC. |
| (Registrant) |
| |
|
|
| M. Lorraine Daly |
| Vice-President, Treasurer |
| |
|
|
| Alan D. Horn |
| Vice-President |
| |
| Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Signature | | Title | | Date Signed |
| |
| |
|
*
Edward S. Rogers, O.C. | | Director and Chairman | | | March 22, 2004 | |
|
*
H. Garfield Emerson, Q.C. | | Director and Vice-Chairman | | | March 22, 2004 | |
|
*
Edward Rogers | | Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) | | | March 22, 2004 | |
|
*
Donald W. Huff | | Senior Vice-President, Finance (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) | | | March 22, 2004 | |
|
*
Albert Gnat, Q.C. | | | Director | | | | March 22, 2004 | |
|
*
Robert W. Korthals | | | Director | | | | March 22, 2004 | |
|
John A. MacDonald | | | Director | | | | | |
|
Stephen D. McDonald | | | Director | | | | | |
|
*
Melinda M. Rogers | | | Director | | | | March 22, 2004 | |
II-5
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Signature | | Title | | Date Signed |
| |
| |
|
William T. Schleyer | | | Director | | | | | |
|
J. Christopher C. Wansbrough | | | Director | | | | | |
|
*
Colin D. Watson | | | Director | | | | March 22, 2004 | |
| |
*By: | /s/ M. LORRAINE DALY |
M. Lorraine Daly
Attorney-in-fact
II-6
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
IN THE UNITED STATES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned certifies that it is the duly authorized United States representative of Rogers Cable Inc. and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Newark, State of Delaware, on this 22nd day of March, 2004.
| | |
| By: | /s/ DONALD J. PUGLISI |
| |
|
|
| Donald J. Puglisi |
| Managing Director |
II-7
EXHIBIT INDEX
| | | | | | |
Exhibit | | | | |
Number | | | | Description |
| | | |
|
| †3.1 | | | — | | Certificate and Articles of Amalgamation of Rogers Cable Inc. and Certificates and Articles of Amendment thereof |
| †3.2 | | | — | | By-laws of Rogers Cable Inc. |
| †4.1 | | | — | | Indenture dated as of March 11, 2004, between Rogers Cable Inc., as Issuer, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee, relating to the 5.500% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2014 |
| †4.2 | | | — | | Form of 5.500% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Note due 2014 (included in Exhibit 4.1) |
| †4.3 | | | — | | Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 11, 2004, among Rogers Cable Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, TD Securities (USA) Inc., Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., RBC Dominion Securities Corporation, CIBC World Markets Corp., Nesbitt Burns Corp. and SG Cowen Securities Corporation, relating to the 5.500% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2014 |
| †4.4 | | | — | | Pledge Agreement dated as of March 11, 2004, among Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee, relating to the 5.500% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2014 |
| †4.5 | | | — | | Subordination Agreement dated as of March 11, 2004, among Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee under the Subordinated Debt Indenture (as defined therein), as Trustee under the Note Indenture (as defined therein) and as Trustee under the 2004 Note Indenture (as defined therein) |
| **4.6 | | | — | | Restated Deed of Trust and Mortgage dated as of January 31, 1995 (the “Deed of Trust”), between Rogers Cablesystems Limited (now Rogers Cable Inc.) and National Trust Company |
| †4.7 | | | — | | First Supplemental Deed of Trust dated December 31, 2003, among Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and National Trust Company, with respect to the Restated Deed of Trust dated January 31, 1995 |
| †4.8 | | | — | | United States Dollar Bond issued under the Deed of Trust relating to the 5.500% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2014 |
| *4.9 | | | — | | Amended and Restated Inter-Creditor Agreement dated as of August 1, 1992, among Rogers Cablesystems Limited (now Rogers Cable Inc.) and the holders of Senior Secured Bonds (as defined in The Deed of Trust) and certain other lenders named therein (the “Inter-Creditor Agreement”) (included as Exhibit C to Exhibit 10.6) |
| †4.10 | | | — | | Counterparty Agreement dated as of March 11, 2004, to the Inter-Creditor Agreement, entered into by JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee under the Indenture relating to the 5.500% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2014 |
| 4.11 | | | — | | Amended Guarantee Agreement dated as of December 31, 2003, between Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and National Trust Company |
| †5.1 | | | — | | Opinion of Torys LLP |
| †5.2 | | | — | | Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP |
| *10.1 | | | — | | Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2002, among Rogers Cable Inc., as Borrower, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, as Administration Agent, and the lenders named therein |
| | | | | | |
Exhibit | | | | |
Number | | | | Description |
| | | |
|
| **10.2 | | | — | | Indenture, dated as of March 20, 1995, among Rogers Cablesystems Limited (now Rogers Cable Inc.), as Issuer, Rogers Cablesystems Ontario Limited, Rogers Ottawa Limited/ Limitée, Rogers Cablesystems Georgian Bay Limited, Rogers Cablesystems North Bay Limited, Rogers Cablesystems Huntsville Limited and Rogers Canguard Inc., as Guarantors, and Chemical Bank, as Trustee, relating to the issuance of Rogers Cable Inc.’s 10% Senior Secured Second Priority Notes due 2005 |
| †10.3 | | | — | | Second Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture dated December 31, 2003, among Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, with respect to the 10% Senior Secured Second Priority Notes due 2005 |
| ****10.4 | | | — | | Indenture, dated as of November 30, 1995, among Rogers Cablesystems Limited (now Rogers Cable Inc.), as Issuer, Rogers Cablesystems Ontario Limited, Rogers Ottawa Limited/ Limitée, Rogers Cablesystems Georgian Bay Limited, Rogers Cablesystems North Bay Limited, Rogers Cablesystems Huntsville Limited and Rogers Canguard Inc., as Guarantors, and Chemical Bank, as Trustee, relating to the issuance of Rogers Cable Inc.’s 11% Senior Subordinated Guaranteed Debentures due 2015 |
| †10.5 | | | — | | First Supplemental Indenture dated December 31, 2003, among Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, with respect to the 11% Senior Subordinated Guaranteed Debentures due 2015 |
| *10.6 | | | — | | Indenture, dated as of February 5, 2002 between Rogers Cable Inc., as Issuer, and CIBC Mellon Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to the issuance of Rogers Cable Inc.’s 7.60% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2007 |
| †10.7 | | | — | | First Supplemental Indenture dated December 31, 2003, among Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and CIBC Mellon Trust Company, with respect to the 7.60% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2007 |
| *10.8 | | | — | | Indenture dated as of April 30, 2002, between Rogers Cable Inc., as Issuer, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee, relating to the 7.875% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2012 |
| †10.9 | | | — | | First Supplemental Indenture dated December 31, 2003, among Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, with respect to the 7.875% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2012 |
| *10.10 | | | — | | Indenture dated as of April 30, 2002, between Rogers Cable Inc., as Issuer, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee, relating to the 8.750% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Debentures due 2032 |
| †10.11 | | | — | | First Supplemental Indenture dated December 31, 2003, among Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, with respect to the 8.750% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Debentures due 2032 |
| ******10.12 | | | — | | Indenture, dated as of June 19, 2003 between Rogers Cable Inc., as Issuer, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee, relating to the issuance of Rogers Cable Inc.’s 6.25% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2013 |
| †10.13 | | | — | | First Supplemental Indenture dated December 31, 2003, among Rogers Cable Inc., Rogers Cable Communications Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, with respect to the 6.25% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2013 |
| *****10.14 | | | — | | Amended and Restated Management Agreement dated as of January 1, 1988, between Rogers Canada Inc. (formerly Canadian Cablesystems Limited) and Rogers Communications Inc., Assignment thereof by Rogers Canada Inc. to Rogers Cablesystems Limited (now Rogers Cable Inc.), dated as of April 30, 1990, and Memorandum of Agreement dated as of July 16, 1991 between Rogers Cablesystems Limited (now Rogers Cable Inc.) and Rogers Communications Inc. |
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Exhibit | | | | |
Number | | | | Description |
| | | |
|
| †12.1 | | | — | | Computation of Deficiency of Earnings Available to Cover Fixed Charges (under Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP) |
| †12.2 | | | — | | Computation of Pro Forma Deficiency of Earnings Available Cover Fixed Charges (under Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP) |
| †12.3 | | | — | | Computation of Financial Ratios (under Canadian GAAP) |
| †12.4 | | | — | | Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts |
| †21.1 | | | — | | Subsidiaries of Rogers Cable Inc. |
| †23.1 | | | — | | Consent of Torys LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) |
| †23.2 | | | — | | Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2) |
| 23.3 | | | — | | Report and Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Chartered Accountants |
| †24.1 | | | — | | Power of Attorney (included on signature pages of this Registration Statement) |
| †25.1 | | | — | | Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee, relating to the 5.500% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2014, on Form T-1 |
| †99.1 | | | — | | Form of Letter of Transmittal |
| †99.2 | | | — | | Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery |
| †99.3 | | | — | | Form of Letter to Securities Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees |
| †99.4 | | | — | | Form of Letter to Clients |
| | |
| † | Filed as an exhibit to the initial submission of this Registration Statement No. 333-113565 |
| | |
| * | Filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement No. 333-87972 and incorporated herein by reference thereto |
| | |
| ** | Filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement No. 33-90714 and incorporated herein by reference thereto |
| | |
| *** | Filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement No. 33-73092 and incorporated herein by reference thereto |
| | |
| **** | Filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement No. 33-98044 and incorporated herein by reference thereto |
| | |
| ***** | Filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement No. 33-48588 and incorporated herein by reference thereto |
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****** | Filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement No. 333-106348 and incorporated herein by reference thereto |