As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2002
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
[ ] REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b)
OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13
OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 0-26840
Telewest Communications plc
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
England and Wales
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
Genesis Business Park, Albert Drive, Woking, Surrey, GU21 5RW, United Kingdom
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to
Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Title of each class
-------------------
Ordinary Shares of 10 pence each
American Depositary Shares, each representing
10 Ordinary Shares of 10 pence each,
evidenced by American Depositary Receipts
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d)
of the Act:
None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's
classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period
covered by the annual report.
2,873,219,121 Ordinary Shares of 10 pence each
82,507,747 Limited Voting Convertible Ordinary Shares of 10 pence each
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected
to follow.
Item 17 [ ] Item 18 [X]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS..................................1
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE................................................1
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION........................................................................1
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY............................................................18
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS..........................................47
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES............................................64
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS.....................................74
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION.................................................................75
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING.................................................................76
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION................................................................78
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK.............................91
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES................................93
PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND AVERAGES AND DELINQUENCIES.........................................93
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS..........93
ITEM 15. [RESERVED]............................................................................93
ITEM 16. [RESERVED]............................................................................93
PART III
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS..................................................................93
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS..................................................................94
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS..............................................................................94
PART 1
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
BASIS OF PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION
The Telewest Group
References in this Annual Report to "Telewest" and the "Company" are to
Telewest Communications plc.
On November 1, 2000, Telewest acquired Eurobell (Holdings) PLC ("Eurobell")
from Deutsche Telekom AG (the "Eurobell Acquisition"). As a result, Eurobell
became a subsidiary of Telewest from that date.
On April 18, 2000, Telewest declared its offer for the issued and to be
issued share capital of Flextech plc ("Flextech") unconditional in all respects
(the "Flextech Merger"). Flextech is a supplier of entertainment, information
and interactive content and services to the United Kingdom ("UK") pay-television
and online markets. As a result of this merger, Flextech became a subsidiary of
Telewest with effect from April 19, 2000.
On November 23, 1999, Telewest acquired the remaining 50% of Cable London
plc ("Cable London") that it did not already own (the "Cable London
Acquisition"). As a result, Cable London became a subsidiary of Telewest from
that date.
On September 1, 1998, Telewest completed its merger with General Cable PLC
("General Cable"), then the fifth largest cable company in the UK based on the
number of franchise homes (the "General Cable Merger"). As a result of this
merger, General Cable became a subsidiary of Telewest.
At the time of the General Cable Merger, General Cable owned, among other
things, a 44.95% interest in Birmingham Cable Corporation Limited ("Birmingham
Cable"), the owner of one cable franchise in the UK. The remaining interests in
Birmingham Cable were then owned 27.47% by Telewest (through a subsidiary),
27.47% by Comcast UK Cable Partners Limited ("Comcast UK") and 0.11% by several
individual shareholders. During October and November 1998, Telewest acquired the
interests owned by Comcast UK and the individual shareholders (together, the
"Birmingham Acquisitions") and now owns 100% of Birmingham Cable.
References in this Annual Report to the "Telewest Group," the "Group," the
"Combined Group," "we," "us" and "our" are to Telewest and its consolidated
subsidiaries and references to the Telewest Group as of a specified date or for
a specified period give effect to the acquisitions of Flextech, General Cable
and Eurobell, and the outstanding interests in Birmingham Cable and Cable London
from the date of each respective acquisition.
Financial Information
We prepare financial statements on the basis of generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States ("US GAAP") and on the basis of
generally accepted accounting principles in the UK ("UK GAAP"), in each case, on
the basis of a fiscal year beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31. The
financial statements and information with respect to the Telewest Group included
in this Annual Report have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP.
The economic environment in which we operate is the UK and hence our
reporting currency is pounds sterling. On June 26, 2002 the Noon Buying Rate of
the Federal Reserve Bank of New York was (pound)1 =$1.52.
1
Sources of Information
All information in this Annual Report with respect to the number of homes
and businesses in a Telewest franchise area is based, in the case of homes, on
the most recently published UK census data (1991), as updated by our management
and, in the case of businesses, the estimates of our management. All information
with respect to the number of homes "passed" or "passed and marketed" is based
on physical counts made by Telewest during the network construction or marketing
phases (or, in the case of homes acquired after network construction or
marketing was completed by another operator, based on the records of such
operator). All information with respect to the number of homes in the General
Cable, Birmingham Cable, Cable London and Eurobell franchises prior to the
General Cable Merger, the Birmingham Acquisitions, the Cable London Acquisition
and the Eurobell Acquisition is based on the most recently published UK census
data (1991), as updated by the managements of such franchises and all other
information concerning General Cable, Birmingham Cable, Cable London and
Eurobell prior to the General Cable Merger, the Birmingham Acquisitions, the
Cable London Acquisition and the Eurobell Acquisition has been provided by (or
derived from data provided by) General Cable, Birmingham Cable, Cable London and
Eurobell, as the case may be. All information in this Annual Report with respect
to the number of homes in the UK in areas for which cable franchises have been
awarded is based on the most recently published UK census data (1991) and
Independent Television Commission data relating to the UK cable industry. All
information in this Annual Report with respect to Flextech's share of basic
television viewing is based on data measured by Broadcasters' Audience Research
Board Limited. All other statistics in this Annual Report relating to our
Content Division are based on information compiled by independent agencies, as
updated by our management.
Industry Terms
References in this Annual Report to homes "passed" are to homes in respect
of which we have completed network construction.
Forward-looking Statements
This Annual Report contains statements that are, or may be deemed to be,
forward-looking statements within the meaning of US securities laws. These
forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, our anticipated cost
savings, revenue growth, operating efficiencies, future liquidity, introduction
of services and our plans and objectives. By their nature, forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and
depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future.
There are a number of important factors that could cause our actual
results and future development to differ materially from those expressed or
implied by those forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to:
o our ability to raise additional financing, our ability to refinance
our indebtedness and our ability to continue to service our
outstanding indebtedness;
o our ability to access liquidity under our bank facility, which will
require our compliance with certain covenants that require continued
growth in our business;
o the extent to which consumer demand for voice, video, data and
internet services increases;
o the extent to which Small-to-Medium-sized Enterprises ("SMEs")
accept cable telephony services as an alternative to those of
competing service providers such as British Telecommunications plc
("BT");
o the extent to which we are able to adapt to, and compete with, new
and emerging technologies including Asynchronous Digital Subscriber
Line ("ADSL") technology;
o the extent to which consumer preference develops for cable
television over other methods of providing in-home entertainment;
o the extent to which consumer preference develops for purchasing
goods and services on the internet and/or using interactive
television over other methods of purchasing such goods and services;
2
o the extent to which consumers accept cable telephony as a viable
alternative to telephony services provided by BT;
o the extent to which we are successfully able to compete with mobile
network operators;
o the extent to which regulatory and competitive pressures in the UK
telephony market continue to reduce prices;
o our ability to develop and introduce attractive interactive and
high-speed data services in a rapidly changing and highly
competitive business environment;
o our ability to penetrate markets and respond to changes or increases
in competition;
o our ability to compete with other internet service providers
("ISPs");
o our ability to compete against digital television service providers,
including British Sky Broadcasting Group plc ("BSkyB") and any
successor to ITV Digital (formerly ONdigital, a joint venture
between Carlton Communications plc and Granada Group plc) by
increasing our digital services customer base, and the impact of our
aggressive digital services marketing campaign on our results of
operations and liquidity;
o our ability to have an impact on, or respond to, new or changed
government regulation;
o our ability to manage growth and expansion;
o our ability to improve operating efficiencies, including through
cost reductions;
o our ability to maintain and upgrade our network in a cost-efficient
and timely manner;
o adverse changes in the price or availability of telephony
interconnection or cable television programming;
o disruptions in supply of programming, services and equipment; and
o the extent to which consumer preference develops for, or shifts away
from, content developed and distributed by Flextech (our Content
Division).
3
A. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected consolidated financial data for the Telewest Group
as of December 31, 2000 and 2001 and for the three years ended December 31, 2001
have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the
Telewest Group included elsewhere in this Annual Report and has been prepared in
accordance with US GAAP. The selected consolidated financial data as of December
31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 and for the two years ended December 31, 1998 have been
derived from our audited consolidated financial statements as of such dates for
each of those respective years.
You should read our selected financial data in conjunction with the
information contained in "Item 5-- Operating and Financial Review and Prospects"
and the consolidated financial statements of the Telewest Group and the related
notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1998(1) 1999(2) 2000(3) 2001
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Statement of Operations Data: (in millions, except per share data)
Revenue
Cable television (pound) 160(pound) 202(pound) 258(pound) 279(pound) 329
Consumer telephony 167 233 334 445 488
Internet and Other (4) 16 20 17 16 40
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Consumer Division 343 455 609 740 857
Business Services Division 44 84 177 248 268
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Cable Division 387 539 786 988 1,125
Content Division - - - 81 129
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Revenue (pound) 387(pound) 539(pound) 786(pound) 1,069(pound) 1,254
Operating Costs and Expenses
Consumer programming expenses (93) (103) (132) (132) (142)
Business and consumer telephony expenses (50) (82) (158) (235) (235)
Content expenses 0 0 0 (46) (83)
Depreciation (177) (224) (305) (423) (469)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost of sales (320) (409) (595) (836) (929)
Selling, general and administrative expenses (194) (208) (307) (445) (497)
Amortization of goodwill (27) (36) (62) (147) (183)
Impairment of goodwill (5) 0 0 0 0 (766)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
(pound) (541)(pound) (653)(pound) (964)(pound)(1,428)(pound)(2,375)
Operating Loss (pound) (154)(pound) (114)(pound) (178)(pound) (359)(pound)(1,121)
Other income/(expense)
Interest income 8 15 7 15 15
Interest expense (including amortization of
debt discount) (142) (206) (293) (385) (472)
Foreign exchange losses, net (23) (12) (49) (15) -
Share of net losses of affiliates and impairment (5) (22) (19) (6) (15) (216)
Minority interest in (profits)/losses of consolidated
subsidiaries, net - 1 (1) 1 1
Other, net 1 2 (1) (3) (3)
Tax benefit - - - 6 70
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss before extraordinary item (pound) (332)(pound) (333)(pound) (521)(pound) (755)(pound)(1,726)
Extraordinary loss on extinguishment of debt - - (20) - (15)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss after extraordinary item (pound) (332)(pound) (333)(pound) (541)(pound) (755)(pound)(1,741)
===================================================================
Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share
Before extraordinary loss (32p) (23p) (24p) (28p) (59p)
After extraordinary loss (32p) (23p) (25p) (28p) (60p)
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding 928 1,422 2,197 2,705 2,880
Other Financial Data:
Cash provided by/(used in) operating activities (pound) 3(pound) 9(pound) 34 (15)(pound) 1
Cash used in investing activities (439) (634) (859) (545) (549)
Cash provided by financing activities 386 636 849 555 502
EBITDA (6)
Before non-cash share-based compensation cost 50 146 215 216 298
After non-cash share-based compensation cost 50 146 189 211 297
Capital expenditure (7) 429 251 463 525 546
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (8) - - - - -
4
Balance Sheet Data (at period end)
Property and equipment, net (pound) 1,706(pound) 2,457(pound) 2,818(pound) 3,289(pound) 3,473
Total assets 2,413 3,978 4,568 7,324 6,332
Investments 60 27 4 784 547
Total debt and capital leases 1,449 2,626 3,268 4,499 5,135
Shareholders' equity 739 1,041 953 2,145 451
- ----------
(1) Includes results of operations of General Cable and Birmingham Cable from
September 1, 1998 (the date we acquired General Cable and its interest in
Birmingham Cable).
(2) Includes results of operations of Cable London from November 23, 1999 (the
date we acquired the 50% of Cable London we did not already own).
(3) Includes results of operations of Flextech from April 19, 2000 (the date we
acquired Flextech) and the results of Eurobell from November 1, 2000 (the date
we acquired Eurobell).
(4) Other consists primarily of the sale of cable publications (and, prior to
1999, management services provided to other cable operators).
(5) In the fourth quarter of 2001, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of
(pound)766 million and wrote down the value of our investments in affiliates by
(pound)202 million.
(6) Our calculation of EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation
and Amortization) represents operating loss plus depreciation, amortization and,
in 2001, impairment of goodwill. We publish EBITDA in addition to the statutory
financial information because we consider that EBITDA is a standard measure
commonly reported and widely used by analysts, investors and other interested
parties in the cable television and telecommunications industries. Our
calculation of EBITDA may not be comparable to EBITDA calculated by other
companies and therefore should not be used on its own as a basis for comparison
with other companies. Furthermore, we believe that the increase in EBITDA over
the periods covered indicate that our operating performance is improving. We
have consistently applied EBITDA in our financial statements since
incorporation. We use EBITDA as a measure of our operating performance before
recognition of the impact of non-cash capital related costs (such as
depreciation of our networks). For similar reasons, we also report EBITDA on a
regular basis to our banks who specifically require us to report it in
connection with of our covenant tests. EBITDA, however, should not be considered
as an alternative to operating or net income as an indicator of the performance
of our business or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as
a measure of liquidity, in each case, determined in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA
is shown before and after non-cash share-based compensation cost because this
charge fluctuates depending on the movement of our share price.
(7) Represents cash paid for property and equipment, net of cash received upon
dispositions of property and equipment of (pound)6 million, (pound)6 million,
(pound)5 million, (pound)2 million and (pound)2 million, respectively, for the
years presented.
(8) For the purpose of these computations, earnings consist of net loss plus
taxes and fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest on indebtedness
(including amortization of debt issuance costs) plus that portion of lease
rental expense representative of the interest factor (deemed to be one-third of
lease rental expense). The deficiency of earnings to fixed charges for the years
ended December 31, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 was (pound)310 million,
(pound)314 million, (pound)535 million, (pound)746 million and (pound)1,595
million, respectively.
5
B. EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION
The following table sets forth, for information purposes only, for the
periods ended and dates indicated, certain information concerning the exchange
rate for pounds sterling based on the noon buying rate of the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York (the "Noon Buying Rate"). No representation is made that pound
sterling amounts have been, could have been or could be converted into, US
dollars at the Noon Buying Rate or at any other rate.
Year Ended December 31, Period End (1) Average Rate (2) High Low
---------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------- ---- ---
1997 ................................... 1.64 1.64 1.71 1.58
1998 ................................... 1.66 1.66 1.72 1.62
1999 ................................... 1.61 1.61 1.67 1.55
2000 ................................... 1.50 1.51 1.65 1.40
2001 ................................... 1.45 1.44 1.50 1.37
2002 (through June 26, 2002)............ 1.52 1.45 1.53 1.41
------------------
(1) Represents the Noon Buying Rate on the last business day of
the applicable period.
(2) The average of the Noon Buying Rates on the last business day
of each month during the relevant period.
The following table sets forth the high and low exchange rates during the
previous six months.
Month Ended High Low
----------------------------------------- ------- -----
December 2001........................... 1.46 1.42
January 2002............................ 1.45 1.41
February 2002........................... 1.43 1.41
March 2002.............................. 1.43 1.41
April 2002 ............................. 1.46 1.43
May 2002................................ 1.47 1.45
June 2002 (through June 26, 2002)...... 1.52 1.46
The Noon Buying Rate on June 26, 2002 was (pound)1.00 = $1.52.
C. CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS
Not applicable.
D. REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not applicable.
E. RISK FACTORS
Investments in our securities involve risks. Investors should carefully
consider the following discussion of risks and the other information in this
Annual Report.
History of Losses and Substantial Leverage -- We have not historically been
able to fund our operations through operating cash flow and have therefore
incurred substantial indebtedness.
We have incurred substantial operating and net losses since our inception.
We expect to continue to incur net losses for the foreseeable future, and we
cannot assure you that our operations will become profitable. In addition, we
have been, and expect to continue to be, required to fund a considerable portion
of our operating expenses and capital expenditure from borrowings rather than
from operating cash flow. Consequently we have, and for the considerable future
expect to have, a significant amount of indebtedness.
We have significant restrictions under our existing debt instruments and
bank facilities, which may restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness
in the future. Subject to these existing restrictions, however, we may incur
additional indebtedness.
6
The level of our indebtedness could have important consequences. For
example, it could:
o limit our cash flow available for general corporate purposes,
including acquisitions, due to debt service requirements;
o limit our ability to obtain financing for working capital, capital
expenditure or business opportunities;
o limit our flexibility in reacting to competitive, technological and
other changes in industry and economic conditions generally;
o expose us to risks inherent in interest rate and currency exchange
fluctuations; and
o require us to seek additional equity funding from our shareholders.
In addition, our ability to take certain corporate actions is restricted by
covenants contained in instruments that govern our outstanding indebtedness,
including covenants that:
o restrict, condition or prohibit us from:
(1) incurring additional indebtedness;
(2) creating liens on our assets;
(3) making certain asset dispositions;
(4) conducting certain other business; and
(5) entering into transactions with affiliated and related persons
other than on arm's-length terms, and
o limit the ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions (including
the payment of dividends) to Telewest.
Substantial leverage and restrictions imposed by our outstanding
indebtedness could have a material adverse effect on our ability to:
o meet our debt service obligations;
o finance our future operations or capital needs; or
o engage in other business activities.
Any failure to make payments required under our financing agreements, or to
comply with any of the obligations or prohibitions contained therein, may enable
the lenders to accelerate our payment obligations and enforce their security
rights over our assets. It is unlikely that we would have sufficient funds or
other resources to satisfy all such obligations.
Ability to Service Debt -- To service our debt, we will require a
significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash depends on many
factors, some of which are beyond our control.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on, and to refinance and to satisfy
our other obligations under, our indebtedness will depend upon our future
operating performance and the prevailing state of the capital markets. General
economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, operational and other
factors beyond our control will affect our future operating performance. See
"Item 5.B--Operating and Financial Review and Prospects--Liquidity and Capital
Resources."
If we were unable to meet our debt service obligations, we could attempt to
restructure or refinance our existing indebtedness or to seek additional
funding. We cannot assure you, however, that we would be able to do so on
satisfactory terms, if at all. The downgrading of our credit ratings in March
and April 2002 may mean that we are not able to access these sources. A
restructuring of our debt could take the form of a debt-for-equity swap, which
may result in severe dilution for existing shareholders at the time of the swap.
7
Limitation on Access to Cash Flow of Subsidiaries; Holding Company
Structure -- We have no operations and are dependent on our subsidiaries
for dividends and distributions; however, the borrowing agreements of those
subsidiaries restrict dividends and distributions to us.
We are a holding company with limited assets. We depend on dividends and
other distributions from our operating subsidiaries, who are restricted in their
ability to pay dividends and distributions to us, to make payments on our
outstanding high yield and convertible debt securities. Any default by us on
these payments would automatically cause a default under the bank financing
arrangements of the Telewest Communication Networks' borrowing group (the "TCN
Group").
Ratings -- The downgrading of our corporate credit ratings and the ratings
of our outstanding debt is likely to increase our cost of borrowing and may
mean that we are not able to make future borrowings.
In March 2001, following the announced completion of our new senior secured
facility (the "Senior Secured Facility"), Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
("Moody's") lowered the debt rating of our securities one notch to "B2" and
assigned a "Ba2" rating to the Senior Secured Facility. In March 2002, citing
its concern about our ability to grow into our highly leveraged capital
structure and our significantly weakened access to capital over the past year,
Moody's further downgraded our debt ratings and the debt ratings of two of our
subsidiaries, Telewest Finance (Jersey) Limited and Telewest Communications
Networks Limited. This included downgrading both our senior unsecured bond
rating and the senior unsecured bond rating of Telewest Finance (Jersey) Limited
to "Caa3". Moody's downgraded the rating of the Senior Secured Facility to "B2"
and stated that the outlook on our debt securities is negative. In addition,
Moody's downgraded our senior implied rating to "Caa1" and our senior unsecured
issuer rating to "Caa3".
In April 2001, Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") lowered the debt
rating of our securities one notch to "B," left our "BB-" corporate credit
rating unchanged and assigned a "BB" rating to the Senior Secured Facility. In
March 2002, S&P placed all of our ratings on CreditWatch with negative
implications. In April 2002, S&P further downgraded our long-term corporate
credit ratings to "CCC+" and lowered our senior unsecured debt ratings to
"CCC-". It is likely that the downgrading of these ratings will increase our
cost of borrowing and may mean that we are not able to make future borrowings.
We are currently seeking to borrow (pound)105 million that is available to
us as part of an institutional tranche pursuant to the terms of our Senior
Secured Facility and (pound)239 million available to us as part of negotiated
vendor financings.
Ratings - We may not be able to repay indebtedness upon a rating decline
and change of control.
Except in respect of the Accreting Convertible Notes due 2003 issued to
Deutsche Telekom as consideration for the Eurobell Acquisition (the "Eurobell
Notes"), a downgrading which occurs within six months of the announcement or
completion of certain change of control events with respect to us would require
us to make an offer to purchase our outstanding debt securities. These debt
securities provide that a change of control will occur if any person or group,
other than certain "permitted holders," becomes the beneficial owner of more
than 50% of our voting shares. Future transfers by, or transactions involving,
our principal shareholders could result in a change of control in certain
circumstances. In particular, if any of those shareholders increased their
holding of ordinary shares or entered into voting arrangements with other
shareholders, depending on the structure of the transaction, that transaction
could constitute a change of control under the indentures governing our existing
debt securities. See "-Influence of, and Changes in, Principal Shareholders." If
a change of control and ratings downgrade occur within the specified time, we
will be required to make an offer to the holders of affected debt securities to
repurchase those securities at 100% or 101% of their principal amount or
accreted value, as applicable. In respect of the Eurobell Notes, a change of
control by itself would trigger our obligation to repurchase the Eurobell Notes
from the holder at 100% of their accreted value. The terms of the Eurobell Notes
make an exception for certain "permitted holders," including Liberty Media
Corporation ("Liberty Media") and Microsoft Corporation ("Microsoft").
As discussed in "--Limitation on Access to Cash Flow of Subsidiaries;
Holding Company Structure" above, we are a holding company, and we will be
dependent upon access to the earnings, if any, or assets of our subsidiaries to
fund the repurchase of our debt securities upon the occurrence of a change of
control and, where applicable, a ratings decline. We cannot assure you that our
subsidiaries will have the resources available for distribution to us, or that
they will be permitted to make any such distribution, to fund any repurchase of
8
our outstanding debt securities. A failure to repurchase debt securities
tendered in a change of control offer would constitute an event of default under
the indenture governing those debt securities.
Bank Facilities -- Amendments to or refinancing of the TCN Group bank
facilities.
On March 16, 2001, we signed our new (pound)2.25 billion Senior Secured
Facility, (pound)2 billion of which was made available by a syndicate of 26
banks (the "Senior Secured Facility Banks"). There was also the ability under
the terms of the loan agreement to raise a further (pound)250 million from
institutional investors pursuant to which we have raised an aggregate of
(pound)145 million to date. The loan agreement also permits us to raise up to
(pound)500 million of vendor financing of which (pound)261 million was incurred
as of December 31, 2001. The first draw down under the Senior Secured Facility
was used to repay the old TCN facility and the Flextech facility. We are
currently seeking to borrow (pound)105 million that is available to us as part
of the institutional tranche pursuant to the terms of our Senior Secured
Facility and (pound)239 million available to us as part of negotiated vendor
financings. However, the recent downgrading of our corporate credit ratings and
the ratings of our outstanding debt may mean that we are not able to access
these additional funds.
Our ability to continue to fund our expenditures by borrowing under our
Senior Secured Facility depends upon us meeting anticipated operational targets.
We believe that the TCN Group's actual net funding requirements and net
operating cash flows will not differ significantly from those currently
anticipated, although differences may result from higher than anticipated costs
and capital expenditures and/or lower than anticipated revenues. Our actual
costs, capital expenditures and revenues will depend on many factors, including
consumer demand for voice, video, data and internet services; the impact on our
business of new and emerging technologies, such as ADSL, the extent to which
consumer preference develops for cable television over other methods of
providing in-home entertainment, the development of the interactive e-commerce
market, consumer acceptance of cable telephony as a viable alternative to BT's
telephony services, and continued downward pressure on telephony margins and the
other matters discussed in these "Risk Factors." To the extent that differences
arise, such differences could require us to request waivers from the Senior
Secured Facility Banks to prevent breaching certain covenants in the Senior
Secured Facility and/or to obtain additional financing. Such waivers and/or new
financing and/or amendments or refinancings may not be available on acceptable
terms, if at all. Our inability to obtain the requisite waivers and/or to obtain
additional financing and/or to amend or refinance our bank facilities may result
in a default under our Senior Secured Facility and could result in a default
under the indentures that govern our high yield and convertible debt securities.
Significant Competition -- Our broadband products and services are offered
in highly competitive markets and compete with those of a wide range of
companies that use a variety of sophisticated and rapidly changing
technologies. The level of competition is intense in all of the markets in
which we compete and our failure to compete effectively in the provision
of these products and services will adversely affect our results of
operations.
Cable Television
We compete directly with terrestrial television (over-the-air broadcast
television) services, direct-to-home digital satellite services (e.g., BSkyB)
and digital terrestrial service providers (e.g., ITV Digital, currently in
administration). Our programming, particularly our pay-per-view programming,
also competes with other forms of entertainment, including home video rentals
and films.
Our ability to compete in the pay-television market is dependent in certain
areas on the purchase of premium channels from BSkyB on a wholesale basis. In
January 2000, the UK Office of Fair Trading launched a competition review of
BSkyB's pay-television activities, including its supply of premium channels on a
wholesale basis to us. On December 17, 2001, the Office of Fair Trading
announced that it was proposing to make a decision that BSkyB behaved
anti-competitively by abusing its dominant position in the wholesale market for
the provision of pay premium sports and film channels. Specifically, the Office
of Fair Trading announced its proposed decision that certain conduct of BSkyB
infringes Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998, in particular:
o BSkyB's margin between the wholesale price it charges distributors and
the retail price paid by its own subscribers may not be wide enough to
allow a normal profit to be made by a third-party distributor of its
premium channels (e.g., Telewest), even if it is as efficient as BSkyB
in distribution;
9
o the discounts BSkyB gives distributors when they take packages of
premium channels may be set at a level that prevents rival premium
channel providers from entering the market; and
o the discounts that BSkyB offers to distributors on one version of its
rate card for its premium sports and film channels (i.e., the
"Pay-to-Basic" version) may prevent rival premium channel providers
from entering the market and may distort distributors' marketing
decisions.
The Office of Fair Trading has stated that it does not anticipate being in
a position to make a final decision before the summer of 2002. In addition,
BSkyB could appeal against any unfavorable decision from the Office of Fair
Trading to the Competition Appeals Tribunal, and it could take up to six months
for the Competition Appeals Tribunal to complete its review and render a
decision. It is possible that the Office of Fair Trading will require BSkyB to
pay a fine and/or require BSkyB to alter its pricing policies in a manner that
may benefit us as a purchaser of its premium programming. Until such time as a
final decision is rendered, however, we will not be able to assess the likely
future level of wholesale rates in respect of BSkyB's premium channels.
On March 28, 2002, Pace Micro Technology ("Pace") announced its launch of
a set-top box that plugs into an analogue television and provides access to
free-to-view digital channels. These channels include BBC Four, CBeebies and
ITV2 as well as digital versions of the five terrestrial channels. Pace has
announced that these digital set-top boxes will retail for (pound)129.99. We
cannot predict the success of digital free-to-view services, particularly given
that ITV Digital is in administration and the possible migration of its digital
terrestrial subscribers to other pay-television or to free-to-air services. See
"Item 4.B--Information on the Company -- Description of Business -- Competition
- -- Digital Television Services." If these services are successful, our revenues
in the digital pay-television market could be affected.
In addition, the UK government has indicated its commitment to providing a
wide range of free-to-view programming and has given permission to the BBC to
produce additional free-to-view channels. Some of these programs will be
available on our digital platform. We currently cannot assess the impact of
these new free-to-view channels on our digital pay-television market. If the
market develops for free-to-view digital channels, our business, operating
results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
For further discussion of the factors contributing to competition in the
cable television market, see "Item 4.B--Information on the Company --
Description of Business -- Competition -- Cable Television."
Cable Telephony
There is considerable competition in both the residential and business
telephony markets. BT, our principal competitor in the residential telephony
market, has an established market presence, a fully built network and resources
substantially greater than our own. As BT provides approximately 81% of all UK
residential telephony lines, our ability to convince BT consumers to switch to
our services will largely determine our success in the residential telephony
market. We are also increasingly subject to competition from mobile network
operators as customers choose to use their mobile phones as a substitute for
their fixed-line telephones. This, along with BT's aggressive marketing
campaigns and price cutting to retain and win back customers, has intensified
competition in this market.
In addition, we incur a significant amount of costs relating to the
interconnection/call termination rates charged by UK mobile phone networks.
Following a consultation in September 2001, the UK Office of Telecommunications
announced that it intended to impose a price cap of the retail price index
("RPI") less 12% on the interconnection/call termination rates of the UK mobile
networks. This decision was rejected by all four mobile operators and referred
to the Competition Commission in January 2002. The Competition Commission is
expected to conclude this case in July 2002. Until such time as a final decision
is rendered, we will not be able to assess our likely future level of costs
relating to the interconnection/call termination rates charged by UK mobile
phone networks.
For further discussion of the factors contributing to increased competition
in the residential and business telephony markets, see "Item 4.B--Information on
the Company--Description of Business--Competition--Cable Telephony."
Internet Services
10
SurfUnlimited, our unmetered, dial-up internet access service, and
blueyonder broadband, our high-speed internet service, compete in a rapidly
evolving marketplace and with products and services provided by companies in the
telecommunications, information, media, entertainment and advertising fields. In
particular, SurfUnlimited, which charges a flat rate of (pound)12.00 per month
for unmetered usage, competes with other dial-up internet access services,
including some that may decide to offer completely free, unmetered internet
access, and blueyonder broadband (as discussed below) competes with ADSL
services provided by BT and other providers who have purchased access to BT's
network. Reduction or elimination of our monthly (pound)12.00 fee could
adversely affect our revenues.
On February 26, 2002, BT announced reductions in the wholesale price of
its broadband (ADSL) line rental and its intention to embark on joint marketing
projects with its wholesale ADSL customers. On February 27, 2002, BTopenworld
Broadband, BT's broadband ISP, announced that it would reduce the price it
charged for broadband services to (pound)29.99 per month. In April 2002, BT
announced the launch of new retail broadband products that will compete with our
blueyonder broadband product. BT Broadband provides customers with high-speed,
direct internet access for (pound)27.00 per month. BT Broadband will not provide
value-added services such as e-mail, free personal web space and content as part
of this "no frills" service, but instead will allow its customers to choose the
portfolio of services and content they want. BT Broadband is facilitated by a
"plug and play" set-up that customers can install themselves. According to BT,
as of March 31, 2002, it had 170,000 subscribers to its Broadband service. BT
will make this service widely available in the autumn of 2002. In June 2002, we
launched our new 1024 kb (i.e., 1 Mb) blueyonder residential internet service to
all of our customers across the UK. This service is available for (pound)35.00
per month, when taken with other Telewest Broadband services, or (pound)39.99 on
its own. This is a (pound)10.00 premium on our standard (i.e., 512 kb)
blueyonder broadband access. Our 1 Mb blueyonder residential internet service
currently operates at speeds faster than BT's broadband service and the services
of ADSL providers using BT's network. If our blueyonder broadband product does
not develop and sustain market acceptance, our business, operating results and
financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
In addition, the internet in general, and high-speed internet in
particular, is a relatively new and developing platform for the delivery of
products and services. Our future success will depend on our ability to retain
and attract customers and to increase revenues from our internet-based products
and services. In particular, our future success will depend on:
o increased consumer awareness of, and demand for, internet products and
services;
o our ability to improve marketing and customer service to attract new
customers and retain existing customers; and
o our ability to develop, introduce and service new internet-based
products and services.
For a further discussion of competition in the internet market, see "Item
4.B--Information on the Company -- Description of Business -- Competition --
Internet Services."
Content
Flextech (our Content Division) produces and distributes traditional
television programming as well as interactive/broadband services. It depends on
subscription and advertising revenues from traditional television programming
and transaction revenues from interactive and broadband services.
Flextech's television programming competes with other programmers and may
lose audience share, as a result of which our contracts with television
distributors (which currently cover all UK digital and analogue platforms) may
not be renewed or may be renewed on less favorable subscription terms, and may
lose advertising revenues. In addition, economic and market factors may
adversely influence subscription and advertising revenues separate from
individual channel performance.
The markets for our interactive/broadband products have only recently begun
to develop, are rapidly evolving and are increasingly competitive. Demand and
market acceptance for recently introduced products and services are subject to a
high level of uncertainty and risk. If the market develops more slowly than
expected or becomes saturated with competitors, or if our products do not
develop and sustain market acceptance, our business, operating results and
financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
11
For further discussion of the factors contributing to competition in the
content market, see "Item 4.B--Information on the Company -- Description of
Business -- Competition -- Content."
As a result of the termination of our channels on the ITV Digital platform
on April 30, 2002, UKTV (our 50:50 joint venture with BBC Worldwide) will
experience a material impact on its subscriber and advertising revenues.
Although we are losing programming revenues that we otherwise received from ITV
Digital, we believe that a majority of ITV Digital's former subscribers will
over time migrate to platforms (including our own) from which we will receive
subscriber and/or advertising revenues. Although failure to recoup revenues from
these subscribers would negatively impact our business performance, such failure
would not be critical.
Other Broadband Services
A condition has been added to BT's license which requires it to make its
local access loops available as leased circuits to other public
telecommunications operators on a wholesale basis, subject to any price
regulation by the Office of Telecommunications. Operators are therefore able to
upgrade BT's local access loops to provide higher bandwidth capacity by using
ADSL technology at BT's local exchanges and at the customers' premises. In
addition, BT has launched both retail and wholesale ADSL services. BT's ADSL
service, "BTopenworld," was launched in August 2000. BT is also now supplying
other operators high bandwidth capacity on a wholesale basis. The total number
of BT's wholesale subscribers, including BTopenworld, was approximately 250,000
as of May 31, 2002. The availability of ADSL and other local loop broadband
technologies will increase the availability of services that compete with our
analogue and digital television services, our internet services and our
interactive services.
Ability to Increase Prices - If we are unable to increase our prices, we
may not meet our business plan targets. Any increase in our prices may
increase our customer churn.
Our business plan currently contemplates maximizing revenue from our
existing customers through incremental increases in the prices of various
products. If our competitors do not raise their prices to the same levels or if
they engage in price cutting campaigns, we may not be able to increase prices
without losing customers. Even if our competitors also raise their prices, we
may still experience increased customer churn because any incremental increase
could price certain customers out of the market and/or negatively impact our
customer relations. The failure to increase prices and to meet our business plan
targets could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and financial condition.
Influence of, and Changes in, Principal Shareholders -- The operation of
our business is influenced and restricted by arrangements between certain
large shareholders. We cannot control the arrangements between our
principal shareholders or the nature of their holdings in our share
capital.
Historically, our principal shareholders have been Liberty Media and
MediaOne Group Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T) ("MediaOne"). On June
15, 2000, AT&T acquired MediaOne through a merger of MediaOne with and into a
subsidiary of AT&T. On July 7, 2000, following clearance by the European
Commission, MediaOne consummated an agreement with certain subsidiaries of
Microsoft whereby those subsidiaries purchased 21.7% of our outstanding share
capital from MediaOne. On May 3, 2001, we were notified by Liberty Media of an
increase in its shareholding in us as a result of the purchase of a further 20
million of our shares. As a result, Liberty Media, Microsoft and MediaOne now
own 25.2%, 23.6% and 1.3%, respectively, of our share capital. Liberty Media was
a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T until August 2001, when it was split off from
AT&T as an independent, publicly traded company. On May 14, 2002, Microsoft
informed us that it was withdrawing its three non-executive directors from our
Board of Directors. See "Item 4 -- Information on the Company -- Description of
Business -- Recent Developments."
As a result of the ownership and voting arrangements set out in the
Relationship Agreement to which they are parties, Liberty Media and Microsoft
hold voting rights required to determine the outcome of any matter requiring
shareholder approval.
On June 12, 2002, Liberty Media announced that it was in preliminary
discussions with Microsoft concerning the acquisition of substantially all of
Microsoft's economic interest, but not voting interest, in our shares. We cannot
predict the outcome of these discussions or that they will continue.
12
For a discussion of how changes in our principal shareholders could
constitute a change of control under the indentures governing our debt
securities, see "Ratings -- We may not be able to repay indebtedness upon a
rating decline and change of control" above.
Limited Consumer Acceptance of Cable Television and Cable Telephony in the
UK -- If we do not attract and retain cable television and cable telephony
customers, we will be adversely affected.
UK cable television and cable telephony operators have not yet achieved the
penetration rate of US operators. Our future success will depend on our ability
to retain and attract customers and to increase revenues. In particular, our
future success will depend on:
o increased consumer demand for voice, video, data and internet
services;
o our ability to improve marketing and customer service to attract new
customers and retain existing customers; and
o our ability to develop, introduce and service new products.
Dependence on Brands -- We must have strong "brand identities" for our
products in order to attract and expand our user and advertiser bases.
In November 2001, we rebranded our residential services as "Telewest
Broadband" in order to underpin our delivery of broadband services across our UK
operations. As our business evolves from traditional cable television and
telephony to the provision of a range of broadband and interactive services over
our own and third parties' distribution platforms, brands become more important
to us. In particular, we believe that strong brand identities will be important
to our efforts to expand our user and advertiser base. We also believe that the
importance of brand recognition will increase as the number of competing content
providers increases, especially in light of the relatively low barriers to entry
in these markets. Promotion and enhancement of our brands will depend largely on
our success in providing high-quality products and services. In order to attract
and retain internet users and to promote and maintain our brands, we may find it
necessary to increase expenditures devoted to creating and maintaining brand
loyalty. Failure to adequately promote and maintain our brands could have a
material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial
condition.
Digital Television Services -- Timing, technological and regulatory risks
relating to our introduction of digital television services could adversely
affect us.
In October 1999, we began rolling out "Active Digital," our digital
television service, to our franchise areas. Active Digital comprises a wide
array of television and radio channels, pay-per-view movies, interactive
services and television e-mail. It has been rolled out in all franchise areas,
excluding Eurobell areas and our Cabletime areas where we currently offer
analogue services. As at March 31, 2002, we had an installed base of 792,563
Active Digital subscribers.
BSkyB launched its digital satellite services in October 1998 and ITV
Digital launched its digital terrestrial services in November 1998. As at March
31, 2002, BSkyB had attracted approximately 5.9 million subscribers, and as at
December 31, 2001, ITV Digital had attracted over 1.2 million subscribers.
Competition in this market is intense, in part due to the offer of free set-top
boxes from BSkyB and ITV Digital and BSkyB's offer to bundle free internet
access and discounted indirect telephony access with its digital television
services. We expect that BSkyB may not continue to supply free set-top boxes in
the future, and it is impossible to predict how this would impact competition in
the market for digital television services.
On March 27, 2002, ITV Digital was put into administration. On April 22,
2002, the administrators announced that they would be seeking a buyer for ITV
Digital. On April 30, 2002, the administrators announced that they could not
procure a buyer and would switch off ITV Digital's pay-television channels and
liquidate its assets. Currently, the Independent Television Commission is
reviewing bids to purchase the licenses previously held by ITV Digital. It is
expected that the Independent Television Commission will announce the winning
bidders on July 4, 2002. We cannot predict how this reduction in competition in
the digital television services will affect our business, operating results and
financial condition. Although we are losing programming revenues that we
otherwise received from ITV Digital, we believe that a majority of ITV Digital's
former subscribers will over time migrate to platforms (including our own) from
13
which we will receive subscriber and/or advertising revenues. Although failure
to recoup revenues from these subscribers would negatively impact our business
performance, such failure would not be critical.
On March 28, 2002, Pace announced its launch of a set-top box that plugs
into an analogue television and provides access to free-to-view digital
channels. These channels include BBC Four, CBeebies and ITV2 as well as digital
versions of the five terrestrial channels. Pace has announced that these digital
set-top boxes will retail for (pound)129.99. We cannot predict the success of
digital free-to-view services, particularly given that ITV Digital is in
administration and the possible migration of its digital terrestrial subscribers
to other pay-television or to free-to-air services. See "Item 4.B -- Information
on the Company -- Description of Business -- Competition -- Cable Television --
Digital Television Services." If these services are successful, our revenues in
the digital pay-television market could be affected.
In February 2001, partly as a response to the set-top box shortage we
experienced in the third quarter of 2000, we entered into a contract with a
second supplier of set-top boxes for our digital television services.
Consequently, we currently believe that we will have an adequate supply of
set-top boxes to meet demand for our digital television services.
In addition, the UK government has indicated its commitment to providing a
wide range of free-to-view programming and has given permission to the BBC to
produce additional free-to-view channels. These programs will be available on
our digital platform. We currently cannot assess the impact of these new
free-to-view channels on our digital pay-television market. If the market
develops for free-to-view digital channels, our business, operating results and
financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Market for Digital Services -- If the market for digital services does not
develop, our results of operations could be adversely affected. If it does
develop, it is likely to be very competitive.
Although we believe that digital broadcasting presents an opportunity for
us to expand the audience for our content, we cannot predict the degree to
which, or the speed with which, digital services will be taken up or used.
Flextech began distributing its content and services over the digital satellite
television platform in the UK in August 1998. In response to the perceived
opportunities created by digital broadcasting, Flextech has procured, and
continues to procure, broadcasting equipment and rights necessary for digital
specific applications. If the market for digital services does not sufficiently
develop, we might not recoup our investment in digital-specific equipment and
rights, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.
If the market for digital services does develop, it is likely to do so in very
competitive environment.
Technology -- The telecommunications industry is subject to rapid
technological changes and we cannot predict the effect of any changes on
our businesses.
The telecommunications industry is subject to rapid and significant
changes in technology, and the effect of technological changes on our businesses
cannot be predicted. Our core offerings may become outdated due to technological
breakthroughs rendering our products out of date. For instance, BSkyB has
launched Sky Plus, a personal video recorder product. We currently do not market
a product that is comparable to Sky Plus. In addition, our business plan
contemplates the introduction of services using new technologies. Our
investments in those new services may prove premature and we may not realize
anticipated returns on those new products. The cost of implementing emerging and
future technologies could be significant, and our ability to fund such
implementation may depend on our ability to obtain additional financing. We
cannot be certain that we would be successful in obtaining any additional
financing required.
Maintenance and Upgrade of Networks -- If we do not maintain and upgrade
our networks in a cost-effective and timely manner, our results of
operations could be materially affected.
Our future success depends in part on our ability to maintain and upgrade
our networks in a cost-effective and timely manner. The maintenance and upgrade
of our networks will depend on, among other things, our ability to:
o modify network infrastructure for new products and services;
o install and maintain cable and equipment; and
14
o finance maintenance and upgrades.
Extensive Government and European Regulation -- Our services are offered in
highly regulated markets. Changes in regulation affecting the conduct of
our businesses could adversely affect our results of operations.
Various entities in the UK regulate the licensing, construction, operation,
sale and acquisition of cable television and cable telephony systems in the UK.
These entities include:
o the Department of Trade and Industry, which establishes and oversees
telecommunications policy and is also responsible for the issuance of
telecommunications licenses;
o the Director General of Telecommunications, who monitors and enforces
telecommunications regulations and licenses;
o the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, which establishes and
oversees broadcasting policy; and
o the Independent Television Commission, which issues and monitors
broadcasting licenses.
In March 2002, the UK government adopted the Office of Communications Act
2002, which established the UK Office of Communications. The Office of
Communications' initial function is to facilitate, in conjunction with the
existing regulators, the implementation of proposals concerning the substantive
reform of communications regulation in the UK. In May 2002, the UK government
published a draft Communications Bill, which addresses the substantive reform of
communications regulation and the way in which the UK will implement the new
Directives. This draft Communications Bill will merge the regulatory functions
of the Office of Telecommunications, the Independent Television Commission, the
Broadcasting Standards Commission and two entities which regulate the UK radio
industry into the Office of Communications. The draft Communications Bill will
be subject to a consultation period of three months as well as pre-legislative
scrutiny by a joint committee of both Houses of Parliament before it is
considered by Parliament.
In December 2001, the European Parliament and the European Council adopted
four new Directives that will affect the UK telecommunications regulatory
framework. Each of these Directives must be implemented by all Member States by
2003. We do not anticipate that any of these Directives will result in any form
of additional regulatory burden for us, given our current position in the
market. The majority of the obligations included in the Directives apply to
operators with "significant market power" in a specific market. For the purposes
of the new Directives, an operator will be deemed to have significant market
power where either individually or jointly with others, it enjoys a position of
significant economic strength affording it power to behave to an appreciable
extent independently of competitors, customers and consumers. In order to
promote and protect consumer interests and/or competition, however, national
regulatory authorities have power to impose obligations to provide access on
operators who do not have significant market power in objectively justifiable
instances. This obligation has not been imposed in the UK in relation to us, but
we cannot predict whether such an obligation will be imposed in the future. See
"Item 4.B--Description of Business -- Regulatory Authorities -- European Union."
Changes in regulation, at either the UK or European level, relating to our
activities and those of our competitors (including in the areas of licensing
requirements, price regulation, interconnection arrangements, number
portability, carrier pre-selection, our ability to provide digital services,
ownership of media companies, programming, local loop unbundling, the provision
of open access by UK cable operators to other telecommunications operators, the
adoption of uniform digital technology standards and the bundling of services)
could adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, our introduction
of new products into a changing regulatory environment increases the uncertainty
concerning the impact of future regulations on our businesses.
There are currently few laws or regulations directly applicable to the
internet. The application to us of existing laws and regulations relating to
user privacy, defamation, pricing, advertising, taxation, promotions, content
regulation, quality of products and services, and intellectual property
ownership and infringement are often unclear. In addition, we may become subject
to new laws and regulations which could expose us to substantial liability,
including significant expenses necessary to comply with such laws and
regulations, and dampen the growth in use of the internet.
15
Due to the global nature of the internet, it is possible that the
governments of countries throughout the world might attempt to regulate its
transmissions or prosecute us for violations of their present or future laws. In
addition, we might unintentionally violate such laws. Any such developments
could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and
financial condition.
Ability to Realize the Expected Benefits of Potential Future Acquisitions
-- We cannot assure you that we will be able to realize the expected
benefits from future acquisitions.
We may from time to time acquire one or more companies or their assets. We
cannot assure you that we will be able successfully to integrate our operations
and any operations acquired, or to realize anticipated benefits of combining our
operations and those acquired. Risks associated with acquisitions include the
loss of contractual rights by virtue of change of control provisions, outdated
billing systems which can delay the generation of invoices, inconsistent
accounting policies and the loss of key employees. The occurrence of
unanticipated difficulties or an inability to realize such benefits may have a
material adverse effect on our business.
Ability to Manage Growth and Development -- Our rapid growth could
adversely affect us.
We have experienced rapid growth and development, partially through
acquisitions. Our rapid growth has required significant management, information
technology, telecommunications and operational resources and is likely to
continue to do so. The management of this growth has also required and will
continue to require the effective management and training of personnel. Any
inability to manage future growth effectively, including the inadequate
provision of information technology controls and contingency plans, could have a
material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Our failure to meet any future growth or development challenges could have
a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Limited Access to Programming Supply -- Our dependence on several
suppliers, notably BSkyB, for television programming could have a material
adverse effect on our ability to provide attractive programming at a
reasonable cost.
We cannot offer competitive cable television services without obtaining
attractive programming at a reasonable cost. A significant amount of our premium
programming, some of our basic programming (provided by BSkyB or a BSkyB joint
venture) and pay-per-view sporting events are obtained from BSkyB, a leading
supplier of cable television programming and the exclusive supplier of certain
programming, including Sky Sports and the most popular premium subscription film
channels available in the UK. On June 15, 2000, BSkyB announced that it had
renewed an agreement with the Premier League (the UK's top football league) to
provide exclusive coverage of selected Premier League games for a three year
period. Our inability to obtain this or any other programming at a reasonable
cost could materially affect our business. In addition to the Premier League
programming we purchase from BSkyB, we have also purchased directly from the
Premier League the rights to show certain Premier League games on our
pay-per-view channels. In addition, certain programming carried by competing
digital service providers may not be available to Active Digital subscribers.
For example, "Sky Sports Extra," a popular sports program offered to BSkyB's
digital subscribers, is not available to Active Digital subscribers.
In addition to providing programming to cable operators, BSkyB competes
with us and other UK cable operators by offering its programming directly to its
digital satellite customers.
Our other significant suppliers include Viacom, Discovery and Turner
(America Online/Time Warner). Suppliers of popular programming may decide to
introduce new channels to be packaged with their existing programming options or
otherwise increase our costs of purchasing existing and new programming.
Certain of our programming contracts contain fixed revenue or minimum
revenue guarantees.
Dependence on Satellites -- Disruptions in our satellite transmissions
could adversely affect us.
Flextech currently broadcasts its digital services with Astra satellite
transponders leased from Societe Europeene des Satellites. To date, Flextech has
16
not experienced any significant disruption in its satellite transmissions.
However, the operation of the Astra satellites is beyond our control and,
depending upon the disruption, it could have a material adverse effect on our
business. Furthermore, while we have a contractual right to utilize this
transponder capacity until October 2007, we cannot assure you that the
transponders will not fail during this period.
Internet Rights -- We may not be granted internet rights to our programming
content.
All of the contracts governing our acquired television programming grant us
the right to broadcast that programming over analogue and/or digital television
platforms. We cannot assure you that we will be granted any rights to transmit
our programming content over the internet.
Intellectual Property Rights -- We may be subject to intellectual property
infringement claims that are costly to defend and could limit our ability
to use certain technologies in the future.
Many parties are actively developing technologies for use in the equipment
and/or software that we employ in our business. We believe that these parties
will continue to take steps to protect these technologies, including seeking
patent and copyright protection. As a result, we believe that disputes regarding
the ownership of these technologies are likely to arise in the future and that,
as a licensee of similar technologies, we could be joined in infringement
actions and could incur substantial expenses in defending against such claims.
From time to time, parties assert infringement claims against us, in the form of
letters, lawsuits and other forms of communication. If any of these claims are
decided against us, we may incur substantial monetary liability and/or be
prevented from using the disputed technology in the future.
We enter into agreements with sponsors, content providers, service
providers and merchants under which we are entitled to receive a share of the
revenues from goods and services purchased online. These types of arrangements
may expose us to liabilities in respect of third-party users of our online
products and services.
Although we maintain liability insurance, insurance may not cover these
claims or may not be adequate. Even to the extent these types of claims do not
result in material liability, investigating and defending these claims can be
expensive.
Risk of Catastrophes -- Our operations could be significantly hindered by
the occurrence of a natural disaster or other catastrophic event.
Our operations are susceptible to outages due to fire, floods, power loss,
telecommunications failures, break-ins and similar events. Despite our
implementation of network security measures, our servers are vulnerable to
computer viruses, break-ins and similar disruptions. Such events could have a
material adverse effect on our results of operations. We do not currently have a
contingency plan to ensure continuity of our broadcast signal should our
head-ends fail, although we anticipate implementing a contingency plan during
2002.
Currency Fluctuations - We may increase our exposure to foreign exchange
fluctuations if we cannot continue to hedge our foreign exchange rate risk.
Certain of our fixed rate debt instruments are denominated in US
dollars and require payments of interest and/or principal in US dollars. Our
revenues, however, are generated almost exclusively in pounds sterling. As a
result, when the US dollar strengthens against the pound sterling, it requires
more of our pound sterling denominated revenues to meet payments in respect of
these debt instruments. To "hedge" against this risk, we have historically
entered into derivative instruments that reduce our exposure to adverse changes
in foreign exchange rates. These derivative instruments include foreign currency
swaps and a series of foreign exchange forward contracts.
We terminated certain "in-the-money" hedging arrangements in 2002. As a
result of a recent weakening of the US dollar, however, certain of our remaining
derivative instruments are now "out-of-the-money" and could require us to make a
cash payment when they expire or they are otherwise terminated. If the pound
sterling continues to strengthen against the US dollar, the amount of our
potential obligations under these derivative instruments will increase and
resulting payments may have a serious impact on our liquidity. See "Item 11--
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk" both for a
description of our termination of in-the-money derivative contracts and a
discussion of exchange rate risk and sensitivities. It is possible that we will
choose to terminate these derivative instruments to limit future exposure to a
weakening US dollar or that they will otherwise be terminated, if for example
17
the debt that is covered by these derivative contracts is converted into equity.
See "Risk Factors."
In addition, if we terminate any foreign exchange derivative contracts
that are out-of-the-money or if our derivative financial contracts expire, the
recent downgrading of our corporate debt may mean that we are not able to obtain
replacement derivative financial contracts. This would reduce our ability to
minimize the negative effects from short-term fluctuations of the US
dollar/pound sterling foreign exchange rate. The failure to obtain replacement
derivative financial contracts would increase our principal exposure under our
US dollar-denominated debt, which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations and financial condition.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY
Our legal name is Telewest Communications plc, and our commercial names
are Telewest Broadband, Telewest Business and Flextech. We are a public limited
company and were originally incorporated, in preparation for our initial public
offering described below, under the English Companies Act 1985 (the "Companies
Act") on October 20, 1994. Our registered office is located at Genesis Business
Park, Albert Drive, Woking, Surrey, GU21 5RW, England, and our telephone number
at that location is (+44) 1483 750 900. Our agent for service of process in
connection with our high yield and convertible debt securities is CT Corporation
System, 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York, 10011.
During the 1980's and early 1990's, Liberty Media and MediaOne acquired
interests in various UK cable franchises. In December 1991, Liberty Media and
MediaOne combined their respective UK cable interests by contributing certain of
such interests to a joint venture that was managed by Liberty Media and MediaOne
through various affiliates. In November 1994, the predecessor to Telewest ("Old
Telewest") acquired all of the assets of that joint venture and certain other
interests of Liberty Media and MediaOne in UK cable entities. Immediately
following such acquisition, Old Telewest completed a public offering of its
ordinary shares and American Depositary Shares ("ADSs"), raising an aggregate of
approximately (pound)414 million, net of commissions and expenses. Immediately
following completion of the public offering, Liberty Media and MediaOne each
beneficially owned approximately 36.7% of the Old Telewest ordinary shares and
50% of the Old Telewest convertible preference shares.
The following are important events in the development of our business
since our initial public offering:
o In October 1995, we acquired the entire issued share capital of
Old Telewest and SBC CableComms (UK) ("SBCC"), then the owner of
seven cable franchises in the UK. Subsequent to the SBCC
acquisition, we acquired several other UK cable franchises.
o In September 1998, we acquired General Cable, then the owner of
eight cable franchises in the UK and a 44.95% interest in
Birmingham Cable in which we had historically held a 27.47%
interest. Subsequently in 1998, we acquired all the remaining
interests in Birmingham Cable, 27.47% from Comcast UK and 0.11%
from several individual shareholders.
o With effect from November 23, 1999, we acquired the remaining 50%
of Cable London that we did not already own.
o On April 19, 2000, we completed our merger with Flextech, a
leading supplier of entertainment, information and interactive
services to the UK pay-television and online markets.
o On November 1, 2000, we completed our acquisition of Eurobell.
Historically, our principal shareholders have been Liberty Media and
MediaOne (a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T). On June 15, 2000, AT&T acquired
MediaOne through a merger of MediaOne with and into a subsidiary of AT&T. On
July 7, 2000, following clearance by the European Commission, MediaOne
consummated an agreement with certain subsidiaries of Microsoft whereby those
subsidiaries purchased 21.7% of our outstanding share capital from MediaOne. On
May 3, 2001 we were notified by Liberty Media of an increase in its shareholding
in us as a result of the purchase of a further 20 million of our shares. As a
result Liberty Media, Microsoft and MediaOne now own 25.2%, 23.6% and 1.3%,
18
respectively, of our share capital. Liberty Media was a wholly owned subsidiary
of AT&T until August 2001, when it was split off from AT&T as an independent,
publicly traded company.
Our total capital expenditures (representing cash paid for property and
equipment, net of cash received upon dispositions of property and equipment) for
the years ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001, were (pound)463 million,
(pound)525 million and (pound)546 million, respectively. Our capital
expenditures have primarily funded the construction of local distribution
networks and our National Network, capital costs of installing customers and
enhancing the network for new product offerings. We have completed the majority
of our network construction and substantially completed the network upgrades
necessary for delivery of our digital television and high-speed internet
services. Consequently, we anticipate that capital expenditures associated with
our existing and currently planned services will be largely driven by connecting
new subscribers, the launch of new products and will vary depending upon the
take-up of our services. For a further discussion of our capital expenditures,
see "Item 5.B--Operating and Financial Review and Prospects--Liquidity and
Capital Resources."
B. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Overview
We are a leading telecommunications and media group in the UK focused on
delivering a range of voice, video, data and internet services across multiple
platforms. Our business currently combines Flextech's supply of content and
services to the UK pay-television and online markets with our broadband
interactive network and cable franchises. We believe that the development and
accelerated deployment of broadband interactive content, together with our
broadband interactive network, should help us to realize our goal of being the
chosen provider of multiple broadband services to homes and businesses. We also
perceive opportunities for growth by extending the distribution of our services
to new platforms, such as wireless, either within or outside our franchise
areas, and through selective acquisitions, particularly in the content area.
We provide our voice, video, data and internet services to customers in the
UK via our local broadband networks, which are connected by our broadband
National Network. As of March 31, 2002, our cable franchises covered
approximately 38% of the homes in the areas of the UK for which cable franchises
have been awarded, we had passed approximately 4.9 million of the 6.3 million
homes in those franchise areas and we had connected approximately 1.8 million
residential cable subscribers. At March 31, 2002, the number of residential
customers subscribing to cable television, telephony and internet services was
approximately 1.2 million, or 69.9% of our total residential customers. In
addition, as of March 31, 2002, our franchises provided business telephony
services to approximately 74,000 business customer accounts and had connected
approximately 452,000 business lines.
In October 1999, we began rolling out "Active Digital," our digital
television service, to our franchise areas. Active Digital, comprised of a wide
array of television and radio channels, pay-per-view movies, interactive
services and television e-mail, has been rolled out in all franchise areas,
excluding the Eurobell areas and our Cabletime areas where we currently offer
only analogue services. As at March 31, 2002, we had an installed base of
792,563 Active Digital subscribers. At March 31, 2002, approximately 27% of our
digital households had "set-up," our television e-mail account, and
approximately 150,000 of our customers had purchased keyboards for use with our
interactive services. For a further description of Active Digital, see "-- Cable
Division--Cable Television -- Digital Television Services."
In March 2000, we also launched "blueyonder," our high-speed internet
service. Shortly thereafter, responsibility for the blueyonder portal was passed
to Flextech (our Content Division), which had recently been acquired. Pending
resolution of some early technical problems and to allow Flextech to develop the
broadband portal, we suspended active marketing of blueyonder until the start of
2001, when we began marketing on a national basis. As at March 31, 2002, we had
approximately 126,000 blueyonder subscribers. With the exception of the Eurobell
areas and our Cabletime areas, we now have full coverage across all of our
regions. For a further description of blueyonder, see "-- Cable Division --
Internet Services -- High Speed (blueyonder broadband) Internet Service."
For a further discussion of the breakdown of our revenues by categories of
activity, see "Item 3.A--Key Information -- Selected Financial Data," "Item
5--Operating and Financial Review and Prospects" and our financial statements.
19
Recent Developments
On March 12, 2002, we announced that we had secured a further (pound)20
million of institutional funding from Newcourt Capital (UK) Ltd., a subsidiary
of CIT Group Inc., as part of our (pound)2.25 billion Senior Secured Facility.
In March 2002, citing its concern about our ability to grow into our
highly leveraged capital structure and our significantly weakened access to
capital over the past year, Moody's downgraded our debt ratings and the debt
ratings of two of our subsidiaries, Telewest Finance (Jersey) Limited and
Telewest Communications Networks Limited. This included downgrading both our
senior unsecured bond rating and the senior unsecured bond rating of Telewest
Finance (Jersey) Limited to "Caa3." Moody's downgraded the rating of the Senior
Secured Facility to "B2" and stated that the outlook on our debt securities is
negative. In addition, Moody's downgraded our senior implied rating to "Caa1"
and our senior unsecured issuer rating to "Caa3."
Also in March 2002, we terminated certain US dollar/pound sterling
exchange rate hedging arrangements with a notional amount of $950 million
((pound)655 million); termination of these arrangements netted (pound)74 million
to us. A further (pound)30 million was realized by us in May 2002 through the
termination of additional foreign exchange rate hedging arrangements with a
notional amount of $367 million ((pound)253 million).
On March 25, 2002, S&P placed all of our ratings on CreditWatch with
negative implications. In April 2002, S&P downgraded our long-term corporate
credit ratings to "CCC+" and lowered our senior unsecured debt ratings to
"CCC-".
On April 2, 2002, we agreed to dispose of our 38% interest in TV Travel
Group Limited ("TVT") to USA Networks Inc. as part of USA Networks Inc.'s
agreement to purchase TVT. This disposal was completed on May 2, 2002. The
consideration for our interest in TVT (comprised of ordinary shares, preference
shares and loan notes) was (pound)27.1 million after transaction costs, all to
be paid in cash.
On May 2, 2002, we announced that we were reducing our total staffing
levels from approximately 10,500 to approximately 9,000. This is part of a group
reorganization which aims to streamline management and flatten reporting lines
and should allow us to focus on our core businesses. In addition, our Consumer
and Business Divisions, which are currently managed separately, will be merged
into a single operating division which will be serviced by a newly created
Networks and Technology Division. Also on May 2, 2002, we filed with the SEC our
unaudited financial statements for the first quarter of 2002. For the complete
text of the financial statements and related press release see the Form 6-K
filed by us on May 2, 2002.
On May 14, 2002, Microsoft informed us that it was withdrawing its three
non-executive directors - Henry Vigil, Salman Ullah and Dennis Durkin - from our
Board of Directors. Microsoft holds 23.6% of our issued shares and has the right
to nominate up to three representatives to the board under corporate shareholder
agreements with us. Microsoft said: "At present we believe that we will be in a
better position to manage our relationship with, and investment in, Telewest
without board representation. Microsoft expects to continue to evaluate Telewest
on an ongoing basis and, in that regard, will continue to consider, among other
things, purchasing or selling Telewest securities or engaging in possible
strategic transactions involving Telewest. Microsoft has no current plan
regarding any such transactions, but reserves the right to change its plans at
any time."
On June 12, 2002 Liberty TWSTY Bonds, Inc. (the "Purchaser"), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Media, launched a tender offer for: (i) up to
$60.0 million of our 9 5/8% Senior Debentures due 2006, (ii) up to $307.3
million of our 11% Senior Discount Debentures due 2007, (iii) up to $70.0
million of our 11 1/4% Senior Notes due 2008, (iv) up to (pound)65.0 million of
our 9 7/8% Sterling Senior Discount Notes due 2009, (v) up to $100.0 million of
our 9 1/4% Senior Discount Notes due 2009, (vi) up to (pound)36.0 million of our
9 7/8% Sterling Senior Notes due 2010, (vii) up to $70.0 million of our 9 7/8%
Senior Notes due 2010 and (viii) up to $90.0 million of our 11 3/8% Senior
Discount Notes due 2010. The Purchaser indicated that it "was making this offer
because we [the Purchaser] believe that the purchase of Notes at the prices
specified in this offer to purchase would be an attractive investment for us. In
addition, we believe that our purchase of Notes in the amounts and at the prices
contemplated by this offer will permit us as a creditor to participate in and
influence discussions and decisions regarding any future restructuring or
recapitalization of the Company. If the offer is successful, Liberty Media
presently intends to propose to the Company's board of directors a restructuring
plan pursuant to which all or substantially all of the Company's publicly-traded
notes and debentures would be converted into equity of the Company. Liberty
Media has
20
disclosed in general terms its intention to make such a proposal to the
Company's board of directors. However, as of the date of the offer, Liberty
Media has not determined any specific terms for a proposed restructuring. The
Company is not participating in and has no responsibility for this offer." The
Purchaser also disclosed in the offer that "Liberty Media is in discussions with
Microsoft concerning the acquisition of substantially all of Microsoft's
economic interest in its share capital of the Company. As currently contemplated
by Liberty Media, that acquisition would be structured so that Microsoft would
retain the power to direct the voting of the shares in the Company purchased by
Liberty Media to the same extent that it currently has such power." Both Liberty
and Microsoft are significant shareholders of Telewest. We cannot predict the
outcome of these discussions or that they will continue. See "Item 7.B-- Major
Shareholders and Related Party Transactions."
We issued a response to the tender offer on June 24, 2002 indicating
that we were unable to take a position with respect to the tender offer because
we were unable to determine whether the tender offer was beneficial or
detrimental to the holders of such notes and debentures.
On June 14, 2002, we announced that we had agreed to dispose of our
75.6% interest in the ordinary share capital of The Way Ahead Group Limited
("Way Ahead") to Way Ahead Finance Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Stoll
Moss Group Holdings Limited, which trades as Really Useful Theatres. The
consideration due to us for our interest in Way Ahead will be (pound)10 million,
to be paid in cash. We intend to use the proceeds from the disposal for capital
expenditure in relation to our business.
Telewest Operating Data - Unaudited
The following table sets out certain of our operating data for the periods
to March 31, 2002. The information set forth below represents combined operating
statistics for all of our franchises from their respective dates of acquisition.
For a further discussion of our operating data, see "Item 5-- Operating and
Financial Review and Prospects."
21
Year Ended December 31, Three Months
----------------------- Ended
March 31, 2002
--------------
1999(1) 2000(2) 2001
------- ------- ----
CONSUMER DIVISION
- -----------------
Homes passed........................................ 4,674,089 4,922,191 4,914,155 4,914,731
Homes passed and marketed........................... 4,443,824 4,789,451 4,713,937 4,706,854
Cable television and residential telephony only
subscribers......................................... 987,752 1,091,780 1,141,158 1,129,754
Dual or triple service subscribers (3).............. - 1,096,409 1,218,294 1,246,332
Cable television only subscribers................... 167,808 153,201 138,053 133,614
Residential telephony only subscribers ............. 428,945 441,731 401,286 394,221
Internet only subscribers........................... 1,061 * 7,986 9,322
Total residential subscribers....................... 1,585,566 1,691,341 1,765,619 1,783,489
Household penetration............................... 35.7% 35.3% 37.5% 37.9%
Percentage of dual service subscribers.............. 62.3% 64.6% 65.0% 63.3%
Percentage of dual or triple service subscribers (3) N/A 64.8% 69.0% 69.9%
Monthly revenue per subscriber (4)................. (pound)34.92 (pound)37.45 (pound)40.03 (pound)41.97
Cable Television
Cable television subscribers - analogue............. 1,132,104 910,415 617,958 565,637
Cable television subscribers - Active Digital....... 23,456 339,195 723,826 792,563
Penetration rate (5)............................... 26.0% 26.1% 28.5% 28.9%
Average subscriber churn rate (6).................. 27.1% 26.0% 18.7% 19.1%
Average monthly revenue per subscriber (7)......... (pound)20.94 (pound)19.50 (pound)20.75 (pound)20.80
Residential Telephony
Residential telephony subscribers................... 1,416,697 1,538,140 1,615,809 1,635,515
Residential telephony penetration (8).............. 32.0% 32.2% 34.3% 34.8%
Residential telephone lines......................... 1,586,010 1,706,159 1,762,312 1,772,266
Second line penetration............................. 12.0% 10.9% 9.1% 8.4%
Average churn rate per line (9).................... 20.1% - -
Average subscriber churn rate (10)................. N/A 19.8% 16.5% 16.2%
Average monthly revenue per line (11).............. (pound)20.38 (pound)22.92 (pound)22.79 (pound)23.72
Average monthly revenue per subscriber (12)........ (pound)21.12 (pound)25.54 (pound)25.09 (pound)25.80
Internet Subscribers
Blueyonder SurfUnlimited ......................... N/A 104,983 184,034 206,081
Blueyonder pay-as-you-go............................ 60,306 175,387 119,295 119,026
Blueyonder broadband................................ N/A 6,893 85,122 125,900
Total Internet subscribers.......................... 60,306 287,263 388,451 451,007
Blueyonder Broadband
Average monthly revenue per subscriber (13)......... N/A N/A (pound)25.21 (pound)29.93
Average subscriber churn rate (14).................. N/A N/A 7.5% 7.8%
BUSINESS DIVISION
- -----------------
Business customer accounts.......................... 58,347 66,507 72,934 73,618
Business telephony lines............................ 306,244 365,535 444,998 452,122
Average business lines per customer account (15)... 5.2 5.5 6.1 6.1
Average monthly revenue per business line (16)..... (pound)54.53 (pound)48.08 (pound)44.12 (pound)41.67
Annualized revenue per customer account (17)....... (pound)3,432 (pound)3,070 (pound)3,137 (pound)3,102
CONTENT DIVISION
- ----------------
Multi-channel subscribers........................... - 9,565,325 10,504,118 10,539,547
Flextech share of basic viewing (18)............... - 23.1% 20.4% 20.0%
Share of total TV advertising revenues (19) ....... - 2.7% 3.0% 3.6%
- -------
*Data not available.
22
Notes:
(1) Includes operating statistics of General Cable and Birmingham Cable
for the full period presented and the results of Cable London from
November 23, 1999 (the date we acquired the 50% of Cable London we
did not already own).
(2) Includes operating statistics of General Cable, Birmingham Cable and
Cable London for the full period presented, the results of Flextech
from April 19, 2000 (the date we acquired Flextech) and the results
of Eurobell from November 1, 2000 (the date we acquired Eurobell).
(3) Dual or triple service subscribers are those subscribers who take
any two or all of our cable television, residential telephony and
high-speed internet services.
(4) Monthly revenue per subscriber (often referred to as "ARPU" or
"Average Revenue per User") represents (i) the average monthly
revenue of residential customers for such period, divided by (ii)
the average number of residential customers in such period.
(5) Cable television penetration rate at a specified date represents (i)
the total number of cable television subscribers at such date,
divided by (ii) the total number of homes passed and marketed for
cable television at such date.
(6) Average cable television subscriber churn rate for the period is
calculated on a rolling 12-month basis and represents (i) the total
number of cable television subscribers who terminated basic services
or whose services were terminated during such period, divided by
(ii) the average number of cable television subscribers in such
period.
(7) Average monthly revenue per cable television subscriber for each
period represents (i) the average monthly cable television revenue
for such period, divided by (ii) the average number of cable
television subscribers in such period.
(8) Residential telephony penetration rate at a specified date
represents (i) the total number of residential cable telephony
subscribers at such date, divided by (ii) the total number of homes
passed and marketed for residential cable telephony at such date.
(9) Average residential telephony churn rate per line for the period is
calculated on a rolling 12-month basis and represents (i) the total
number of residential cable telephony subscribers who terminated
telephony services or whose services were terminated during such
period, divided by (ii) the average number of residential cable
telephony lines in such period.
(10) Average residential telephony subscriber churn rate for the period
is calculated on a rolling 12-month basis and represents (i) the
total number of residential cable telephony subscribers who
terminated telephony services or whose services were terminated
during such period, divided by (ii) the average number of
residential cable telephony subscribers in such period.
(11) Average monthly revenue per residential telephony line for each
period represents (i) the average monthly residential cable
telephony revenue for such period, divided by (ii) the average
number of residential cable telephony lines in such period.
(12) Average monthly revenue per residential telephony subscriber for
each period represents (i) the average monthly residential cable
telephony revenue for such period, divided by (ii) the average
number of residential cable telephony subscribers in such period.
(13) Average monthly revenue per blueyonder broadband subscriber for each
period represents (i) the average monthly blueyonder broadband
revenue for such period, divided by (ii) the average number of
blueyonder broadband subscribers in such period.
(14) Average blueyonder broadband subscriber churn rate for the period is
calculated on a rolling 12-month basis and represents (i) the total
number of blueyonder broadband subscribers who terminated their
services or whose services were terminated during such period,
divided by (ii) the average number of blueyonder broadband
subscribers in such period. for such period, divided by (ii) the
average number of blueyonder broadband subscribers in such period.
(15) Average number of business lines per customer account at a specified
date represents (i) the number of business cable telephony lines at
such date, divided by (ii) the number of business cable telephony
customer accounts at such date.
(16) Average monthly revenue per business line for each period represents
(i) the average monthly business cable telephony revenue for such
period, divided by (ii) the average number of business cable
telephony lines in such period.
(17) Average annualized revenue per customer account for each period
represents (i) the average monthly business services revenue for
each period divided by (ii) the average number of business services
customer accounts in such period, multiplied by 12 months.
(18) Basic viewing over 24 hours.
(19) Includes Flextech's wholly owned channels and UKTV's advertising
revenues.
23
Cable Division
Residential Services (Consumer Division)
Cable Television
We seek to provide a wide range of attractive programming, including news
and information, general interest, business, children's, international, music
and sports programming, over our analogue and digital television platforms. We
obtain some of our programming from Flextech (our Content Division) and the
balance from a variety of sources, including BSkyB, terrestrial broadcasting and
other programming suppliers. See "-- Sources of Supply -- Programming."
We offer multi-channel analogue and digital cable television services in
all of our franchise areas except our Eurobell franchise area and our Cabletime
areas, where we currently offer only analogue services. When our existing
customers have migrated from analogue to digital services, we expect to phase
out our analogue service.
Digital Television Services
On October 21, 1999, we launched our digital television service under the
"Active Digital" brand. Active Digital, comprised of a wide array of television
and radio channels, pay-per-view movies, interactive services and television
e-mail, has been rolled out in all franchise areas, excluding Eurobell areas and
our Cabletime areas where we currently offer analogue services. As at March 31,
2002, we had an installed base of 792,563 Active Digital subscribers. Active
Digital allows greater customer choice and also includes interactive services, a
user-friendly electronic program guide that can be customized to reflect
personal viewing preferences and an on-screen reminder that alerts the viewer to
the start of a pre-selected program. At March 31, 2002, approximately 27% of our
digital households had "set-up," our television e-mail account, and
approximately 150,000 of our customers had purchased keyboards for use with our
interactive services.
We currently expect to begin rolling out Active Digital to our Eurobell
subscribers in the third quarter of 2002. In addition, in some of the older
parts of our network, principally in parts of the Birmingham, West London and
North West areas, certain of our customers (the "Cabletime subscribers") are
still only capable of receiving analogue television signals. Plans for updating
the network in these areas, where we have approximately 70,000 Cabletime
subscribers, are being developed.
In 2002, we plan to test and implement "Broadband TV" standards and
services across our digital television network. Broadband TV on digital cable
will mix television programs with links to further text, audio or video to
enhance our customers' viewing experience. The services will provide our digital
cable customers with a range of additional services - interlinked in real time
to the actual television program - including shopping, betting, games,
interactive advertising and additional program information.
Combined Packages
We offer combined digital television and telephony packages that are
targeted to particular markets and priced between (pound)11.49 and (pound)25.50
per month (if paid by direct debit), plus an additional charge for premium
channels. All Active Digital subscribers, regardless of the package chosen, may
add one or more of our premium channels for an additional monthly fee. All of
our Active Digital customers can also purchase pay-per-view first-run movies
provided by Front Row Limited ("Front Row"). We believe that our digital
packages, which combine competitively priced telephony with a flexible range of
programming packages, will be attractive to a broad spectrum of potential and
existing customers. In addition, we also offer digital cable television packages
on a stand-alone basis. As with our combined digital television and telephony
packages, our stand-alone digital television customers may add one or more of
our premium channels and purchase pay-per-view first-run movies provided by
Front Row.
In May 2001, we began rolling out "Talk Unlimited," the UK's first
fixed-fee residential telephony package with unlimited local and national calls
(excluding calls to premium rate telephone numbers). Talk Unlimited combines our
basic Active Digital service with line rental and unlimited local and national
calls for (pound)25.00 per month and accounts for approximately 10% of all of
our telephony subscribers. By the end of 2001, Talk Unlimited was available in
all of our franchise areas.
24
Premium Channels
Customers who subscribe to the Active Digital service can also subscribe to
one or more of the following premium channels for an additional monthly fee
ranging from (pound)6.00 to (pound)15.00.
Movies
Film Four Independent and art house films
Playboy Television (Adult Channel) Adult entertainment
Sky Premier 24 hour feature films
Sky Moviemax 24-hour feature films
Sky Cinema Classic films
Television X Adult entertainment
Private Girls Adult entertainment
Sports
Sky Sports 1 UK and international sports
Sky Sports 2 UK and international sports
Sky Sports 3 UK and international sports
The Racing Channel Live horse racing (in certain
franchises only)
MUTV Dedicated to Manchester
United football club
General Interest
The Disney Channel Family and children's
entertainment
S.E.T. Asia Asian language programming
Asia net Asian language programming
ZEE TV Asian language programming
B4U Asian language programming
STAR News Asian language programming
STAR Plus Asian language programming
STAR Bundle Asian language programming
Pay-per-view
Active Digital customers can also purchase pay-per-view first-run movies
starting at regular intervals (usually 15 minutes). These services are provided
to us by Front Row, which we own with NTL Incorporated ("NTL"). Front Row has
entered into contracts with major Hollywood and independent film studios that
entitle it to distribute movies on a pay-per-view basis to its customers. Movies
appear on Front Row approximately 12 months after cinema release and six months
before they are made available on premium television channels.
Video-on-Demand
In December 2000, we successfully completed what we believe to have been
the largest trial of video-on-demand services to date worldwide. The trial
included approximately 30,000 homes in the Thames Estuary area and was designed
to test the stability of our video-on-demand platform and scalability of
video-on-demand services. Although the trial was successful, as part of our
group reorganization we do not currently plan to launch video-on-demand
services.
Interactive Digital Television
In March 2000, we introduced interactive television services, which are now
available to all of our Active Digital customers. These services currently
include e-mail and e-commerce access to the products and services of over 150
retailers in the UK. The companies providing these "walled garden" services
currently include British Airways, Avis, WH Smith, First Choice and UK "high
street" banks, Abbey National and Lloyds TSB. Our interactive digital television
services are provided without additional charge to all Active Digital customers
who subscribe to either our combined or stand-alone packages.
In June 2001, we launched "Living Health" with the National Health Service
(the "NHS") to pilot the UK's first and largest government-backed broadband
health-care service. "NHS Direct inVision," the second stage of Living Health,
was launched in September 2001. It allows patients to conduct face-to-face
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consultations with NHS Direct nurses via their television. This service is being
provided by iSeeTV Ventures Ltd, in conjunction with NHS Direct in the West
Midlands. We have extended the six month pilot of Living Health that was due to
end on November 30, 2001 until 2003 due to customer demand. In December 2001,
Living Health was voted the best interactive television service at the
International Electronic Multimedia Awards.
On August 1, 2001, we announced that we had entered into a joint venture,
iSeeTV Ventures Limited, with Media Logic to combine our broadband network with
Media Logic's patented iSeeTV product. iSeeTV allows consumers to see and speak
to a call center operator, who can guide users through available options, show
visuals, answer queries and talk users through payment, through their television
and telephone. iSee Ventures has the exclusive UK rights to the iSeeTV
application and anticipates licensing it to retailers and other service
providers in a range of market sectors, including shopping, travel, financial
services and health information. During the initial nine-month pilot project, we
will provide iSeeTV to 50,000 of our Active Digital customers in the Birmingham
area free of charge.
In October 2001, we entered into a collaboration with Global Interactive
Gaming to provide the first interactive live action betting service on digital
television. This service will be delivered via a picture-in-picture interface,
within our "walled garden" of interactive services.
Analogue Television Services
We offer our customers more than 30 basic channels and 10 premium channels
as part of our stand-alone and combined analogue service offerings. Some of our
channels operate throughout the day and others operate for only part of the day
and share a "channel" position. When most of our existing customers have
migrated from analogue to digital services, we expect to phase out our analogue
services.
Combined Packages
We offer combined television and telephony packages, which are targeted to
particular markets and priced at between (pound)13.50 and (pound)25.50 per month
(if paid by direct debit), plus an additional charge for premium channels
((pound)15.00 to (pound)24.00, depending on the channel selected). We believe
that the combined packages are attractive because they combine a competitively
priced telephony service with a choice of basic television packages and the
ability to subscribe to premium channels and purchase movies from the Front Row
pay-per-view service.
Talk Unlimited, described above, can be purchased by our analogue
subscribers at prices beginning at (pound)25.00. Talk Unlimited is available in
all of our franchise areas.
Premium Channels
Customers who subscribe to any of the analogue packages can subscribe for
one or more of our premium channels available to Active Digital subscribers.
Pay-per-view
Analogue customers can also purchase pay-per-view first-run movies starting
at regular intervals (usually every 15 minutes). These services are provided to
us by Front Row.
Internet Services
Dial-up Internet Services
To enhance our presence in the home data market, on February 14, 2000, we
launched SurfUnlimited, which provides unmetered internet access for a flat fee
of (pound)12.00 per month. As of March 31, 2002, we provided internet access to
approximately 325,000 residential customers through our SurfUnlimited and
pay-as-you-go internet services. Customers who elect to use these services will
connect directly to our internet portal, which should allow us to cross-promote
our services and generate revenue from advertising and by offering e-commerce
capabilities to UK retailers. In April 2002, we launched our redeveloped web
site dedicated to our blueyonder dial-up internet customers.
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High-speed (blueyonder broadband) Internet Service
In March 2000, we launched "blueyonder broadband," our high-speed internet
service. Shortly thereafter, responsibility for the blueyonder broadband portal
was passed to Flextech, which had recently been acquired. Pending resolution of
some early technical problems and sufficient time to allow Flextech to develop
the broadband portal, we suspended active marketing of blueyonder broadband
until the start of 2001, when we began marketing on a national basis. As at
March 31, 2002 we had approximately 126,000 blueyonder broadband subscribers.
Blueyonder broadband is now available to all of our subscribers, except those in
the Eurobell and Cabletime areas.
We currently expect to begin rolling out blueyonder broadband to some of
our Eurobell subscribers by the third quarter of 2002. As with our Active
Digital services, technological limitations in certain parts of our network
currently prevent us from providing blueyonder broadband to our Cabletime
subscribers. We currently intend to update those parts of our network over the
next several years so that we may deliver blueyonder broadband to our
approximately 70,000 Cabletime subscribers.
Using our National Network and our interactive services platform,
blueyonder broadband offers high-speed access to the internet and a package of
internet products and services specifically designed for UK customers. Customers
currently access this service via cable modems linked to personal computers and
have unlimited and continuous access to internet content for a monthly
subscription fee of (pound)25.00, if subscribed to in addition to our Active
Digital or residential telephony services, and (pound)33.00 if subscribed to on
a stand-alone basis. In the future, we expect blueyonder broadband to be
available via connections to modems in digital television set-top boxes.
As we enter into contracts with content providers following the
introduction of the broadband portal, we expect blueyonder will include content
such as:
o news and sports video;
o high-speed games that can be played with other subscribers;
o CD-quality audio; and
o applications that will allow for the rapid download of software.
On May 17, 2001, we announced that we had entered into an agreement with
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe to combine our broadband network with Sony's
PlayStation(R). Together we have commenced trials of Europe's first broadband
connection with a computer entertainment system, which will potentially enable
consumers to sample a broad range of services from games and playable level
downloads to applications such as lifestyle and gaming editorial content. We
currently expect the trial to include various forms of online gaming activity,
including pay-per-play and high-quality multi-player online gaming.
In July 2001, we created a co-marketing initiative with NTL aimed at
accelerating the take-up of broadband services throughout Britain. The
initiative ran until mid-September and contributed in part to a 15-fold increase
in our installed blueyonder broadband base from 7,000 at December 31, 2000 to
126,000 by March 31, 2002.
Our blueyonder internet services recently won several industry awards. In
February 2002, we collected the "Best Unmetered ISP" award for our blueyonder
dial-up and broadband services and the "Best Application Service" award for our
blueyonder workwise business product at the fourth annual Internet Service
Providers Association Awards. We also won the "ISP of the Year 2001" award in
February 2002 from ISP Review for our blueyonder internet services.
In June 2002, we launched our 1 Mb blueyonder residential internet service
across the UK, following an extensive trial with 1,500 Scottish customers. This
service offers a continuous cable connection to the internet and will enable our
customers to download music and software, share large files and benefit from
full-screen video pictures and audio streaming. Our 1 Mb service is available
for (pound)35.00 per month when taken with other Telewest Broadband services, or
27
(pound)39.99 on its own. This is a (pound)10.00 premium on our standard (i.e.,
512 kb) blueyonder broadband access.
Cable Telephony
We offer a wide range of high-quality voice and data services to our
residential customers. We enhance our basic residential telephony service by
offering additional services, such as call waiting, call barring (which prevents
unauthorized outgoing calls), call diversion (call forwarding), three-way
calling, voice mail, caller line identification and fully itemized monthly
billing.
In February 2000, we introduced our "3-2-1 Free" telephony pricing program
to our residential customers. The 3-2-1 Free program replaced our existing
pricing structure with a simplified tariff while continuing to offer savings
over BT's residential telephony services.
In May 2001, we began rolling out "Talk Unlimited," the UK's first
fixed-fee residential telephony package with unlimited local and national calls
(excluding calls to premium rate telephone numbers). Talk Unlimited combines our
basic Active Digital service with line rental and unlimited local and national
calls for (pound)25.00 per month and accounts for approximately 10% of all of
our telephony subscribers. By the end of 2001, Talk Unlimited was available in
all of our franchise areas.
Sales and Marketing
In November 2001, we rebranded and now market our residential services
under the "Telewest Broadband" brand name. This rebranding is intended to
underpin our delivery of broadband services across our UK operations and bring
all of our residential services under one name.
Our marketing strategy is designed to increase penetration and average
revenue per unit ("ARPU") while lowering selling costs. We rely primarily on
integrated marketing campaigns, which combine radio, newspaper and poster
advertising with telemarketing, direct mail and retail sales, and utilize more
costly door-to-door selling primarily in newly marketed areas or for new
products such as digital television services. In addition, we remarket our
services in more mature franchise areas by contacting all non-customers within
those areas by direct mail campaigns on a quarterly basis.
Customer Service
In 2001, we reduced the number of customer service centers from 14 to eight
(six of which are dedicated to residential customer service, one of which is
dedicated to both residential and business customer service and one of which is
dedicated to internet customer service). We employ in excess of 2,000 customer
service representatives. We have also opened a specialized customer service
center in Liverpool to address the needs of our high-speed internet service
customers.
We are currently engaged in a customer service improvement program to
improve installation and billing procedures, and the accessibility and
performance of our customer service representatives.
We also seek to provide our customers with prompt telephony and television
repair service. Generally, repair services are carried out by our employees and
installations and terminations are carried out by both our employees and
independent contractors.
Networks
Our network consists of three parts: local distribution networks located in
each franchise, our National Network, linking all of these franchises (excluding
Eurobell, which we intend to have integrated by the second quarter of 2002); and
a new interactive services platform, overlaying our National Network, which
provides the backbone for our interactive digital and high-speed internet
services. The network consists of 50 telephony switches, 18 analogue head-ends,
a national digital head-end, a national data center, approximately 65,000
kilometers of fiber and coaxial cable, and various high-capacity electronics.
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Local Distribution Networks
Broadband
We provide broadband services (including digital television, analogue
television and broadband internet services) using a hybrid fiber-coaxial network
architecture. Analogue television signals are received at regional head-ends
either from satellite or terrestrial antennas, and digital television signals
are received from the national digital head-end. Both are then multiplexed
together for transmission via the local distribution networks. Our networks use
multiple fiber-optic cables to transmit signals from the regional head-ends to
fiber nodes dedicated to small clusters of about 500 homes, at which point we
use high-bandwidth coaxial cable to distribute the signals to individual
customer homes. Our network has a high bandwidth (typically 750MHz) and is
capable of two-way, high-speed data transfer.
In the UK, cable operators generally have been required to install cable
underground. Our network architecture is particularly suited to this environment
because it is essentially service transparent, thereby allowing future service
upgrades to be implemented (within current bandwidth constraints) primarily at
the head-end and/or customer premises, without the need for extensive, expensive
and time-consuming upgrading of the underground network. For example, we are
introducing our digital television and high-speed internet services primarily
through changes to head-end and customer premises equipment, rather than changes
to the underground network.
Telephony
We provide telephony services using an "overlay" distribution network,
which shares the same physical underground infrastructure as the broadband
hybrid fiber-coaxial network and is connected to digital switches which have
been installed in each of our franchise areas. The switches enable us to
complete, within our own networks, local calls between our customers. In
addition, they provide us with flexibility in selecting interconnection carriers
for calls that terminate outside of our networks. The digital switches also
enable us to gather information about customer calling patterns, which can be
used to structure customized call pricing plans and discount programs, and to
monitor fraud by identifying unusual or excessive call activity at an early
stage. In addition to offering basic telephony services, the switches support
enhanced calling features and complex services for businesses, including Centrex
and Integrated Services Digital Network ("ISDN") services.
Digital telephony signals typically are transmitted using synchronous
digital hierarchy electronics ("SDH") over fiber-optic cable to a 500-home node,
at which point the signal is converted to a conventional telephony signal and
distributed to customers over twisted copper pairs. In addition, direct fiber
connections can be made to businesses to deliver a wide range of higher-capacity
data services.
Throughout most of our franchise areas, both the hybrid fiber-coaxial and
overlay networks have been built to enable delivery of both broadband and
telephony services to customers. In a small number of business parks and city
centers, we have built a telephony-only network in response to the needs of
business customers who often only want telephone service.
The National Network
In 1998, we completed construction of our National Network, which links all
of our franchises excluding Eurobell, which we intend to have integrated by the
second quarter of 2002. Our National Network consists of 3,000 kilometers of
high-capacity, multi-fiber optic cable, as well as fully resilient,
state-of-the-art, SDH electronics.
We use our National Network in a number of ways. Each of our telephony
switches is linked through the network, allowing a greater proportion of calls
to remain solely within our network, thereby saving on interconnection costs.
The network is also used to distribute all of our digital and analogue
television channels from our national head-end in Knowsley to each of our
franchises. Similarly, our high-speed internet services are distributed over the
network from our national data center in Knowsley. In addition, as discussed
below, our National Network, as augmented with a national Internet Protocol
("IP") network, serves as the backbone for our interactive digital television
and high-speed internet services.
Internet Protocol Network
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In 1999, we augmented our National Network with a national IP network and
commenced deployment of an interactive services platform, which has now been
completed. The IP network consists of 13 high-capacity asynchronous transfer
mode switches, together with 54 high-capacity IP routers located in our existing
facilities. This network provides the backbone for our interactive digital
television services as well as our high-speed internet services. We expect to
use the network to deliver a range of IP virtual private network-based data
services to business customers.
The interactive services platform has been deployed in parallel with our
digital television and high-speed internet services. This platform consists of a
range of application servers, application software and customer premises
equipment such as our digital set-top boxes and cable modems.
Business Services Division
Markets and Products
We recently rebranded our Business Division as "Telewest Business." Our
local networks and National Network allow us to offer a wide range of advanced
communication services to businesses. These services are sold to SMEs
(businesses with up to 500 employees) and certain targeted larger businesses.
We believe that the SME market, in particular that part of the market
comprised of medium to large SMEs, represents an attractive opportunity because
of its increasing requirement for voice, data and internet services, in
particular because SMEs:
o account for a significant percentage of the total UK business
telecommunications spend; and
o make buying decisions locally and need technical support locally --
both requirements that we are particularly well suited to meet.
Larger businesses have complex requirements for communication services, and
the core capabilities of our network enable us to provide an array of managed
network services (e.g., advanced telephony, private networks and virtual private
networks, and integrated data and internet services) to meet those requirements.
Our business services range from simple voice and point-to-point private
circuits to more specialized products including hybrid managed Centrex and our
recently launched IP Virtual Private Networks ("IPVPN"). In addition, we offer
other services including Integrated Services Digital Network ("ISDN") services,
which allow high-speed, simultaneous transmission of voice, data and video over
a telephone line; and internet access over leased or ISDN lines.
Telewest Business is focused on the delivery of business solutions through
an effective combination of voice, data and internet services. Telewest Business
offers "blueyonder workwise," the UK's first broadband internet service aimed
specifically at SMEs. This service offers e-commerce services (including managed
e-mail, web hosting, data back-up and business-related information) to support
business customers. Blueyonder workwise is a joint venture with Cobweb Solutions
Limited and is 70% owned by us.
During 2001, we launched the first hosted Microsoft Exchange service by any
network operator in Europe, which is available through our blueyonder workwise
business portal. In the first quarter of 2001, this service won the "Best
Application For An ISP" award from the ISP Association ("ISPA"). As of December
31, 2001, this service had attracted approximately 3,500 licenses.
We are a leading supplier to the UK travel industry with advanced
e-commerce services including "Endeavour," our internet travel portal, which
links travel agents to reservation systems. On June 4, 2001, we purchased Rapid
Travel Solutions Limited, a supplier of applications to the UK travel industry.
We believe that this acquisition will enable us to accelerate our development of
enhanced IP-related services to be offered to the UK travel market as well as
the broader UK SME market.
Our Carrier Services Unit offers managed voice and data services to other
carriers and operators and services to ISPs, such as un-metered access, as well
as the use of our fiber optic National Network for the handling of voice and
data communications. This exploits our fixed network investment by providing
additional revenues from the operations of other carriers.
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The Carrier Services Unit also focuses on strategic partnerships with large
carriers (e.g., UK mobile operators), and this unit is responsible for managing
all of our interconnection activity with the objective of optimizing our
telephony margins.
Sales and Marketing
The Business Division is positioned as a high-quality, price-competitive
network provider. We employ direct sales forces focused on each of our target
customer areas and we are constantly developing new products to meet the
requirements of those markets.
We also rely on telemarketing (by both our own employees and independent
telemarketing companies) and direct mail. Telemarketing leads are followed up by
our direct sales forces. Our business sales representatives also contact each
major business customer regularly to ensure service satisfaction and to market
additional services appropriate for that customer.
Customer Service
Business customers require specialized customer service. This is provided
through dedicated call centers which provide specialized fault handling and
resolution services.
Sources of Supply
Programming
Our contracts with programming suppliers generally run from twelve months
to five years. In general, we pay for our basic programming based on the number
of customers subscribing to a particular channel. Some of our programming
contracts also provide volume discounts that reduce per-subscriber charges as
the number of customers subscribing to a channel increases. Certain of our
franchises must provide specified terrestrial television services, which are
provided to us and our customers without charge.
Like all UK cable television operators, we obtain a significant amount of
our premium programming and some of our basic programming under various
arrangements with BSkyB, historically the exclusive supplier of most premium
programming in the UK. BSkyB's programming is generally popular in the UK and is
important in terms of attracting and retaining cable television customers. We
purchase premium programming from BSkyB pursuant to an industry rate card. The
industry rate card sets out the terms and conditions for the supply of
programming by BSkyB to UK cable operators that do not have separate agreements
with BSkyB.
In January 2000, the Office of Fair Trading launched a competition review
of BSkyB's pay-television activities, including its supply of premium channels
on a wholesale basis to us. On December 17, 2001, the Office of Fair Trading
announced that it was proposing to make a decision that BSkyB behaved
anti-competitively by abusing its dominant position in the wholesale market for
the provision of pay premium sports and film channels. Specifically, the Office
of Fair Trading announced its proposed decision that certain conduct of BSkyB
infringes Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998, in particular:
o BSkyB's margin between the wholesale price it charges distributors and
the retail price paid by its own subscribers may not be wide enough to
allow a normal profit to be made by a third-party distributor of its
premium channels (e.g., Telewest), even if it is as efficient as BSkyB
in distribution;
o the discounts BSkyB gives distributors when they take packages of
premium channels may be set at a level that prevents rival premium
channel providers from entering the market; and
o the discounts that BSkyB offers to distributors on one version of its
rate card for its premium sports and film channels (i.e., the
"Pay-to-Basic" version) may prevent rival premium channel providers
from entering the market and may distort distributors' marketing
decisions.
The Office of Fair Trading has stated that it does not anticipate being in
a position to make a final decision before the summer of 2002. In addition,
BSkyB could appeal against any unfavorable decision from the Office of Fair
Trading to the Competition Appeals Tribunal, and it could take up to six months
for the Competition Appeals Tribunal to complete its review and render a
decision. It is possible that the Office of Fair Trading will require BSkyB to
31
pay a fine and/or require BSkyB to alter its pricing policies in a manner which
may benefit us as a purchaser of premium programming. Until such time as a final
decision is rendered, however, we will not be able to assess the likely future
level of wholesale rates in respect of BSkyB's premium channels.
In addition to providing programming to cable operators, BSkyB competes
with us and other UK cable operators by offering its programming directly to its
digital satellite customers.
Our other significant suppliers include Viacom, Discovery and Turner
(America Online/Time Warner). Suppliers of popular programming may decide to
introduce new channels to be packaged with their existing programming options or
otherwise increase our costs of purchasing existing and new programming.
Certain of our programming contracts contain fixed revenue or minimum
revenue guarantees.
Services and Equipment
We obtain services and equipment for the construction and operation of our
cable systems from numerous independent suppliers. These services (including
civil engineering services) and equipment generally have been purchased under
short-term contracts (typically one year or less), although contracts for
interconnection services are longer.
We believe that we can purchase substantially all of the services and
equipment we need to operate our business from more than one source. However, if
the supplier of a product that involves significant lead time for production and
delivery were to be unwilling or unable to supply it, we could suffer
disruptions in the operation of our business, which could have an adverse effect
on our results of operations. We own almost all of the cable network equipment
utilized on our network other than our digital telephony switches, which are
being leased under finance leases from Nortel plc and The Royal Bank of Scotland
plc.
We have experienced no significant difficulty in obtaining timely
deliveries of services and equipment within the past 12 months and believe we
have adequate inventories of significant equipment. In order to reduce
warehousing expenses, maximize inventory control and minimize the possibility
that we will not have sufficient inventory, we have centralized warehouse
operations through a third-party supplier of warehousing services. Our failure
to obtain timely deliveries of services and equipment and to maintain adequate
inventories of significant equipment could, however, have a material adverse
effect on our results of operations.
Content Division
The core business of Flextech (our Content Division) is the supply of
entertainment, information and interactive content and services to the UK
pay-television and online markets.
We are the largest supplier of basic (i.e., non-premium) thematic channels
to the UK pay-television market, supplying approximately 20.4% of UK basic
pay-television viewing in 2001 as measured by Broadcasters' Audience Research
Board Ltd. We have four wholly owned channels: Living TV, Bravo, Trouble and
Challenge TV and are also BBC Worldwide's 50:50 partner in "UKTV," which
currently has nine channels: UK Gold, UK Gold 2, UK Style, UK Style +1, UK
Horizons, UK Horizons +1, Play UK, UK Drama and UK Food.
Depending upon the distribution agreement with the platform operator and
the package chosen by the customer, our wholly owned and UKTV channels are
available on our own analogue and digital platforms, BSkyB's digital platform
and NTL's analogue and digital platforms. Until ITV Digital ceased delivery of
programming of pay television, it was also available on ITV Digital's digital
platform. These channels generate revenue based on the number of customers
subscribing to programming packages carried by the relevant platform operators.
Further revenues are generated by the sale of air time and sponsorship to
advertisers and advertising agencies by Flextech's in-house advertising sales
department.
Flextech also oversees 12 owned and managed websites. These include
blueyonder and websites supporting Flextech's wholly owned channels, UKTV
channels and third-party sites, such as NTL World.
On July 31, 2001, we announced that we had entered into a joint venture
with International Creative Management Ltd and Extreme Finance to invest in
creative talent in the games development arena. The first step in the
collaboration is the creation of START! games, which will focus on identifying
original and creative games concepts at an early stage. Creators will be
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provided with funding to develop concepts to the prototype level, and we will
have first refusal on the rights to distribute products to our customers over
our cable network. In addition, we have established ICM Interactive Ltd with the
two other joint venture parties with a view to building the UK's premiere agency
for creative talent in the games department.
Flextech's transactional services include a 36% interest in sit-up Ltd,
which operates the UK home shopping channels Screenshop and bid-up tv. These
services generate transactional revenues based on their sales of products and
services through television and online.
In April 2002, we agreed to dispose of our 38% interest in TVT to USA
Networks Inc. as part of USA Networks Inc.'s agreement to purchase TVT. Liberty
Media owns a 20% interest in USA Networks Inc.
Our other content-related investments include a shareholding of
approximately 17% in SMG plc ("SMG"), an information and entertainment services
company.
Acquisitions and Disposals
Our strategy is to capitalize on our ability to deliver a range of voice,
video and interactive services, including branded digital media content, across
multiple platforms to increase our customer base and increase revenues per
customer and to do so by applying our resources to those projects that have an
immediate positive impact on our results. We continuously review possibilities
for accelerating delivery of bundled broadband services to residential and
business customers via a range of existing and new distribution platforms,
including internet and wireless technology. To do so, we may from time to time
acquire one or more companies or their assets and/or enter into strategic
relationships, which could take the form of long-term access to our network in
exchange for rights to content with or without minority equity investments.
We review possible acquisitions in line with our strategy and believe that
there may be attractive opportunities for such acquisitions in the future. Any
such acquisitions may be funded, to the extent available, from internally
generated funds, the incurrence of indebtedness or the issuance of equity, or a
combination thereof. We may also dispose of or exchange companies, franchises,
businesses or other assets as part of our strategy to focus on those businesses
which have the most beneficial impact on our results.
The UK and European communications markets have undergone and continue to
undergo a period of significant consolidation. We review possible business
combinations involving UK and European operators. Our significant shareholders
own interests in other European operators and may also, from time to time,
explore possible transactions to combine the operations of those operators with
ours. Any business combination could increase our indebtedness and funding needs
and otherwise adversely affect our financial condition and results of
operations.
Competition
Our broadband products and services compete with those of a wide range of
companies that use a variety of sophisticated and rapidly changing technologies.
Competition is intense in all the markets in which we compete.
Cable Television
The principal competitors to our cable television business are the
following:
Terrestrial
Terrestrial television viewing in the UK has long been one of the most
popular forms of entertainment, and daily viewing time in the UK has been among
the highest in the world. Five broadcast channels are the predominant source of
television programming. Although the terrestrial television channels in the UK
generally are perceived as providing high-quality programming, we believe that
viewers have a desire for a wider variety of television programming. We believe
that acceptance of alternative programming, together with the relatively high
penetration of direct-to-home ("DTH") satellite services, demonstrates a
willingness by many consumers in the UK to pay for additional programming. See
"-- Digital Television Services" below for a description of digital terrestrial
television services.
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DTH Satellite
DTH satellite services are widely available in the UK from BSkyB. BSkyB is
the sole distributor of pay-satellite television programming in the UK and is
our principal competitor in the UK pay-television market as well as one of our
most important sources of programming. A significant amount of our premium
programming and some of our basic programming is obtained from BSkyB. On June
15, 2000, BSkyB announced that it had renewed an agreement with the Premier
League (the UK's top football league) to provide exclusive coverage of selected
Premier League games for a three year period. Our inability to obtain this or
any other programming at a reasonable cost could materially affect our business.
In addition to the Premier League programming we purchase from BSkyB, we have
also purchased directly from the Premier League the rights to show certain
Premier League games on our pay-per-view channels. In addition, certain
programming carried by competing digital service providers may not be available
to Active Digital subscribers. For example, "Sky Sports Extra," a popular sports
program offered to BSkyB's digital subscribers, is not available to Active
Digital subscribers. See "-- Sources of Supply -- Programming."
BSkyB currently offers its DTH satellite service customers pay-per-view
services throughout the UK, including in our franchise areas. We currently offer
our customers the Front Row pay-per-view service as well as BSkyB's pay-per-view
events services.
Digital Television Services
Competition in the pay-television market has dramatically increased as a
result of the commencement by BSkyB and ITV Digital of their respective DTH
satellite and terrestrial digital television services in October 1998 and
November 1998, respectively. As at March 31, 2002, BSkyB had attracted over 5.9
million subscribers, and as at December 31, 2001, ITV Digital had attracted over
1.2 million subscribers. Competition in this market was further enhanced by
offers of free set-top boxes from BSkyB and ITV Digital and BSkyB's offer to
bundle free internet access and discounted indirect telephony access with our
digital television services. We expect that BSkyB may not continue to supply
free set-top boxes in the future, and it is impossible to predict how this would
impact competition in the market for digital television services.
On March 27, 2002, ITV Digital was put into administration. On April 22,
2002, the administrators announced that they would be seeking a buyer for ITV
Digital. On April 30, 2002, the administrators announced that they could not
procure a buyer and would switch off ITV Digital's pay-television channels and
liquidate its assets. Currently, the Independent Television Commission is
reviewing bids to purchase the licenses previously held by ITV Digital. It is
expected that the Independent Television Commission will announce the winning
bidders on July 4, 2002. We cannot predict how this reduction in competition in
the digital television services will affect our business, operating results and
financial condition. Although we are losing programming revenues that we
otherwise received from ITV Digital, we believe that a majority of ITV Digital's
former subscribers will over time migrate to platforms (including our own) from
which we will receive subscriber and/or advertising revenues. Although failure
to recoup revenues from these subscribers would negatively impact our business
performance, such failure would not be critical.
In addition, BSkyB continues to differentiate its digital products and
services from ours. Sky Sports Extra, an interactive sports channel, is only
available to BSkyB's direct subscribers. BSkyB also offers digital interactive
television services and has arrangements with a number of third-party service
providers that provide certain digital products and services uniquely to BSkyB.
BSkyB has also entered into an alliance with TiVo Inc., which produces
personal video recorders that allow television viewers to "time-shift"
programming, and has acquired the Sports Internet Company, which has extensive
agreements with Premier League football teams for the provision of internet
portals. In addition, BSkyB launched Sky Plus, a personal video recorder
product. We currently do not market a product that is comparable to Sky Plus.
On March 28, 2002, Pace announced its launch of a set-top box that plugs
into an analogue television and provides access to free-to-view digital
channels. These channels include BBC Four, CBeebies and ITV2 as well as digital
versions of the five terrestrial channels. Pace has announced that these digital
set-top boxes will retail for (pound)129.99. We cannot predict the success of
digital free-to-view services, particularly given that ITV Digital is in
administration and the possible migration of its digital terrestrial subscribers
to other pay-television or to free-to-air services. If these services are
successful, our revenues in the digital pay-television market could be affected.
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In addition, the UK government has indicated its commitment to providing a
wide range of free-to-view programming and has given permission to the BBC to
produce additional free-to-view channels. Some of these programs will be
available on our digital platform. We currently cannot assess the impact of
these new free-to-view channels on our digital pay-television market. If the
market develops for free-to-view digital channels, our business, operating
results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
On October 21, 1999, we launched our digital television service under the
"Active Digital" brand. Active Digital is comprised of a wide array of
television and radio channels, pay-per-view movies, interactive services and
television e-mail, and is available to all of our subscribers except those in
the Eurobell areas and our Cabletime subscribers. We believe that our digital
television services should have several advantages over those provided by BSkyB
and ITV Digital, as a result of, among other things:
o digital system capacity significantly greater than that was available
on the ITV Digital system (which upon cessation of its services
offered the equivalent of only 30 television channels); and
o our system's capacity to integrate digital broadcast services with
generic broadband access services (e.g., those available via cable
modems).
Interactive Services
There are a small number of service providers that operate
pay-per-view-type interactive services on the BT broadband network. If the
market develops for these types of interactive services, our business, operating
results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
New Technologies
The extent to which new media and technologies will compete with cable
television systems in the future cannot be predicted. We cannot assure you that
such media or technologies will not become dominant in the future and render
cable television systems less profitable or even obsolete. There are several new
and emerging technologies that allow for the provision of broadband services,
including those that will directly compete with our cable television services.
In addition, our business plan contemplates the introduction of services using
new technologies. Our investments in those new services may prove premature and
we may not realize anticipated returns on these new products. The cost of
implementation for emerging and future technologies could be significant, and
our ability to fund such implementation may depend on our ability to obtain
additional financing. We cannot be certain that we would be successful in
obtaining any additional financing required.
A condition has been added to BT's license which requires it to make its
local access loops available as leased circuits to other public
telecommunications operators on a wholesale basis, subject to any price
regulation by the Office of Telecommunications. Operators are now able to
upgrade BT's local access loops to provide higher bandwidth capacity by using
ADSL technology at BT's local exchanges and at customer premises. In addition,
BT has launched both retail and wholesale ADSL services. BT is also now
supplying other operators high bandwidth capacity on a wholesale basis.
As of January 1, 2002, there were no regulatory restrictions on the
provision of broadcast services by telecommunications operators, and various
operators are likely to offer television and video services over their networks.
BT has indicated that it intends to provide television services over its network
using ADSL technology, which makes it possible for telecommunications operators
to transmit television and video content over telephone lines at high speeds.
The availability of ADSL and other local loop broadband technologies will
increase the availability of services that compete with our analogue and digital
television services, our internet services and our interactive services.
In May 2000, the UK government completed its auction of five UMTS (e.g.,
third generation) frequencies, which can be used to transmit broadband services.
The announced winners of the auction were Hutchinson 3G, O2, Orange, T-Mobile
and Vodafone. We expect these companies to launch their UMTS services during
2003. This will widen competition in the provision of broadband services.
Cable Telephony
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Price competition in both the residential and business telephony markets
is increasing, principally as a result of general price competition, and the
introduction of carrier pre-selection and number portability. BT, our principal
competitor in the residential telephony market, has an established market
presence, a fully built network and resources substantially greater than our
own. As BT provides approximately 81% of all UK residential telephony lines, our
ability to convince BT consumers to switch to our services will largely
determine our success in the residential telephony market. We also are
increasingly subject to competition from mobile network operators as customers
choose to use their mobile phones as a substitute for their fixed-line
telephones. This, along with BT's aggressive marketing campaigns and price
cutting to retain and win back customers, has intensified competition in this
market.
In addition, we incur a significant amount of costs relating to the
interconnect/call termination rates charged by UK mobile phone networks.
Following a consultation in September 2001, the UK Office of Telecommunications
announced that it intended to impose a price cap of RPI less 12% on the
interconnection/call termination rates of the UK mobile networks. This decision
was rejected by all four mobile operators and referred to the Competition
Commission in January 2002. The Competition Commission is expected to conclude
this case in July 2002. Until a final decision is rendered, we will not be able
to assess our likely future level of costs relating to the interconnection/call
termination rates charged by UK mobile phone networks.
We believe that price is one of the most important factors influencing UK
customers to switch from BT. Consequently, we seek to provide savings on the
cost of our calls as compared to BT. BT, however, has continued to modify its
telephony rate structure, increasing line rental charges and decreasing the cost
of its calls. We expect that regulatory and competitive pressures will cause BT
to reduce its prices further in each of the next few years. Accordingly,
although we intend to remain competitive, in the future we may be unable to
offer residential telephony services at rates lower than those offered by BT and
may therefore experience a decline in our average monthly residential line
revenues, lower than desired penetration rates and a decline in total revenues.
A decline in revenues or penetration rates may adversely affect our financial
condition and results of operations.
It is possible that BT and other telecommunications operators, which may
have greater resources than ours, will provide increased competition in the
residential telephony market and could prevent us from increasing our share of
the residential telephony market.
A significant proportion of our telephony revenue is derived from internet
telephony traffic. For a discussion of competition in the provision of internet
services, see "-- Internet Services" below.
BT is also our principal competitor in the business telephony market and
provides approximately 87% of all UK business telephony lines.
Business telephony providers compete based on price, range and quality of
services, and we expect price competition to intensify among existing and new
market participants. Most of our competitors in the business telephony market
have substantial resources that could be used to expand their businesses into
our existing markets. Any such efforts could affect our ability to compete
effectively in the business telephony market.
We also compete for residential and business customers with cellular
network operators. Competition from these operators could increase, particularly
if their call charges are reduced further or their service offerings are
expanded or improved.
Internet Services
On February 14, 2000, we introduced SurfUnlimited, an unmetered, dial-up
internet access service to enhance our presence in the internet market. In March
2000, we began rolling out blueyonder broadband, our high-speed internet
service. These services compete in a rapidly evolving marketplace and with
products and services provided by companies in the telecommunications,
information, media, entertainment and advertising fields. SurfUnlimited,
pay-as-you-go and blueyonder broadband compete for usage, subscribers,
advertising and e-commerce with a variety of companies offering dial-up and
high-speed internet services, including:
o service providers such as America Online and LineOne, a joint venture
between BT, News International and United News & Media;
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o local and national internet access providers such as Freeserve;
o "portals" (organizers of internet content/search engines) such as
Yahoo! Inc. and Infoseek Corporation; and
o content owners such as the BBC and The Walt Disney Company.
In August 2000, BT launched "BTopenworld," a high-speed internet service
and broadband portal based on ADSL technology. BT priced this product, which
operates at speeds comparable to those of blueyonder, at (pound)29.99 per month
((pound)27.00 per month if paid by direct account debit). BT also offers a
wholesale version of this service. In addition, following the Office of
Telecommunications' decision to mandate that BT offer wholesale access to any
high-bandwidth capacity that it rolls out (i.e., ADSL) and allow unbundled
access to its local access loops to those ISPs who wish to install their own
broadband equipment at BT's local exchanges, several companies have launched
competing ADSL-based, high-speed internet services.
On February 26, 2002, BT announced reductions in the wholesale price of
its broadband (ADSL) line rental and its intention to embark on joint marketing
projects with its wholesale ADSL customers. On February 27, 2002, BTopenworld
Broadband, BT's broadband ISP, announced that it would reduce the price it
charged for broadband to (pound)29.99 per month. In April 2002, BT announced the
launch of new retail broadband products that will compete with our blueyonder
broadband product. BT Broadband provides customers with high-speed direct
internet access for (pound)27.00 per month if paid by direct account debit. BT
Broadband will not provide value-added services such as e-mail, free personal
web space and content as part of this "no frills" service, but instead will
allow its customers to choose the portfolio of services and content they want.
BT Broadband is facilitated by a "plug and play" set-up that customers can
install themselves. According to BT, as of March 31, 2002, it had 170,000
subscribers to its Broadband service. BT will make this service widely available
in the autumn of 2002. In June 2002, we launched our new 1024 kb (i.e., 1 Mb)
blueyonder residential internet service to all of our customers across the UK.
This service is available for (pound) 35.00 per month, when taken with other
Telewest Broadband services, or (pound) 39.99 on its own. This is a (pound)
10.00 premium over our standard (i.e., 512 Kb) broadband access. Our 1 Mb
blueyonder residnetial internet service currently operates at speeds faster than
BT's broadband service and the services of ADSL providers using BT's network. If
our blueyonder broadband product does not develop and sustain market acceptance,
our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially
adversely affected.
Many of the companies we expect to compete with in the provision of
internet services have substantially greater resources and internet experience
than we do, which could adversely effect our ability to compete successfully in
this market.
Currently, we are not required to support third-party service providers on
our broadband network. Hence, blueyonder broadband is the only broadband service
available to our subscribers.
Content
Programming is available from a variety of terrestrial and satellite
suppliers, including from our principal competitor, BSkyB. BSkyB has
historically been the principal supplier of most premium programming in the UK,
which includes movies, sports and special events, and also supplies some basic
programming which includes general and sports news. BSkyB also purchases
programming from us, including our wholly owned channels (e.g., Trouble, Bravo,
Living and Challenge TV) and the UKTV channels. BSkyB currently has
approximately 5.9 million digital television subscribers, which allows it to
purchase programming from third parties under advantageous terms and to
distribute that programming and its own premium and basic programming to its
subscribers at prices that may be less than the prices that we charge our
subscribers for our programming.
The markets for our interactive products and media properties have only
recently begun to develop, are rapidly evolving and are increasingly
competitive. Demand and market acceptance for recently introduced products and
services are subject to a high level of uncertainty and risk. Furthermore, there
are no substantial barriers to entry in these markets, and we expect that
competition will continue to intensify. If the market develops more slowly than
expected or becomes saturated with competitors, or if our products and media
properties do not develop and sustain market acceptance, our business, operating
results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
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In October 2001, we entered into an agreement with STAR, a wholly owned
subsidiary of News Corporation, to carry STAR News and STAR Plus, the Asian news
and entertainment channels. These channels have been available as premium
channels to our Active Digital customers since October 19, 2001.
In December 2001, we entered into an agreement with Emap Performance TV to
launch six new dedicated music channels to our broadband television customers.
One of the channels, the Box, is part of our essential package for our digital
viewers, with the Kiss, QTV, Kerrang, Magic and Smash Hits channels available in
our "supreme" package.
Regulatory Matters
Overview
Cable television and telephony services in the UK are regulated under the
Broadcasting Act 1990, the Telecommunications Act and the Broadcasting Act 1996.
Our supply of cable television and telephony services requires two principal
licenses:
o a license issued under either the Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984
(prior to 1991) or under the Broadcasting Act 1990 (after 1991), which
permits the holder to provide cable television services within the
area or areas specified by the license; and
o a Telecommunications Act license.
In addition, operators may apply for a national license under the
Telecommunications Act to provide telecommunications services outside the area
covered by their franchise-specific Telecommunications Act licenses. We
currently have three national telecommunications licenses.
Regulatory Authorities
The principal regulators of the UK cable television and telephony industry
are the Independent Television Commission, the Office of Telecommunications
under the direction of the Director General of Telecommunications, the Office of
Fair Trading acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
(the "Secretary of State"), the Department of Trade and Industry and the
Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
In March 2002, the UK government adopted the Office of Communications Act
2002, which established the Office of Communications. The Office of
Communications' initial function is to facilitate, in conjunction with the
existing regulators, the implementation of proposals concerning the substantive
reform of communications regulation in the UK. In May 2002, the UK government
published a draft Communications Bill, which addresses the substantive reform of
communications regulation and the way in which the UK will implement the new
Directives. This draft Communications Bill will merge the regulatory functions
of the Office of Telecommunications, the Independent Television Commission, the
Broadcasting Standards Commission and two entities which regulate the UK radio
industry into the Office of Communications. The draft Communications Bill will
be subject to a consultation period of three months as well as pre-legislative
scrutiny by a joint committee of both Houses of Parliament before it is
considered by Parliament.
Independent Television Commission
The Broadcasting Act 1990 established the Independent Television Commission
to license and regulate commercial broadcast television services (terrestrial,
cable and satellite) and the Radio Authority to regulate radio services. The
Independent Television Commission's functions are, among other things, to grant
licenses for television broadcasting activities (including cable television
licenses) and to regulate the commercial television sector by issuing codes on
programming, advertising and sponsorship, monitoring programming content and
enforcing compliance with the Broadcasting Act and license conditions. The
Independent Television Commission has the power to vary licenses, impose fines
and revoke licenses in the event of a breach of license conditions. The
Independent Television Commission also enforces ownership restrictions on those
who hold or may hold an interest in licenses issued under the Broadcasting Act.
The Independent Television Commission is also overseeing the introduction of
digital television in the UK.
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Office of Telecommunications
The Telecommunications Act provides a licensing and regulatory framework
for telecommunications activities in the UK and established the office of the
Director General of Telecommunications supported by the Office of
Telecommunications, as an independent regulatory authority. The functions of the
Director General of Telecommunications under the Telecommunications Act include
monitoring and enforcing compliance with Telecommunications Act license
conditions, establishing and administering standards for telecommunications
equipment and contractors, investigating complaints and exercising certain
functions to promote or ensure competition in telecommunications markets. The
Director General of Telecommunications may modify Telecommunications Act license
conditions either with the agreement of the licensee and following a statutory
period of public consultation or, if necessary, following a report of the
Competition Commission. The Director General of Telecommunications is also
empowered to issue enforcement orders requiring compliance, where the conditions
of a Telecommunications Act license have been breached.
Office of Fair Trading
On February 7, 2000, the Office of Telecommunications and the Office of
Fair Trading jointly issued a guideline ("The Application of the Competition Act
in the Telecommunications Sector"). Pursuant to the Competition Act 1998, the
Director General of Telecommunications and the Director General of Fair Trading
share concurrent responsibility for enforcing UK competition law in the
telecommunications sector, in particular as to investigating relevant mergers,
restrictive practices and anti-competitive behavior.
Department of Trade and Industry
The Department of Trade and Industry oversees telecommunications policy and
the Secretary of State is responsible for, among other things, issuing
Telecommunications Act Licenses and implementing directives issued by the
Council of Ministers or the European Commission ("EC Directives") relating to
telecommunications. In addition, the Secretary of State has ultimate
responsibility for enforcing UK general competition law.
Department of Culture, Media and Sport
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for, among other
things, determining the principles of broadcasting and media ownership policy.
Cable Television Regulation
Cable Television and Satellite Television Licenses
We have a non-exclusive national broadcast license that allows us to
distribute television services throughout the UK. We also hold 16 licensable
program service licenses that enable us to produce local programming, including
local advertisements.
The television channels provided by Flextech are also regulated under the
Broadcasting Act 1990 and the Broadcasting Act 1996. Flextech provides all of
its television channels by telecommunications satellite and by licensable
telecommunications networks. Each television channel provided by satellite has
its own satellite television service license granted by the Independent
Television Commission, and each television channel delivered by a licensable
telecommunications network has its own licensable program service license
granted by the Independent Television Commission. These satellite television
licenses are granted on demand, subject to certain restrictions set out in the
Broadcasting Act 1990. Satellite television licenses are issued for a period of
ten years. There are no prohibitions on re-applying for a new license once the
old license has expired. There are no positive program obligations in terms of
quality or diversity, but it is a condition of each license that the licensed
service conforms to the consumer protection requirements and provisions of the
Independent Television Commission's codes on programming, advertising,
sponsorship and advertising breaks.
The Independent Television Commission has a duty to ensure fair and
effective competition in the provision of licensed services and services
connected with them. Licenses issued by the Independent Television Commission
have conditions which prohibit practices or arrangements prejudicial to such
competition.
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The Independent Television Commission has the power to vary the terms of
satellite television licenses but only after the licensee has been given a
reasonable opportunity of making representations about any proposed variation
and, where the proposal is to vary the license period, only where the licensee
has consented to such variation.
Holders of satellite and cable television licenses are required to pay an
annual license fee. The fees of the satellite licenses are related to the scale,
scope and revenue-earning capacity of each television service and are based upon
revenues from advertising, sponsorship and subscriptions. The current tariffs
range from 0.0055% to 0.1810% of revenues and can be amended by the Independent
Television Commission. The fee for the national cable television (local delivery
service) license is related to the number of homes passed.
Revocation of Cable Television Licenses and Satellite Television Licenses
The Independent Television Commission is empowered to revoke cable
television licenses and satellite television licenses where the licensee fails
to comply with its conditions or a direction from the Independent Television
Commission, in certain circumstances on a change of control of a licensee, and
to enforce ownership restrictions in the applicable broadcasting law.
Cable television licenses and satellite television licenses are
transferable only with the prior written consent of the Independent Television
Commission.
Ownership Restrictions
The Independent Television Commission has a general duty to ensure that
cable television licenses and satellite television licenses are held by "fit and
proper" persons. The Broadcasting Act 1990, as amended, also contains specific
restrictions on the types of entities that may hold cable television licenses
and satellite television licenses or interests therein or control the holders of
such licenses. On October 23, 1998, the Independent Television Commission
announced that it had revised its approach to assessing concentration of
ownership in the cable sector to more accurately reflect the cable sector's
position within the pay-television market. Concentration of cable ownership will
now be measured by assessing a cable systems operator's connected homes as a
proportion of all pay-television homes. When, on this basis, a change in
ownership would lead to the creation of a market share in the pay-television
market exceeding 25%, the Independent Television Commission will consider
whether competition concerns exist. If so, the Independent Television Commission
will raise those concerns with the Office of Fair Trading, which has a general
duty to review mergers in the UK. This could limit the possibilities for any
future consolidation in the UK cable sector, notwithstanding that certain cable
mergers have been permitted following referral to the Competition Commission. We
cannot assure you that future consolidation will not be discouraged or
prohibited.
Price Regulation of Cable Television
Cable television pricing in the UK is not subject to pricing restrictions,
including price limitations, rate of return assumptions or similar mechanisms of
the kind imposed under US cable regulations. The Independent Television
Commission does not have the power to mandate such price regulation. However,
all pay-television services are subject to a "fair and effective competition"
condition found in each license issued by the Independent Television Commission
and the application of general competition law and, at the wholesale and retail
level, examination by the Office of Fair Trading. As a result of its review in
December 1996 of BSkyB's position in the wholesale pay-television market, the
Office of Fair Trading required informal undertakings from BSkyB in connection
with the industry rate card (which governs the price for the wholesale supply of
BSkyB programming where no other contract for such programming has been entered
into). In January 2000, the Office of Fair Trading launched a competition review
of BSkyB's pay-television activities, including a review of the 1996
undertakings. On December 5, 2000, an investigation was launched by the Office
of Fair Trading to review BSkyB's position in the pay-television market. On
December 17, 2001, the Office of Fair Trading announced that it was proposing to
make a decision that BSkyB had behaved anti-competitively by abusing its
dominant position in the wholesale market for the provision of pay premium
sports and film channels. Specifically, the Office of Fair Trading announced its
proposed decision that certain conduct of BSkyB infringes Chapter II of the
Competition Act 1998, in particular:
o BSkyB's margin between the wholesale price it charges distributors and
the retail price paid by its own subscribers may not be wide enough to
allow a normal profit to be made by a third-party distributor of its
premium channels (e.g., Telewest), even if it is as efficient as BSkyB
in distribution;
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o the discounts BSkyB gives distributors when they take packages of
premium channels may be set at a level that prevents rival premium
channel providers from entering the market; and
o the discounts that BSkyB offers to distributors on one version of its
rate card for its premium sports and film channels (i.e., the
"Pay-to-Basic" version) may prevent rival premium channel providers
from entering the market and may distort distributors' marketing
decisions.
The Office of Fair Trading has stated that it does not anticipate being in
a position to make a final decision before the summer of 2002. In addition,
BSkyB could appeal against any unfavorable decision from the Office of Fair
Trading to the Competition Appeals Tribunal, and it could take up to six months
for the Competition Appeals Tribunal to complete its review and render a
decision. It is possible that the Office of Fair Trading will require BSkyB to
pay a fine and/or require BSkyB to alter its pricing policies in a manner that
may benefit us as a purchaser of its premium programming. Until such time as a
final decision is rendered, however, we will not be able to assess the likely
future level of wholesale rates in respect of BSkyB's premium channels.
Regulation of Digital Broadcasting
The Independent Television Commission and Digital Broadcasting
In addition to establishing the Independent Television Commission's role
in licensing and regulating commercial broadcast television service, the
Broadcasting Act 1996 introduced provisions for the licensing of digital
terrestrial broadcasting, which we believe will increase competition with
respect to the cable television service provided by our operating companies.
In November 1998, ONdigital, a joint venture between Carlton
Communications plc and Granada Group plc, launched its terrestrial digital
pay-television services, which compete with pay-television services from cable
and satellite service providers. ONdigital and ONrequest, a pay-per-view joint
venture between ONdigital and SDN Limited, provided the only terrestrial digital
pay-television service in the UK. In April 2001, Carlton Communications and
Granada Group announced that they were merging ONdigital with the core assets of
the ITV Network, of which they are also principal shareholders. In July 2001,
ONdigital was renamed ITV Digital and ONrequest was renamed ITV Select. On March
27, 2002, ITV Digital was put into administration. On April 30, 2002, the
administrators announced that they could not procure a buyer and would switch
off ITV Digital's pay-television channels and liquidate its assets. Currently,
the Independent Television Commission is reviewing bids to purchase the licenses
previously held by ITV Digital. It is expected that the Independent Television
Commission will announce the winning bidders on July 4, 2002. We cannot predict
how this reduction in competition in the digital television services will affect
our business, operating results and financial condition. Although we are losing
programming revenues that we otherwise received from ITV Digital, we believe
that a majority of ITV Digital's former subscribers will over time migrate to
platforms (including our own) from which we will receive subscriber and/or
advertising revenues. Although failure to recoup revenues from these subscribers
would negatively impact our business performance, such failure would not be
critical.
Interoperability
We are currently in compliance with mandatory Independent Television
Commission and European standards for digital television transmission, but we
cannot assure you that our digital television systems will not be adversely
affected by future European Commission or Independent Television Commission
directives on uniform standards.
The Department of Trade and Industry has also issued guidance on the UK
implementation of the European Advanced Television Standards Directive. Areas
included in such guidance include mandated common interfaces for digital
apparatus.
In December 2001, the European Parliament and the European Council adopted
a new Framework Directive, which included an obligation on the Member States,
including the UK, to encourage the use of standards and/or specifications
identified by the European Commission needed to encourage the harmonized
provision of electronic communications networks and services and associated
facilities. The scope of the obligation may extend to inter-operability within
the digital television services market, including the area of open standards and
applications programming interfaces ("APIs"), and, in particular digital video
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broadcasting on a multi-media highway platform ("DVB-MPH") which relates to the
APIs used in digital television apparatus and infrastructure supporting the
same. The European Commission has already stated that DVB-MHP will be included
in the List of Standards to be published under the Framework Directive. While
our digital apparatus and network are not currently compliant with the DVB-MHP
standard, compliance with the same is not currently mandated at either the UK or
European level. However, the European Commission has the right under the
Framework Directive to make the List of Standards compulsory where it has not
been adequately implemented and the List of Standards is necessary to ensure
inter-operability and freedom of choice for users.
Telecommunications Regulation
Telecommunications Act Licenses
A Telecommunications Act license authorizes a cable operator to operate
and, if Telecommunications Code powers are attached to the license, install the
physical network used to provide cable television and telecommunications
services in the franchise area to which the license relates. It also authorizes
the operator to connect its system to other telecommunications systems.
We have three national telecommunications licenses which allows us to
provide telecommunications networks and services outside of our franchise areas.
We currently have 42 franchise-specific Telecommunications Act licenses. All UK
operating companies are also subject to class licenses for conditional access
and access control, which contain additional obligations that may be triggered
pursuant to an Office of Telecommunications's determination. No such
determination has been made against us.
Our Telecommunications Act licenses contain conditions regulating the
manner in which we operate our telecommunications system; provide
telecommunications services, connect our systems to others and generally operate
our business. Our Telecommunications Act licenses obligate us to maintain
certain services, including operator services, directory enquiries and 999
emergency services (the UK equivalent of 911 services). The Telecommunications
Act licenses also contain a number of detailed provisions relating to the
technical aspects of the licensed system (e.g., numbering, metering and the use
of technical interfaces) and the manner in which the licensee conducts its
business. In addition, the Telecommunications Act licenses contain prohibitions
on undue preference and discrimination in providing a service, and licensees are
subject to the Competition Act 1998. A cable operator's Telecommunications Act
license requires the relevant licensee to comply with certain codes of practice
and to provide information which the Director General of Telecommunications may
require to carry out his statutory functions. Telecommunications Act licenses
also contain an obligation to provide number portability.
The fees payable for the Telecommunications Act licenses consist of an
initial fee payable on the grant of the license and annual fees thereafter. The
fees are based on a proportion of the costs of the Director General of
Telecommunications in exercising his duties under the Telecommunications Act.
The Office of Telecommunications has implemented a new framework for calculating
license fees, but with the underlying policy of recovering administration costs
remaining unchanged.
Telecommunications operators, such as ourselves, must now pay annual fees
ranging between (pound)3,000-(pound)15,000. If the costs of the Director General
of Communications are estimated to be greater than all the fees collected, an
extra fee may be levied on all operators. The total fee must not exceed 0.08% of
the annual UK turnover of the business attributable to licensed activities, but
this can be increased if the costs incurred are specifically due to the
licensee's activities.
A Telecommunications Act license is not transferable. However, a change of
control of a licensee may be permitted subject to compliance with a notification
requirement, provided the proposed change is not, in the opinion of the
Secretary of State, against the interests of national security or relations with
the government of a country or territory outside the UK.
Term, Renewal and Revocation of Telecommunications Act Licenses
Franchise-specific Telecommunications Act licenses are awarded for periods
of between 15 and 23 years. National telecommunications licenses are for periods
of 25 years each. On expiration of the initial period, a Telecommunications Act
license continues on a rolling basis subject to a notice period (usually 10
years).
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A Telecommunications Act license may be revoked if the licensee fails to
pay the license fees when due, fails to comply with an enforcement order, upon
the occurrence of certain insolvency-related events or if the cable television
license relating to the licensee's system is revoked, in relation to
franchise-specific licenses only. A Telecommunications Act license may also be
revoked if, among other things, the licensee fails to give the required
notification to the Department of Trade and Industry of changes in shareholdings
and changes in control and agreements affecting control of the licensee, or if
the Secretary of State believes that any such change would be against the
interests of national security or the UK government's international relations.
Service Obligations
A cable operator has no obligation under its various Telecommunications
Act licenses to provide voice telephony services. Obligations concerning
interconnection and price publication may be triggered at the point where we are
deemed to have "significant market power" and/or are deemed to have "market
influence." An operator will be deemed to have significant market power where
either individually or jointly with others it enjoys a position of significant
economic strength affording it the power to behave to an appreciable extent
independently of competitors, customers and consumers, respectively. We have not
received any directions from Office of Telecommunications stating that we are
considered to have significant market power or market influence.
Telecommunications Code
The franchise-specific and the three national Telecommunications Act
licenses held by us are subject to and have the benefit of the
Telecommunications Code promulgated under the Telecommunications Act. The
Telecommunications Code provides certain rights and obligations with respect to
installing and maintaining equipment such as ducts, cables and cabinets on
public or private land, including the installation of equipment on public
highways. Cable operators also have the benefit of the New Roads and Street
Works Act 1991, which provides them with the same rights and responsibilities
with respect to construction on public highways as other public utilities. The
UK Government is currently consulting amendments to the existing
Telecommunications Code.
European Directives
As discussed below, in December 2001, the European Parliament and European
Council adopted four new Directives that will affect the UK telecommunications
regulatory framework. Each of these Directives must be implemented by all Member
States by 2003. We do not anticipate that any of the Directives will result in
any form of additional regulatory burden for us, given our current position in
the market. The majority of the obligations included within the Directives apply
to operators with "significant market power" (as defined below) in a specific
market. For example, the provisions of the Access Directive generally only allow
Member States to mandate access obligations on those operators that are deemed
to have significant market power. In order to promote and protect consumer
interests and/or competition however, national regulatory authorities have power
to impose obligations to provide access on operators who do not have significant
market power in objectively justifiable instances. This obligation has not been
imposed in the UK in relation to us.
For purposes of the new Directives, an operator will be deemed to have
significant market power where either individually or jointly with others it
enjoys a position of significant economic strength affording it the power to
behave to an appreciable extent independently of competitors, customers and
consumers. However, the European Commission is consulting on draft Guidelines on
market analysis and the assessment of significant market power under the new
Directives.
One provision of the Authorization Directive, which relates to us and is
not currently imposed under the UK Telecommunications Act 1984, requires the UK
to move to a general authorization scheme, rather than the award and renewal of
individual licenses.
Under the Universal Service Directive, the UK has the discretion to
provide for proportionate and transparent remuneration where there is a "must
carry" obligation. Before implementing the provisions of the directive, a
consultation will take place which will assess whether such provisions should be
implemented in UK law, and if so, to what extent. The current intention is to
transpose the Directive into UK law in or by July 2003.
UK Office of Telecommunications: Implementation of Access Obligations
Under the New EU Directives
43
Following the finalization of the European Directives, in April 2002, the
UK Office of Telecommunications launched a consultation on guidelines for
applying the access obligations contained within the Access Directive. The
consultation proposes how access obligations may be imposed on those operators
found to have significant market power in a relevant markets. This consultation
ends in July 2002.
As of April 2002, the UK Office of Telecommunications has not decided to
mandate open access (i.e., the opening of a telecommunications operator's
network to other operators) in respect of UK operators under existing UK and EU
legislation.
Liberalization of Directory Enquiry ("DQ") Services
In September 2001, the Office of Telecommunications announced that it
intended to liberalize the provision of DQ services, specifically in relation to
access to DQ services by BT's customers. We expect the Office of
Telecommunications to finalize arrangements for this liberalization by the
middle of 2002. We cannot predict the effect this process will have on our
activities.
Calls to Mobiles
Following a consultation, in September 2001, the Office of
Telecommunications announced that it intended to impose a price cap of RPI less
twelve percent on the interconnection/call termination rates of the UK mobile
networks. This decision was rejected by all four mobile operators and referred
to the Competition Commission in January 2002. We have a significant amount of
costs relating to interconnection with UK mobile networks and supported the
original Office of Telecommunications decision of September 2001. We have given
both written and oral evidence to the Competition Commission as part of its
investigation of mobile call termination charges. The Competition Commission is
expected to conclude this case in July 2002.
Telewest Call Termination Rates
Following a dispute with BT as to the level of our call termination
charges, in March 2002, the UK Office of Telecommunications ruled in favor of us
as to the level of charges we levy on British Telecommunications for terminating
calls on our network. Such charges are levied on a pence-per-minute basis and
are a revenue stream for us.
European Union
The United Kingdom is a Member State of the European Union ("EU"). As
such, it is required to enact national legislation which implements EU
Directives. As a result, we have been significantly affected by regulation
initiated at the EU level.
A series of new Directives will revise the regulatory regime concerning
communications services across the EU. They include the following:
o Directive for a New Regulatory Framework for Electronic
Communications Networks and Services (referred to as the Framework
Directive);
o Directive on the Authorization of Electronic Communications Networks
and Services (referred to as the Authorization Directive);
o Directive on Access to and Interconnection of, Electronic
Communications Networks and Services (referred to as the Access
Directive); and
o Directive on Universal Services and Users' Rights relating to
Electronic Networks and Services (referred to as the Universal
Service Directive).
Each of the Directives was adopted by the EU Council of Ministers on
February 14, 2002. EU Member States will be required to transpose them into
their national law within 15 months after their publication in the European
Official Journal. Additionally, there is one further Directive still in an
earlier stage dealing with data protection in the communications sector, which,
it is thought, will be adopted shortly thereafter.
44
The new regulatory framework seeks, among other things, to harmonize
national regulations and licensing systems and further increase market
competition. These policies will seek to harmonize licensing procedures, reduce
administrative fees, ease access and interconnection, and reduce the regulatory
burden for telecommunications companies. It remains to be seen whether there
will be a trend in the future to use general competition laws rather than
regulation to prevent dominant carriers from abusing their market power.
The majority of the obligations included within the Directives apply to
operators with significant market power in a specific market. For example, the
provisions of the Access Directive allow Member States to mandate access
obligations on those operators that are deemed to have significant market power.
In order to promote and protect consumer interests and/or competition, national
regulatory authorities have the power to impose obligations to provide access on
operators who do not have significant market power in objectively justifiable
instances. This obligation has not been imposed in the UK in relation to us. We
do not anticipate that the Directives will result in any form of additional
regulatory burden for us given our current position in the market.
The European Commission is consulting on draft Guidelines on market
analysis and the assessment of significant market power under the new
Directives. The draft Guidelines propose a structure for analyzing and
determining market power. Under the new Directives, the European Commission also
has the power to veto the decisions concerning significant market power and the
market definitions of the national regulatory authorities in each Member State.
C. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
We are a holding company and conduct our telecommunications activities
through a series of direct and indirect subsidiaries.
Except where otherwise stated, we own indirectly 100% of the ordinary
share capital of the following principal subsidiary companies. We also
indirectly own preference shares in certain subsidiary companies which are
separately disclosed. The subsidiary companies are incorporated in Great Britain
and registered in England and Wales except for the companies indicated by an
asterisk (*), which are registered in Scotland, and the companies indicated by a
double asterisk (**), which are registered in Jersey. The proportion of the
ordinary shares held by us also represents the proportion of voting rights held
by us with the exception of Cable Guide Limited, in which we hold 83.34% of the
voting rights.
The principal activities of these entities, unless otherwise indicated,
are the building and operation of cable television and telephony networks in the
United Kingdom or otherwise involved in the UK telecommunications industry. The
principal activities of companies marked by a triple asterisk (***) are the
supply of entertainment content, and interactive and transactional services. All
subsidiary undertakings have been included in our consolidated financial
statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Subsidiaries:
Telewest Communications Holdco Limited (holding Telewest Communications (Publications) Bravo TV Limited***
company) (directly held) Telewest Communications (Scotland) Limited Flextech (1992) Limited***
Telewest Communications Networks Limited Telewest Communications (South East) Flextech Communications Limited***
Limited
(management company) (directly held) Telewest Communications (South Thames Flextech Digital Broadcasting
Cable Guide Limited (publisher) Estuary) Limited Limited***
Flextech Homeshopping Limited***
(we own indirectly 85% of the ordinary Telewest Communications (Southport) (we own indirectly 80% of
shares and Limited the ordinary shares)
and 80% of the cumulative convertible Telewest Communications (South West)
preference Limited
shares) Telewest Communications (St. Helens & Flextech Interactive Limited***
Telewest Communications (Central Lancashire) Knowsley) Limited Flextech Investments (Jersey)
Limited Limited**
Telewest Communications (Telford) Limited Flextech IVS Limited***
Telewest Communications (Cotswolds) Limited Telewest Communications (Wigan) Limited Flextech Living Health Limited***
Telewest Communications (Cumbernauld) Limited* Telewest Communications (Worcester) Flextech Limited***
Limited
Telewest Communications (Dumbarton) Limited* Telewest Limited Flextech Rights Limited***
Telewest Communications (Dundee & Perth) Middlesex Cable Limited Flextech Television Limited***
Limited*
Telewest Communications (East Lothian & Fife) Windsor Television Limited Flextech Travel Channel Limited***
Limited* Barnsley Cable Communications Limited Florida Homeshopping Limited***
Telewest Communications (Falkirk) Limited* Bradford Cable Communications Limited (we own indirectly 80% of
the ordinary shares)
Telewest Communications (Fylde & Wyre) Limited Doncaster Cable Communications Limited
Telewest Communications (Glenrothes) Limited* Halifax Cable Communications Limited TVS Limited***
Telewest Communications Group Limited Rotherham Cable Communications Limited UK Living Limited***
(management company) Sheffield Cable Communications Limited Eurobell (Sussex) Limited
Telewest Communications (Liverpool) Limited Wakefield Cable Communications Limited Eurobell (South West) Limited
Telewest Communications (London South) Limited Imminus Limited Eurobell (West Kent) Limited
Telewest Communications (Midlands) Limited Birmingham Cable Limited
Telewest Communications (Midlands & North West) Cable Camden Limited
Limited Cable Hackney and Islington Limited
Telewest Communications (Motherwell) Limited* Cable Haringey Limited
Telewest Communications (North East) Limited Cable Enfield Limited
Telewest Communications (North West) Limited Telewest Finance (Jersey) Limited**
45
D. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Our principal properties consist of numerous offices, technical facilities,
warehouses, customer service centers and retail outlets in our franchise areas
and at our headquarters in Woking, Surrey. As of March 31, 2002, we owned and
leased an aggregate of approximately 1,797,200 square feet (approximately
1,411,000 square feet of which was owned, or occupied pursuant to a long-term
lease, and approximately 364,200 square feet of which was otherwise leased). Our
current headquarters occupy approximately 142,000 square feet of leased space
located in Woking, Surrey. We believe that our current properties are adequate
for our current needs and additional space can be obtained on reasonable terms
to accommodate future growth, if needed.
Details of our principal premises are summarized below:
(i) Freehold Properties
Approximate
Address Current Use Area (square feet)
School Lane Group data center, digital head-end, 56,000
Knowsley Industrial Estate technical center and call center
Knowsley
Merseyside
Unit 550 and Unit 700 Office and technical facility 30,000
Aztec West
Waterside Drive
Almondsbury
Bristol
Units 3 and 4 Offices, stores and technical facility 44,500
Midpoint Business Park
Staverton
Cheltenham
The Maidstone Studios Television production and uplift
facility 110,000
Vintners Park
New Cut Road
Maidstone
Kent
Croydon Offices and technical facilities 51,536
Communications & Network Houses
Factory Lane
Croydon
Surrey
46
(ii) Leasehold Properties
Annual Length of Expiration Approximate
Address Current Use Rent Lease (years) Date Area (square feet)
Unit 1 Corporate headquarters (pound)640,000 5 December 2003 38,921
Genesis Business Park
Albert Drive
Sheerwater
Woking
1 South Gyle Call center and (pound)191,000 25 April 2017 46,290
Crescent Lane technical facility
Edinburgh
Units 1 and 1A Call center, offices (pound)165,013 25 October 2018 50,225
Scimitar Center and technical
and land facility
adjoining
Courtauld Road
Basildon
2 Stephen Street Offices (pound)1,505,864 12 September 2006 30,184
London W1
Evolution House and Call center (pound)2 200 August 2193 61,310
Communications House
Chippingham Street
Sheffield
160 Great Portland Street Offices (pound)1,422,500 12 June 2008 58,300
London W1
Atlantic Pavilion Call center (pound)875,000 15 January 2015 81,500
Albert Dock
Liverpool
Export House Corporate center (pound)2,270,300 20 December 2021 102,000
Cawsey Way
Woking
Surrey
Units 407-411 Office and technical (pound)1 25 February 2016 29,036
Century Buildings facility
Liverpool
Unit 1 Office and technical (pound)160,136 25 December 2017 24,409
facility
Unit 3 Call center and (pound)72,400 25 September 2017 18,100
The Dukeries technical facility
Gateshead
Alexandra Road Office, call center (pound)140,000 20 March 2018 30,000
Plymouth and technical facility
Cable Phone House Office (pound)1 150 September 2140 44,000
Birmingham
Cable Plaza Call center (pound)558,500 25 March 2018 47,286
Dudley
North Wing Mailbox Call center (pound)450,000 15 December 2016 22,000
Birmingham
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
A. OPERATING RESULTS
Set forth below is a discussion of our financial condition and results of
operations for the years ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001 based upon
financial information prepared in accordance with US GAAP.
47
Critical Accounting Policies
Our accounting policies are summarized in note 3 to our consolidated
financial statements. As stated above, we prepare our consolidated financial
statements in conformity with US GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Our significant estimates and assumptions
include capitalization of labor and overhead costs, impairment of goodwill and
long-lived assets, and accounting for debt and financial instruments. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
We consider the following policies to be the most critical accounting
policies in understanding the estimates, assumptions and judgments that are
involved in preparing our financial statements and the uncertainties that could
impact our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows:
o revenue recognition;
o impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets;
o capitalization of labor and overhead costs; and
o accounting for debt and financial instruments.
In addition, the application of the going concern basis of accounting
involves a range of subjective judgments, principally in relation to our ability
to service existing indebtedness through continued compliance with debt
covenants and payment of interest due and the sufficiency of resources to allow
the Group to continue to operate in the ordinary course and thereby realize its
assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business for a
period of 12 months following the date of approval of the attached financial
statements (February 28, 2002). These judgments are discussed in more detail in
"Item 3.E -- Risk Factors" and "Item 5.B -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Revenue Recognition
We apply the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard
("SFAS") No. 51 "Financial Reporting by Cable Television Companies" in relation
to connection and activation fees for cable television, as well as telephony and
internet services, on the basis that we market and maintain a unified fiber
network through which we provide all of these services. Consequently, such fees
are recognised in the period of connection to the extent that such fees are less
than direct selling costs. The excess of direct selling costs over connection
and activation fees are expensed as incurred.
Impairment of Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets
All long-lived assets, including goodwill and investments in
unconsolidated affiliates, are evaluated for impairment on the basis of
estimated undiscounted cash flows whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If an
asset is determined to be impaired, it is written down to its estimated fair
market value based on the best information available. Estimated fair market
value is generally measured by discounting estimated future cash flows.
Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate discounted future cash
flows and such estimates include inherent uncertainties, including those
relating to the timing and amount of future cash flows and the discount rate
used in the calculation. Assumptions used in these cash flows are consistent
with our internal forecasts.
Capitalisation of Labor and Overhead Costs
The telecommunications and cable industries are highly capital intensive
and a large portion of our resources is spent on capital activities. Judgment is
sometimes required to determine whether a project is capital in nature and
whether certain costs are directly associated with that capital project. In
particular, determining whether overhead is borne as a consequence of specific
capital activities requires some judgment. The changing nature of the sectors in
which we operate and the nature of our development activities will affect the
appropriateness of our capitalisation policy in the future.
48
Accounting for Debt and Financial Instruments
We manage our risks associated with foreign exchange rates and interest
rates and may use derivative financial instruments to hedge a portion of these
risks. As a matter of policy, we do not use derivative financial instruments
unless there is an underlying exposure and, therefore, we do not use derivative
financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The evaluation of
hedge effectiveness is subject to assumptions and judgments based on the terms
and timing of the underlying exposures. All derivative financial instruments are
recognized in our consolidated balance sheet at fair value. The fair value of
our derivative financial instruments is generally based on quotations from
third-party financial institutions, which are market estimates of fair value but
may differ from the amount realized if such instruments were monetized.
Results of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 2000 and 2001
Flextech was acquired on April 19, 2000 and consolidated into the Group
from that date. Consequently its results are included in the statements of
operations and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2001 and in respect of
the year ended December 31, 2000 from April 19, 2000.
Eurobell was acquired on November 1, 2000 and consolidated into the Group
from that date. Consequently its results are included in the statements of
operations and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2001 and in respect of
the year ended December 31, 2000 from November 1, 2000.
Revenue
We operate in two main segments: Cable and Content. The Cable segment of
our business is subdivided, for revenue purposes only, into four units: Cable
Television, Consumer Telephony, Internet and Other, and Business Services
Division. The Content segment provides entertainment content, interactive and
transactional services to the UK pay-television and internet markets.
Our consolidated revenue increased by (pound)185 million or 17.3% from
(pound)1,069 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to (pound)1,254
million for the year ended December 31, 2001. This increase was attributable to
revenue increases in consumer cable television and telephony and our Business
Services Division and the full-year impact of the Flextech merger (approximately
(pound)48 million) and the Eurobell acquisition (approximately (pound)58
million).
Residential Services Revenue (Consumer Division)
Residential services revenue represents a combination of consumer cable
television ("CATV") revenue, consumer cable telephony revenue and internet and
other income.
Our residential services revenue increased by (pound)117 million or 15.8%
from (pound)740 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to (pound)857
million for the year ended December 31, 2001. This increase was attributable to
the full-year impact of the acquisition of Eurobell (approximately (pound)41
million), an increase in customer homes connected and an increase in average
monthly revenue per household.
Total customer homes connected increased by 74,278 or 4.4% from 1,691,341
at December 31, 2000 to 1,765,619 at December 31, 2001. The increase in homes
connected resulted particularly from the impact of our blueyonder broadband
high-speed internet product, the launch of our Active Digital services, the
launch of our Talk Unlimited telephony product and lower churn rates experienced
throughout 2001. Overall household penetration increased by 2.2 percentage
points from 35.3% at December 31, 2000 to 37.5% at December 31, 2001.
Average monthly revenue per subscriber increased by (pound)2.58 or 6.9%
from (pound)37.45 for the year ended December 31, 2000 to (pound)40.03 for the
year ended December 31, 2001. The increase in average monthly revenue per
subscriber is attributable to an increase in dual or triple penetration (i.e.,
the proportion of homes subscribing to any two or all three of our CATV,
residential telephony and high-speed internet services), higher call volumes in
residential telephony, higher subscriber revenues generated by Active Digital
versus analogue television services and retail price increases in our basic
cable telephony prices in July 2001. Dual or triple penetration, which results
49
from the continued market acceptance of combined CATV, telephony and high-speed
internet packages, grew to 69.0% at December 31, 2001 from 64.8% a year earlier.
The competitive nature of the markets in which the Consumer Division
operates will continue to restrict our ability to increase retail prices.
Nevertheless, following price rises by our competitors, we introduced selected
price rises across our CATV, telephony and internet product range in April 2002.
For example, the "starter" digital television pack, which includes a telephone
line, rose by (pound)2.00 to (pound)11.49. Other digital basic television
packages rose by (pound)1.50 and the monthly price of our unmetered dial-up
internet service, SurfUnlimited, rose by (pound)2.00 to (pound)12.00. Our
broadband internet service, blueyonder, remains at (pound)25.00 per month. We
believe that our bundled offerings still remain competitive when compared with
those offered by other operators.
Cable Television Revenue
Cable television revenue increased by (pound)50 million or 17.9% from
(pound)279 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to (pound)329 million
for the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase was principally attributable
to the full-year impact of the Eurobell acquisition (approximately (pound)10
million), an increase in the number of CATV subscribers connected, retail price
increases introduced on July 1, 2001, higher monthly revenues per subscriber
generated by our Active Digital services, and lower churn rates experienced
during the year ended December 31, 2001 compared with 2000, offset in part by
lower subscriber revenues from our analogue services. As noted above, although
the competitive nature of the television market will continue to restrict our
ability to increase retail prices, certain increases were introduced in April
2002.
Total CATV subscribers connected increased by 92,174 or 7.4% from
1,249,610 at December 31, 2000 to 1,341,784 at December 31, 2001. The increase
in subscribers resulted from the continued introduction of Active Digital and
lower churn rates experienced in the year ended December 31, 2001 compared to
2000.
As at December 31, 2001, we had an installed base of 723,826 digital
subscribers, an increase of 384,631 or 113% compared with 339,195 as at December
31, 2000. Active Digital, comprised of a wide array of television and radio
channels, pay-per-view movies, interactive services and television e-mail, has
been rolled out in all franchise areas, excluding the Eurobell areas and our
Cabletime areas where we currently offer only analogue services. It is expected
that we will begin rolling out Active Digital into our Eurobell areas in the
third quarter of 2002.
At December 31, 2001, 35.0% of all customer homes connected subscribed to
our analogue CATV product and 41.0% subscribed to Active Digital. Excluding the
Eurobell areas, our Active Digital services are now taken by 56.7% of our CATV
subscribers compared with 43.3% for analogue subscribers. At December 31, 2001
approximately 27% of our digital households had "set-up," our television e-mail
account, and approximately 142,000 customers had purchased keyboards for use
with our interactive services.
Average monthly revenue per CATV subscriber (combined digital and
analogue), increased by 6.4% from (pound)19.50 for the year ended December 31,
2000 to (pound)20.75 for the year ended December 31, 2001, primarily due to an
increase in the number of our Active Digital subscribers, and price rises across
our basic packages which were introduced from July 1, 2001 (our entry package,
which includes digital television, telephone line rental, interactive services
and television e-mail, increased from (pound)9.00 to (pound)9.60 while other
basic television packages increased on average by (pound)2.00 each), offset in
part by an increased percentage of subscribers choosing lower-priced service
offerings. Average monthly revenue for digital CATV subscribers was (pound)23.20
for the year ended December 31, 2001 compared with (pound)18.98 for analogue
CATV subscribers.
Product penetration increased by 2.4 percentage points from 26.1% at
December 31, 2000 to 28.5% at December 31, 2001 as a result of improved customer
take-up of Active Digital packages and a reduction in churn throughout the year.
Product churn improved 7.3 percentage points from 26.0% in the year ended
December 31, 2000 to 18.7% in the year ended December 31, 2001. This product
churn rate is the lowest rolling 12-month rate we have ever recorded for CATV
churn. We believe that this reduction in churn is principally attributable to a
reduction in our digital television fault rate, improved customer satisfaction
with our products, services and pricing, and improvements in our customer
service.
Consumer Telephony Revenue
50
Consumer telephony revenue increased by (pound)43 million or 9.7% from
(pound)445 million at December 31, 2000 to (pound)488 million at December 31,
2001. The increase in consumer telephony revenue was primarily due to the
full-year impact of the Eurobell acquisition (approximately (pound)31 million),
increases in the number of residential telephony subscribers and lines, offset
in part by marginal decreases in average monthly revenue.
The number of residential subscribers increased by 77,669 or 5.0% from
1,538,140 at December 31, 2000 to 1,615,809 at December 31, 2001 and the number
of residential lines increased by 56,153 or 3.3% from 1,706,159 at December 31,
2000 to 1,762,312 at December 31, 2001. The increases in the number of
residential telephony subscribers and residential lines resulted from the impact
of the take-up of our telephony product Talk Unlimited, and a decrease in
product churn both leading to higher product penetration.
Talk Unlimited, which was launched in the second quarter of 2001, is the
only 24-hour, flat-rate, unmetered telephony service available for local and
national calls in the UK and accounted for 154,566 subscribers or 9.6% of our
total telephony subscribers at December 31, 2001. This service is charged at a
flat rate of (pound)25.00 per month, including digital television, and is
successful in attracting new subscribers to our products.
Product churn improved by 3.3 percentage points from 19.8% for the year
ended December 31, 2000 to 16.5% for the year ended December 31, 2001. This
product churn rate is the lowest rolling 12-month rate we have ever recorded for
telephony churn. We believe this reduction in churn is principally attributable
to improved customer satisfaction with our products, services and pricing, and
improvements in our customer service.
Consumer telephony product penetration increased to 34.3% as at December
31, 2001 compared with 32.2% as at December 31, 2000. Second line penetration
decreased from 10.9% as at December 31, 2000 to 9.1% as at December 31, 2001, in
part due to price increases for second lines during the year ended December 31,
2001 and the migration of dial-up internet subscribers to our blueyonder
broadband internet service.
Average monthly revenue per line decreased marginally by (pound)0.13 or
0.6% from (pound)22.92 for the year ended December 31, 2000 to (pound)22.79 for
the year ended December 31, 2001. Similarly, average monthly telephony revenue
per subscriber decreased by (pound)0.45 or 1.8% from (pound)25.54 for the year
ended December 31, 2000 to (pound)25.09 for the year ended December 31, 2001.
Although average call volume increased by approximately 34% year on year, our
average revenue per minute decreased by approximately 26% over the same period.
While we benefited from a new increased price structure known as "3-2-1-Free"
and a growing number of calls made to mobile operators, boosting telephony
revenue per minute, these factors were more than offset by the effects of price
competition on our telephony charges and a change in the mix of calls made by
our telephony subscribers, particularly the increases in the percentage of calls
made to ISPs at lower rates (or at no charge in the case of our own blueyonder
SurfUnlimited subscribers), which have increased by approximately 110% year on
year, and free cable-to-cable local calls, which have increased by approximately
8% since December 31, 2000.
Internet and Other Revenue
Internet and other revenue, which arises wholly in our Consumer Division,
increased by (pound)24 million or 150% from (pound)16 million in the year ended
December 31, 2000 to (pound)40 million in the year ended December 31, 2001. This
increase is due entirely to an increase in internet income.
Dial-up internet subscribers to our blueyonder SurfUnlimited product, the
UK's first unmetered internet access service, together with our blueyonder
pay-as-you-go metered internet service, increased by 22,959 or 8.2% from 280,370
at December 31, 2000 to 303,329 at December 31, 2001.
We began re-marketing our high-speed internet service for home personal
computers, "blueyonder broadband internet," on a national basis from the start
of 2001. The number of blueyonder broadband internet subscribers increased by
78,229 from 6,893 at December 31, 2000 to 85,122 at December 31, 2001. With the
exception of our Eurobell and Cabletime areas, we now have full coverage across
all of our regions.
We charge either (pound)33.00 per month for blueyonder broadband internet
on a stand-alone basis or (pound)25.00 if it is purchased in addition to our
CATV and/or telephony services. As such, our blueyonder broadband internet
customers significantly contribute to the growth in our average monthly revenue
and 69.0% of our blueyonder broadband internet customers also take both cable
51
television and telephony services from us. These "triple-play" customers have an
average monthly revenue of approximately (pound)67.
Other revenues are derived from the sale of cable publications and
contributed (pound)9 million of revenues in both 2001 and 2000.
Business Services Revenue (Business Division)
Business services revenue increased by (pound)20 million or 8.1% from
(pound)248 million at December 31, 2000 to (pound)268 million at December 31,
2001. This increase is attributable to the full-year impact of the Eurobell
acquisition (approximately (pound)17 million), increases in sales of voice and
data services primarily to SMEs, offset by lower revenues contributed by our
Carrier Services Unit (described below) and a decrease in average monthly
revenue per line from our business customers. Excluding our Carrier Services
Unit, revenues increased by (pound)39 million or 22.0% from (pound)177 million
for the year ended 2000 to (pound)216 million for the year ended December 31,
2001.
Our Carrier Services Unit, which provides our fiber-optic National
Network to other carriers and operators, thereby exploiting our fixed network
investment by providing new revenues at higher margins, contributed (pound)52
million of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2001 compared with (pound)71
million for the year ended December 31, 2000. Revenues from this unit tend to be
derived from a relatively small number of high-value, short and long-term
contracts and can therefore fluctuate from year to year.
Average monthly revenue per line decreased by (pound)3.96 or 8.2% from
(pound)48.08 for the year ended December 31, 2000 to (pound)44.12 for the year
ended December 31, 2001, partly due to increased competition in the marketplace
and partly due to our acquisition of Eurobell, which continues to experience
lower average monthly revenues than our older franchises.
The increase in the sale of voice and data services resulted primarily
from an increase in the number of business customer accounts using these
services and the number of lines used by those accounts. Business customer
accounts increased by 6,427 accounts or 9.7% from 66,507 at December 31, 2000 to
72,934 at December 31, 2001. Business telephony lines increased by 79,463 lines
or 21.7% from 365,535 at December 31, 2000 to 444,998 at December 31, 2001.
During the year, we launched a high-speed broadband internet service for
small businesses, blueyonder workwise, which reached 1,658 subscribers by
December 31, 2001. In August 2001, we introduced the first hosted Microsoft
Exchange service by any network operator in Europe. This service is available
through the blueyonder workwise portal and had attracted 3,500 licenses at
December 31, 2001.
Content Division Revenue
Our merger with Flextech was completed on April 19, 2000 and the results
of our Content Division were consolidated from that date. Accordingly, no
revenues were included for the period from January 1, 2000 to April 18, 2000.
For the period from April 19, 2000 to December 31, 2000, after elimination of
inter-divisional revenues, net revenues of (pound)81 million were recorded and
for the year ended December 31, 2001, net revenues of (pound)129 million were
achieved. For illustrative purposes only, net revenues for the year ended
December 31, 2000 were (pound)118 million.
Again, for illustrative purposes only, our Content Division's revenue,
before elimination of inter-divisional trading, increased by (pound)14 million
or 10.9% from (pound)129 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to
(pound)143 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. Also for illustrative
purposes only, our Content Division's share of the revenue of UKTV (our joint
venture with BBC Worldwide) increased by (pound)11 million or 21.2% from
(pound)52 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to (pound)63 million for
the year ended December 31, 2001. The increases for the year resulted primarily
from an increase in the number of homes that receive programming from our
Content Division by 1 million or 10.5% from 9.5 million homes at December 31,
2000 to 10.5 million at December 31, 2001, offset in part by lower subscription
rates from Sky Digital subscribers. Advertising revenues, included within the
foregoing revenues, increased by 3.6% in our Content Division and 9.5% in UKTV
during the year ended December 31, 2001 over the previous year. Our share of
total United Kingdom television advertising revenues increased from 2.7% for the
year ended December 31, 2000 to 3.0% for the year ended December 31, 2001, an
increase during a year marked by a decline in UK television national advertising
revenue of 10% compared to the previous year. Our share of basic pay-television
viewing fell from 23.1% in the year ended December 31, 2000 to 20.4% in the year
52
ended December 31, 2001. This fall was due primarily to increased competition in
the multichannel market, where the number of basic television channels has
increased from 96 in 2000 to 115 in 2001.
Operating Costs and Expenses
Our operating costs and expenses, before depreciation, amortization and
impairment of goodwill, increased by (pound)99 million or 11.5% from (pound)858
million in the year ended December 31, 2000 to (pound)957 million in the year
ended December 31, 2001, principally as a result of the Flextech merger, the
Eurobell acquisition and increased selling, general and administrative costs.
Consumer programming expenses increased by (pound)10 million or 7.6% from
(pound)132 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to (pound)142 million
for the year ended December 31, 2001, representing 14.8% of total operating
costs before depreciation, amortization and impairment for the year ended
December 31, 2001 compared with 15.4% for the previous year. Increased consumer
programming expenses, including the full-year impact of the Eurobell acquisition
of approximately (pound)5 million, were principally the result of the increased
costs of programming for our digital packages, which have more channels than
their analogue counterparts, and were largely offset by lower programming
expenses resulting from an increase in the number of our television subscribers
choosing to subscribe to packages with fewer or no premium channels, the
elimination on consolidation of programming fees paid for Flextech content, and
continuing favorable trends in distribution. As a percentage of CATV revenues,
programming expenses decreased from 47.3% for the year ended December 31, 2000
to 43.2% for the year ended December 31, 2001. Not accounting for the Flextech
merger and the resulting consolidation of programming expenses, programming
expenses as a percentage of CATV revenues would have decreased from 49.8% in the
year ended December 31, 2000 to 46.5% in the year ended December 31, 2001.
Business and consumer telephony expenses remained constant at (pound)235
million in both the years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001, and represented
24.5% of total operating costs before depreciation, amortization and impairment
in the year ended December 31, 2001, a decrease from 27.4% in the year ended
December 31, 2000. These costs are principally payments to third-party network
providers for terminating calls that originate on our networks (i.e.,
interconnection charges). As a percentage of consumer telephony and business
services revenues, telephony expenses decreased from 33.9% for the year ended
December 31, 2000 to 31.1% for the year ended December 31, 2001. These decreases
resulted principally from increased telephony penetration and the resulting
increase in volume of traffic terminating on our network and was in part offset
by the increase in the proportion of our total traffic terminating on mobile
networks or third-party ISPs where interconnection charges result in higher unit
termination costs.
The Content Division's cost of sales was (pound)83 million or 64.3% of
the Content Division's revenues for the year ended December 31, 2001 and
(pound)46 million or 56.8% for the period from acquisition on April 19, 2000 to
December 31, 2001. The Content Division's cost of sales consists principally of
amortization costs of programming shown on its television channels, direct costs
associated with its advertising revenues, and costs of products sold through its
web and transactional services.
Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") which include,
among other items, salary and marketing costs, increased by (pound)52 million or
11.7% from (pound)445 million in the year ended December 31, 2000 to (pound)497
million in the year ended December 31, 2001. This increase primarily reflected
the full-year impact of the Eurobell and Flextech acquisitions, the increase in
employment costs due to an increase in headcount between December 31, 2000 and
2001 and the expense associated with the launch of our digital and high-speed
internet products, and was partially offset by a decrease in employee
share-based compensation costs to a charge of (pound)2 million in the year ended
December 31, 2001 from a charge of (pound)5 million in the year ended December
31, 2000. Share-based compensation costs will continue to fluctuate depending on
the movement of our share price. Excluding share-based compensation costs, SG&A
increased marginally as a percentage of total operating costs before
depreciation, amortization and impairment from 51.6% in the year ended December
31, 2000 to 51.9% in the year ended December 31, 2001. After capitalization to
related property and equipment, staff costs increased to (pound)257 million for
the year ended December 31, 2001 from (pound)229 million for the year ended
December 31, 2000, reflecting an increase in the average number of employees of
some 1,350 employees on a base of approximately 9,300 as at December 31, 2000.
This increase in employees reflected the enlarged Group, our continuing focus on
customer service and staffing requirements to support high-speed internet and
digital television services offset in part by a reduction in the use of
contractors for installation.
53
Total labor and overhead costs capitalized in connection with new
subscriber installations and enhancement to our networks increased by (pound)27
million or 15.4% from (pound)175 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to
(pound)202 million for the year ended December 31, 2001. The level of
capitalized labor and overhead costs increased primarily as a result of
increases in installations of Active Digital in 2001 and costs for other
services related to our growing subscriber base.
Depreciation expense increased by (pound)46 million or 10.9% from
(pound)423 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to (pound)469 million
for the year ended December 31, 2001. The increase is primarily attributable to
the increased capital expenditure associated with the roll-out of Active Digital
and high-speed data equipment, and the full-year impact of the Eurobell
acquisition.
Amortization expense increased by (pound)36 million or 24.5% from
(pound)147 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to (pound)183 million
for the year ended December 31, 2001, primarily as a result of the merger with
Flextech.
During the year ended December 31, 2001, we undertook an impairment
review of our network assets, of goodwill arising on recent acquisitions and of
our investments in affiliates acquired in recent years. The review covered the
Cable and Content Divisions. The principal reasons for the review were: a share
price decline indicative of a fall in the values of the underlying assets and a
softening of the ad-sales market. The review found evidence of impairment in the
value of goodwill arising on the core Content business and in the value of two
affiliated undertakings, UKTV and SMG. The carrying amount of the goodwill and
the investments in the two affiliated undertakings were written down to fair
value, resulting in a charge of (pound)766 million against goodwill and a charge
of (pound)202 million against the investments in affiliated undertakings. These
charges have been included in the statement of operations within impairment of
goodwill and share of net losses of affiliates, respectively. Fair value for the
investment in SMG was based on quoted market prices for SMG shares. The
estimated fair value of the goodwill and the investment in UKTV was based on
projected future cash flows at a discount rate of 11.5% which we believe is
commensurate with the risks associated with the assets. The projected future
cash flows were determined using our ten-year plan for our business, with a
terminal value which takes into account analysts' and other published
projections of future trends across pay-television platforms, including the
total television advertising market. No impairment in the carrying value of the
network assets was required.
Other Income/(Expense)
Other expense, net of income, increased by (pound)72 million or 18.7%
from (pound)385 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to (pound)457
million for the year ended December 31, 2001. This consisted of interest expense
offset by a decrease in net foreign exchange losses on re-translation of
(pound)15 million.
Interest expense increased by (pound)87 million or 22.6% from (pound)385
million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to (pound)472 million for the year
ended December 31, 2001, primarily as a result of the additional interest
expense incurred from additional borrowing to fund the roll-out of digital
television and high-speed internet products, acquisitions and general working
capital, offset in part by lower interest rates on our borrowings under our bank
facilities. The additional borrowing included our Senior Convertible Notes due
2005, issued in July 2000, and our Accreting Convertible Notes due 2003, issued
in connection with the acquisition of Eurobell in November 2000.
In the year ended December 31, 2000, foreign exchange gains and losses,
totalling (pound)15 million net loss, arose principally from the fact that the
re-translation to pounds sterling of our US dollar-denominated debentures and
notes using the period-end exchange rate and marking associated derivative
instruments to their market value, were recognized within earnings. As of
January 1, 2001, we adopted SFAS 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities," as amended by SFAS 137 and SFAS 138. The majority of our
derivatives associated with our US dollar-denominated debentures and notes have
been designated as cash flow hedges which to date have been effective. The
effect is that the gains or losses arising from re-translating these US
dollar-denominated debentures and notes and from marking their associated
derivative instruments to market value are recorded in other comprehensive
income ("OCI") and will be recognized within earnings when these hedged
transactions take place, the hedging instruments are sold, or if the hedges
become ineffective. In the year ended December 31, 2000, foreign exchange gains,
net, arose principally from re-translating those of our US dollar-denominated
debentures and notes which did not qualify for hedge accounting and the marking
of their associated derivative instruments to market value. There is no net
charge or credit for the year ended December 31, 2001, as realized losses
earlier in the year were offset by unrealized gains at the year end.
54
Interest income remained constant at (pound)15 million in both the years
ended December 31, 2000 and 2001.
Our share of net losses of our affiliated companies, accounted for under
the equity method of accounting, increased by (pound)201 million from a loss of
(pound)15 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to a loss of (pound)216
million for the year ended December 31, 2001. This increase resulted principally
from the impairment of our investments in SMG and UKTV, noted above. Our
principal affiliated companies, include UK Gold Holdings Limited, UK Channel
Management Limited, SMG, TVT and Blueyonder Workwise Limited.
Other losses, net, amounting to (pound)3 million in both 2000 and 2001,
respectively, arose as a result of the disposal of certain investments.
Following the replacement of our old senior secured credit facility and
the Flextech facility during the year ended December 31, 2001, we recorded an
extraordinary loss of (pound)15 million due to the write-off of the bank
facility fees which were being deferred and written-off over the life of those
facilities.
Results of Operations
Years ended December 31, 1999 and 2000
With effect from November 23, 1999, we acquired the remaining 50% of
Cable London which we did not already own. Consequently, our consolidated
financial results for the year ended December 31, 2000 include a full year's
results of Cable London. Prior to November 23, 1999, we accounted for our 50%
interest in Cable London under the equity method and its results to that date
are shown in share of net losses of affiliates.
Our merger with Flextech was completed on April 19, 2000 and accordingly
the results of Flextech have been consolidated from that date.
Our acquisition of Eurobell from Deutsche Telekom was completed on
November 1, 2000 and, accordingly, the results of Eurobell have been
consolidated from that date.
Revenue
Our consolidated revenue increased by (pound)283 million or 36.0% from
(pound)786 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 to (pound)1,069 million
for the year ended December 31, 2000. This increase was primarily attributable
to revenue increases in residential telephony and our Business Division along
with the full-year impact of the Cable London acquisition (approximately
(pound)76 million), the Flextech merger (approximately (pound)81 million) and
the Eurobell acquisition (approximately (pound)10 million).
Residential Services Revenue (Consumer Division)
Residential services revenue represents a combination of consumer cable
television revenue and consumer cable telephony revenue together with internet
and other income.
Our residential services revenue increased by (pound)131 million or 21.5%
from (pound)609 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 to (pound)740
million for the year ended December 31, 2000. The increase was primarily
attributable to an increase in customer homes connected, an increase in average
monthly revenue per household and the full-year impact of the Cable London
acquisition.
Total customer homes connected increased by 105,775 or 6.7% from
1,585,566 at December 31, 1999 to 1,691,341 at December 31, 2000. The increase
in homes connected resulted primarily from the impact of the Eurobell
acquisition, which contributed 83,968 customers from November 1, 2000. Household
penetration decreased slightly by 0.4% from 35.7% at December 31, 1999 to 35.3%
at December 31, 2000.
Average monthly revenue per household increased by (pound)2.53 or 7.2%
from (pound)34.92 for the year ended December 31, 1999 to (pound)37.45 for the
year ended December 31, 2000. The increase in average monthly revenue per
household resulted from higher call volumes in residential telephony, retail
price rises in cable television introduced on February 1, 2000, higher
subscriber revenues generated by Active Digital versus analogue services and an
increase in the proportion of customer households that subscribe to both our
cable television and telephony products. This dual penetration, which results
55
from the continued market acceptance of combined cable television and telephony
products packages, grew to 64.8% at December 31, 2000 from 62.3% a year earlier.
Our residential services revenue also benefited from the full-year impact
of the Cable London acquisition, which added approximately 135,000 customers
from November 23, 1999. This acquisition contributed to a 12.5% increase in the
average number of homes connected from 1,427,049 for the year ended December 31,
1999 to 1,606,441 for the year ended December 31, 2000.
Cable Television Revenue
Cable television revenue increased by (pound)21 million or 8.1% from
(pound)258 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 to (pound)279 million
for the year ended December 31, 2000. The increase was principally attributable
to an increase in the number of CATV subscribers connected, retail price
increases introduced on February 1, 2000 and higher monthly revenues per
subscriber from our Active Digital services, offset in part by lower monthly
revenue per analogue subscriber. A highly competitive market, in which retail
price increases were restricted, limited the total increase in cable television
revenue.
Total CATV subscribers connected increased by 94,050 or 8.1% from
1,155,560 at December 31, 1999 to 1,249,610 at December 31, 2000. The increase
in subscribers resulted from the impact of the Eurobell acquisition, which
contributed 51,461 analogue subscribers from November 1, 2000 and the continued
introduction of Active Digital.
At December 31, 2000, 53.8% of all customer homes connected subscribed to
our analogue cable television product and 20.1% subscribed to Active Digital.
During the three-month period ended September 30, 2000, we experienced the
disruption of digital sales due to a worldwide shortage of flash memory chips,
which limited the supply of digital set-top boxes. Once this situation had been
resolved, in partnership with our supplier, we initiated a national campaign on
October 2, 2000 to re-launch our Active Digital services and by the end of 2000
we had 377,664 sales and an installed base of 339,195 digital customers. Active
Digital, comprised of 150 television and radio channels, pay-per-view movies,
interactive services and television e-mail, was rolled out in all franchise
areas excluding the recently acquired Eurobell. At December 31, 2000, just under
20% of our digital households had "set-up," our television e-mail account.
Average monthly revenue per cable television subscriber, decreased by
6.9% from (pound)20.94 for the year ended December 31, 1999 to (pound)19.50 for
the year ended December 31, 2000, primarily due to the introduction of the
lower-priced Millennium packages and an increased percentage of subscribers
choosing lower-priced service offerings, offset in part by a retail price
increase of (pound)2.00 in February 2000 and an increase in the number of our
Active Digital subscribers. Average monthly revenue for digital subscribers was
(pound)26.11 for the year ended December 31, 2000 compared with (pound)18.65 for
analogue subscribers.
Product penetration increased by 0.1 percentage point from 26.0% at
December 31, 1999 to 26.1% at December 31, 2000. This increase in penetration
resulted from improved customer take-up of Active Digital packages and a
reduction in churn during the three-month period ended December 31, 2000. In the
three-month period ended December 31, 2000, product churn fell 2.7 percentage
points to 26%. Product churn had increased during the three months ended
September 30, 2000, principally as a result of the migration of our analogue
subscribers to digital during the roll-out of Active Digital and the set-top box
shortage described above. We attribute the ensuing decrease in churn to
better-perceived value and improved customer service and satisfaction. Product
churn remained steady at 26% for the years ended December 31, 1999 and December
31, 2000.
Consumer Telephony Revenue
Consumer telephony revenue increased by (pound)111 million or 33.2% from
(pound)334 million at December 31, 1999 to (pound)445 million at December 31,
2000. The increase in consumer revenue was primarily due to increases in the
average number of residential lines and an increase in average monthly revenue
per residential line.
The average number of residential lines increased by 133,314 or 9.0% from
1,484,838 at December 31, 1999 to 1,618,152 at December 31, 2000. The increase
in the average number of residential lines resulted primarily from the impact of
the Cable London acquisition, which added approximately 115,000 lines from
November 23, 1999, the Eurobell acquisition, which added approximately 80,000
lines from November 1, 2000, and a decrease in product churn.
56
Average monthly revenue per line increased by 12.5% from (pound)20.38 for
the year ended December 31, 1999 to (pound)22.92 for the year ended December 31,
2000. The increase in the average monthly revenue per line was primarily
attributable to our new increased price structure known as "3-2-1 Free,"
increased minutes of use by our telephony subscribers (including increased use
of the internet and our internet services) and the continued strong penetration
of second lines to customer households at 10.9% at increased prices, and was
partially offset by a decrease in average revenue per minute.
Average call volume increased by approximately 50.0% from December 31,
1999 to December 31, 2000, although our average revenue per minute decreased by
approximately 14.0%. While a growing number of calls were made to mobile
operators, boosting telephony revenue per minute, this was more than offset by
the effects of price competition on our telephony charges and a change in mix of
the calls made by our telephony subscribers, particularly the increase in the
percentage of calls made to ISPs at lower retail rates (or at no charge in the
case of our own SurfUnlimited customers) and free cable-to-cable local calls.
Product churn improved from 20.0% for the year ended December 31, 1999 to
19.8% for the year ended December 31, 2000. This product churn rate is the
lowest rate we have recorded since September 30, 1997.
In February 2000, we launched SurfUnlimited, the UK's first unmetered
internet access service. As a result, and together with our Pay As You Go
metered internet service, the number of dial-up internet subscribers increased
by 220,064 or 364.9% from 60,306 at December 31, 1999 to 280,370 at December 31,
2000.
Our high-speed internet service for home personal computers,
"blueyonder," was launched in March 2000. Shortly thereafter, responsibility for
the blueyonder portal was passed to Flextech (our Content Division) which had
recently been acquired. Pending resolution of some early technical problems and
to allow our Content Division to develop the broadband portal, we suspended
active marketing of blueyonder until the start of 2001, when we began marketing
on a national basis. As at December 31, 2000, we had 6,893 blueyonder
subscribers. With the exception of the Eurobell franchise areas, we now have
full coverage across all of our regions.
Business Services Revenue (Business Division)
Business services revenue increased by (pound)71 million or 40.1% from
(pound)177 million at December 31, 1999 to (pound)248 million at December 31,
2000. This increase resulted in part from the increased sales of voice and data
services, primarily to SMEs, strong growth in commercial services contracts and
increases in the number of business customer accounts and lines, respectively.
Our Commercial Services Unit, which provides national network services to
third-parties, thereby exploiting our fixed network investment by providing new
revenues at higher margins, also contributed (pound)65 million of revenue, up
(pound)48 million or 282.4% from (pound)17 million in 1999. These revenues were
enhanced by a large contract with 360 Networks, which contributed (pound)36
million of revenue in 2000.
Business customer accounts increased by 8,160 accounts or 14.0% from
58,347 at December 31, 1999 to 66,507 at December 31, 2000, and business
telephony lines increased by 59,291 lines or 19.4% from 306,244 at December 31,
1999 to 365,535 at December 31, 2000. The Eurobell acquisition contributed
approximately 3,900 accounts and 32,000 lines, respectively, from November 1,
2000. Business service revenue also benefited from the result of the full-year
impact of the Cable London acquisition, which contributed approximately 4,000
accounts and 25,000 lines from November 23, 1999.
The average monthly revenue per line decreased by 11.8% from (pound)54.53
for the year ended December 31, 1999 to (pound)48.08 for year ended December 31,
2000, partly due to increased competition in the marketplace and partly due to
our acquisition of Eurobell, which experienced lower average monthly revenues.
In 2000, the Business Division launched "Blueyonder Workwise," the UK's
first broadband internet service aimed specifically at SMEs. This service offers
a range of e-commerce services to support business customers (including e-mail
and web hosting).
Content Division Revenue
57
Our merger with Flextech was completed on April 19, 2000 and,
accordingly, the results of Flextech have been consolidated from that date,
recording net revenues of (pound)81 million for the period from acquisition to
December 31, 2000.
For illustrative purposes (based on Flextech's UK GAAP financial
statements), Flextech's revenue, including its share of joint ventures' revenue,
increased by (pound)17 million or 10.3% from (pound)165 million for the year
ended December 31, 1999 to (pound)182 million for the year ended December 31,
2000. This increase resulted primarily from a 25.5% increase in the UK
pay-television market to nearly 9.6 million homes at December 31, 2000, up from
7.6 million homes at December 31, 1999. This was offset, in part, by lower
subscription rates from Sky Digital subscribers.
On the same basis, advertising revenue (including Flextech's share of
joint ventures' advertising revenue) increased 19.0% to (pound)62 million in the
year ended December 31, 2000 compared with (pound)50 million in the year ended
December 31, 1999. This compares to growth in television national advertising
revenue in 2000 of 6.9%, and growth in pay-television advertising revenue of
13.9%. Flextech's share (including UKTV, its joint venture with BBC Worldwide)
of basic pay television increased viewing to 23.1% in 2000 from 21.8% in 1999.
Other Revenue (now reclassified as Internet and Other Revenue)
Other revenue, which arises wholly in our Consumer Division, decreased
marginally by (pound)1 million or 5.9% from (pound)17 million in the year ended
December 31, 1999 to (pound)16 million in the year ended December 31, 2000. The
decrease arises partially as a result of the Cable London acquisition (Cable
London's results are now consolidated with ours; prior to its acquisition, other
revenue included management charges received from Cable London), offset in part
by an increase in internet income of (pound)4 million in 2000 over 1999.
Telewest's ISP, SurfUnlimited, was launched in February 2000 and contributed
significantly to this increase. Further revenues are derived from the sale of
cable publications and sales of advertising airtime, negotiated as part of
channel carriage agreements.
Operating Costs and Expenses
Our operating costs and expenses, before depreciation and amortization,
increased by (pound)261 million or 43.7% from (pound)597 million for the year
ended December 31, 1999 to (pound)858 million for the year ended December 31,
2000. This increase arises principally from increased telephony interconnection
charges (described below), the full-year impact of the Cable London acquisition,
the Flextech merger and the Eurobell acquisition, costs relating to our
subsequent restructuring and significant expenses in launching our new digital
television and high-speed internet product offerings.
Consumer programming expenses increased by (pound)0.4 million or 0.3%
from (pound)131.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 to (pound)132.3
million for the year ended December 31, 2000. This represented 15.4% of total
operating costs before depreciation and amortization for the year ended December
31, 2000, a decrease from 22.1% for the corresponding year ended December 31,
1999. These expenses are payments to program providers generally based on the
numbers of subscribers to individual channels under long-term contracts or, in
the case of BSkyB, an industry rate card. Increased consumer programming
expenses were principally the result of the increased cost of programming for
our digital packages, which have more channels than their analogue counterparts,
and were largely offset by lower programming expenses resulting from an increase
in the number of our television subscribers choosing to subscribe to packages
with fewer or no premium channels, the elimination on consolidation of
programming fees paid for Flextech content following the Flextech merger and
continuing favorable trends in distribution. As a percentage of cable television
revenues, programming expenses decreased by 3.8 percentage points from 51.1% for
the year ended December 31, 1999 to 47.3% for the year ended December 31, 2000.
The effect of the Flextech merger on programming expenses which, since
acquisition, are eliminated on consolidation, would have been that programming
expenses expressed as a percentage of cable television revenues, would only have
decreased by 1.1 percentage points from 51.1% in 1999 to 50.0% in the year 2000.
Business and consumer telephony expenses increased by (pound)77 million
or 48.7% from (pound)158 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 to
(pound)235 million for the year ended December 31, 2000. This represented 27.4%
of total operating costs before depreciation and amortization for the year ended
December 31, 2000, a slight increase of 0.9% from 26.5% for the previous year.
These costs are principally payments to third-party network providers for
terminating calls, which originate on our networks (i.e., interconnection
charges). As a percentage of consumer telephony and business services revenue,
58
telephony expenses increased from 30.6% for the year ended December 31, 1999 to
33.9% for the year ended December 31, 2000, principally as a result of the Cable
London acquisition, the Eurobell acquisition and the increase in the proportion
of our total traffic terminating on mobile networks or third-party ISPs where
interconnection charges result in higher unit termination costs.
The Content Division's cost of sales for the period since its merger with
Telewest was (pound)46 million or 56.8% of the Content Division's revenue. The
Content Division's cost of sales consists principally of amortization costs of
programs shown on our television channels, direct costs associated with our
advertising revenues and costs of products sold through our web and
transactional services.
SG&A which include, among other things, salary and marketing costs,
increased by (pound)138 million or 44.9% from (pound)307 million for the year
ended December 31, 1999 to (pound)445 million for the year ended December 31,
2000. Expressed as a percentage of total revenue, SG&A was 41.6% for the year
ended December 31, 2000, an increase from 39.1% for the year ended December 31,
1999. This increase reflects, in part, the increase in expenses required to
launch Active Digital and blueyonder, both in terms of staff and marketing, and
our restructuring subsequent to the Flextech merger and Eurobell acquisition,
which accounted for (pound)19.7 million of additional costs, partially offset by
a decrease in employee share-based compensation costs from (pound)26 million in
the year ended December 31, 1999 to (pound)5 million in the year ended December
31, 2000. Share-based compensation costs will continue to fluctuate depending on
the movement of our share price. Staff costs (after capitalization) increased to
(pound)229 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 from (pound)158 million
for the year ended December 31, 1999, reflecting an increase of approximately
2,400 employees from a base of approximately 6,900 in 1999. This increase in
employees reflects our continuing focus on customer service, a reduction in the
use of contractors for installation and requirements to support high-speed
internet and digital television.
Total labor and overhead costs capitalized in connection with new
subscriber installations and network build increased from (pound)126 million for
the year ended December 31, 1999 to (pound)175 million for the year ended
December 31, 2000. The level of capitalized labor and overhead increased
primarily as a result of the full-year impact of the Cable London acquisition,
the Eurobell acquisition and the installations required for new subscribers to
Active Digital services.
Depreciation expense increased by (pound)118 million or 38.7% from
(pound)305 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 to (pound)423 million
for the year ended December 31, 2000. These increases were attributable to
increased capital expenditure associated with the roll-out of Active Digital and
high-speed data equipment, the full-year impact of the Cable London acquisition,
the Eurobell acquisition, the Flextech merger and the re-assessment of the
useful life of analogue assets in connection with the roll-out of digital
television services. With effect from January 1, 2000, all analogue assets,
which were previously to be depreciated over five years, are now being
depreciated over 2000 and 2001.
Amortization expense increased by (pound)85 million or 137.1% from
(pound)62 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 to (pound)147 million for
the year ended December 31, 2000. This increase is primarily as a result of the
Flextech merger.
Other Income/(Expense)
Other expense, net of income, totalled (pound)385 million for the year
ended December 31, 2000. This consisted primarily of interest expense, which
increased by (pound)92 million or 31.4% from (pound)293 million for the year
ended December 31, 1999 to (pound)385 million for the year December 31, 2000,
and was partially offset by a decrease in net losses on foreign exchange of
(pound)34 million or 69.4% from (pound)49 million for the year ended December
31, 1999 to (pound)15 million for the year ended December 31, 2000.
Interest expense increased by (pound)92 million for the year ended
December 31, 2000, primarily as a result of the additional interest expense
incurred from additional borrowing to fund the roll-out of digital television
and high-speed internet products, acquisitions and general working capital, in
particular the interest relating to our Senior Discount Notes due 2009, issued
in April 1999, our Senior Notes and Senior Discount Notes due 2010, issued in
January 2000, and our Senior Convertible Notes 2005, issued in July 2000, offset
in part by reduced overall borrowings under our senior secured bank facilities.
Interest receivable and similar income increased by (pound)8 million or
114.3% from (pound)7 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 to (pound)15
million for the year ended December 31, 2000.
59
Foreign exchange losses, net, arose principally from the re-translation
of our US dollar-denominated debentures and notes to pounds sterling using the
December 31, 2000 exchange rate and marking associated derivative instruments to
their market value at December 31, 2000.
Our share of the net losses of our affiliated companies, accounted for
under the equity method of accounting, increased by (pound)9 million or 150%
from (pound)6 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 to (pound)15 million
for the year ended December 31, 2000. The principal affiliates of the Telewest
Group are UK Gold Holdings Limited, UK Channel Management Limited, SMG, TVT,
Blueyonder Workwise Ltd and SmashedAtom Ltd. Following the Cable London
acquisition in November 1999, Cable London is no longer an affiliated company
and its results are included in the consolidated results of Telewest.
B. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We have a number of unused sources of liquidity. As of December 31, 2001,
these sources include the ability to access (pound)741 million committed but
undrawn amounts under the Senior Secured Facility. The Senior Secured Facility
also permits us to access up to (pound)105 million under the Institutional
Tranche and an additional (pound)239 million in vendor financing, but current
market conditions and the recent downgrading of our corporate credit ratings may
mean that we are not able to access these sources. See "Risk Factors."
In 2002, we had the ability to terminate in-the-money derivative contracts
that fluctuate in value. In March 2002, we terminated certain of these
derivative contracts, netting (pound)74 million to us, and in May 2002, we
realized an additional (pound)30 million. This cash is currently held by us as a
further source of liquidity.
The Group also has a number of assets that could be sold, however, no
assurance can be given that buyers can be found for such assets, or, if found,
that the consideration offered for such assets would justify their sale.
Notwithstanding the sources of liquidity discussed above, the downgrading
of our corporate credit ratings and the ratings of our outstanding debt is
likely to increase our cost of borrowing and may mean that we are not able to
make future borrowings.
Since our initial public offering in 1994, we have financed the capital
costs of our network construction, our operations and our investments in General
Cable, Birmingham Cable, Cable London, Flextech, Eurobell and in affiliated
companies, primarily from:
o the proceeds of the initial public offering of our ordinary shares
((pound)414 million, net of fees);
o the issuance in September 1998 of ordinary shares as partial
funding for the General Cable merger ((pound)241 million);
o the issuance in November 1999 of ordinary shares under a rights
issue to fund the Cable London acquisition ((pound)416 million);
o the issuance to Deutsche Telekom ("DT") in November 2000, January
2001 and May 2001, respectively, of an aggregate of (pound)254
million Accreting Convertible Notes due 2003 as consideration for
its 100% interest in Eurobell;
o the issuance in October 1995 of $300 million principal amount of
Senior Debentures due 2006 and $1,537 million principal amount at
maturity of Senior Discount Debentures due 2007;
o the issuance in November 1998 of $350 million principal amount of
Senior Notes due 2008;
o the issuance in February 1999 of(pound)300 million principal
amount of Senior Convertible Notes due 2007;
o the issuance in April 1999 of (pound)325 million principal amount
at maturity and $500 million principal amount at maturity of
Senior Discount Notes due 2009;
60
o the issuance in January 2000 of $450 million principal amount at
maturity of Senior Discount Notes due 2010 and (pound)180 million
principal amount and $350 million principal amount of Senior Notes
due 2010;
o the issuance in July 2000 of $500 million Senior Convertible Notes
due 2005;
o borrowings under the Senior Secured Facility and Institutional
Tranche (as described below) (an aggregate of (pound)1,360 million
outstanding at December 31, 2001);
o the raising during 2001 of a net(pound)33 million loan, secured by
a charge over our shares in SMG; and
o cash from operations.
Where appropriate, we also use vendor financing. At December 31, 2001,
obligations under these vendor financing arrangements amounted to (pound)261
million ((pound)238 million in respect of finance leasing to fund the purchase
of certain equipment and (pound)23 million of finance provided by vendor
companies) ((pound)245 million and (pound)nil, respectively, at December 31,
2000).
We face the following significant risks and uncertainties:
o continued ability to raise finance to fund our operations;
o successful execution of our long-term business plan, which in turn
will affect our ability to raise further finance under the Senior
Secured Facility (see below);
o the need to meet financial and other covenants relating to debt
instruments; and
o the downgrading of our corporate credit ratings and the ratings of
our outstanding debt is likely to increase our cost of borrowing
and may mean that we are not able to make future borrowings.
For the year ended December 31, 2001, we generated a net cash inflow from
operating activities of (pound)1 million compared with an outflow of (pound)15
million for the year ended December 31, 2000.
We incurred a net cash outflow from investing activities of (pound)549
million for the year ended December 31, 2001 compared with (pound)545 million
for the year ended December 31, 2000, an increase of (pound)4 million or 0.7%.
Capital expenditures accounted for (pound)548 million of the total in 2001
compared with (pound)527 million in 2000. See "--Capital Expenditure" below.
Net cash provided by financing activities totalled (pound)502 million for
the year ended December 31, 2001 compared with (pound)555 million for the year
ended December 31, 2000. For the year ended December 31, 2001, net cash provided
by financing activities includes the repayment on March 16, 2001 of (pound)810
million and (pound)122 million under our old senior secured credit facility and
the Flextech facility, respectively, with a drawdown from our new Senior Secured
Facility. In connection with our acquisition of Eurobell, on January 15, 2001,
DT remitted a cash payment of (pound)30 million to Eurobell, and we issued an
additional Accreting Convertible Note for the same amount.
We anticipate that our principal uses of cash in the future will be to
fund operating losses and capital expenditure, to make appropriate investments
and to service debt. Although we expect to continue to incur operating losses,
we anticipate that they will begin to reduce as we realize the expected benefits
of our roll-out of digital television and high-speed internet services which we
believe will increase product penetration, increase revenue per customer in our
residential, business and content markets, and achieve the cost efficiencies of
delivering these services over our owned broadband network. We also expect to
have significant capital needs in the future. Nevertheless, with the majority of
our network construction complete and substantially all network upgrades
necessary for delivery of telephony and digital services complete, we anticipate
that our capital expenditure will be largely driven by connecting new
subscribers and the launch of new products, and consequently, will vary
depending upon the take-up of our services. In May 2002, we announced a plan to
reduce operating costs through such measures as divisional reorganization and
head count reductions and to reduce capital expenditures by delaying or
cancelling non-core projects such as video-on-demand.
61
We anticipate that our principal sources of funds in the future will be
cash flow from operating activities, proceeds from bank facilities, additional
vendor financing, if available, the strategic sale of assets and cash in hand.
Our future actual funding requirements could exceed currently anticipated
requirements. Differences may result from higher-than-anticipated costs or
capital expenditure and/or lower than anticipated revenues. Our actual costs,
capital expenditure and revenues will depend on many factors, including, inter
alia, consumer demand for voice, video, data and internet services, the impact
on our business of new and emerging technologies, the extent to which consumer
preference develops for cable television over other methods of providing in-home
entertainment, the development of the interactive e-commerce market, consumer
acceptance of cable telephony as a viable alternative to BT's telephony
services, and the continued downward pressure on telephony margins.
In addition, we continually review possibilities for accelerating our
delivery of bundled broadband services via a range of existing and new
distribution platforms and, as part of that strategy, we may acquire one or more
companies or their assets. Although the primary consideration for such
acquisitions may be our ordinary shares, we may also elect to fund such
acquisitions with the cash proceeds from indebtedness or cash flow from
operating activities. Any such acquisition could increase our funding
requirements.
As of December 31, 2001, we had cash balances of (pound)14 million
(excluding (pound)12 million that is restricted as to use to providing security
for leasing obligations and (pound)8 million that is on deposit guaranteeing a
temporary overdraft of an affiliated company). As of December 31, 2001, we had
(pound)741 million available to be drawn down under our Senior Secured Facility.
Following the Flextech Merger in April 2000, we had two separate bank
facilities:
o we were party to a(pound)1.5 billion senior secured credit
facility; and
o Flextech and its subsidiaries were party to a (pound)200 million
senior secured credit facility.
On March 16, 2001, we entered into a new senior secured credit facility
(the "Senior Secured Facility") with a syndicate of banks for (pound)2 billion.
The terms of the loan agreement governing the Senior Secured Facility also
allowed us to raise a further (pound)250 million from institutional investors
(the "Institutional Tranche") and raise a further (pound)500 million of vendor
financing. The first drawdown under this new facility was used to repay our old
senior secured credit facility and the Flextech facility, noted above. On
October 17, 2001, GE Capital Structured Finance Group Limited, an affiliate of
GE Capital, lent us (pound)125 million as part of the additional (pound)250
million Institutional Tranche. Additionally, on March 12, 2002, we announced
that we had secured a further (pound)20 million of institutional funding from
Newcourt Capital (UK) Ltd., a subsidiary of CIT Group Inc. As of December 31,
2001, (pound)261 million of vendor financing had been incurred.
Borrowings under the Senior Secured Facility are secured on our assets,
including partnership interests and shares of subsidiaries, and bear interest at
between 0.5% and 2.25% above LIBOR (depending on the ratio of borrowings to
quarterly annualized consolidated net operating cash flow). Borrowings under the
Institutional Tranche bear interest at up to 4% above LIBOR. The terms of the
new facility restrict transfers or disposals of assets from certain subsidiary
companies. These restrictions relate to the type and value of the consideration
that can be accepted. Our ability to borrow under the Senior Secured Facility
and the Institutional Tranche is subject to, among other things, our compliance
with the financial and other covenants set forth in the loan agreement governing
that facility and failure to comply with those covenants could result in all
amounts outstanding thereunder becoming immediately due and payable. We were in
compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2001 and as of today, and
expect to be in compliance for at least 12 months from the date of approval of
our financial statements (February 28, 2002).
We regularly monitor our ongoing ability to draw down under the
facilities, which is dependent on satisfying the financial covenants. As with
most growth businesses, further increases in business performance and
profitability are necessary to ensure continued compliance with the terms of the
covenants. However, as with any forecast information, the principal assumptions
are clearly subject to a degree of risk, in particular, our ability to increase
revenues in accordance with our plans. If we were unable to remain compliant
with our covenants (or to meet our debt service obligations), we could attempt
to restructure or refinance some or all of our existing indebtedness or to seek
additional funding. We cannot assure you, however, that we would be able to do
so on satisfactory terms, if at all. The downgrading of our credit ratings in
March and April 2002 may mean that we are not able to make future borrowings. A
62
restructuring of our debt could take the form of a debt-for-equity swap, which
may result in severe dilution for existing shareholders at the time of the swap.
We believe we have adequate resources to continue in operational
existence for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of our
financial statements (February 28, 2002). As a result of our debt obligations
maturing beginning in late 2003 and uncertainty as to our ability to satisfy
those obligations, we are currently considering alternative options to stabilize
our medium and longer term liquidity position. We and our auditors review from
time to time our ability to meet our obligations going forward and to continue
in operational existence, and we will undertake such a review in connection with
the preparation of our interim financial statements for the six months ending
June 30, 2002. We cannot now determine what our position will be with respect to
future financial statements.
Although we believe that our current credit facilities are satisfactory
to meet our funding requirements going forward for at least 12 months from the
date of approval of our financial statements (February 28, 2002) and that our
actual net funding requirements and net operating cash flows will not differ
significantly from those currently anticipated, we cannot assure you that this
will be the case. Differences may result from higher than anticipated costs and
capital expenditure and/or lower than anticipated revenues. To the extent that
differences arise, such differences could require us to request waivers from the
Senior Secured Facility Banks to prevent breaching certain covenants in the
Senior Secured Facility and/or to obtain additional financing and/or to amend or
refinance our bank facilities. Such waivers and/or new financing and/or
amendments or refinancings may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.
Our inability to obtain the requisite waivers and/or to obtain additional
financing and/or to amend or refinance our bank facilities may result in a
default under our Senior Secured Facility and could result in a default under
the indentures that govern our high yield and convertible debt securities.
We may from time to time choose to repurchase our outstanding debt
securities for cash and/or in exchange for equity securities, in open market
purchases or privately negotiated transactions. Such repurchases or exchanges
will depend on, among other things, prevailing market conditions and our
liquidity requirements. The amounts of repurchased or exchanged debt securities
may be material.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
Our contractual obligations and commercial commitments are summarized in
the table below, and are fully disclosed in our audited consolidated financial
statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Payments Due by Period
Less than After
Contractual Obligations Total 1 year 1-3 years 4-5 years 5 years
- ----------------------- ----- ------ --------- --------- -------
(in millions of(pound))
Long-term debt......................... 4,897 60 269 943 3,625
Capital lease obligations.............. 292 63 102 76 51
Operating leases....................... 187 24 42 25 96
Unconditional purchase obligations..... 561 561 - - -
Other long-term obligations............ 9 - 9 - -
- --------------------------------------------- ----------- -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Total contractual obligations.......... 5,946 708 422 1,044 3,772
- --------------------------------------------- ----------- -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
The following table includes information about our commercial commitments
as of December 31, 2001. Commercial commitments are items that we could be
obligated to pay in the future. They are not required to be included in the
balance sheet.
63
Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period
Total
Other Commercial Amounts Less than After
Commitments Committed 1 year 1-3 years 4-5 years 5 years
- ------------------------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- -------
(in millions of(pound))
Guarantees............................ 27 3 4 - 20
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------- --------------- -------------- ------------- -----------
We have no other contractual or commercial commitments.
Capital Expenditure
Additions to property and equipment in the year ended December 31, 2001
totalled (pound)653 million, an increase of (pound)58 million from (pound)595
million for the year ended December 31, 2000. This increase includes (pound)44
million of additions relating to Eurobell for the year ended December 31, 2001.
Our capital expenditure has primarily funded the construction of local
distribution networks and our National Network, capital costs of installing
customers, and enhancing the network for new product offerings. The additions in
2001 were principally a result of network upgrades and new digital set-top boxes
and modems in connection with our roll-out of digital television and high-speed
internet services. At December 31, 2001, our broadband network, including
Eurobell, was capable of providing 78% of the homes in our franchises with both
cable television and cable telephony services.
We have substantially completed all network upgrades necessary for
delivery of our digital television and high-speed internet services.
Consequently, we anticipate that capital expenditure associated with our
existing and currently planned services will be largely driven by connecting new
subscribers and the launch of new products, and will vary depending upon the
take-up of our services. Capital expenditure in the first quarter of 2002 of
(pound)124 million is in line with management guidance of (pound)500 million to
(pound)550 million for the full-year to December 31, 2002.
Included in the table of contractual obligations shown above is a total
of (pound)28 million relating to capital expenditure authorized by us for which
no provision has been made in our consolidated financial statements. This amount
includes subscriber installations (e.g., set-top boxes) for customer growth,
network enhancements and computer projects necessary for the maintenance of the
infrastructure of our business. In addition, and also included in the table, we
have contracted to buy (pound)14 million of programming rights for which the
license period has not yet started. These commitments will be funded when
required from operating cash flow and available bank facilities. Both of these
amounts are shown as being payable in less than one year.
C. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, PATENTS, LICENSES, ETC.
Not applicable.
D. TREND INFORMATION
See "Item 5.A--Operating and Financial Review and Prospects -- Operating
Results" and "Item 5.B--Operating and Financial Review and Prospects --
Liquidity and Capital Resources" for a discussion of information required by
this item.
E. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO THE GROUP
The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") has issued several new
accounting standards which are disclosed in note 3 to our audited consolidated
financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A. DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Board of Directors
Our Board consists of 11 directors, including four executive directors,
three non-executive directors (all designated by Liberty Media) and four
independent non-executive directors. The business address of the Telewest
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directors is Telewest Communications plc, Genesis Business Park, Albert Drive,
Woking, Surrey GU21 5RW, United Kingdom.
Name Age Position Held
---- --- -------------
Anthony William Paul Stenham....... 70 Chairman*
Robert Bennett..................... 44 Director**
Charles Burdick.................... 51 Group Finance Director
Stephen Cook....................... 42 Group Strategy Director
and General Counsel
Miranda Curtis..................... 46 Director**
Graham Hollis...................... 50 Director**
Denise Kingsmill CBE............... 55 Director*
Mark Luiz.......................... 49 Chief Operating Officer,
Cable Division
Anthony Rice....................... 50 Director*
Adam Singer........................ 50 Group Chief Executive
Stanislas Yassukovich CBE.......... 67 Director*
- ----------
* Independent non-executive director.
** Non-executive director appointed by Liberty Media.
Mr. Stenham has served as the independent non-executive Chairman of the
Board of Telewest since December 1999 and served as a consultant to the
executive committee of a joint venture (the "Joint Venture") between MediaOne
and Liberty Media, which combined their respective UK cable interests, from May
1994 until the Joint Venture was acquired by the predecessor to Telewest ("Old
Telewest") in November 1994 in connection with Telewest's initial public
offering. Prior to his appointment as Chairman, Mr. Stenham served as an
independent non-executive director and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Telewest
from November 1994 until December 1999. He was chairman of Arjo Wiggins Appleton
plc (a manufacturer and distributor of paper products) from 1990 to November
1997. Previously, Mr. Stenham was a Managing Director of Bankers Trust Company
from 1986 to 1990. Prior to this, Mr. Stenham was an executive director of
Unilever N.V. and Unilever plc for 15 years. Mr. Stenham serves as a
non-executive director of various companies, including Altnamara Shipping plc (a
luxury cruise ship company), Standard Chartered Plc (a commercial bank), Jarrold
& Sons plc (multiple retail shops and specialized printing) and The Management
Consultancy (a business consulting services provider). Mr. Stenham also
currently serves as the non-executive chairman of IFonline Group plc (a business
support company) and Whatsonwhen plc (a travel and entertainment content
provider).
Mr. Bennett has served as a non-executive director of Telewest since the
completion of the Flextech Merger in April 2000. He is President and Chief
Executive Officer of Liberty Media, a position he has held since April 1997. Mr.
Bennett has been with Liberty Media since its inception in 1990, serving as its
principal financial officer and in various other officer capacities. Mr. Bennett
is a Director of Liberty Livewire Corporation (a provider of content
preparation, management and distribution services), Liberty Satellite &
Technology Inc. (a holding company for satellite and wireless businesses),
Discovery Communications Inc. (a cable network operator), USA Networks Inc. (a
media and electronic commerce company), Liberty Digital, Inc. (a media company)
and UnitedGlobalCom, Inc. (a broadband communications company).
Mr. Burdick was appointed Group Finance Director in February 1997 and has
served as a director of Telewest since September 1996. From September 1996 to
February 1997, he served as acting Group Finance Director. Prior to this, he was
Vice President Finance and Assistant Treasurer of MediaOne from 1990. Prior to
joining MediaOne, Mr. Burdick worked in Treasury and Corporate Development
positions at, among others, Time Warner Inc. and Carnation International.
Mr. Cook was appointed to serve as Group Strategy Director and director of
Telewest in April 2000 following completion of the Flextech Merger. He has
served as General Counsel of Telewest since August 2000. Previously he served as
General Counsel, Company Secretary and as an executive director of Flextech from
October 1998. Prior to that, he was a partner with Wiggin and Co., Flextech's
principal legal advisors, from April 1995 until October 1998. Previously Mr.
Cook was a partner at the law firm of McGrigor Donald from May 1993 until April
1995. Mr. Cook also serves as a non-executive director of SMG.
Ms. Curtis was appointed to serve as a non-executive director of Telewest
in September 1998. She has been President of Liberty Media International Inc.
("LMI") since February 1999. Prior to that, she served as Executive Vice
President of LMI from September 1996 until February 1999. From May 1992 until
August 1996, Ms. Curtis served in senior management positions for LMI. Prior to
joining Liberty Media, she worked in the UK cable industry with the predecessors
65
of Telewest and Flextech and in the BBC's commercial division. Ms. Curtis is a
director of Jupiter Telecommunications Co., Ltd (a cable television broadcasting
services provider), Jupiter Programming Co., Ltd (a television programming and
content provider), MultiThematiques SA (a European supplier of multichannel
programming) and Princes Holding Limited (a cable provider).
Mr. Hollis has served as a non-executive director of Telewest since March
1999. He has been an Executive Vice President of LMI since September 1996 and
LMI's Chief Financial Officer since May 1995. Previously, Mr. Hollis was
Director of Finance of LMI from July 1994 until May 1995. Prior to joining LMI,
Mr. Hollis was Vice President -- Finance at DTC Management, LLC, a subsidiary of
the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company ( "P&O ") until July 1994.
Mr. Hollis held several other finance and accounting positions with subsidiaries
of P&O from September 1986 until December 1994. Mr. Hollis also serves on the
board of directors of The Wireless Group plc (a radio station operator), Jupiter
Telecommunications Co., Ltd. (a cable television broadcasting services provider)
and Princes Holding Limited (a cable provider).
Ms. Kingsmill was appointed to serve as an independent non-executive
director of Telewest in June 2001. Ms. Kingsmill has served as Deputy Chairman
of the UK Competition Commission since October 1997. Previously she served as an
advisor to Denton Wilde Sapte from 1994 until January 2000, specializing in the
areas of employment law and corporate governance. Ms. Kingsmill is a
non-executive director of Manpower UK Ltd. (an employment services provider) and
of the Home Office (a UK governmental agency that is equivalent to the US
Department of Interior). She is also a trustee of the Design Museum as well as a
member of the Advisory Board of the Cambridge Business School (the Judge
Institute).
Mr. Luiz was appointed chief operating officer of the Cable Division in May
2002. He served as the chief executive of the Content Division from the
completion of the Flextech Merger in April 2000 to May 2002. Mr. Luiz has served
as a director of Telewest since November 2000. Mr. Luiz joined Flextech in 1994
as Chief Financial Officer and was appointed Finance Director in 1995. Prior to
joining Flextech, Mr. Luiz served as Chief Finance Officer for United Artists
Programming from 1992, having joined them as financial controller in 1988.
Mr. Rice was appointed to serve as an independent non-executive director of
Telewest in September 1998, following completion of the General Cable Merger.
Mr. Rice served as a non-executive director of General Cable from October 1997
to the completion of the General Cable Merger. He is the chief executive of
Tunstall Group Ltd. (an electronics manufacturing company), having served in
this position since April 2002. From January 2001 to April 2002, he served as
the Group Managing Director -- Ventures at British Aerospace Systems. From
December 1999 to December 2000, Mr. Rice was the Group Director -- Supply Chain
Management of British Aerospace Systems. Prior to that, Mr. Rice served as Group
Managing Director -- Commercial Aircraft of British Aerospace plc ("BAe")
(responsible for the Airbus, regional aircraft and asset management businesses
of BAe), from June 1998 until December 1999. Previously he was Chief Executive
of British Aerospace Asset Management from September 1995 to June 1998 and Group
Treasurer of BAe from July 1991 to September 1995. Mr. Rice is a non-executive
director of Oasis International Leasing (a provider of lease financing
services).
Mr. Singer has served as Group Chief Executive of Telewest since the
completion of the Flextech Merger in April 2000. Previously, he served as Chief
Executive of Flextech from October 1998 until April 2000, and as Chairman of
Flextech from June 1997 until April 2000. Prior to that he was President and
Chief Operating Officer of the Tele-Communications group of companies (now LMI)
(the "TCI group") from October 1994 until May 1997. He joined the TCI group in
September 1988 as a vice president of its wholly owned subsidiary, United
Artists Entertainment Limited. Before joining the TCI group, Mr. Singer held
senior management positions with Viacom International, Inc. and the BBC. Mr.
Singer served as a non-executive director of Telewest from November 1995 until
March 1998, and has served as a non-executive director of SMG since September
1995.
Mr. Yassukovich was appointed as an independent non-executive director in
April 2000 upon completion of the Flextech Merger and until such completion had
served as the non-executive Deputy Chairman of the Board of Flextech from June
1997 and as a non-executive director of Flextech from August 1989, including the
period from August 1989 until June 1997, when he served as the non-executive
Chairman of the Board of Flextech. Mr. Yassukovich is currently Chairman of
Henderson EuroTrust plc (an investment trust company), Park Place Capital
Limited (an investment management company), Manek Investment Management Ltd (an
investment management company) and Deputy Chairman of ABC International Bank
plc. He serves on the board of ABC Investment Holdings Limited, ABC Property
Fund Management (Guernsey) Limited and Atlas Capital Limited. Mr. Yassukovich
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was formerly Deputy Chairman and CEO of the European Banking Group, Chairman of
Merrill Lynch Europe and Middle East and a former Deputy Chairman of the London
Stock Exchange.
Senior Executives
The individuals set out below are senior executives of the Combined Group.
Name Age Position Held
---- --- -------------
Adam Singer............. 50 Group Chief Executive
Charles Burdick......... 51 Group Finance Director
Stephen Cook............ 42 Group Strategy Director and General
Counsel
Mark Luiz............... 49 Chief Operating Officer, Cable Division
For certain biographical information concerning Messrs. Singer, Burdick,
Cook and Luiz see "-- Board of Directors."
B. INTERESTS OF THE BOARD, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
Directors' Interests in Transactions
None of the directors has or has had any interest in any transactions which
are or were unusual in their nature or conditions or significant to our business
taken as a whole and which were effected during the current or immediately
preceding financial year or during any earlier financial year and which remain
in any respect outstanding or unperformed.
67
C. COMPENSATION
The following table shows the remuneration paid to our executive and
non-executive directors for the year ended December 31, 2001.
Performance-
Salaries/ Related Total Emoluments Pension
Fees Benefits Bonuses Excluding Pensions Contributions (1)
---- -------- ------- ------------------ -----------------
((pound)in thousands)
EXECUTIVE
Charles Burdick 377 11 283(2) 671 14
Stephen Cook 335 3 112 470 70
Robert Fuller (resigned 273 10 - 283 61
August 31, 2001)
Mark Luiz 338 14 109 461 40
Adam Singer 575 18 186 779 58
NON-EXECUTIVE
Robert Bennett - - - - -
Lord Borrie QC (resigned 17 - - 17 -
June 21, 2001)
Miranda Curtis - - - - -
Dennis Durkin (appointed - - - - -
August 2, 2001; resigned May
14, 2002)
Graham Hollis - - - - -
Neil Holloway (resigned - - - - -
August 2, 2001)
Denise Kingsmill CBE 18 - - 18 -
(appointed June 22,
2001)
Anthony Rice 35 - - 35 -
Anthony Stenham(3) 175 15 - 190 -
Salman Ullah - - - - -
(resigned May 14,
2002)
Henry Vigil - - - - -
(resigned May 14,
2002)
Stanislas Yassukovich CBE 41 - - 41 -
------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------------- ------------------
2,204 71 690 2,965 243
------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------------- ------------------
- ------------------
Notes:
(1) The pension contributions for the directors were paid into their
personal pension schemes. None of the directors are members of our
money purchase occupational pension plan. Bonuses paid to directors are
not pensionable.
(2) Of Mr. Burdick's(pound)283,000 bonus,(pound)170,000 was paid as a
special bonus in respect of his contribution to the negotiations in
obtaining the new Senior Secured Credit Facilities.
(3) Mr. Stenham receives an annual fee of(pound)175,000 and support
services or compensation in lieu thereof, up to a maximum
of(pound)75,000.
Performance-related Bonus Scheme
For the year under review, Messrs. Singer, Burdick, Cook and Luiz
participated in the former Flextech bonus scheme under which the level of bonus
payable was based on EBITDA for the Telewest Group, the achievement of personal
targets and share price growth.
Also, for the year under review, a special non-recurring bonus was paid to
Mr. Burdick in respect of his contribution to the negotiations in obtaining the
new Senior Secured Credit Facilities.
For 2002, each of the executive directors will participate in a bonus
scheme under which the level of bonus payable will be based on EBITDA for the
Telewest Group and the achievement of personal and team targets. The bonus
payable under this scheme will be 40% of salary for achieving targets, rising to
a maximum of 65% of salary for exceeding targets.
Former Directors and Compensation for Loss of Office
Messrs. Durkin, Ullah and Vigil resigned as directors on May 14, 2002.
They received no compensation for loss of office.
Mr. Fuller resigned as the chief executive of Telewest's Cable Division,
on August 31, 2001. He received no compensation for loss of office.
Mr. Holloway resigned as a director on August 2, 2001. He received no
compensation for loss of office.
Lord Borrie QC resigned as a director on June 21, 2001. He received a pro
rated annual fee in the amount of (pound)17,000 for his service as a director
during 2001, but received no compensation for loss of office.
Remuneration Policy for Non-executive Directors
The remuneration policy for independent non-executive directors was changed
in May 1999. Previously, the directors had received an annual fee plus a fee of
(pound)1,000 per meeting attended. From May 1999, an annual fee of (pound)35,000
per annum was awarded to each of the independent non-executive directors, with
the exception of Mr. Yassukovich, who received (pound)41,000 per annum, and Mr.
Stenham, who received (pound)125,000 per annum. Mr. Stenham also received a
contribution of (pound)10,000 to office expenses. Following Mr. Stenham's
appointment as Chairman, he entered into a service agreement with Telewest for a
fixed term of one year from December 1, 1999 continuing thereafter unless
terminated on 12 months' notice, except that in the event of a change of
control, the notice period is 24 months. The contract provides for Mr. Stenham
to receive an annual fee of (pound)175,000 and support services or compensation
in lieu thereof, up to a maximum of (pound)75,000. The non-executive directors
are not eligible for pension scheme membership and, other than disclosed
elsewhere in this Annual Report, do not participate in any of the Company's
bonus, share option or other incentive schemes. They are re-elected at each
annual general meeting. Their remuneration is approved by the Board of
Directors. The shareholder-designated directors have no formal appointment
letters and are not paid by Telewest for their services as Board members.
Executive Director Service Contracts
68
Messrs. Burdick, Cook, and Luiz have employment agreements which
continue until terminated by either party giving the other not less than 12
months' notice. Mr. Singers' employment agreement continues unless terminated by
him giving Telewest not less than 12 months' notice or by Telewest giving him
not less than 24 months' notice. In addition, Mr. Burdick's employment agreement
can be terminated, subject to certain conditions, upon a change of control (as
defined in the employment agreement). If notice is given by either party within
the 6 months following the date of the change of control, the notice period
shall be 6 months if given by Mr. Burdick to Telewest, or 24 months, if given by
Telewest to Mr. Burdick. See "--Compensation" for a table summary of the
financial terms of such employment agreements.
D. BOARD PRACTICES
Board Powers, Composition and Term of Office
Resolutions were approved at the annual general meeting of Telewest held on
June 21, 2001 to amend the Relationship Agreement to which Liberty Media and
Microsoft are parties. This section contains summaries of provisions of our
Articles of Association (the "Articles") and the Relationship Agreement.
Powers
Telewest's Board may exercise all of its powers that are not specifically
reserved for the shareholders by the Companies Act, by its Memorandum of
Association, by its Articles or by a resolution of the shareholders, whether
relating to the management of its business or otherwise. Every director who is
present at a Board meeting shall have one vote. In the case of an equality of
votes, the Chairman of the Board has no casting vote. A director may designate
an alternate to attend any Board meeting, and such alternate shall have all the
rights of a director at such meeting.
The Articles require the vote of a majority of the directors (or
alternates) present at a duly convened meeting for the approval of all Board
actions.
Composition
The arrangements between Telewest, Liberty Media and Microsoft provide
that the Board shall consist of no more than 16 directors (unless consent is
given) and that for so long as Liberty Media owns 12.5% or more of our shares,
it will be entitled to appoint three directors to the Board and for so long as
Microsoft owns 12.5% or more of our shares, it will also be entitled to appoint
three directors to the Board. Each of Liberty Media and Microsoft is entitled to
appoint two directors to the Board if it holds 5% or more of our shares.
Liberty Media and Microsoft have agreed that if there is any arrangement
to which we are a party (or proposes to be a party), which gives rise to a
conflict between the interests of Telewest and those of Liberty Media or
Microsoft, then the approval of the independent directors and the directors
appointed by the non-conflicted shareholder shall be required before the
arrangement can proceed.
The quorum for a meeting of the Board consists of a majority of the
directors. Under the formal shareholder arrangements, Liberty Media and
Microsoft have agreed that on any matter requiring Board approval, they will
cause the directors designated by them to vote together as agreed by them
(subject to each director's fiduciary duties to us), or in the absence of such
agreement, to vote together in the manner that would be most likely to maintain
the status quo without materially increasing our financial obligations or
materially deviating from the approved budget and business plan. However,
notwithstanding this provision, Microsoft has undertaken that it will cause the
directors designated by it to vote (subject to their fiduciary duties) in all
matters as the independent directors (or a majority of them) recommend, unless
either Microsoft has a conflict of interest in relation to any matter (in which
case its designated directors will abstain from voting) or Liberty Media
enforces its rights to require the Microsoft designated directors to vote in the
manner that would most likely maintain the status quo as described above.
If either the Liberty Media directors or Microsoft directors (as the case
may be) are precluded from voting on any matter because of a conflict of
interest, the members of the other shareholder group may vote, subject to
Microsoft's undertakings, described above, on such matter as they deem
appropriate. On a conflict of interest in relation to Liberty Media and
Microsoft, whichever of the representative directors has the conflict will not
be required to be part of the quorum and will have no rights to vote in respect
of the conflict in question. Notwithstanding this, such directors will still be
entitled to attend and be heard on the matter at the relevant Board meeting.
69
Any committee appointed by the Board shall include one Liberty Media
director, and one Microsoft director (unless they consent otherwise), provided
that a majority of the members of the committee are independent directors.
The shareholder arrangements also provide that, for so long as Liberty
Media or Microsoft hold 15% or more of our shares, the consent of Liberty Media
and/or Microsoft (as appropriate) must be obtained by us before:
(a) making any material acquisition or disposal out of the ordinary
course of business including any transaction which would qualify as a
Class 2 transaction under the Listing Rules of the UK Listing
Authority or which the Board intends to announce;
(b) incurring any borrowings or indebtedness in excess of(pound)50
million in aggregate (other than the existing facilities);
(c) allotting or issuing shares or securities convertible into shares or
granting options;
(d) appointing or removing our group chief executive officer; or
(e) increasing the number of directors holding office beyond 16.
Microsoft has undertaken, however, that it will not exercise its right
under this provision to withhold its consent to any appointment or removal of
our group chief executive officer. Microsoft has also undertaken that, provided
that certain conditions are satisfied, it will not exercise its right to
withhold its consent in the circumstances described in paragraphs (a) and (b)
above.
The shareholder rights described above can be assigned to members of the
relevant shareholder's group.
Term of Office
All of Telewest's directors shall hold office until the next annual general
meeting following their elections and, in any event, until their successors have
been elected or their earlier resignation or removal from office pursuant to the
Articles. Accordingly, at each of Telewest's annual general meetings, each of
the directors may stand for election or re-election.
On a vote or resolution of Telewest to remove any director appointed by
Liberty Media or Microsoft in accordance with the rights set out above, members
of Liberty Media or Microsoft, as appropriate, shall in aggregate have twice the
number of votes of all other members present and voting.
There is no maximum age for a director and no director is required to own
any of Telewest's shares.
Committees
The Board may delegate any of its power and authority for such time and on
such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate to a committee consisting of
one or more directors (subject to appointment rights provided to Liberty Media
and Microsoft below) and one or more other persons (if thought fit). Pursuant to
the Articles, the majority of members of any committee must be directors and the
Chairman and the majority of members of any committee must be independent of
both Microsoft and Liberty Media.
The Articles provide that, for so long as they have the right to appoint
directors, each committee shall include one representative designated by the
Microsoft and one representative designated by Liberty Media (unless such groups
or directors otherwise consent). Pursuant to the Articles, no resolution of a
committee is effective unless a majority of those present when it is passed are
directors.
We have established an audit committee (the "Audit Committee") and a
remuneration committee (the "Remuneration Committee"), each with formally
delegated duties and responsibilities. The Audit Committee comprises two
independent non-executive directors, including one designee from Liberty Media.
The Audit Committee is chaired by Mr. Rice and its other members are Ms.
Kingsmill and Messrs. Hollis and Yassukovich. Mr. Hollis is designated by
Liberty Media. The Audit Committee meets regularly (at least four times per
year) and is responsible for ensuring that our financial performance is properly
measured and reported on and for reviewing reports from the auditors relating to
70
financial statements and internal controls. The Audit Committee has unrestricted
access to the independent auditors.
The Remuneration Committee comprises three independent non-executive
directors, and one designee from Liberty Media. The Remuneration Committee is
chaired by Mr. Yassukovich, and its other members are Ms. Kingsmill, Ms. Curtis
and Mr. Rice. Ms. Curtis was designated by Liberty Media. The Remuneration
Committee meets at least four times per year and is responsible for setting the
remuneration and terms of employment of our senior executives. The Remuneration
Committee is also responsible for administering our share and other employee
incentive plans.
E. EMPLOYEES
Employees
The average number of persons employed by us (including our directors)
during the years ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively, analyzed
by category, was as follows:
1999 2000 2001
---- ---- ----
Sales and customer services...... 3,206 4,129 5,160
Construction and operations...... 2,667 3,647 3,756
Administration................... 1,026 1,526 1,745
----- ----- ------
Total........................ 6,899 9,302 10,661
===== ===== ======
The average number of persons employed during a year is calculated by
averaging the number of persons employed at the end of each of the 12 months
within that period. The average number of persons employed by us does not
include employees of Cable London prior to December 1, 1999, of Flextech prior
to May 1, 2000 and Eurobell prior to October 1, 2000.
At December 31, 2001, we had approximately 10,500 employees. On May 2, 2002
we announced that we were reducing our total staffing levels to approximately
9,000.
None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. We
believe that our relationship with our employees is good.
F. SHARE OWNERSHIP
Directors' Ownership of Telewest Shares and Telewest ADSs
As at the close of business on June 26, 2002 (being the latest practicable
date prior to the publication of this Annual Report) the interests (all of which
are beneficial unless otherwise stated) of the directors and (so far as the
directors are aware, having made due and careful enquiry) persons connected with
them (within the meaning of Section 346 of the Companies Act) in our share
capital which have been notified to us pursuant to Section 324 or 328 of the
Companies Act or which are required to be entered into the register maintained
pursuant to Section 325 of the Companies Act and the existence of which is known
to, or could with reasonable diligence be ascertained by the directors, were as
follows:
Number
------
Anthony William Paul Stenham........... 40,000
Charles Burdick........................ 294,201
Denise Kingsmill....................... 30,983
Mark Luiz 20,631
Anthony Rice........................... 27,120
Adam Singer............................ 194,508
Stanislas Yassukovich.................. 47,513
--------
654,956
========
71
Directors' Options
The following table details options to acquire our ordinary shares
granted under our Executive Share Option Schemes and our Sharesave Schemes held
by our directors:
Number of
shares Exercise
Granted/ under price
Number of shares (lapsed) Date of option at per
under option at during Grant/ December Exercise Share
December 31, 2000 2001 Lapse Note 31, 2001 Period (pence)
----------------- ---- ----- ---- -------- ------ -------
CJ Burdick 27,486 - - a 27,486 03/13/2000 - 109.1
03/12/2007
800,542 - - b 800,542 03/13/2000 - 108.7
03/12/2007
1,192,982 - - b 1,192,982 06/30/2003 - 228.0
06/29/2010
583,333 06/07/2001 b 583,333 06/07/2004 - 120.0
06/06/2011
233,333 11/16/2001 b 233,333 11/16/2004 - 75.0
11/15/2011
- ----------------- ------------------ --------------- ------------ -------- ------------- ------------------------ --------
Totals 2,021,010 816,666 2,837,676
- ----------------- ------------------ --------------- ------------ -------- ------------- ------------------------ --------
SS Cook 21,394 - - 1,a 21,394 06/22/2000 - 140.2
04/21/2002*
742,021 - - 1,b 742,021 06/22/2000 - 140.2
04/21/2002*
982,456 - - b 982,456 06/30/2003 - 228.0
06/29/2010
421,052 - - b 421,052 11/21/2003 - 114.0
11/20/2010
10,977 - - c 10,977 02/01/2004 - 88.3
07/31/2004
583,333 06/07/2001 b 583,333 06/07/2004 - 120.0
06/06/2011
233,333 11/16/2001 b 233,333 11/16/2004 - 75.0
11/15/2011
- ----------------- ------------------ --------------- ------------ -------- ------------- ------------------------ --------
Totals 2,177,900 816,666 2,994,566
- ----------------- ------------------ --------------- ------------ -------- ------------- ------------------------ --------
MW Luiz 169,223 - - 1,b 169,223 06/19/1998 - 99.9
06/18/2005
397,776 - - 1,b 397,776 06/19/1998 - 99.9
06/18/2002*
1,052,631 - - b 1,052,631 06/30/2003 - 228.0
06/29/2010
10,977 - - c 10,977 02/01/2004 - 88.3
07/31/2004
583,333 06/07/2001 b 583,333 06/07/2004 - 120.0
06/06/2011
233,333 11/16/2001 b 233,333 11/16/2004 - 75.0
11/15/2011
- ----------------- ------------------ --------------- ------------ -------- ------------- ------------------------ --------
Totals 1,630,607 816,666 2,447,273
- ----------------- ------------------ --------------- ------------ -------- ------------- ------------------------ --------
AN Singer 12,765 - - a 12,765 06/30/2003 - 235.0
06/29/2010
1,741,229 - - b 1,741,229 06/30/2003 - 228.0
06/29/2010
8,414 (8,414) 11/30/2001 1,c - - -
1,000,000 06/07/2001 b 1,000,000 06/07/2004 - 120.0
06/06/2011
400,000 11/16/2001 b 400,000 11/16/2004 - 75.0
11/15/2011
3,247 12/14/2001 c 3,247 02/01/2005 - 58.5
07/31/2005
- ----------------- ------------------ --------------- ------------ -------- ------------- ------------------------ --------
Totals 1,762,408 1,394,833 3,157,241
- ----------------- ------------------ --------------- ------------ -------- ------------- ------------------------ --------
AWP Stenham 10,977 - - c 10,977 02/01/2004 - 88.3
07/31/2004
- ----------------- ------------------ --------------- ------------ -------- ------------- ------------------------ --------
Totals 10,977 - 10,977
- ----------------- ------------------ --------------- ------------ -------- ------------- ------------------------ --------
The following table details entitlements to our ordinary shares under
the Telewest Long Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") held by our directors:
Number of shares Lapsed Transferred Number of shares
at December 31, 2000 during 2001 Note during 2001 at December 31, 2001 Transfer dates
-------------------- ------------ ---- ----------- -------------------- --------------
CJ Burdick 116,365 - 2 (116,356) 9 -
132,211 - 3 (66,099) 66,112 From 03/20/2002
185,116 (185,116) - -
51,546 - - 51,546 50% from
03/30/2003
50% from
03/30/2004
- ------------- ----------------------- ------------- -------- -------------- -------------------- --------------------
Totals 485,238 (185,116) (182,455) 117,667
- ------------- ----------------------- ------------- -------- -------------- -------------------- --------------------
The following details entitlements to our ordinary shares under the
Telewest Equity Participation Plan held by our directors:
Number of Matching allocation Transferred Number of shares
bonus shares at as at December 31, Note during 2001 at December 31, Transfer dates
December 31, 2000 2001 2001
------------------ ------------------ ---- ----------- --------------- --------------
CJ Burdick 14,180 14,180 4 (28,360) - -
14,989 25,401 - 40,390 From
03/22/2002
- -------------- ------------------- --------------------- ------ ------------- -------------------- ------------------
Totals 29,169 39,581 (28,360) 40,390
- -------------- ------------------- --------------------- ------ ------------- -------------------- ------------------
72
The following details entitlements to our ordinary shares under the
Telewest Restricted Share Scheme held by our directors:
Number of shares at Number of shares at
December 31, 2001 Awarded during 2001 December 31, 2001 Transfer dates
----------------- ------------------- ----------------- --------------
CJ Burdick - 185,915 185,915 From 6/12/2004
- ------------- ----------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------------
Total - 185,915 185,915
- ------------- ----------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- ----------------------
- ---------------------
Notes:
(a) Approved Executive Share Options
(b) Unapproved Executive Share Options
(c) Sharesave Schemes
* These options have lapsed since December 31, 2001.
1. Flextech options were exchanged for replacement options over our shares on
the basis of 3.78 Telewest shares for each Flextech share under option. These
options continue to be governed by the rules of the relevant Flextech scheme and
as a result of the option exchange there are no performance conditions attached
to these options.
2. The market value at the time of transfer on November 16, 2001 was(pound)0.74
per share. Based on this price, the gross gain on transfer was(pound)86,100.
3. The market value at the time of transfer on March 23, 2001 was(pound)1.19 per
share. Based on this price, the gross gain on transfer was(pound)78,660.
4. The market value at the time of transfer of the matching shares on March 23,
2001 was(pound)1.19 per share. Based on this price, the gross gain on transfer
was(pound)16,880.
The middle-market price on December 31, 2001, was (pound)0.62 and the
range during the year was (pound)1.61 to (pound)0.23. More information on share
price movements during the year is given in "Item 9.A--The Offer and
Listing--Offer and Listing Details."
Save as disclosed above, no right to subscribe for our shares or those
of our subsidiaries was granted to or exercised by a director, or any member of
his or her immediate family during 2001.
None of the directors are or were interested in our limited voting
convertible ordinary share capital. Save as disclosed above, the directors had
no interests in our issued share capital or that of our subsidiaries at the
dates given above.
On May 31, 2002, the Telewest 1994 Employees' Share Ownership Plan
Trust held 1,036,099 ordinary shares. Each of the executive directors is taken
to have a technical interest in all the ordinary shares held by the trustees.
Save as noted above, the interests of the directors set out herein have
not changed between the end of the financial year and the date of this report.
73
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to persons
known to Telewest to be the beneficial owners, as at June 26, 2002 (being the
latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Annual Report),
directly or indirectly, of 5% or more of the aggregate number of ordinary shares
and limited voting shares. So far as we are aware, unless otherwise discussed
below, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with
respect to all Ordinary Shares and Telewest Limited Voting Shares indicated as
being beneficially owned by them. See "Item 3.E--Key Information--Risk
Factors--Influence of, and Changes in, Principal Shareholders."
Number of Percentage of
Number of Telewest Limited Telewest Issued
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Ordinary Shares Voting Shares Share Capital
------------------------------------ --------------- ------------- -------------
Liberty Media Corporation(1) 722,205,225 22,185,093 25.1
9197 South Peoria Street
Englewood, Colorado 80112
Microsoft Corporation(2) 636,056,024 60,322,654 23.6
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, Washington 98052
Capital Research and Management Company 190,920,901 -- 6.5
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
All directors and officers of the 654,956 -- *
Company as a group
- ----------
* Less than 0.1%.
(1) Of the ordinary shares that are listed as beneficially owned by Liberty
Media, 218,820,543 ordinary shares are registered in the name of
Liberty Flex Holdings, 19,945,721 ordinary shares are registered in the
name of Liberty UK Holdings, Inc., 463,438,961 ordinary shares are
registered in the name of Liberty UK Inc. and 20,000,000 ordinary
shares are registered in the name of Liberty TWSTY Holdings Inc., each
a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media. The 22,185,093 limited
voting shares listed as beneficially owned by Liberty Media are
registered in the name of Liberty UK Holdings Inc.
(2) Of the ordinary shares that are listed as beneficially owned by
Microsoft, 229,930,002 ordinary shares are registered in the name of
Nortrust Nominees Limited (on behalf of Microsoft Corporation Ltd),
365,740,820 ordinary shares and 60,322,654 limited voting shares are
registered in the name of Nortrust Nominees Ltd, designated MUKCI, and
40,385,202 ordinary shares are registered in the name of Nortrust
Nominees Ltd, designated MCPHI. Nortrust Nominees Ltd, designated
MUKCI, and Nortrust Nominees Ltd, designated MCPHI, hold their shares
for the benefit of Microsoft U.K. Cable Inc. and Microsoft Cable
Partnership Holdings, Inc. (each a wholly owned subsidiary of
Microsoft), respectively.
B. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Identity of Relevant Related Parties
Liberty Media, Microsoft and MediaOne are related parties of the Telewest
Group, in that they control or controlled, directly or indirectly, more than 20%
of the voting rights of the Company in 2001, 2000 and 1999.
Cable London up to its acquisition on November 23, 1999 was a related
party of the Telewest Group by virtue of its status as an associated company.
74
Flextech up to its acquisition on April 19, 2000 was a related party of
the Telewest Group because Liberty Media owned more than 20% of the voting
rights of Flextech.
UKTV and TVT became related parties of the Telewest Group with the
Flextech acquisition, and at December 31, 2001, we owned 50% and 38% of the
voting rights, respectively. In April 2002, we agreed to dispose of our 38%
interest in TVT to USA Networks Inc. as part of USA Networks Inc.'s agreement to
purchase TVT. See "Item 4.B -- Information on the Company -- Recent
Developments."
During the year, Screenshop Limited ("Screenshop") became a related party
when we sold our shareholding in Screenshop to sit-up Limited in return for a
36.36% shareholding in sit-up Limited.
Nature of Transactions
We had a (pound)10 million loan facility with Liberty Media. Interest
charged on this loan was (pound)nil (2000:(pound)1 million). The balance due to
Liberty Media at December 31, 2000 was (pound)17 million including accrued
interest and was repaid during the year.
Additionally, we purchase software and consultancy services from
Microsoft, on normal commercial terms. Purchases in the year ended December 31,
2001 amounted to (pound)2 million (2000: (pound)2 million). The balance
outstanding in respect of these purchases was (pound)nil at December 31, 2001
and 2000.
In the normal course of providing cable television services, we purchase
certain of our programming from Flextech. Such programming is purchased on
commercially available terms. Total purchases in the period to acquisition in
2000 and in the year ended December 31, 1999 amounted to (pound)4 million and
(pound)9 million, respectively.
We made loans to Cable London prior to its acquisition in November 1999.
Interest charged on these loans in the year ended December 31, 1999 was (pound)3
million.
We have charged management fees to UKTV of (pound)nil (2000: (pound)3
million). In addition, we have recharged overheads and costs incurred on their
behalf to UKTV, TVT and Screenshop of (pound)8 million, (pound)3 million and
(pound)1 million (2000: (pound)7 million, (pound)10 million and (pound)nil),
respectively. We have also made a loan to UKTV. Interest charged on this loan
was (pound)12 million (2000: (pound)15 million). Amounts due from UKTV, TVT and
Screenshop at December 31, 2001 were (pound)217 million, (pound)28 million and
(pound)nil, respectively (2000: (pound)229 million, (pound)31 million and
(pound)nil, respectively).
In the normal course of our business, we purchase programming from UKTV.
Purchases in the year ended December 31, 2001 were(pound)5 million
(2000:(pound)4 million, 1999:(pound)2 million). The balance due to UKTV at
December 31, 2001 was(pound)2 million (2000:(pound)nil).
On June 12, 2002 Liberty TWSTY Bonds, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Liberty Media, launched a tender offer for: (i) up to $60.0 million of our 9
5/8% Senior Debentures due 2006, (ii) up to $307.3 million of our 11% Senior
Discount Debentures due 2007, (iii) up to $70.0 million of our 11 1/4% Senior
Notes due 2008, (iv) up to (pound)65.0 million of our 9 7/8% Sterling Senior
Discount Notes due 2009, (v) up to $100.0 million of our 9 1/4% Senior Discount
Notes due 2009, (vi) up to (pound)36.0 million of our 9 7/8% Sterling Senior
Notes due 2010, (vii) up to $70.0 million of our 9 7/8% Senior Notes due 2010
and (viii) up to $90.0 million of our 11 3/8% Senior Discount Notes due 2010. We
issued a response to the tender offer on June 24, 2002 indicating that we were
unable to take a position with respect to the tender offer because we were
unable to determine whether the tender offer was beneficial or detrimental to
the holders of such notes and debentures. See "Item 4.B-- Information on the
Company -- Recent Developments."
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The financial statements required by this item are found in Item 18 of
this Annual Report, beginning on page F-2.
Legal Proceedings
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Neither Telewest nor any other member of the Telewest Group is or has been
engaged in any legal or arbitration proceedings, nor are any such proceedings
pending or threatened by or against it, which have had a significant effect on
the our financial position during the 12 months preceding the date of this
Annual Report.
Dividend Policy
We currently do not expect to pay dividends, but our Board will review our
dividend policy from time to time. Any determination to pay dividends will be at
the discretion of our Board and will depend upon the availability of
distributable profits, our operating results, financial condition and capital
requirements, general business conditions and such other factors as the Board
deems relevant. We cannot assure you as to if or when we will begin to pay
dividends. Under English law, we can only pay dividends out of profits available
for distribution, as more particularly described in the UK Companies Act 1985.
Cash dividends, if any, will be paid by us in pounds sterling. Holders of
ADSs will receive dividends in US dollars. Exchange rate fluctuations will
affect the US dollar amount received by holders of ADSs on conversion by the
Depositary of dividends paid in pounds sterling.
B. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
Not applicable.
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
A. OFFER AND LISTING DETAILS
The following tables sets forth, for the periods indicated, (a) the high
and low middle-market quotations for our shares on the London Stock Exchange and
(b) the high and low reported closing prices of our ADSs on The Nasdaq National
Market ("Nasdaq"). For current price information, shareholders are urged to
consult publicly available sources.
Five Most Recent Fiscal Years
Telewest shares(1) Telewest ADSs(2)
------------------ ----------------
High Low High Low
1997................... 133.5 pence 63.0 pence $22.00 $10.75
1998................... 208.5 pence 70.0 pence $33.63 $11.63
1999................... 351.3 pence 173.5 pence $58.00 $28.25
2000................... 563.0 pence 103.3 pence $87.88 $14.00
2001................... 161.0 pence 23.0 pence $23.50 $3.50
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Quarterly Data for Two Most Recent Years
Telewest shares(1) Telewest ADSs(2)
------------------ ----------------
High Low High Low
2000 First Quarter.......................... 563.0 pence 307.5 pence $87.88 $50.00
Second Quarter ........................ 481.5 pence 228.0 pence $84.50 $33.50
Third Quarter.......................... 258.0 pence 132.0 pence $39.00 $19.50
Fourth Quarter......................... 142.5 pence 103.3 pence $20.88 $14.00
2001 First Quarter.......................... 161.0 pence 100.8 pence $23.50 $14.75
Second Quarter ....................... 139.0 pence 83.5 pence $20.40 $11.65
Third Quarter ......................... 93.3 pence 23.0 pence $13.14 $3.50
Fourth Quarter ........................ 81.5 pence 28.0 pence $11.03 $3.85
2002 First Quarter ......................... 67.5 pence 11.3 pence $9.75 $1.85
Second Quarter (through June 26,
2002) ................................. 13.5 pence 2.3 pence $2.04 $0.35
Most Recent Six Months
Telewest Shares (1) Telewest ADSs (2)
-------------------------------- --------------------
High Low High Low
December 2001 ........................ 74.0 pence 55.0 pence $10.54 $7.75
January 2002 ......................... 67.5 pence 34.5 pence $9.75 $4.95
February 2002 ........................ 38.0 pence 17.0 pence $5.17 $2.36
March 2002 ........................... 17.5 pence 11.3 pence $2.85 $1.85
April 2002 ........................... 13.5 pence 8.0 pence $2.04 $1.30
May 2002.............................. 10.5 pence 5.0 pence $1.70 $0.80
June 2002 (through June 26, 2002)..... 5.0 pence 2.3 pence $0.82 $0.35
-----------
(1) The middle market quotations set out for the Telewest shares are
derived from the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange.
(2) The prices set out for the Telewest ADSs are provided by the Nasdaq.
Our ADSs are evidenced by American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") issued by
The Bank of New York, as the depositary (the "Depositary") under an amended and
restated deposit agreement (the "Deposit Agreement"), dated as of November 30,
1994 (as amended as of October 2, 1995), among us, the Depositary and all
holders and beneficial owners of ADRs issued thereunder.
As of May 31, 2002, 3,732,721 ADRs evidencing 3,732,721 ADSs (representing
37,327,210 ordinary shares) were held of record in the United States. These ADRs
were held by approximately 15 record holders, and collectively represented
approximately 1.3% of the total number of our outstanding ordinary shares. We
also believe that as of May 31, 2002, approximately 138,000 of our ordinary
shares were held of record by 28 US holders (not including those ordinary shares
beneficially owned by Liberty Media, Microsoft and MediaOne). Since certain of
these securities are held by brokers and other nominees, the number of record
holders in the United States may not be representative of the number of holders
or of where the holders are resident.
B. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Not applicable.
C. MARKETS
Our shares are listed and traded on the London Stock Exchange and trade
under the symbol "TWT." Our ADSs, each representing 10 ordinary shares, are
quoted on Nasdaq and trade under the symbol "TWSTY." The Bank of New York is the
depositary for our ADSs.
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D. SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
Not applicable.
E. DILUTION
Not applicable.
F. EXPENSES OF THE ISSUE
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. SHARE CAPITAL
Not applicable.
B. MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
The following is a summary of all material provisions of our Memorandum
and Articles of Association. This description does not purport to be complete
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Memorandum
and Articles which are available for inspection as described below in
"--Documents on Display."
Memorandum of Association
The Memorandum provides that the principal objectives of Telewest are,
among others, to act as a holding company, to construct and operate cable
television and cable telephony systems, to carry on the business of purchasers,
suppliers and dealers of programs and to do anything incidental or ancillary to
those purposes. The objectives of Telewest are set out in clause 4 of the
Memorandum.
Articles of Association
Telewest Shares
Voting Rights
Every holder of our Ordinary Shares who is present in person at a
general meeting shall have one vote on each matter to be presented, and on a
poll every shareholder who is present in person or by proxy shall have one vote
for every Ordinary Share held, in each case subject to (a) any special terms as
to voting that are attached to any shares that have been issued, and (b) to
disenfranchisement in the event of (i) non-payment of calls or other monies due
and payable in respect of the shares, (ii) non-compliance with a statutory
notice requiring disclosure as to beneficial ownership of shares or (iii) such
person's shareholding being detrimental to the grant, renewal or extension of
any of our Telecommunications Act licenses or Cable Television licenses. Voting
at a general meeting is by a show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may
be demanded by (i) the chairman of the meeting, (ii) not less than five
shareholders present in person or by proxy or entitled to vote, (iii) any
shareholder or shareholders present in person or by proxy and representing in
the aggregate not less than one-tenth of the total voting rights of all
shareholders entitled to attend and vote at such meeting, or (iv) any
shareholder or shareholders present in person or by proxy and holding shares
conferring a right to vote at the meeting on which there have been paid-up sums
in aggregate equal to not less than one-tenth of the total sum paid on all
shares conferring such right. Since under English law voting rights are only
conferred on registered holders of shares, a person holding through a nominee
may not directly demand a poll.
Unless otherwise required by law or the Articles, voting in a general
meeting is by ordinary resolution. An ordinary resolution (e.g., a resolution
for the election of directors, the approval of financial statements, the
declaration of a final dividend, the appointment of auditors, the increase of
authorized share capital or the grant of authority to allot shares) requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the shareholders present in person, in the
case of a vote by show of hands, or present in person or by proxy and holding
shares conferring in the aggregate a majority of votes actually cast on the
ordinary resolution, in the case of a vote by poll. A special resolution (e.g.,
a resolution amending the Memorandum or Articles, changing our name or waiving
the statutory pre-emption rights) or an extraordinary resolution (e.g., relating
to certain matters concerning our liquidation) requires the affirmative vote of
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not less than three-fourths of the shareholders present in person, in the case
of a vote by show of hands, or present in person or by proxy and holding shares
conferring in the aggregate at least three-fourths of the votes actually cast on
the resolution, in the case of a vote by poll. In the case of an equality of
votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman of the meeting is
not entitled to cast a deciding vote. Meetings generally are convened upon 21
days' notice (where a special or extraordinary resolution is being proposed) or
14 days' notice (where an ordinary resolution is being proposed), in each case
not including the days of delivery or receipt of the notice.
Quorum
The quorum at our general meetings shall be two or more persons holding
our Ordinary Shares who are present in person or by proxy.
Dividend Rights
Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act 1985 and of the
Articles, we may by ordinary resolution of the shareholders declare a dividend
to be paid to the shareholders according to their respective rights and
interests, but no such dividend may exceed the amount recommended by the
directors. The directors alone may also declare and pay such interim dividends
(including any dividends payable at a fixed rate) as appear to them to be
justified by our profits available for distribution. The directors may, with the
prior authority of an ordinary resolution of the shareholders, allot to those
holders of a particular class of shares who have elected to receive them further
shares of that class of ordinary shares, in either case credited as fully paid,
instead of cash in respect of all or part of a dividend or dividends specified
by the resolution, subject to any exclusions, restrictions or other arrangements
the Board may in its absolute discretion deem necessary or expedient to deal
with legal or practical problems under the laws of, or the requirements by a
recognized regulatory body or a stock exchange, in any territory. Except as
otherwise provided by the rights attached to shares, all dividends shall be
declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the shares in respect of
which the dividend is declared and paid. All dividends unclaimed for a period of
12 years from the date they become due for payment shall be forfeited by the
holder of the relevant shares.
Rights on Liquidation
Upon a voluntary winding-up of Telewest, the liquidator, subject to
English law, may divide among the shareholders in kind the whole or any part of
our assets, and for such purpose may set such value as he deems fair upon any
one or more class or classes of property. The liquidator may determine the basis
of such valuation and, in accordance with the then-existing rights of the
shareholders, how such division shall be carried out as between shareholders or
classes of shareholders. The liquidator may not, however, distribute to a
shareholder without his or her consent any asset to which there is attached a
liability or potential liability for the owner. If, on a liquidation, the assets
available for distribution to shareholders of a given class are insufficient to
repay all the paid-up share capital of such class, such assets shall be
distributed so that as far as possible the losses shall be borne by the
shareholders of such class in proportion to the capital paid upon the shares of
such class held by each shareholder at the commencement of the liquidation.
Pre-emptive Rights
The Articles do not contain any pre-emptive rights with respect to the
Ordinary Shares. The Companies Act confers on shareholders, to the extent not
waived, rights of pre-emption in respect of the issuance of equity securities
that are, or are to be, paid up wholly in cash. The term "equity securities"
means: (a) our shares other than shares which, with respect to dividends and
capital carry a right to participate only up to a specified amount in a
distribution and shares allotted pursuant to an employee share plan; and (b)
rights to subscribe for, or to convert into, such shares. These provisions may
be waived to a special resolution of the shareholders, either generally or
specifically, for a maximum period not exceeding five years. In addition,
pursuant to the rules of the UK Listing Authority, issuance of securities for
cash other than to existing equity shareholders in proportion to their holdings
must be approved by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders. However, a
waiver of the statutory pre-emptive right will also satisfy the UK Listing
Authority requirement.
Sanctions on Shareholders
A holder of our shares may lose the right to vote his or her Ordinary
Shares if he or she or any other person appearing to be interested in shares
held by him or her fails to comply within a prescribed period of time with a
request by us under Section 212 of the Companies Act to provide certain
information with respect to past or present ownership or interests in such
shares. In the case of holders of more than 0.25% in nominal amount of our share
capital (or any class thereof), in addition to disenfranchisement, the sanctions
that may be applied by us include withholding the right to receive payment of
dividends and other monies payable on Ordinary Shares and imposing restrictions
on transfers of the relevant Ordinary Shares.
79
Disclosure of Interests
Section 198 of the Companies Act provides that a person (including a
company and other legal entities) that acquires an interest, directly or
indirectly, of 3% or more of any class of shares (including through ADRs) that
comprise part of an English public company's "relevant share capital" (i.e.,
Telewest's issued share capital carrying the right to vote in all circumstances
at a general meeting of Telewest) is required to notify the company of its
interest within two business days following the day on which the notification
obligation arises. After the 3% level is exceeded, similar notifications must be
made in respect of increases or decreases of one percent or more.
For the purposes of the notification obligation, the interest of a
person in shares means any kind of interest in shares, including interests in
any shares: (a) in which a spouse, child or stepchild under the age of 18, is
interested; (b) in which a corporate body is interested and either (i) that
corporate body or its directors generally act in accordance with that person's
directions or instructions or (ii) that person controls one-third or more of the
voting power of that corporate body; or (c) in which another party is interested
and the person and that other party are parties to a "concert party" agreement
under Section 204 of the Companies Act. A "concert party" agreement provides for
one or more parties to acquire interests in shares of a particular company and
imposes obligations or restrictions on any one of the parties as to the use,
retention or disposal of such interest acquired pursuant to such agreement, and
any interest in such company's shares is in fact acquired by any of the parties
pursuant to the agreement. Certain interests (e.g., those held by certain
investment fund managers) may be disregarded for the purposes of calculating the
3% threshold, but the disclosure obligation will still apply where such
interests exceed 10% or more of any class of the company's relevant share
capital and to increases or decreases of one percent or more thereafter.
In addition, Section 212 of the Companies Act provides that a public
company may by written notice require a person whom the company knows or has
reasonable cause to believe to be, or to have been at any time during the three
years immediately preceding the date on which the notice is issued, interested
in shares consisting of the company's "relevant share capital" to confirm that
fact or to indicate whether or not that is the case, and where such person holds
or during the relevant time had held an interest in such shares, to give such
further information as may be required relating to such interest and any other
interest in the shares of which such person is aware.
Where notice is served by a company under the foregoing provisions on a
person who is or was interested in shares of the company and that person fails
to give the company any information required by the notice within the time
specified in the notice, the company may apply to the English court for an order
directing that the shares in question be subject to restrictions prohibiting,
among other things, any transfer of those shares, the exercise of voting rights
in respect of such shares, the taking-up of rights in respect of such shares
and, other than in liquidation, payments in respect of such shares.
A person who fails to fulfill the obligations imposed by Sections 198
and 212 of the Companies Act described above is subject to criminal penalties.
Special Provisions for License Protection; Required Disposals and
Restrictions on Voting
The Articles include special provisions designed to provide protections
against (a) revocation of licenses held by us and (b) prejudice to our prospects
of obtaining further licenses, or license extensions or renewals in the event of
direct or indirect interests in us being acquired by persons whose holdings of
such interests would or might be prejudicial to us with respect to our
Telecommunications Act licenses or Cable Television licenses. If the Board,
after requesting information from a shareholder and consulting with the
Independent Television Commission, the Department of Trade and Industry or any
other relevant authority they deem appropriate, determines that the interest of
such shareholder in our shares is or may be prejudicial to the retention, grant,
renewal or extension of a Telecommunications Act license or Cable Television
license, the Board may serve a written notice (a "Disposal Notice") on the
shareholder requiring a disposal to be made of all or some of those shares to a
person not connected with such shareholder to be made within such period as the
Board considers reasonable. If a Disposal Notice is not complied with (or not
complied with to the satisfaction of the Board), the Board shall, under its
authority contained in the Articles, make the required disposal using its
reasonable efforts to obtain the best price reasonably obtainable in the
circumstances within 30 days of the expiration of the Disposal Notice. The
directors and any persons giving any such advice to the directors, shall not be
liable to any person for failing to obtain the best price reasonably obtainable
provided the Board acted in good faith within the period specified above. The
net proceeds of the sale shall be paid (without interest and after deducting any
expenses incurred by us in the sale) to the former holder(s) on surrender by
such holder(s) of the certificate(s) in respect of the shares sold. Where any
shares to be disposed of pursuant to the above provision are held by a member of
the Liberty Media Group or the Microsoft Group, the Articles provide for us to
80
use our reasonable endeavors to allow the Liberty Media Group or the Microsoft
Group, as the case may be, to exercise its rights of first refusal with respect
to such shares to be disposed in accordance with such arrangements as may then
be in place between the members of the Liberty Media Group and the Microsoft
Group in relation to their holdings of shares in us and as may have been
notified to us.
Any shareholder served with a Disposal Notice shall not be entitled to
receive notice of, or to attend and vote at, any general meeting of ours or at
any separate class meeting or to exercise any other right conferred by
membership in relation to any such meeting in respect of such number of shares
as such shareholder shall have been required to dispose of pursuant to such
notice. Such rights to attend to speak and to demand and vote which would have
attached to the relevant share shall vest in the chairman of any such meeting.
The right to vote may also be removed from any share prior to the
service of a Disposal Notice where a shareholder has failed to comply with a
request for information from the Board to enable it to ascertain whether any of
our licenses or proposed licenses may be prejudiced by the holding of that share
or where the Board has given notice to the shareholder that such a prejudicial
situation exists in relation to any of its shares.
Transfer of Shares
A holder of Ordinary Shares or of our limited voting shares ("Limited
Voting Shares") may transfer all or any of its shares by an instrument of
transfer in writing in any usual form or in any other form approved by the
Board. The instrument of transfer of a share shall be executed by or on behalf
of the transferor and (in the case of a transfer of a share which is not fully
paid up) by or on behalf of the transferee. The Board may, in its absolute
discretion and without giving any reason (unless the refusal relates to a
transfer that prejudices any of our licenses or proposed licenses), refuse to
register any share transfer unless (a) it is in respect of a share over which we
do not have a lien, (b) it is in respect of only one class of shares, (c) it is
in favor of a single transferee or not more than four joint transferees, (d) it
is duly stamped (if so required), (e) it is delivered for registration to our
registered office or such other place as the Board may determine, accompanied
(except in the case of certain transfers on the UK Listing Authority where a
certificate has not been issued) by the relevant share certificate(s) and such
other evidence as the Board may reasonably require to prove the title of the
transferor and due execution of the transfer by him or her or, if the transfer
is executed by some other person on his or her behalf, the authority of that
person to do so, (f) it is in respect of shares which are owned by a person who
has not failed to disclose interests as required by Section 212 of the Companies
Act, (g) it will not be prejudicial to any of our licenses or proposed licenses
and (h) a Disposal Notice has not been sent in respect of that share or has been
served but has been withdrawn (unless the transfer in question is to complete a
Required Disposal of that share within the meaning of the Articles).
The Board may also refuse to register the transfer of a share that is
not fully paid, provided that such refusal does not prevent dealings in our
shares taking place on an open and proper basis.
The registration of transfers may be suspended at such times and for
such periods (not exceeding 30 days in any year) as the Board may decide and
either generally or in respect of a particular class of shares.
Variation of Rights
Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act 1985 and 1989, all or
any of the rights attaching to a class of shares may be varied as may be
provided by those rights or, in the absence of any such provision, with either
the consent in writing of the holders of at last three-fourths of the nominal
amount of the issued shares of such class or with the sanction of an
extraordinary resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the
issued shares of that class. Any variation of the rights attaching to the
Limited Voting Shares shall be deemed to be a variation of the class rights
attaching to the Ordinary Shares and will require a special resolution of our
shareholders.
The rights attached to a class of shares are not (except as otherwise
provided in the terms of such shares) deemed to be varied by the creation or
issuance of further shares ranking pari passu with or subordinate to such shares
or by the purchase or redemption by us of our own shares in accordance with the
provisions of the Companies Acts 1985 and 1989 and the Articles.
Share Capital and Changes in Capital
We may, by ordinary resolution of the shareholders: (a) increase our
share capital by a sum to be divided into shares of an amount prescribed by such
resolution; (b) consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into
shares of a larger amount than our existing shares; (c) subdivide all or any of
such shares (subject to the provisions of the Companies Act) into shares of
smaller amounts and, as a part of such subdivision, determine that any of such
shares may have any preference or other advantage or be subject to any
restriction as compared with the other shares; and (d) cancel shares which, as
of the date of such resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any
81
person and reduce the amount of its share capital by the amount of the shares so
cancelled.
We may, by special resolution of the shareholders and subject to
confirmation by the English court, reduce our share capital, any capital
redemption reserve, share premium account or other undistributable reserve in
any way.
We may, subject to the requirements of the Companies Act, the Articles
and the requirements of the UK Listing Authority, purchase all or any of our
shares of any class (including redeemable shares).
Members of the Microsoft Group and the Liberty Media Group may
redesignate some or all of their Ordinary Shares as Telewest Limited Voting
Shares.
Untraced Shareholders
Telewest may sell any shareholder's shares in us, or shares to which a
person is entitled by transmission, if during a period of not less than 12 years
(a) no check, order or warrant sent by us through the mail addressed to the
shareholder or person entitled by transmission has been cashed, (b) no
communication has been received by us from such shareholder or person entitled
by transmission and (c) we have paid at least three cash dividends in such
12-year period. After the expiration of such 12-year period, we are required to
give three months' notice of our intention to sell the shares in a leading daily
newspaper and a newspaper circulating in the area of the shareholder's
registered address. We must also first provide a copy of such notice to the UK
Listing Authority. Upon any such sale, we will become indebted to the former
holder of the shares (or the persons entitled to them upon the death of such
former holder) for an amount equal to the net proceeds of sale and shall carry
all amounts received on a sale to a separate account, although such sum may
either be employed in the business of the Company or invested as the Board may
think fit. No interest is payable on these accounts.
Non-UK Shareholders
There are no limitations in the Articles on the rights of non-UK
citizens or residents to hold, or exercise voting rights attaching to, the
Ordinary Shares.
Limited Voting Shares
Listing
The Limited Voting Shares are not listed on any stock market or
exchange.
Voting and Other Rights
The Ordinary Shares and the Limited Voting Shares rank pari passu in
all respects, save that the Limited Voting Shares do not confer the right to
speak or vote on any resolution for the removal, election, appointment or
re-appointment of directors, and so that, except as previously mentioned, the
Limited Voting Shares at all times carry the same rights as, and are treated as
forming one uniform class with, the Ordinary Shares (provided that such shares
are treated as a separate class in relation to any variation of the rights
attached thereto).
Conversion
We may at any time, upon approval by the Board, by written notice to
all or any of the holders of the Microsoft Limited Voting Shares, convert such
holder's or holders' Limited Voting Shares (on a pro rata basis) into Ordinary
Shares at a rate of one Ordinary Share for every Limited Voting Share. No
Microsoft Designated Director (as defined below) (while a member of the
Microsoft Group holds or is interested in Limited Voting Shares) and no Liberty
Media Designated Director (as defined below) (while a member of the Liberty
Media Group holds or is interested in Limited Voting Shares) shall be entitled
to vote on the Board relating to such approval. A holder cannot convert Limited
Voting Shares into Ordinary Shares if conversion would result in a debenture
change of control (as defined in the Articles). Ordinary Shares arising on
conversion would be credited as fully paid and rank pari passu in all respects
with the Ordinary Shares then in issue and shall entitle the holder to all
dividends and other distributions payable on the Ordinary Shares after the
conversion date. Any dividend due but not paid on the relevant conversion date
shall instead be payable to the holder of the relevant Limited Voting Share so
converted. We shall use all reasonable efforts to ensure that all the Ordinary
Shares arising from conversion are admitted to the Official List of the UK
Listing Authority and tradeable on the London Stock Exchange.
Directors
(i) In relation to each of the Liberty Media Group and the Microsoft
Group, for so long as members of such groups hold (whether directly or via their
interests in TW Holdings) at least 15% of our shares in issue and ignoring all
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of our shares issued after April 15, 1998 pursuant to or for the purposes of
employee share options (reduced to 12.5% following certain dilutive issues), it
shall have the right to appoint (and remove) three persons as directors
(respectively, each a "Liberty Media Designated Director" or a "Microsoft
Designated Director"). Where either group's shareholding is reduced below this
level, but remains at more than 7.5% on the same assumptions (reduced to 5%
following certain dilutive issues) and ignoring all of our shares issued after
April 15, 1998 pursuant to employee share options (a "Lesser Qualifying
Interest"), that group shall have the right to appoint (and remove) two
directors.
Each of the Liberty Media Group and the Microsoft Group has agreed
that, so long as they hold 15% or more of our issued shares (reduced to 12.5%
following certain dilutive issues) and ignoring all of our shares issued after
April 15, 1998 pursuant to employee share options, they will exercise their
voting rights as members of Telewest and cause the directors appointed by them
(subject to their fiduciary and other duties as directors) to exercise their
voting rights to ensure that, to the extent they are able to do so, a majority
of the directors are independent of the Liberty Media Group and the Microsoft
Group.
Subject to the Articles and to the powers of the Liberty Media Group
and the Microsoft Group to appoint directors pursuant to the Articles, we may by
ordinary resolution (on which Limited Voting Shares will not carry the right to
vote) appoint a person as director, either to fill a vacancy or as an addition
to the Board.
(ii) All directors will serve until the next annual general meeting
following their election and, in any event, until their successors have been
elected or their earlier resignation or removal from office in accordance with
the Articles. On any vote or resolution of the Company to remove any director
appointed by the Liberty Media Group or the Microsoft Group, the members of the
relevant group shall have, in aggregate, twice the number of votes cast in favor
of such resolution by or on behalf of all the other members.
(iii) The quorum for a meeting of the directors will be a majority of
the directors.
(iv) A person will be capable of being appointed or re-elected a
director despite having attained the age of 70 or any other age and no special
notice will be required in connection with the appointment or the approval of
the appointment of any such person, nor will a director be required to retire by
reason of his or her having attained that or any other age.
(v) A director will not be required to hold any of our shares.
(vi) Unless otherwise determined by our shareholders by ordinary
resolution, the number of directors will not be less than two but shall not be
subject to any maximum. In the case of equality of votes, the Chairman of the
Board will not have a second or casting vote.
Committees of the Board
Any committee appointed by the Board must include at least one Liberty
Media Designated Director, one Microsoft Designated Director unless such groups
or directors otherwise consent (provided, in each case, there is at the time
such a director holding office as such) and (if thought fit) one or more other
persons. The chairman and a majority of the members of any committee must be
independent of the Liberty Media Group and the Microsoft Group. Proceedings of
committees of the Board shall be conducted in accordance with regulations
prescribed by the Board (if any). The quorum for a meeting of a committee of the
Board will be reached if a majority of the members of the committee are
directors or alternate directors.
Remuneration of Directors
(i) Unless otherwise determined by our shareholders by ordinary
resolution, we shall pay to the directors (but not alternate directors) for
their services as directors such amount of aggregate fees as the directors
decide (not exceeding (pound)500,000 per annum or such larger amount as our
shareholders may by ordinary resolution decide). Any such fee shall be distinct
from any salary, remuneration or other amounts payable to a director pursuant to
other provisions of the Articles.
(ii) The directors shall be entitled to be repaid all reasonable
travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred in the performance of
their duties as directors, including any expenses incurred in attending meetings
of the directors or of committees of the directors or general meetings or
separate meetings of the holders of any class of our shares or debentures.
Interested Director Transactions
Pursuant to the Companies Act, a director shall not vote on any
resolution of the Board or of a committee of the Board concerning any contract,
arrangement, transaction or proposal to which we are, or will be, a party and in
which he or she is, or will be, to his or her knowledge, directly or indirectly
materially interested (other than by virtue of his or her interest (direct or
83
indirect) in our shares, debentures or other securities). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a director shall be entitled to vote where the matter relates:
(i) to give such director any guarantee, security or indemnity in
respect of money lent or obligations incurred by such director or any
other person at the request of or for our benefit or of our subsidiary
undertakings;
(ii) to giving a third-party any guarantee, security or indemnity in
respect of a debt or obligation of ours or of our subsidiary
undertakings for which such director has personally assumed
responsibility in whole or in part, either alone or jointly with
others, under a guarantee or indemnity or by the giving of security;
(iii) to any contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal concerning
an offer of our shares, debentures or other securities or of our
subsidiary undertakings in which such director is or may be entitled to
participate as a holder of securities or in the underwriting or
sub-underwriting of which such director is to participate;
(iv) to any contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal to which we
are, or will be, a party concerning any other company (including a
subsidiary undertaking of the company) in which such director is
interested (directly or indirectly) and whether as an officer,
shareholder, creditor or otherwise, provided that such director is not
the holder of or beneficially interested directly or indirectly in one
percent or more of any class of equity share capital (or voting rights
available to members) of such company or can cause one percent of such
voting rights to be cast at his or her direction;
(v) to any contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal concerning
the adoption, modification or operation of a pension, superannuation or
similar scheme, retirement, death or disability benefits scheme or
employees' share scheme under which such director may benefit and which
either has been approved (or is conditional upon approval) by the UK
Inland Revenue for taxation purposes or which relates both to our
directors and employees (or any of our subsidiary undertakings) and
which does not provide any director with any privilege or advantage not
provided to the other employees who are beneficiaries of such scheme;
(vi) to any contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal for the
benefit of our employees or any of our subsidiary undertakings pursuant
to which such director benefits in a manner similar to employees and
which does not accord to a director as such a privilege or advantage
not provided to the other employees who are beneficiaries of such
contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal to whom it relates; and
(vii) to any contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal concerning
the purchase or maintenance of any insurance policy under which such
director may benefit.
Any Liberty Media Designated Director or Microsoft Designated Director
will not be deemed to be interested in any contract, arrangement, transaction or
proposal in which Liberty Media or Microsoft, respectively, and the members of
their respective groups or associates, have an interest.
A director shall not vote or be counted in the quorum with respect to
any resolution of the Board or a committee of the Board concerning such
director's appointment (including fixing or varying the terms of an appointment
or its termination) as the holder of any office or place of profit with us or to
any other company in which we have an interest.
Borrowing Powers
Subject to the provisions of the Articles, the directors may exercise
all our powers to borrow money, to issue debentures and other securities and to
mortgage or charge all or any part of our property and assets (present and
future) and uncalled capital and to issue debentures and other securities,
whether outright, or as collateral security for a debt, liability or obligation
of ours or a third-party. The directors shall restrict borrowing by us and shall
exercise all voting and other rights or power of control over our subsidiaries
to ensure that the aggregate principal amount of the Telewest Group's liability
with respect to debt (subject to certain exceptions in the Articles) shall not
(without the prior authorization by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders)
at any time exceed an amount equal to the greater (a) five times our adjusted
capital and reserves, based on our most recent published audited balance sheet,
adjusted for certain published events in accordance with the Articles and (b)
(pound)6 billion.
Directors' Pensions and Benefits
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The directors may exercise all our powers to provide pensions or other
retirement or superannuation benefits and to provide death or disability
benefits or other allowances or gratuities (by insurance or otherwise) for any
person who is or has at any time been a director of (a) ours, (b) a company
which is or was a subsidiary undertaking of ours, (c) a company which is or was
allied to or associated with us or of a subsidiary undertaking of ours, or (d) a
predecessor in business of ours or of a subsidiary undertaking of ours (and for
any member of his family, including a spouse or former spouse, or a person who
is or was dependent on him). To provide such benefits, we may establish,
maintain, subscribe or contribute to any scheme, trust or fund and pay any
premiums.
C. MATERIAL CONTRACTS
Not applicable.
D. EXCHANGE CONTROLS
Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders
There are no UK restrictions on the import or export of capital including
foreign exchange controls that affect the remittances of dividends or other
payments to non-resident holders of our Ordinary Shares except as otherwise set
forth in "-Taxation" below and except for certain restrictions imposed from time
to time by HM Treasury pursuant to legislation, such as The United Nations Act
of 1946 and the Emergency Laws Act of 1964, against the government or residents
of certain countries.
Except for certain restrictions that may be imposed from time to time by HM
Treasury under legislation as described above, under English law and our
Memorandum and Articles of Association, persons who are neither residents nor
nationals of the UK may freely hold, vote and transfer Ordinary Shares in the
same manner as UK residents or nationals. There are currently no such
restrictions.
E. TAXATION
US Federal Income Tax and UK Tax Consequences of Ownership of Ordinary Shares
and ADSs
Subject to the limitations described below, the following generally
summarizes the principal US federal income tax and UK tax consequences of the
purchase, ownership and disposition of Ordinary Shares or ADSs (evidenced by
ADRs) to a "US Holder," as defined in the following sentence. For purposes of
this discussion, a US Holder is a beneficial owner of Ordinary Shares or ADSs
that is: (i) a resident or citizen of the United States; (ii) a corporation (or
other entity treated as a corporation for US federal tax purposes) created or
organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States or of any
State; (iii) an estate the income of which is includible in gross income for US
federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or (iv) 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 US persons have authority to control
all substantial decisions of the trust. Because this is a general summary,
beneficial owners of Ordinary Shares or ADSs who are US Holders are advised to
consult their own tax advisors with respect to the US federal, state and local
tax consequences, as well as to the UK and other foreign tax consequences, of
the purchase, ownership and disposition of Ordinary Shares or ADSs applicable in
their particular tax situations.
The statements of US federal income tax and UK tax laws set out below are
based (a) on the laws in force and as interpreted by the relevant taxation
authorities, as of the date of this Annual Report, and are subject to any
changes (which may apply retroactively) in US or UK law or in the interpretation
thereof by the relevant taxation authorities, or in the conventions between the
United Kingdom and the United States relating to income and capital gains (the
"Income Tax Convention") and estate and gift taxes (the "Estate and Gift Tax
Convention"), occurring after such date and (b) in part, on representations of
the Depositary and on the assumption that each obligation in the Deposit
Agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its
terms. The Income Tax Convention has been renegotiated by the revenue
authorities of the United States and the United Kingdom (the "New Convention")
to replace the Income Tax Convention, but it has not yet been ratified by the UK
and US governments and certain provisions continue to be under review by the UK
and US revenue authorities. The New Convention, when and if it comes into
effect, will alter the tax treatment of dividends as described below.
Further, this summary addresses only persons who hold Ordinary Shares or
ADSs as capital assets, and does not address the tax consequences to special
classes of taxpayers that are subject to special rules, including, without
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limitation, insurance companies, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax,
brokers or dealers in securities or currencies, persons who hold their Ordinary
Shares or ADSs as part of a straddle, hedging or conversion transaction, persons
owning, directly, indirectly or constructively, 10% of our voting stock, persons
whose functional currency is other than the US dollar, tax-exempt investors,
taxpayers who have elected mark-to-market accounting, banks, financial services
entities or financial institutions, certain expatriates or former long-term
residents of the United States and persons who acquired Ordinary Shares or ADSs
as compensation. Except to the limited extent discussed below, it does not
consider the US tax or UK tax consequences to a beneficial owner other than a US
Holder (a "Non-US Holder"). Additionally, the discussion does not consider the
tax treatment of persons who hold our Ordinary Shares or ADSs through a
partnership or other pass-through entity, or the possible application of US
federal gift or estate taxes. Each prospective investor is advised to consult
such person's own tax advisor with respect to the specific US federal income tax
and UK tax consequences to such person of purchasing, holding or disposing of
our Ordinary Shares or ADSs.
Taxation of Ordinary Shares and ADSs
For purposes of the Conventions and the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended, a US Holder of our ADSs will be treated as the owner of the Ordinary
Shares represented by ADSs evidenced by ADRs. Accordingly, and except as noted
below, the UK tax and US federal income tax consequences discussed below apply
equally to beneficial owners of both Ordinary Shares and ADSs that are US
Holders.
The following discussion assumes that US Holders are residents of the
United States for purposes of the Income Tax Convention and the New Convention
and are entitled to the benefits of those Conventions.
Taxation of Dividends
For the purposes of this summary, the term "Eligible US Holder" means a
beneficial owner of Ordinary Shares or ADSs (a) that derives and beneficially
owns the cash dividend paid thereon, (b) that is an individual, a corporation, a
trust or estate resident in the United States (and, in the case of a
corporation, not also resident in the UK for UK tax purposes) for the purposes
of the Income Tax Convention and (c) whose holding is not effectively connected
with a "permanent establishment" through which the Eligible US Holder carries on
business in the UK, or a "fixed base" in the UK from which the Eligible US
Holder performs independent personal services. Such term excludes, however, (i)
certain recipients that are exempt from tax in the United States on dividends
paid by us, (ii) a beneficial owner who owns 10% or more of the Ordinary Shares
in respect of which the dividend is paid, (iii) under certain circumstances, a
corporation 25% or more of the capital of which is owned directly or indirectly
by one or more persons who are not individual residents or nationals of the
United States and (iv) a US corporation that controls, directly or indirectly
(either alone or with one or more associated corporations), 10% or more of our
voting stock.
Subject to the discussion of the passive foreign investment company, or
PFIC, rules below, a US Holder will be required to include in gross income as
ordinary income the amount of any distribution paid on Ordinary Shares
(including amounts in respect of the associated gross Tax Credit Amount
described below before taking into account any UK withholding), on the date the
distribution is received (which, in the case of ADSs, will be the date of
receipt by the Depositary) to the extent the distribution is paid out of our
current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined for US federal income
tax purposes. Distributions in excess of these earnings and profits will be
applied against and will reduce the US Holder's basis in the Ordinary Shares
and, to the extent in excess of such basis, will be treated as gain from the
sale or exchange of Ordinary Shares. Distributions of current or accumulated
earnings and profits paid in foreign currency to a US Holder will be includible
in the income of a US Holder in a US dollar amount calculated by reference to
the exchange rate on the date the distribution is received (which, in the case
of ADSs, will be the date of receipt by the Depositary), regardless of whether
the distribution is in fact converted into US dollars on such date. A US Holder
that receives a foreign currency distribution and converts the foreign currency
into US dollars subsequent to receipt will have foreign exchange gain or loss
based on any appreciation or depreciation in the value of the foreign currency
against the US dollar, which will generally be US source ordinary income or
loss.
An Eligible US Holder is entitled under the Income Tax Convention and
current UK law to claim from the UK Inland Revenue a refund (the "Tax Credit
Amount"), in an amount equal to 10% of the aggregate of the dividend and related
tax credit (the related tax credit being an amount equal to one-ninth of the
dividend) but subject to a UK withholding which effectively equals the Tax
Credit Amount, meaning that no net payment of the Tax Credit Amount may be
obtained from the UK Inland Revenue by an Eligible US Holder. For example, a
86
dividend of (pound)8.00 paid to such an Eligible US Holder will result in no
refund since the withholding will fully eliminate the Tax Credit Amount, and
therefore the US Holder will only receive the (pound)8.00 dividend.
If the Eligible US Holder is a US partnership, trust or estate, the Tax
Credit Amount will be available only to the extent that the income derived by
such partnership, trust or estate is subject to US tax as the income of a
resident either in its hands or in the hands of its partners or beneficiaries,
as the case may be.
An Eligible US Holder who is an individual or a corporate portfolio holder
who receives the (pound)8.00 dividend in the above example for US federal income
tax purposes should be considered to receive a dividend of (pound)8.89
((pound)8.00 dividend plus a (pound)0.89 gross tax credit). Such US Holder also
should be considered to have paid (pound)0.89 of UK tax that, subject to the
applicable limitations, could be creditable against such US Holder's US federal
income tax liability. The consequences of these limitations will depend on the
nature and sources of each US Holder's income and the deductions appropriately
allocated or apportioned thereto. However, an Eligible US Holder who is a
natural person may elect not to be subject to these limitation rules if all of
his or her foreign source income is qualified passive income and his or her
creditable foreign taxes do not exceed $300 ($600 for joint returns) in a
taxable year. Qualified passive income includes dividends and other amounts, but
only to the extent the Eligible US Holder receives a Form 1099 or similar payee
statement with respect thereto. US Holders may be required to satisfy certain
holding period requirements with respect to Ordinary Shares and ADSs in order to
be eligible to claim any UK withholding as a foreign tax credit. An Eligible US
Holder should elect to receive a foreign tax credit or deduction with respect to
any UK withholding. This election is made on Line 5 of IRS Form 8833
(Treaty-Based Return Position Disclosure Under Section 6114 or 7701(b)). Such
Eligible US Holder should file a completed Form 8833 with the taxpayer's income
tax return for the relevant year. Pursuant to this election, the Eligible US
Holder will be treated as having paid the UK withholding on the date of the
distribution. No claim need be made with Inland Revenue concerning the Tax
Credit Amount.
A US Holder will be denied a foreign tax credit for the Tax Credit Amount
with respect to dividends received on the Ordinary Shares or ADSs: (a) if the US
Holder has not held the Ordinary Shares or ADSs for at least 16 days of the
30-day period beginning on the date which is 15 days before the ex-dividend
date; or (b) to the extent the US Holder is under an obligation to make related
payments on substantially similar or related property.
Any days during which a US Holder has substantially diminished its risk of
loss on the Ordinary Shares or ADSs are not counted towards meeting the 16-day
holding period required by the statute. In addition, distributions of current or
accumulated earnings and profits will be foreign source passive income for US
foreign tax credit purposes and will not qualify for the dividends-received
deduction otherwise available to corporations.
If the New Convention enters into force, the UK Tax Credit Amount and UK
withholding described above will no longer apply to a US Holder. The UK does not
currently apply a withholding tax on dividends under its internal tax laws. Were
such withholding imposed in the UK as permitted under the New Convention, the UK
would be entitled in certain circumstances to impose a withholding tax at a rate
of 15% on dividends paid to a US Holder. A US Holder who was subject to any such
withholding should be entitled to a credit for such withholding, subject to
applicable limitations, against such US Holder's US federal income tax
liability. In such circumstances, a US Holder would continue to be subject to
the holding period requirements described above.
Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding tax, a Non-US
Holder of Ordinary Shares or ADSs will not generally be subject to US federal
income or withholding tax on dividends received on such Ordinary Shares or ADSs,
unless such income is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business in the United States and, in general, in the case of a Non-US Holder
entitled to benefits under a tax treaty, attributable to a permanent
establishment or fixed base in the United States.
Taxation of Capital Gains
A US Holder who is not resident or ordinarily resident in the United
Kingdom for UK tax purposes will not be liable for UK tax on capital gains
realized or accrued on the sale or other disposal of Ordinary Shares or ADSs
unless the Ordinary Shares or ADSs are (i) held in connection with a trade,
profession or vocation carried on by such US Holder in the United Kingdom
through a branch or agency and the Ordinary Shares or ADSs are or have been
used, held or acquired for the purposes of such trade, profession or vocation or
such branch or agency or (ii) held by a US Holder who is an individual who,
87
broadly, has, after March 16, 1998 ceased to be resident or ordinarily resident
in the United Kingdom for tax purposes for a period of less than five years of
assessment and who disposes of ADSs or Ordinary Shares during that period.
Subject to the PFIC rules below, upon the sale or exchange of Ordinary Shares or
ADSs, a US Holder will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the
difference between such US Holder's basis in the Ordinary Shares or ADSs, which
is usually the US dollar cost of such shares or ADSs, and the amount realized on
the sale or exchange. Generally, a capital gain from the sale or exchange of
Ordinary Shares or ADSs held more than one year is long-term capital gain, and
is eligible for a reduced rate of taxation for individuals. Gain or loss
recognized by a US Holder on a sale or exchange of Ordinary Shares or ADSs
generally will be treated as US source income or loss for US foreign tax credit
purposes. The deductibility of a capital loss recognized on the sale or exchange
of Ordinary Shares or ADSs is subject to limitations.
If the ADSs or Ordinary Shares are publicly traded, a disposition of such
ADSs or Ordinary Shares will be considered to occur on the "trade date,"
regardless of the US Holder's method of accounting. A US Holder that uses the
cash method of accounting calculates the US dollar value of the proceeds
received on the sale as of the date that the sale settles. However, a US Holder
that uses the accrual method of accounting is required to calculate the value of
the proceeds of the sale as of the "trade date" and, therefore, may realize
foreign currency gain or loss, unless such US Holder has elected to use the
settlement date to determine its proceeds of sale for purposes of calculating
such foreign currency gain or loss. In addition, a US Holder that receives
foreign currency upon the sale or exchange of the ADSs or Ordinary Shares and
converts the foreign currency into US dollars subsequent to receipt will have
foreign exchange gain or loss based on any appreciation or depreciation in the
value of the foreign currency against the US dollar, which will generally be US
source ordinary income or loss.
Deposits and withdrawals of Ordinary Shares by US Holders in exchange for
ADSs will not result in the realization of a gain or loss for UK capital gains
tax or US federal income tax purposes.
Subject to the discussion below of backup withholding, a Non-US Holder of
Ordinary Shares or ADSs will not be subject to US federal income or withholding
tax on a gain realized on the sale or exchange of Ordinary Shares or ADSs unless
(a) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-US Holder of
a trade or business in the United States and, in general, in the case of a
Non-US Holder entitled to benefits under a tax treaty, such gain is attributable
to a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States or (b) in the
case of gain realized by an individual Non-US Holder, the Non-US Holder is
present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the
sale and certain other conditions are met.
Tax Consequences if We are a Passive Foreign Investment Company
We will be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, if 75% or more
of our gross income in a taxable year, including the pro rata share of the gross
income of any company, US or foreign, in which we are considered to own 25% or
more of the shares by value, is passive income. Alternatively, we will be
considered to be a PFIC if at least 50% of our assets in a taxable year,
averaged over the year and ordinarily determined based on fair market value and
including the pro rata share of the assets of any company, U.S. or foreign, in
which we are considered to own 25% or more of the shares by value, are held for
the production of, or produce, passive income. Passive income includes amounts
derived by reason of the temporary investment of funds raised in our public
offerings. A US Holder would be required to complete IRS Form 8621 with the US
Holder's US federal income tax return each year, if we were a PFIC. If we were a
PFIC, and a US Holder did not make an election to treat us as a "qualified
electing fund" (as described below):
o Excess distributions by us to a US Holder would be taxed in a
special way. "Excess distributions" are amounts received by a US
Holder with respect to our securities in any taxable year that
exceed 125% of the average distributions received by that Holder
from us in the shorter of either the three previous years or the
Holder's holding period for Ordinary Shares before the present
taxable year. Excess distributions must be allocated rateably to
each day that a US holder has held our securities. A US Holder must
include amounts allocated to the current taxable year in gross
income as ordinary income for that year. A US Holder must pay tax on
amounts allocated to each prior taxable year at the highest rate in
effect for that year on ordinary income and the tax is subject to an
interest charge at the rate applicable to deficiencies for income
tax.
88
o The entire amount of gain that was realized by a US Holder upon the
sale or other disposition of Ordinary Shares will also be treated as
an excess distribution and will be subject to tax as described
above.
o A US Holder's tax basis in our shares that were acquired from a
decedent would not receive a step-up to fair market value as of the
date of the decedent's death but would instead be equal to the
decedent's basis, if lower.
The special PFIC rules described above will not apply to a US Holder if
the Holder makes an election to treat us as a "qualified electing fund," or QEF,
in the first taxable year in which the US Holder owns Ordinary Shares and if we
comply with certain reporting requirements. Instead, a shareholder of a QEF is
required for each taxable year to include in income a pro rata share of the
ordinary earnings of the QEF as ordinary income and a pro rata share of the net
capital gain of the QEF as long-term capital gain, subject to a separate
election to defer payment of taxes, which deferral is subject to an interest
charge. We have agreed to supply a US Holder with the information needed to
report income and gain pursuant to a QEF election in the event we are classified
as PFIC.
A US Holder of PFIC stock that is publicly traded could elect to mark the
stock to market annually, recognizing as ordinary income or loss each year an
amount equal to the difference as of the close of the taxable year between the
fair market value of the PFIC stock and the adjusted basis of the PFIC stock.
Losses would be allowed only to the extent of net mark-to-market gain previously
included by the US Holder under the election for prior taxable years. If the
mark-to-market election were made, then the rules set forth above would not
apply for periods covered by the election.
We believe that we were not a PFIC in 2001 and that we will not be a PFIC
in 2002. However, the tests for determining PFIC status are applied annually and
it is difficult to make accurate predictions of future income and assets, which
are relevant to this determination. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we
will not become a PFIC. If we determine that we have become a PFIC, we will
notify our US Holders and provide them with the information necessary to comply
with the QEF rules. A US Holder who holds Ordinary Shares during a period when
we are a PFIC will be subject to the foregoing rules, even if we cease to be a
PFIC, subject to certain exceptions for a US Holder who made a QEF election. US
Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors about the PFIC rules, including
the consequences to them of making a mark-to-market or QEF election with respect
to our Ordinary Shares and ADSs in the event that we qualify as a PFIC.
US Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
A US Holder is generally subject to information reporting requirements with
respect to dividends paid in the United States on Ordinary Shares or ADSs. In
addition, a US Holder is subject to backup withholding (currently at a rate of
30%) on dividends paid in the United States on Ordinary Shares or ADSs unless
the US Holder provides an IRS Form W-9 or otherwise establishes an exemption. A
US Holder is subject to information reporting and backup withholding (currently
at a rate of 30%) on proceeds paid from the sale, exchange, redemption or other
disposition of Ordinary Shares or ADSs unless the US Holder provides an IRS Form
W-9 or otherwise establishes an exemption.
A Non-US Holder generally is not subject to information reporting or backup
withholding with respect to dividends paid on, or proceeds upon the sale,
exchange, redemption or other disposition of, Ordinary Shares or ADSs provided
such Non-US Holder provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies to its
foreign status or otherwise establishes an exemption.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. The amount of any backup
withholding will be allowed as a credit against a US Holder or Non-US Holder's
US federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund,
provided that certain information is furnished to the IRS.
Estate and Inheritance Tax
Ordinary Shares or ADSs beneficially owned by an individual US Holder who
is domiciled in the United States for the purposes of the UK Estate and Gift Tax
Convention and is not domiciled in the United Kingdom for such purposes is not
subject to UK inheritance tax on the individual's death or on a gift made by the
individual during his lifetime provided that any applicable US federal gift or
estate tax liability is paid, except where the Ordinary Shares or ADSs are part
of the business property of a UK "permanent establishment" of the individual or
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pertains to a UK "fixed base" of an individual used for the performance of
independent personal services. In a case where Ordinary Shares or ADSs are
subject both to UK inheritance tax and to US federal gift or estate tax, the
Estate and Gift Tax Convention generally provides for tax paid in the UK to be
credited against any tax payable in the United States and for tax paid in the
United States to be credited against any tax payable in the UK, based on
priority rules set forth in that Convention. There are special individual rules
applying to trusts. Ordinary Shares or ADSs held in a trust created by a US
Holder who is not domiciled in the United Kingdom and is not a UK national will
normally fall outside the scope of UK inheritance tax.
UK Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax ( "UK SDRT ")
UK stamp duty or UK SDRT at the rate of 1.5% of the amount or value of the
consideration or the issue price or, in some circumstances, the open market
value of the Ordinary Shares (rounded up, in the case of stamp duty to the
nearest (pound)5.00) may arise on the transfer or issuance of Ordinary Shares
to, or a deposit of Ordinary Shares with, the Depositary and will be payable by
the Depositary. Under the Deposit Agreement, any UK stamp duty or UK SDRT
payable by the Depositary on any subsequent deposit of Ordinary Shares will be
charged to the holder of the ADSs or the depositor of the security represented
by the ADSs.
Provided that the instrument of transfer is not executed in the UK and
remains at all subsequent times outside the UK, no UK stamp duty will be payable
on the acquisition or transfer of ADSs evidenced by ADRs, nor will an agreement
to transfer ADSs evidenced by ADRs give rise to a liability to UK SDRT. To the
extent such an instrument was later brought into the UK it could become subject
to UK stamp duty together with interest (calculated by reference to the date of
the execution of the instrument) and if the instrument is not duly stamped
within 30 days of such importation, penalties (calculated by reference to such
date of importation).
A transfer of legal title of the Ordinary Shares by the Depositary or its
nominee to the beneficial owner of the relevant ADSs or its nominee may give
rise to a fixed UK stamp duty at the rate of (pound)5.00 per transfer.
Any agreement to transfer or a transfer for value of the Ordinary Shares,
as opposed to ADRs, will normally give rise to a charge to UK stamp duty or UK
SDRT at the rate of 0.5% of the amount or value of the consideration given for
the Ordinary Shares (rounded up, in the case of UK stamp duty, to the nearest
(pound)5.00). Stamp duty and UK SDRT are generally the liabilities of the
purchaser.
F. DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS
Not applicable.
G. STATEMENT BY EXPERTS
Not applicable.
H. DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, applicable to foreign private issuers and
fulfill the obligation with respect to such requirements by filing reports with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any document we
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission without charge at the
Securities and Exchange Commission's public reference room at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of such material may be obtained by mail
from the Public Reference Branch of the Securities and Exchange Commission at
such address, at prescribed rates. Please call the Securities and Exchange
Commission at l-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference
room.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the
Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our
officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and
"short-swing" profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange
Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic
reports and financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
frequently or as promptly as United States companies whose securities are
registered under the Exchange Act. A copy of each report submitted in accordance
with applicable United States law is available for public review at our
principal executive offices.
90
I. SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market Risk
The principal market risks to which we were exposed during the year (and
which have not changed from previous years) were:
o interest rate changes on variable-rate, long-term bank debt; and
o foreign exchange rate changes, generating translation and
transaction gains and losses on our US dollar-denominated debt
instruments.
From time to time we use derivative financial instruments solely to
reduce our exposure to these market risks and we do not enter into these
instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
In March and May 2002, we terminated certain foreign currency derivative
contracts as described below. This will increase our exposure to foreign
exchange fluctuations in respect of the principal on bonds no longer hedged.
Interest Rate Risk
Our outstanding long-term bank debt is denominated in pounds sterling and
bears interest at variable rates. We seek to reduce our exposure to adverse
interest rate fluctuations on borrowings under current senior bank facilities
principally through interest rate swaps. Our interest rate swaps provide for
payments by us at a fixed rate of interest (ranging from 5.70% to 7.835%) and
the receipt of payments based on a variable rate of interest. The swaps have
maturities ranging from March 31, 2002 to January 1, 2005. The aggregate amount
outstanding under our senior bank facilities at December 31, 2001 was
(pound)1.36 billion and the aggregate notional principal amount of the hedging
arrangements was (pound)900 million, leaving an unhedged amount of (pound)460
million at December 31, 2001. All of our variable-rate debt was hedged at
December 31, 2000.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
At December 31, 2001, certain of our fixed-rate debt instruments were
denominated in US dollars. We have entered into certain derivative instruments
to reduce our exposure to adverse changes in exchange rates. These derivative
instruments comprise foreign currency swaps and a series of foreign exchange
forward contracts. Our objective in using foreign currency derivative financial
instruments is to limit the impact of foreign exchange rate changes on our
interest and principal payments under our US dollar-denominated debt by choosing
hedging instruments to achieve our desired foreign exchange hedge at the lowest
cost available.
We hold derivative financial instruments solely to hedge specific risks
and do not hold such instruments for trading purposes. The derivatives are held
to hedge against the variability in cash flows arising from the effect of
fluctuations in the pound sterling/US dollar exchange rate on our future
interest payments and principal payments under our US dollar-denominated debt.
We typically use forward foreign currency contracts or cross currency swaps to
fix the pound sterling amount of future US dollar cash outflows for interest
payments and principal repayments up to their first call dates or other such
dates where we may, at our option, redeem the instruments before maturity.
We discontinue using hedge accounting for derivative financial
instruments when it is determined that:
o the derivative instrument is no longer effective in offsetting
changes in the cash flows of the hedged item;
o the derivative instrument expires or is sold;
91
o the derivative instrument is no longer designated as a hedging
instrument because it is unlikely that a forecasted transaction will
occur;
o a hedged firm commitment no longer meets the definition of a firm
commitment; or
o our management determines that designation of the derivative
instrument as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate.
Our results may be materially influenced by future exchange rate
movements should we discontinue the use of hedge accounting, since such
derivative financial instruments would be considered speculative for accounting
purposes and would be marked to their market value with changes being included
immediately in earnings, whereas the underlying liabilities would be
re-translated at the spot rate of exchange. In addition, cancellation or
redemption of the derivative financial instruments would increase our exposure
to foreign currency exchange rate risk on our US dollar-denominated debt.
We had foreign currency swaps and forward contracts hedging our principal
and interest exposures totalling in aggregate (pound)2.655 billion at December
31, 2001. The foreign currency swaps and forward contracts are detailed in note
4 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this
Annual Report.
In March 2002, we terminated certain US dollar/pound sterling exchange
rate hedging arrangements with a notional amount of $950 million ((pound)655
million); termination of these arrangements netted (pound)74 million to us. A
further (pound)30 million was realized by us in May 2002 through the termination
of additional foreign exchange rate hedging arrangements with a notional amount
of $367 million ((pound)253 million). These cash proceeds are held as available
liquidity. This reduced our foreign currency swaps and forward contracts hedging
our principal and interest exposures to an aggregate of approximately (pound)1.6
billion after exchange rate differences, which represents approximately 50% of
our US dollar-denominated debt.
Quantitative Disclosure of Market Risk
The analysis below presents the sensitivity of the market value, or fair
value, of our financial instruments to selected changes in market rates and
prices. The changes chosen represent our view of changes that are reasonably
possible over a one-year period. The estimated fair value of the hedging
instruments identified below are based on quotations received from independent,
third-party financial institutions and represent the net amount receivable or
payable to terminate the position, taking into consideration market rates as of
the measuring date and counterparty credit risk. The estimated fair value of the
US dollar-denominated fixed-rate long-term debt is also based on market
quotations obtained from independent third-party financial institutions.
The hypothetical changes in fair value of hedging instruments are
estimated, based on the same methodology used by the third-party financial
institutions to calculate the fair value of the original instruments, keeping
all variables constant except that the relevant interest rate or exchange rate,
as the case may be, has been adjusted to reflect the hypothetical change. Fair
value estimates by their nature are subjective and involve uncertainties and
matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined precisely.
Fair value of debt is the market value of bonds and bank debt, which can change
according to market conditions and company specific performance.
The amounts generated from the sensitivity analysis are forward-looking
estimates of market risk assuming certain adverse market conditions occur.
Actual results in the future may differ materially from those projected results
due to developments in the global financial markets which may cause fluctuations
in interest rates and exchange rates to vary from the hypothetical amounts
disclosed in the table below, which therefore should not be considered a
projection of likely future events and losses. The sensitivity analysis is for
information purposes only. In practice, market rates rarely change in isolation.
Interest Rate Risk
The sensitivity analysis below presents the hypothetical change in fair
value based on an immediate one percentage point (100 basis points) increase in
interest rates across all maturities:
92
December 31, 2001 December 31, 2000
Hypothetical Hypothetical
change in change in
Fair value fair value Fair value fair value
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(in millions of(pound))
Interest rate swaps................................ (24.9) 15.9 (33.5) 20.2
Fixed rate debt.................................... (2,577.9) (98.2) (2,736.3) (124.6)
Any movement in fair values of our interest rate swaps will not result in
any immediate change to our interest expense as these contracts are accounted
for as hedges. Based on our variable rate debt outstanding at December 31, 2001
after taking into account our derivative instruments, we estimate that a one
percentage point change in interest rates would not currently have a material
impact on our net interest expense.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
The sensitivity analysis below presents the hypothetical change in fair
value based on an immediate 10% decrease in the US dollar to pound sterling
exchange rate.
December 31, 2001 December 31, 2000
Hypothetical Hypothetical
change in change in
Fair value fair value Fair value fair value
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(in millions of(pound))
US dollar-denominated long-term debt............... (1,851.5) (205.7) (2,029.2) (225.5)
Foreign currency swap.............................. 14.9 21.9 7.4 19.4
Foreign exchange forward contracts................. 127.2 231.9 (12.9) 213.2
The hypothetical change in fair value for the US dollar-denominated
long-term debt is calculated by re-translating to pounds sterling the
dollar-denominated long-term debt at a rate 10% below the US dollar/pound
sterling exchange rate prevailing at the relevant year-end.
Movements in the fair values of the foreign currency swap and foreign
exchange forward contracts would result in a corresponding charge or credit to
our statement of operations.
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND AVERAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
Not applicable.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF
PROCEEDS
Not applicable.
ITEM 15. [RESERVED]
ITEM 16. [RESERVED]
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of this item.
93
PART III
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements required by this item are found at the
end of this Annual Report, beginning on page F-2.
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
The exhibits filed with or incorporated into this Annual Report
are listed on the index of exhibits below.
94
Exhibit Index
1.1 Memorandum of Association of the Company. (Incorporated by reference
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-B, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22, 1995, as
amended.)
1.2 Amended and Restated Articles of Association of the Company.
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form F-4 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
March 6, 2000 (Registration No. 333-11602).)
2.1 Senior Debenture Indenture, dated as of October 3, 1995, between the
Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee. (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996.)
2.2 Senior Discount Debenture Indenture, dated as of October 3, 1995,
between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's 1995 Annual Report on
Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April
1, 1996.)
2.3 Form of Senior Debenture (included in Exhibit 2.1).
2.4 Form of Senior Discount Debenture (included in Exhibit 2.2).
2.5 Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 3, 1995, between the Company
and The Bank of New York, as Book-Entry Depositary. (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996.)
2.6 Indenture, dated as of November 9, 1998, between the Company and The
Bank of New York, as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 8, 1999 (Registration No.
333-09792).)
2.7 Form of Senior Note (included in Exhibit 2.6).
2.8 Deposit Agreement between the Company and The Bank of New York, as
Book-Entry Depositary, dated as of November 9, 1998. (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 8, 1999
(Registration No. 333-09792).)
2.9 Registration Rights Agreement, dated November 9, 1998, among the
Company, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated and TD Securities (USA) Inc. (Incorporated
by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 8, 1999
(Registration No. 333-09792).)
2.10 Indenture, dated as of February 19, 1999, between the Company and The
Bank of New York, as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 8, 1999 (Registration No.
333-09792).)
2.11 Form of Senior Convertible Note (included in Exhibit 2.10).
2.12 Deposit and Custody Agreement among the Company, Citibank (Channel
Islands) Limited, as Book-Entry Depositary, Citibank, N.A., Brussels
Branch, as Note Custodian, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee,
dated February 19, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on April 8, 1999 (Registration No. 333-09792).)
2.13 Indenture, dated as of April 15, 1999, between the Company and The
Bank of New York, as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form F-3 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on October 4, 1999 (Registration
No. 333-10964).)
2.14 Form of Senior Discount Note (included in Exhibit 2.13).
2.15 Dollar Deposit Agreement between the Company and The Bank of New
York, as Book-Entry Depositary, dated as of April 15, 1999.
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form F-4 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
March 13, 2000 (Registration No. 333-11630).)
2.16 Sterling Deposit Agreement among the Company, The Bank of New York
Trust Company (Cayman) Ltd., as Book-Entry Depositary, and The Bank
of New York, as Note Custodian, dated as of April 15, 1999.
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form F-4 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
March 13, 2000 (Registration No. 333-11630).)
2.17 Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 15, 1999, among the
Company, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette International, CIBC Wood Gundy
plc, Chase Manhattan International Limited and Salomon Brothers
International Limited. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 13, 2000 (Registration No. 333-11630).)
2.18 Loan Agreement by and among Telewest Communications Networks Limited
and certain of the Company's subsidiaries and associated
95
partnerships, as borrower, The Bank of New York, CIBC World Markets
plc, Chase Manhattan plc and Toronto-Dominion Bank Europe, Limited,
as lead arrangers, the banks and financial institutions listed
therein and CIBC Markets World Markets plc as agent and security
trustee, dated as of May 17, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form F-3 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on October 4, 1999 (Registration
No. 333-10964).)
2.19 Indenture, dated January 25, 2000, between the Company and The Bank
of New York, as Trustee. (1)
2.20 Form of Senior Discount Note (included in Exhibit 2.19).
2.21 Form of Senior Note (included in Exhibit 2.19).
2.22 Dollar Deposit Agreement, dated as of January 25, 2000, among the
Company, The Bank of New York, as book-entry depositary, The Bank of
New York, as trustee, and the holders and beneficial owners of
certificateless depositary interests. (Incorporated by reference to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 1, 2000 (Registration
No. 333-12462).)
2.23 Sterling Deposit Agreement, dated as of January 25, 2000, among the
Company, The Bank of New York Trust Company (Cayman) Limited, as
book-entry depositary, The Bank of New York, as note custodian, The
Bank of New York, as Trustee, and the holders and beneficial owners
of certificated depositary interests. (Incorporated by reference to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 1, 2000 (Registration
No. 333-12462).)
2.24 Registration Rights Agreement, dated January 25, 2000, among the
Company, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette International, Bank of America
International Limited, Deutsche Bank AG London and Salomon Brothers
International Limited. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on September 1, 2000 (Registration No.
333-12462).)
2.25 Indenture, dated July 7, 2000, among the Company, Telewest Finance
(Jersey) Limited and The Bank of New York, as Trustee. (1)
2.26 Form of Senior Convertible Note (included in Exhibit 2.25).
2.27 Loan Agreement, dated March 16, 2001, for Credit Facilities
of(pound)2,000,000,000 together with an Institutional Facility of up
to(pound)250,000,000, among Telewest Communications Networks Limited
and the parties named therein. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 24, 2002.)
Note: No long-term debt instrument issued by the Company
(other than as set forth above) exceeds 10% of the
consolidated total assets of the Company and its
subsidiaries. In accordance with paragraph (b)4(iii) of Item
601 of Regulation S-K, the Company will furnish to the SEC
upon request copies of long-term instruments and related
agreements.
2.28 Letter Amendment, dated January 2, 2002, from CIBC World Markets to
Telewest Communications Networks Limited amending the Loan Agreement
referred to in Exhibit 2.27. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 24, 2002.)
2.29 5.00% Acccreting Convertible Note due 2003 in the initial principal
amount of(pound)220,000,000 issued on November 1, 2000 to Deutsche
Telekom AG. (1)
2.30 5.00% Accreting Convertible Note due 2003 in the initial principal
amount of(pound)30,000,000 issued on January 15, 2001 to Deutsche
Telekom AG. (1)
2.31 5.00% Accreting Convertible Note due 2003 in the initial principal
amount of(pound)3,500,000 issued on April 2, 2001 to Deutsche Telekom
AG. (1)
4.1 Relationship Agreement, dated as of November 22, 1994, by and among
Old Telewest, certain subsidiaries of TCI, and certain subsidiaries
of MediaOne as superseded by Exhibit 10.55. (Incorporated by
reference to Old Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995.)
4.2 Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 3, 1995, among the
Company, the TINTA Affiliate, the MediaOne Affiliates, the SBC
Affiliates and the Cox Affiliate. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996.)
4.3 Tax Deed, dated November 22, 1994, between TCI International
Holdings, Inc., U S WEST Holdings and Old Telewest. (Incorporated by
reference to Old Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995.)
4.4 Trademark License Agreement, effective as of November 22, 1994,
between Old Telewest and U S WEST. (Incorporated by reference to Old
96
Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995.)
4.5 Tradename Agreement, effective as of November 22, 1994, between Old
Telewest, TCI and TCI/U S WEST Cable Communications Group ("TUCCI").
(Incorporated by reference to Old Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on
Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March
31, 1995.)
4.6 Tax Deed, dated October 3, 1995, among the Company, the SBC
Affiliates and the Cox Affiliate. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996.)
4.7 Agreement, dated December 4, 1987, between United Cable Television
Corporation on behalf of itself and United Artists Communications,
Inc. and Trans-Global (UK) Limited. (Incorporated by reference to Old
Telewest's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 1994, as amended
(Registration No. 33-78398).)
4.8 Agreement to License and Provide Consulting Services, effective as of
November 22, 1994, between Old Telewest and TCI. (Incorporated by
reference to Old Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995.)
4.9 Form of BT Interconnect Agreement, a copy of which was executed by BT
and various of the Company's affiliated entities. (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's 1997 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1997.)
4.10 Interconnection Agreement, dated July 15, 1994, between Mercury
Communications Limited ( "Mercury ") and United Artists
Communications (Scotland) Limited. (Incorporated by reference to Old
Telewest's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 1994, as amended
(Registration No. 33-78398).) (2)
4.11 Mercury Marketing and Operations Agreement, dated August 10, 1993,
between Telewest CGL and Mercury. (Incorporated by reference to Old
Telewest's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 1994, as amended
(Registration No. 33-78398).) (2)
4.12 Letter Agreement, dated August 23, 1995, between SBCC and Mercury.
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form 8-B filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
September 22, 1995, as amended.) (3)
4.13 General Purchasing Agreement, dated March 1, 1993, among Telewest
CGL, various entities related to Telewest CGL, and Northern Telecom
Europe Limited (the "General Purchasing Agreement"). (Incorporated by
reference to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on June 19, 1998.) (2)
4.14 Purchase Agreement, dated August 27, 1993, between Southwestern Bell
International Holdings and GPT Limited. (Incorporated by reference to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22, 1995, as
amended.)
4.15 The Old Telewest Restricted Share Scheme. (Incorporated by reference
to Old Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995.)
4.16 The Telewest 1995 Restricted Share Scheme. (Incorporated by reference
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22, 1995, as
amended.)
4.17 The Old Telewest Sharesave Scheme. (Incorporated by reference to Old
Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995.)
4.18 The Telewest 1995 Sharesave Scheme. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22, 1995, as
amended.)
4.19 The Old Telewest Executive Share Option Scheme No. 1. (Incorporated
by reference to Old Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995.)
4.20 The Telewest 1995 Executive Share Option Scheme No. 1. (Incorporated
by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-B
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22,
1995, as amended.)
4.21 The Old Telewest Executive Share Option Scheme No. 2. (Incorporated
by reference to Old Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995.)
4.22 The Telewest 1995 Executive Share Option Scheme No. 2. (Incorporated
by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-B
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22,
1995, as amended.)
4.23 The Old Telewest Share Participation Scheme. (Incorporated by
reference to Old Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
97
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995.)
4.24 The Telewest 1995 Share Participation Scheme. (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22, 1995, as
amended.)
4.25 Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of November 30, 1994
(as amended as of October 2, 1995), among the Company, The Bank of
New York, as Depositary, and the holders from time to time of
American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder. (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996.)
4.26 Form of American Depositary Receipt (included in Exhibit 4.25).
4.27 Amendments number 1 through 9 to the General Purchasing Agreement
referred to in Exhibit 4.13. (Incorporated by reference to Amendment
No. 1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on June 19, 1998.) (3)
4.28 Employment Agreement, dated August 7, 1997, between Charles Burdick
and Telewest CGL (Incorporated by reference to Telewest's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1997 filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1998.)
4.29 Amended and Restated Relationship Agreement, dated as of June 26,
1998, by and among the Company, the MediaOne Affiliates, TINTA, the
TINTA Affiliate, Cox, the Cox Affiliate, SBC International, Inc. and
the SBC Affiliate. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on April 8, 1999 (Registration No. 333-09792).)
4.30 Form of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Rights Agreement by and
among the Company, the Liberty Media Affiliate, the MediaOne
Affiliates, the SBC Affiliate, Southwestern Bell International
Holdings (UK-2) Corporation, the Cox Affiliate, GUHL and Vivendi.
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-4 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June
29, 1998 (Registration No. 33-50201).)
4.31 Employment Agreement, dated September 21, 1998, between Anthony
Illsley (former chief executive officer of the Company) and the
Company, as amended on January 17, 2000. (Incorporated by reference
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2000 (Registration No.
333-11602).)
4.32 Amended and Restated Relationship Agreement, dated as of May 21,
1999, by and among the Company, the MediaOne Affiliates, Liberty
Media International and the Liberty Media International Affiliate.
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's 1998 Annual Report on
Form 20-F as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
June 30, 1999.)
4.33 Form of draft Amended and Restated Relationship Agreement, by and
among the Company, Microsoft, the MediaOne Affiliates and the Liberty
Media Affiliate. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-3 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on October 4, 1999 (Registration No. 333-10964).)
4.34 Form of Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Rights Agreement, by and
among the Company, Microsoft, The MediaOne Affiliates and the Liberty
Media Affiliate. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-3 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on October 4, 1999 (Registration No. 333-10964).)
4.35 Agreement Relating to the Merger of Flextech and the Company, dated
December 16, 1999, between the Company and Flextech. (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2000
(Registration No. 333-11602).)
4.36 Employment Agreement, dated December 1, 1999, between Anthony W.P.
Stenham and the Company. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 6, 2000 (Registration No. 333-11602).)
4.37 Form of Service Agreement between Mark Luiz and Flextech plc, as
amended. (1)
4.38 Form of Service Agreement between Adam Singer and Flextech plc. (1)
4.39 Employment Agreement, dated October 21, 1998, between Stephen Cook
and the Company. (1)
4.40 Form of the Telewest 2000 All Employee Share Scheme. (1)
4.41 Amendment Agreement Relating to the Revised New Relationship
Agreement, dated as of May 18, 2001, between Microsoft, Liberty Media
International, Inc., Liberty UK Holdings, Inc., Liberty UK, Inc. and
the Company (Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 3 to
Statement on Schedule 13-D of Liberty Media filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on November 23, 2001.)
4.42 Appointment as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of
98
the Company, effective from December 1, 1999, as amended, between
Anthony W.P. Stenham and the Company. (1)
4.43 Telewest Long Term Incentive Plan. (1)
4.44 Telewest Equity Participation Plan. (1)
4.45 Amendment to Service Agreement, dated October 14, 1998, between
Charles Burdick and the Company. (1)
7 Computation of deficiency of earnings to fixed charges. (1)
8 List of Subsidiaries of the Company. (1)
- -----------------
(1) Filed herewith.
(2) Portions of this agreement have been accorded confidential treatment by
the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 406 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(3) Portions of this agreement have been accorded confidential treatment by
the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
99
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, Telewest Communications plc certifies that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this Annual Report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Telewest Communications plc
By: /s/ Charles Burdick
------------------------------
Name: Charles Burdick
Title: Group Finance Director
July 1, 2002
100
Independent Auditor's Report
To the Board of Directors and shareholders of Telewest Communications plc
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Telewest
Communications plc and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and
comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 2001. These consolidated 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 generally accepted auditing standards
in the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Those standards require
that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements on pages 2 to 37 present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Telewest
Communications plc and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 2001 in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States of America.
As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company
changed its method of accounting for derivative instruments and hedging
activities in 2001.
/s/ KPMG Audit Plc
KPMG Audit Plc
KPMG Audit Plc
Chartered Accountants
Registered Auditor
London, England
February 28, 2002
1
Consolidated Statements of Operations (years ended December 31)
(Note 2)
2001 2001 2000 1999
Notes $m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue - continuing operations
Cable television 478 329 279 258
Consumer telephony 710 488 445 334
Internet and other 58 40 16 17
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Consumer Division 1,246 857 740 609
Business Services Division 390 268 248 177
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Cable Division 1,636 1,125 988 786
Content Division 188 129 81 -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total revenue 1,824 1,254 1,069 786
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating costs and expenses
Consumer programming expenses (206) (142) (132) (132)
Business and consumer telephony expenses (342) (235) (235) (158)
Content expenses (121) (83) (46) -
Depreciation (682) (469) (423) (305)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost of sales (1,351) (929) (836) (595)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selling, general and administrative expenses (723) (497) (445) (307)
Amortization of goodwill (266) (183) (147) (62)
Impairment of goodwill (1,114) (766) - -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3,454) (2,375) (1,428) (964)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating loss (1,630) (1,121) (359) (178)
Other income/(expense)
Interest income (including (pound)12m, (pound)15m and
(pound)3m in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively,
from related parties) 21 22 15 15 7
Interest expense (including amortization of debt discount) (686) (472) (385) (293)
Foreign exchange losses, net - - (15) (49)
Share of net losses of affiliates and impairment (314) (216) (15) (6)
Other, net (4) (3) (3) (1)
Minority interests in
losses/(profits)
of consolidated subsidiaries, net 1 1 1 (1)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loss before income taxes (2,611) (1,796) (761) (521)
Income tax benefit 16 102 70 6 -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss before extraordinary item (2,509) (1,726) (755) (521)
Extraordinary loss on extinguishment of debt (22) (15) - (20)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss after extraordinary item (2,531) (1,741) (755) (541)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share
Net loss before extraordinary item $(0.86) (pound)(0.59)(pound)(0.28)(pound)(0.24)
Extraordinary loss $(0.01) (pound)(0.01) -(pound)(0.01)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss after extraordinary item $(0.87) (pound)(0.60)(pound)(0.28)(pound)(0.25)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number of ordinary shares
outstanding (millions) 2,880 2,880 2,705 2,197
All income is derived from continuing operations.
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements
2
Consolidated Balance Sheet (years ended December 31)
(Note 2)
2001 2001 2000
Note $m (pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents 20 14 60
Secured cash deposits restricted for more than one year 20 29 20 12
Trade receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts
of(pound)16m and(pound)19m) 11 169 116 115
Other receivables 8 163 112 108
Prepaid expenses 48 33 37
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets 429 295 332
Investment in affiliates, accounted for under the equity
method, and related receivables 9 795 547 784
Property and equipment (less accumulated depreciation of
(pound)1,873m and(pound)1,411m) 10 5,051 3,473 3,289
Goodwill (less accumulated amortization of(pound)382m and
(pound)291m) 5 2,752 1,892 2,803
Inventory 13 98 67 69
Other assets (less accumulated amortization of(pound)47m and
(pound)36m) 12 84 58 47
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets 9,209 6,332 7,324
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and shareholders' funds
Accounts payable 159 109 96
Other liabilities 14 762 524 403
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 921 633 499
Deferred tax 16 164 113 183
Debt 15 7,122 4,897 4,254
Capital lease obligations 346 238 245
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities 8,553 5,881 5,181
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minority interests - - (2)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity
Ordinary shares, 10p par value; 4,300 million
authorized; 2,873 and 2,886 million issued
in 2001 and 2000 respectively 417 287 288
Limited voting convertible ordinary shares 10p par value;
300 million authorized and 82 million and 63 million
outstanding in 2001 and 2000 respectively 12 8 6
Additional paid in capital 6,143 4,224 4,216
Accumulated deficit (5,968) (4,104) (2,363)
Accumulated other comprehensive income 53 37 -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
657 452 2,147
Ordinary shares held in trust for the Telewest
Restricted Share Scheme and the Telewest Long-Term
Incentive Plan; 1 million shares in 2001 and 2000 18 (1) (1) (2)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total shareholders' equity 656 451 2,145
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 9,209 6,332 7,324
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements
3
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (years ended December 31)
(Note 2)
2001 2001 2000 1999
$m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss (2,531) (1,741) (755) (541)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
provided/(utilized) by operating activities
Depreciation 682 469 423 305
Amortization and impairment of goodwill 1,380 949 147 62
Amortization of deferred financing costs and issue discount on
Senior Discount Debentures 144 99 147 147
Deferred tax credit (102) (70) - -
Unrealized (gain)/loss on foreign currency translation (15) (10) 20 49
Non-cash accrued share based compensation cost 1 1 5 26
Termination of sale and leaseback - - - 9
Extraordinary loss on extinguishment of debt 22 15 - 20
Share of net losses of affiliates and impairment 314 216 15 6
Loss on disposal of assets 6 4 - 1
Minority interests in (losses)/profits of consolidated
subsidiaries (1) (1) (1) 1
Changes in operating assets and liabilities net of effect of
acquisition of subsidiaries
Change in receivables 19 13 (19) (20)
Change in prepaid expenses 9 6 (19) 11
Change in accounts payable 4 3 (2) (22)
Change in other liabilities 68 47 70 35
Change in other assets 1 1 (46) (55)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided/(utilized) by operating activities 1 1 (15) 34
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash paid for property and equipment (797) (548) (527) (468)
Cash paid for acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash
acquired (8) (6) (24) (393)
Additional investments in and loans to affiliates (38) (26) (10) (3)
Repayment of loans made to joint ventures (net) 30 21 14 -
Proceeds from disposal of assets 3 2 2 5
Disposal of subsidiary undertaking, net of cash disposed 12 8 - -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities (798) (549) (545) (859)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from rights issue - - - 416
Proceeds from exercise of share options 8 6 3 13
Share issue costs - - (13) (3)
Proceeds from issue of Senior Discount Notes 2009 - - - 399
Proceeds from issue of Senior Convertible Notes 2007 - - - 300
Proceeds from issue of Senior Discount Notes and Senior
Notes 2010 - - 544 -
4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (years ended December 31)
(Note 2)
2001 2001 2000 1999
$m(pound)m (pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proceeds from issue of Senior Convertible Notes 2005 - - 330 -
Proceeds from issue of Accreting Convertible Notes 2003 44 30 20 -
Issue costs of Notes and credit facility arrangement costs (59) (41) - -
Net proceeds from maturity of forward contracts - - 107 -
(Placement)/release of restricted deposits (12) (8) - 175
Repayments from borrowings under old credit facilities (1,198) (824) (141) (583)
Repayment of old facilities upon refinancing - - - (597)
Proceeds/(repayment) from borrowings under new credit facility 2,025 1,393 (260) 951
Capital element of finance lease repayments (78) (54) (35) (222)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 730 502 555 849
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (67) (46) (5) 24
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 87 60 65 41
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 20 14 60 65
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements
5
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income
Ordinary Limited Shares Additional Other Accumulated Total
shares voting held in paid-in comprehensive deficit
shares trust capital income
(pound)m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1998 214 - (2) 1,896 - (1,067) 1,041
Ordinary shares issued on exercise of -
share options 1 - - 12 - 13
Redesignation of ordinary shares (6) 6 - - - - -
Shares issued under the rights issue to
fund acquisition of Cable London plc 19 - - 394 - - 413
Ordinary shares issued on conversion of
Senior Convertible Notes 2007 - - - 1 - - 1
Accrued share based compensation cost - - - 25 - - 25
Net loss - - - - - (541) (541)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1999 228 6 (2) 2,328 - (1,608) 952
Ordinary shares issued on exercise of -
share options - - - 3 - 3
Shares issued to acquire Flextech Plc -
net of issue costs 60 - - 1,873 - 1,933
Accrued share based compensation cost - - - 5 - - 5
Unrealised gain on deemed disposal of
shares in an affiliate - - - 7 - - 7
Net loss - - - - - (755) (755)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2000 288 6 (2) 4,216 - (2,363) 2,145
Unrealised gain/(loss) on derivative financial instruments:
Cumulative effects of accounting change - - - - (16) - (16)
Amounts reclassified into earnings - - - - (5) - (5)
Current period increase in fair value - - - - 57 - 57
Net loss - - - - - (1,741) (1,741)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total comprehensive loss (1,705)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealised gain on deemed partial
disposal of investment - - - - 1 - 1
Ordinary shares issued on exercise of
share options 1 - 1 6 - - 8
Gain on retranslation of investment in an
overseas subsidiary - - - 1 - - 1
Redesignation of ordinary shares (2) 2 - - - - -
Accrued share based compensation cost - - - 1 - - 1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2001 287 8 (1) 4,224 37 (4,104) 451
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There was no other comprehensive income in either the year ended December 31,
1999 or 2000.
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements
6
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
1 Organization and
History Telewest Communications plc ("the Company") and its subsidiary
undertakings (together "the Group") provide cable television, telephony and
internet services to business and residential customers in the United Kingdom
("UK"). The Group derives its cable television revenues from installation fees,
monthly basic and premium service fees and advertising charges. The Group
derives its telephony revenues from connection charges, monthly line rentals,
call charges, special residential service charges and interconnection fees
payable by other operators. The Group derives its internet revenues from
installation fees and monthly subscriptions to its ISP. The cable television,
telephony and internet services account in 2001 for approximately 26%, 60% and
2%, respectively, of the Group's revenue.
The Group is also engaged in broadcast media activities, being the supply of
entertainment content, interactive and transactional services to the UK pay-TV
and internet markets. The Group operates a portfolio of thematic subscription
and transactional channels. It also operates on the internet and has additional
investments in production facilities and programming. The Content Division
accounts in 2001 for approximately 10% of the Group's revenue.
2 Basis of Preparation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("US
GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The
Group's significant estimates and assumptions include capitalisation of labor
and overhead costs; impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets (see note 5);
and accounting for debt and financial instruments (see note 4). Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The
directors consider that the current credit facilities of the Group which were
approved in March 2001, provide sufficient funding to finance its existing
business plans, satisfy working capital requirements and pay interest on
existing debt instruments for at least twelve months from the date of approval
of these consolidated financial statements.
The Group regularly monitors its ongoing ability to draw down under the
facilities, which is dependent on satisfying financial covenants. As with most
growth businesses, further increases in business performance and profitability
are necessary to ensure continued compliance with the terms of the covenants.
However, as with any forecast information, the principal assumptions are clearly
subject to a high degree of risk, in particular the Group's ability to increase
revenues in accordance with its plans.
The Group's existing business plan and projections demonstrate that the forecast
growth in business performance will be sufficient to allow the Group to continue
to meet its current covenant obligations for a period of at least twelve months
from the date of approval of these statements.
The directors have considered all of these factors and they have a reasonable
expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational
existence for the foreseeable future. Therefore they have continued to adopt the
going concern basis in preparing the accounts.
The Group faces the following significant risks and uncertainties:
o Continued ability to raise finance to fund its operations
o Successful execution of its long term business plan, which in turn will
affect the Group's ability to raise further finance under the Senior
Secured Facility (see note 15)
o The need to meet financial and other covenants relating to debt instruments
which have already been issued.
The economic environment and currency in which the Group operates is the UK and
hence its reporting currency is Pounds Sterling ((pound)). Certain financial
information for the year ended December 31, 2001 has been translated into US
Dollars ($), with such US Dollar amounts being unaudited and presented solely
for the convenience of the reader, at the rate of $1.4543=(pound)1.00, the Noon
Buying Rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on December 31, 2001. The
presentation of the US Dollar amounts should not be construed as a
representation that the Pounds Sterling amounts could be so converted into US
Dollars at the rate indicated or at any other rate.
7
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
those of its majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts
and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. All acquisitions have
been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. Under this method,
the results of subsidiaries and affiliates acquired in the year are included in
the consolidated statement of operations from the date of acquisition.
Impairment of long lived assets and goodwill
The Group applies Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 121,
Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to Be
Disposed Of. SFAS 121 requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable
intangibles, including goodwill, to be held and used by an entity, be reviewed
for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Indications of impairment
are determined by reviewing undiscounted projected future cash flows. If
impairment is indicated, the amount of the impairment is determined by
discounting projected future cash flows to calculate a value in use. An
impairment charge is made to write assets down to their value in use.
Goodwill, arising from a purchased business combination and representing the
excess of the fair value of the consideration given over the fair value of the
identifiable net assets acquired, is amortized over the acquisition's useful
life. The Group assesses the recoverability of this intangible asset by
determining whether the amortization of the goodwill balance over its remaining
life can be recovered through projected undiscounted future operating cash flows
of the acquired operations. The assessment of the recoverability of goodwill
will be impacted if projected future operating cash flows are not achieved. The
amount of goodwill impairment, if any, is measured based on the projected
discounted future operating cash flows using a rate commensurate with the risks
associated with the assets.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original
maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible into cash.
Derivatives and hedging
At January 1, 2001, the Group adopted SFAS 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended by SFAS 137 and 138. SFAS 133
established accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments
including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and hedging
activities. It requires the recognition at fair value of all derivative
instruments as assets or liabilities in the Group's balance sheet. The
accounting treatment of changes in fair value is dependent on whether or not a
derivative instrument is designated a hedge and, if so, the type of hedge and
its effectiveness as a hedge.
For derivatives, which are not designated as hedges, changes in fair value are
recorded immediately in earnings.
For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value on the
effective portion of a hedge are recorded within other comprehensive income
until the hedged transaction occurs and are then recorded within earnings.
Changes in the ineffective portion of a hedge are recorded immediately in
earnings.
For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in fair value are
recorded immediately in earnings. The Group did not have any fair value hedges
during the year ended December 31, 2001.
The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it is determined
that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair
value or cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative expires or is sold,
terminated, or exercised, the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument,
because it is unlikely that a forecasted transaction will occur, a hedged firm
commitment no longer meets the definition of a firm commitment, or management
determines that designation of the derivative as a hedging instrument is no
longer appropriate.
Adoption of SFAS 133 on January 1, 2001 resulting in the Group recording
(pound)16 million of decline in fair value to accumulated other comprehensive
income, consisting of a decline of (pound)28 million to short term derivative
liabilities and a (pound)12 million gain to long term derivative assets.
Prior to adoption of SFAS 133 the Group had the following accounting policies in
respect of financial instruments: foreign currency forward contracts, options
and swaps, which were used to reduce the exchange risk on the principal amounts
and early call premiums on certain foreign currency borrowings, were recorded on
the balance sheet at their fair value. Gains and losses arising from changes in
fair value were recorded immediately within earnings. Such gains and losses were
offset to some extent by gains and losses arising from retranslating the
principal amounts of the
8
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
3 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Derivatives and hedging (continued)
foreign currency borrowings.
The Group also used foreign currency forward contracts and cross currency
interest rate swaps to reduce its exposure to adverse changes in exchange rates
associated with the interest payments on certain foreign currency borrowings.
Such foreign currency forward contracts and cross currency interest rate swaps
were accounted for using the accruals method.
The Group also used interest rate swap agreements and an interest rate collar to
manage interest rate risk on the Group's borrowings. Net income or expense
resulting from the differential between exchanging floating and fixed interest
payments was recorded within the consolidated statement of operations on an
accruals basis from the effective date of the interest rate swap agreements and
interest rate collar.
Other interest rate swaps which did not qualify as hedges, were recorded on the
balance sheet at fair value with gains and losses arising from changes in fair
value recorded immediately within earnings.
9
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
3 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Investments
Generally, investments in partnerships, joint ventures and subsidiaries in which
the Group's voting interest is 20% to 50%, and others where the Group has
significant influence, are accounted for using the equity method. Investments
which do not have a readily determinable fair value, in which the Group's voting
interest is less than 20%, and in which the Group does not have significant
influence, are carried at cost and written down to the extent that there has
been an other-than-temporary diminution in value. The Group accounts for certain
investments in which the Group's ownership is greater than 50% using the equity
method. This method is used for such subsidiaries where the minorities have
substantive participating rights such as veto over key operational and financial
matters and equal representation on the board of directors.
The Group reviews the carrying values of its investments in affiliates,
including any associated goodwill, to ensure that the carrying amount of such
investments are stated at no more than their recoverable amounts. The Group
assesses the recoverability of its investments by determining whether the
carrying value of the investments can be recovered through projected discounted
future operating cash flows (excluding interest) of the operations underlying
the investments. The assessment of the recoverability of the investments will be
impacted if projected future operating cash flows are not achieved. The amount
of impairment, if any, is measured based on the projected discounted future
operating cash flows using a rate commensurate with the risks associated with
the assets.
Advertising costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. The amount of advertising costs
expensed was (pound)48 million, (pound)38 million, and (pound)27 million for the
years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999, respectively.
Property and equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is provided to write off
the cost, less estimated residual value, of property and equipment by equal
instalments over their estimated useful economic lives as follows:
Freehold and long leasehold buildings 50 years Other equipment
Cable and ducting 20 years Office furniture
and fittings 5 years
Electronic equipment Motor vehicles 4 years
System electronics 8 years
Switching equipment 8 years
Subscriber electronics 5 years
Headend, studio, and playback
facilities 5 years
The Group accounts for costs, expenses and revenues applicable to the
construction and operation of its cable systems in accordance with SFAS 51
Financial Reporting by Cable Television Companies. Initial subscriber
installation costs are capitalized and depreciated over the life of the network.
Subsequent disconnection and reconnection costs are expensed as incurred.
Franchise costs
Expenditure incurred on successful applications for franchise licences is
included in property and equipment and is amortized over the remaining life of
the original franchise term. Costs relating to unsuccessful applications are
charged to the consolidated statement of operations.
10
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
3 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Deferred financing costs
Direct costs incurred in raising debt are deferred and recorded on the
consolidated balance sheet in other assets. The costs are amortized to the
consolidated statement of operations at a constant rate to the carrying value of
the debt over the life of the obligation.
Minority interests
Recognition of the minority interests' share of losses of consolidated
subsidiaries is limited to the amount of such minority interests' allocable
portion of the equity of those consolidated subsidiaries.
Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded using the rate of exchange in
effect at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the rate of exchange
prevailing at the balance sheet date and the gains or losses on translation are
included in the consolidated statement of operations.
Revenue recognition
Revenues are recognized as network communication services are provided. Credit
risk is managed by disconnecting services to customers who are delinquent.
Connection and activation fees relating to cable television, telephony and
internet are recognized in the period of connection to the extent that such fees
are less than direct selling costs. Any excess connection and activation fees
over direct selling costs incurred would be deferred and amortized over the
expected customer life. The excess of direct selling costs over connection and
activation fees is expensed as incurred.
Occasionally the Group sells capacity on its network to other telecommunications
providers. Sales of capacity are accounted for as sales-type leases, operating
leases, or service agreements depending on the terms of the transaction. Revenue
for sales of capacity, which meet the criteria of a sales-type lease, is
recognized as revenue using the percentage-of-completion method. If title is not
transferred or if the other requirements of sales-type lease accounting are not
met, revenues are recognized rateably over the term of the agreement.
Programming revenues are recognized in accordance with Statement of Position
("SOP") 00 - 2, Accounting by Producers or Distributors of Films. Revenue on
transactional and interactive sales is recognized as and when the services are
delivered. Advertising sales revenue is recognized at estimated realizable
values when the advertising is aired.
Recognition of contract costs
Certain of the sales of network capacity referred to above involve the Group
constructing new capacity. Where the Group retains some of this new capacity,
either for subsequent resale or for use within the business, then an element of
the construction costs is retained within inventory or equipment, respectively.
The allocation of construction cost between costs expensed to the statement of
operations and costs capitalized within inventory or equipment is based upon the
ratio of capacity sold and retained.
Pension costs
The Group operates a defined contribution scheme (the Telewest Communications
plc Pension Trust) or contributes to third-party schemes on behalf of employees.
The amount included in expenses in 2001, 2000 and 1999 of (pound)10 million,
(pound)8 million and (pound)5 million, respectively, represents the
contributions payable to the selected schemes in respect of the relevant
accounting periods.
11
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
3 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Income taxes
Under the asset and liability method of SFAS 109 Accounting for Income Taxes,
deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates
expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary
differences are expected to be recovered.
The Group recognises deferred tax assets only where it is more likely than not
that the benefit will be realized through future taxable income. Otherwise a
valuation allowance is established to provide against deferred tax assets.
Share-based compensation
SFAS 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, encourages, but does not
require, companies to record compensation costs for share-based employee
compensation plans at fair value. The Group has chosen to continue to account
for share-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. ("APB") 25, Accounting for Stock Issued
to Employees and related interpretations. Accordingly, compensation cost for
fixed plan share options is measured as the excess, if any, of the quoted market
price of the Company's shares at the date of the grant over the amount an
employee must pay to acquire the shares. Compensation cost for variable plan
share options is measured each period using the intrinsic value method until the
variable or performance features of the plan become fixed. Compensation expense
is recognized over the applicable vesting period.
Shares purchased by the trustees in connection with the Telewest Restricted
Share Scheme and certain LTIP awards, are valued at cost and are reflected as a
reduction of shareholders' equity in the consolidated balance sheet. This equity
account is reduced when the shares are issued to employees based on the original
cost of the shares to the trustees.
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share has been computed by dividing net loss available to
ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares
outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share is computed by adjusting
the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year for
all dilutive potential ordinary shares outstanding during the year and adjusting
the net loss for any changes in income or loss that would result from the
conversion of such potential ordinary shares. There is no difference in net loss
and number of shares used for basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share, as
potential ordinary share equivalents for employee share options and convertible
debt are not included in the computation as their effect would be to decrease
the loss per share. The number of potential ordinary shares was 393 million, 464
million and 82 million in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
Inventories
Inventories of equipment, held for use in the maintenance and expansion of the
Group's telecommunications systems, are stated at cost, including appropriate
overheads, less provision for deterioration and obsolescence. Network capacity
and ducting held for resale are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable
value.
12
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
3 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
New Accounting Standards Applicable to the Group
Business Combinations and Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - SFAS 141 and
SFAS 142
In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS 141,
Business Combinations and SFAS 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. SFAS
141 requires all business combinations undertaken after June 30, 2001 to be
accounted for using the purchase method. Under SFAS 142, goodwill arising from
business combinations and intangible assets with indefinite lives are no longer
amortized but are subject to annual review for impairment (or more frequently
should indications of impairment arise). Goodwill associated with equity method
investments will also no longer be amortized upon adoption of SFAS 142, but will
be subject to impairment testing as part of the investment to which it relates
in accordance with APB 18, The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in
Common Stock. Separable intangible assets that do not have indefinite lives will
continue to be amortized over their estimated useful lives and will be subject
to review for impairment in accordance with SFAS 144 (see below). The
amortization provisions of SFAS 142 apply to goodwill and intangible assets
acquired after June 30, 2001. For goodwill and intangible assets acquired prior
to July 1, 2001, the Group was required to adopt SFAS 142 effective January 1,
2002. As of January 1, 2002 the Group had (pound)2,199 million of unamortized
goodwill, (pound)1,892 million of which related to business combinations and
(pound)307 million of which related to equity method investments. Impairment
under SFAS 142 is measured using a two-step approach, initially based on a
comparison of the reporting unit's fair value to its carrying value; if the fair
value is lower, then the second step compares the implied fair value of the
goodwill with its carrying value to determine the impairment. This second step
must be completed within a year of initial application of SFAS 142. Other than
the cessation of amortization of goodwill, as described above, the Group does
not believe that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on
its financial position or results of operations. Any loss resulting from the
transitional impairment test will be recorded as a change in accounting
principle.
Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations - SFAS 143
In July 2001, the FASB issued SFAS 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligations. SFAS 143, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after June
15, 2002, requires entities to record the fair value of a liability for an asset
retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. When the liability
is initially recorded, an entity capitalizes a cost by increasing the carrying
amount of the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted to
its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the
useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, an entity
either settles the obligation for its recorded amount or incurs a gain or loss
upon settlement. The Group is required to adopt this standard from January 1,
2003. The Group has not yet determined the impact, if any, the adoption of this
standard will have on its financial position or results of operations.
Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets - SFAS 144
In October 2001, the FASB issued SFAS 144, Accounting for the Impairment or
Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. While SFAS 144 supersedes SFAS 121, Accounting
for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed
Of, it retains many of the fundamental provisions of that Statement. SFAS 144
also supersedes the accounting and reporting provisions of APB 30, Reporting the
Results of Operations - Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a
Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and
Transactions, for the disposal of a segment and extends that reporting to a
component of an entity that either has been disposed of (by sale, abandonment,
or in a distribution to owners) or is classified as held for sale. SFAS 144 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001 and interim periods
within those fiscal years. The Group is required to adopt this standard from
January 1, 2002, and has not yet determined the impact, if any, the adoption of
this standard will have on its financial position or results of operations.
13
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
4 Financial instruments
The Group holds derivative financial instruments solely to hedge specific risks
and does not hold such instruments for trading purposes. The derivatives are
held to hedge against the variability in cash flows arising from the effect of
fluctuations of GBP:USD exchange rate on its US Dollar denominated debt and from
changes in interest rates on its variable rate bank debt.
Cash flow hedges
Hedges of US dollar denominated debt
The Group has issued US Dollar denominated debt instruments with a range of
maturities. The Group generally hedges the principal amounts of these
instruments up to their first call dates or other such dates where the Group may
at its option redeem the instrument before maturity. This is because the Group
expects to either repay or refinance the debt before the debt matures. The
exception is the principal amount of the Senior Convertible Notes 2005 for which
no forward contracts are in place, as the expectation is that these Notes will
convert before the maturity date or be refinanced in US Dollars before the
maturity date.
In addition the Group hedges the interest payments on its US Dollar denominated
debt, usually up to the first call date of the debt instruments. The Group
assesses the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of these derivative instruments
on a quarterly basis.
Hedges of the US Dollar denominated debt comprise foreign currency swaps, and
foreign exchange forward contracts. The aggregate notional principal amounts of
these hedges are $2,325 million. The average exchange rates are between $1.418
and $1.646 with maturity dates between October 1, 2002 and February 1, 2005.
During the year ended December 31, 2001, these hedges were deemed effective as
the critical terms of these hedges matched those of the underlying debt.
Therefore gains and losses arising from changes in the fair values of these
hedges have been recorded within other comprehensive income for the period. The
ineffective portion of these hedges was not significant.
In addition the Group holds derivative financial instruments which have not been
designated as hedges. Such instruments comprise foreign exchange forward
contracts. These have an aggregate notional principal amount of $1,567 million.
The exchange rates are between $1.3696 and $1.4685 and have maturity dates
between January 1, 2002 and October 1, 2003.
Of these contracts $1,537 million are associated with the Senior Discount
Debenture 2007, but cover a range of dates between April 1, 2002 and October 1,
2003. The Senior Discount Debenture 2007 is callable at any time at the
Company's option; these contracts were entered into to provide the Company with
flexibility in timing of an early call. The balance of $30 million is associated
with forecast purchases of inventory. As these contracts have not been
designated hedges, gains or losses arising from the change in fair value of
these contracts, are recorded immediately in the statement of operations within
foreign exchange gains and losses. For the year ended December 31, 2001, a gain
of (pound)47 million was recorded on these contracts.
Amounts recorded within other comprehensive income will be reclassified into
earnings where there is ineffectiveness, when the hedged transaction takes place
or where there is a change in the Group's circumstances that support the
effectiveness of the hedges. An estimated loss of (pound)3 million is expected
to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.
14
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
4 Financial instruments (continued)
Hedges of variable rate debt
As described in note 15 to the consolidated financial statements, the Group has
a Senior Secured Facility with a syndicate of banks and an Institutional
Tranche. Draw downs under the Senior Secured Facility and the Institutional
Tranche bear interest at 0.5% to 2.25% above LIBOR and up to 4% above LIBOR
respectively, so the Group is exposed to variable cash flows arising from
changes in LIBOR. The Group hedges these variable cash flows by the use of
interest rate swaps. The interest rate swaps can be summarised as follows:
- ----------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------- --------------------- -------------------
Effective dates Maturities Notional principal Receives Pays
- ----------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------- --------------------- -------------------
1/2/1997 - 7/1/2002 3/28/2002 - 1/1/2005 (pound)700m 6-month LIBOR 5.71% - 7.835%
- ----------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------- --------------------- -------------------
4/1/2002 1/1/2005 (pound)200m 3-month LIBOR 5.7% - 5.75%
- ----------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------- --------------------- -------------------
The Group assesses the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of these derivative
instruments on a quarterly basis. The ineffective portion of the Group's
interest rate swaps was not significant.
...Amounts recorded within other comprehensive income will be reclassified into
earnings where there is ineffectiveness, when the hedged transaction takes place
or where there is a change in the Group's circumstances that support the
effectiveness of the hedges. An estimated (pound)2 million is expected to be
reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.
Fair value of financial instruments
SFAS 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments requires
disclosure of an estimate of the fair values of financial instruments. SFAS 107
defines the fair value of a financial instrument as the amount at which the
instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties
other than in a forced sale. 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 judgement, and therefore cannot be
determined precisely. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the
estimates.
15
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
4 Financial instruments (continued)
At December 31, 2001 the Group's significant financial instruments include cash
and cash equivalents, trade receivables, foreign currency swaps, interest rate
swaps, foreign exchange forward contracts, trade payables and long-term
borrowings. The following table summarizes the fair value of certain instruments
held by and obligations of the Group. The fair value of the other financial
instruments held by the Group approximates their recorded carrying amount due to
the short maturity of these instruments and these instruments are not presented
in the following table:
- --------------------------------------------- -------------------- --------------- ----------------------- ------------
At December At
31, 2001 December
31, 2000
Carrying amount Fair value Carrying amount Fair value
- --------------------------------------------- -------------------- --------------- ----------------------- ------------
(pound)m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m
Financial instruments - assets:
Foreign exchange forward contracts 131 131 - -
Foreign currency swaps 15 15 7 7
- --------------------------------------------- -------------------- --------------- ----------------------- ------------
Financial instruments - liabilities
Interest rate swap agreements (25) (25) - (33)
Foreign exchange forward contracts (4) (4) (8) (14)
- --------------------------------------------- -------------------- --------------- ----------------------- ------------
Debt obligations
Accreting Convertible Notes 2003 268 268 225 225
Senior Convertible Notes 2005 344 234 334 234
Senior Debentures 2006 206 155 200 173
Senior Convertible Notes 2007 300 174 300 179
Senior Discount Debentures 2007 1,059 803 1,078 920
Senior Notes 2008 226 185 235 207
Senior Discount Notes 2009 505 308 473 312
Senior Notes 2010 378 315 388 352
Senior Discount Notes 2010 185 136 178 135
Senior Secured Facility 1,360 1,360 690 690
Flextech facility - - 116 116
Other debt 66 66 37 37
- --------------------------------------------- -------------------- --------------- ----------------------- ------------
The estimated fair values of the financial instruments specified above are based
on quotations received from independent, third party financial institutions and
represents the net amounts receivable or payable to terminate the position. The
estimated fair values of the Debentures and Notes are also based on quotations
from independent third party financial institutions and are based on discounting
the future cash flows to net present values using appropriate market interest
rates prevailing at the year end. The directors consider that the fair value of
the Accreting Convertible Notes 2003 is not materially different from the
carrying value, as the Notes may not be traded and must be held until maturity.
Market risk and concentrations of credit risk
Market risk is the sensitivity of the value of the financial instruments to
changes in related currency and interest rates. Generally, the Group is not
exposed to such market risk because gains and losses on the underlying assets
and liabilities offset gains and losses on the financial instruments.
The Group may be exposed to potential losses due to the credit risk of
non-performance by the financial institution counterparties to its portfolio of
derivative financial instruments However such losses are not anticipated as
these counterparties are major international financial institutions and the
portfolio is spread over a wide range of institutions.
Temporary cash investments also potentially expose the Group to concentrations
of credit risk, as defined by SFAS 133. The Group places its temporary cash
investments with major international financial institutions and limits the
amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution. Concentrations of
credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the large
number of customers comprising the Group's customer base. At December 31, 2001,
the Group had no significant concentration of credit risk.
16
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
5 Impairment of assets
During the year ended December 31, 2001, the Group undertook an impairment
review of its network assets, of goodwill arising on recent acquisitions and of
its investments in affiliates acquired in recent years. The review covered the
Cable and Content Divisions. The principal reasons for the review were: a share
price decline indicative of a fall in the values of the underlying assets and a
softening of the ad-sales market.
The review found evidence of impairment in the value of goodwill arising on the
core Content business and in the value of two affiliated undertakings, UKTV and
SMG. The carrying amount of goodwill and the investments in two affiliated
undertakings were written down to fair value, resulting in a charge of
(pound)766 million against goodwill and a charge of (pound)202 million against
the investments in affiliated undertakings. These charges have been included in
the statement of operations within impairment of goodwill and share of net
losses of affiliates respectively. Fair value for the investment in SMG was
based on quoted market prices for SMG shares. The estimated fair value of the
goodwill and the investment in UKTV was based on projected future cash flows at
a discount rate of 11.5% which the Group believes is commensurate with the risks
associated with the assets. The projected future cash flows were determined
using the company's ten-year plan for the business, with a terminal value which
takes into account analysts' and other published projections of future trends
across pay TV platforms, including the total television advertising market.
No impairment in the carrying value of the network assets was required.
6 Business combinations
On May 30, 2001, the Group acquired 51% of the issued share capital of Rapid
Travel Solutions Limited ("Rapid Travel") and was granted a series of call
options by and granted a series of put options to the vendors in respect of the
balance of 49%. Assuming that either party exercises these options, the Group
will acquire the remainder of the share capital in tranches ending on November
30, 2003 for total consideration of (pound)4 million. The acquisition has been
accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. Goodwill arising on the
acquisition was (pound)7 million, which is being amortized over 20 years.
If the Group had acquired Rapid Travel at the beginning of 2000 and 2001, the
Group's results would not have been materially different from the actual results
as disclosed in these financial statements.
On April 19, 2000 the Company acquired the entire issued share capital of
Flextech Plc ("Flextech"), a company engaged in broadcast media activities, for
a total consideration of (pound)1,978 million. This comprised 601 million shares
of 10p each and acquisition costs of (pound)31 million. The value attributed to
the shares issued was 323.85p per share, being the average share market price
for a five day period around December 17, 1999, the day the terms of the
acquisitions were agreed to and announced. The acquisition was accounted for
using the purchase method of accounting. The goodwill arising on acquisition of
Flextech was (pound)1,382 million, which is being amortized over its estimated
useful life of 20 years. As described in note 5, the Group has undertaken an
impairment review of goodwill. As a result of the review, a charge of (pound)766
million has been made.
On November 1, 2000 the Company acquired the entire issued share capital of
Eurobell (Holdings) PLC ("Eurobell"), from Deutsche Telekom ("DT") and agreed to
pay initial and deferred consideration to DT, (as discussed below), in the form
of 5% Accreting Convertible Notes due 2003. The aggregate principal amount of
such Notes, following agreement of the deferred consideration is (pound)254
million. The terms of the Accreting Convertible Notes are described in note 15
to these financial statements.
Upon completion of the acquisition, the Company issued a (pound)220 million
Accreting Convertible Note to DT in consideration for: Eurobell's entire issued
share capital, (pound)72 million, the assignment of an inter-company loan
previously owed by Eurobell to DT, (pound)128 million, and a cash payment
remitted to Eurobell by DT shortly after the acquisition, (pound)20 million.
Subsequently, on January 15, 2001 DT remitted a further cash payment, (pound)30
million, to Eurobell and the Company issued an additional Accreting Convertible
Note to DT for (pound)30 million.
In addition under the terms of the acquisition, the Company was obliged to
provide deferred consideration, contingent on Eurobell's turnover for the year
ended December 31, 2000 exceeding a certain target. As a result, an additional
(pound)3.5 million Accreting Convertible Note, dated April 2, 2001 was issued to
DT. This deferred consideration was accrued for at December 31, 2000.
Goodwill of (pound)1 million arose on the acquisition which is being amortized
over 20 years.
If the Company had acquired Flextech and Eurobell on January 1, 2000 the Group's
net loss of (pound)755 million and loss per share of (pound)0.28 would have been
(pound)820 million and (pound)0.28, respectively.
On November 23, 1999 the Company acquired the remaining 50% of the issued share
capital of Cable London PLC ("Cable London") which it did not already own, for
cash consideration of (pound)389 million plus acquisition costs of (pound)5
million and assumption of debt of (pound)39 million. The acquisition has been
accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The goodwill arising on
17
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
acquisition was (pound)438 million and is being amortized on a straight-line
basis over 20 years which is the average remaining useful life of the network
assets acquired with Cable London.
7 Supplemental disclosures to consolidated statements of cash flows
Cash paid for interest was (pound)335 million, (pound)164 million and (pound)124
million for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
Significant non-cash investing activities are described below. The amounts
stated for 2001 represent the purchase of Rapid Travel. The amounts stated for
2000 represent the purchase of Flextech and Eurobell. The amounts stated for
1999 represent the purchase of Cable London. These transactions are described in
note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.
Year ended December 31
2001 2000 1999
(pound)m (pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acquisitions:
Assets 1 1,104 180
Liabilities assumed (2) (172) (117)
Debt assumed - (261) (126)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net (liabilities)/assets (contributed)/ assumed (1) 671 (63)
Less:
Previously accounted for:
Equity investment in Cable London - - (32)
Share of cumulative losses of Cable London - - 51
Goodwill arising 7 1,383 438
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 2,054 394
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Share consideration/capital contribution - 1,946 -
Debt consideration - 75 -
Purchase of shares 2 - 389
Option consideration 4 - -
Direct costs of acquisition - 33 5
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 2,054 394
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 2001 the Group entered into capital lease obligations with a total capital
value of (pound)47 million. In addition the Group entered into vendor financing
arrangements, under which it had a remaining financed balance of (pound)23
million at December 31, 2001. At December 31, 2001, the Group had accrued a
further (pound)35 million of capital expenditure for property and equipment.
In 2000, (pound)114 million of goodwill was allocated to investments in
affiliates.
At December 31
2001 2000
8 Other receivables (pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value Added Tax refund - 4
Interconnection receivables 2 6
Accrued income 68 60
Other 27 31
Foreign currency swap 15 7
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
112 108
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued income primarily represents telephone calls made by Cable Division
subscribers and income accrued under Business Services Division contracts that
have not been billed as at the accounting period end.
18
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
9 Investments
The Group has investments in affiliates accounted for under the equity method at
December 31, 2001 and 2000 as follows:
Percentage ownership at December 31
2001 2000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Front Row Television Limited 50.0% 53.0%
Blueyonder Workwise Limited 70.0% 70.0%
UKTV 50.0% 50.0%
SMG plc 16.9% 17.2%
Summarized combined financial information for such affiliates which operate
principally in the cable television, broadcasting and interactive media
industries is as follows:
At December 31
2001 2000
(pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combined financial position
Current assets 162 153
Property and equipment, net 54 57
Intangible assets, net 112 360
Other assets, net 7 115
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets 335 685
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current liabilities 133 128
Debt 66 -
Other liabilities 557 498
Owners' equity (421) 59
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities and equity 335 685
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31
2001 2000 1999
(pound)m (pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combined operations
Revenue 408 406 10
Operating expenses (324) (343) (9)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit 84 63 1
Interest expense (38) (30) -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net profit 46 33 1
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At December 31
2001 2000
(pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Group's investments in affiliates are comprised as
follows:
Goodwill 27 114
Loans 260 267
Share of net assets 260 403
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
547 784
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Included within investments in affiliates is(pound)80 million (2000:(pound)148
million) in respect of listed investments. The aggregate market value of these
listed investments at December 31, 2001 was(pound)80 million (2000:(pound)146
million). In addition,(pound)18 million (2000:(pound)nil) of the investment in
SMG plc provides security for a loan.
19
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
10 Property and equipment
Land Buildings Cable and Electronic Other equipment Total
ducting equipment
(pound)m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acquisition costs
Balance at January 1, 2001 6 119 2,630 1,393 552 4,700
Additions - 14 556 31 52 653
Disposals - - - - (7) (7)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2001 6 133 3,186 1,424 597 5,346
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated depreciation
Balance at January 1, 2001 - 35 546 605 225 1,411
Charge for the year - 10 348 56 55 469
Disposals - - - - (7) (7)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2001 - 45 894 661 273 1,873
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001 Net book value 6 88 2,292 763 324 3,473
=======================================================================================================================
Acquisition costs
Balance at January 1, 2000 6 100 2,267 1,063 372 3,808
On acquisition - 4 188 92 17 301
Additions - 15 176 239 165 595
Disposals - - (1) (1) (2) (4)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2000 6 119 2,630 1,393 552 4,700
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated depreciation
Balance at January 1, 2000 - 28 398 409 155 990
Charge for the year - 7 148 197 71 423
Disposals - - - (1) (1) (2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2000 - 35 546 605 225 1,411
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 Net book value 6 84 2,084 788 327 3,289
=======================================================================================================================
Cable and ducting consists principally of civil engineering and fiber optic
costs. In addition, cable and ducting includes net book value of
pre-construction and franchise costs of (pound)14 million and (pound)16 million
as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. Electronic equipment includes
the Group's switching, headend and converter equipment. Other equipment consists
principally of motor vehicles, office furniture and fixtures and leasehold
improvements.
Additions
charged to
Balance at Acquisition of costs and Balance at
January 1 subsidiaries expenses Deductions December 31
11 Valuation and qualifying accounts (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001 Deferred tax valuation allowances 733 - 168 - 901
Allowance for doubtful accounts 19 - 3 (6) 16
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 Deferred tax valuation allowances 491 38 204 - 733
Allowance for doubtful accounts 13 5 14 (13) 19
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 Deferred tax valuation allowances 369 39 83 - 491
Allowance for doubtful accounts 14 2 14 (17) 13
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
12 Other assets
At December 31
2001 2000
The components of other assets, net of amortization, are as follows: (pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred financing costs of debentures 22 32
Deferred financing costs of Senior Secured Facility 36 15
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
58 47
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As described in note 15, the Group entered into a new Senior Secured credit
facility on March 16, 2001. As a result the deferred financing costs included
within other assets at December 31, 2000 were written off.
2001 2000
13 Inventory (pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raw materials and consumables 1 2
Inventories of spare capacity and duct held for re-sale 36 36
Programming inventory 30 31
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
67 69
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At December
31
14 Other liabilities 2001 2000
Other liabilities are summarized as follows: (pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred income 114 83
Accrued construction costs 67 30
Accrued programming costs 24 33
Accrued interconnect costs 39 37
Accrued interest 111 85
Accrued staff costs 35 24
Accrued expenses 41 67
Other liabilities 93 44
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
524 403
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
15 Debt
Weighted
Debt is summarized as follows at average
December 31, 2001 and 2000: 2001 interest rate 2001 2000
2000 1999 (pound)m (pound)m
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accreting Convertible Notes 2003 5% 5% - 268 225
Senior Convertible Notes 2005 6% 6% - 344 334
Senior Debentures 2006 9.625% 9.625% 9.625% 206 200
Senior Convertible Notes 2007 5.25% 5.25% 5.25% 300 300
Senior Discount Debentures 2007 11% 11% 11% 1,059 1,078
Senior Notes 2008 11.25% 11.25% 11.25% 226 235
Senior Discount Notes 2009 9.25% 9.25% 9.25% 261 237
Senior Discount Notes 2009 9.875% 9.875% 9.875% 244 236
Senior Notes 2010 9.875% 9.875% - 378 388
Senior Discount Notes 2010 11.375% 11.375% - 185 178
Senior Secured Facility 7.265% 7.553% 8.777% 1,360 690
Flextech facility - 6.712% - - 116
Cable London facility - - 6.684% - -
Other debt 6.767% 7.432% 7.5% 66 37
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,897 4,254
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes and debentures
- --------------------------------------- -------- ------------ --------------------- --------------------- ------------
Principal Maturity date Earliest redemption Interest
m date rate
- --------------------------------------- -------- ------------ --------------------- --------------------- ------------
Accreting Convertible Notes 2003 GBP 294 November 1, 2003 November 1, 2003 5%
Senior Convertible Notes 2005 USD 500 July 7, 2005 July 7, 2003 6%
Senior Debentures 2006 USD 300 October 1, 2006 October 1, 2000 9.625%
Senior Convertible Notes 2007 GBP 300 February 19, 2007 March 9, 2003 5.25%
Senior Discount Debentures 2007 USD 1,537 October 1, 2007 October 1, 2000 11%
Senior Notes 2008 USD 350 November 1,2008 November 1, 2003 11.25%
Senior Discount Notes 2009 GBP 325 April 15, 2009 April 15, 2004 9.875%
Senior Discount Notes 2009 USD 500 April 15, 2009 April 15, 2004 9.25%
Senior Notes 2010 GBP 180 February 1, 2010 February 1, 2005 9.875%
Senior Notes 2010 USD 350 February 1, 2010 February 1, 2005 9.875%
Senior Discount Notes 2010 USD 450 February 1, 2010 February 1, 2005 11.375%
- --------------------------------------- -------- ------------ --------------------- --------------------- ------------
The Debentures and Notes are unsecured liabilities of the Group.
The Senior Convertible Notes 2005 are convertible into 114 million ordinary
shares of the Group at a conversion price of 288p per ordinary share. Conversion
is at the holders' option at any time up to the close of business on June 22,
2005. The Senior Convertible Notes 2007 are convertible into 92 million ordinary
shares of the Group at a conversion price of 325p per ordinary share. Conversion
is at the holders' option at any time up to close of business on February 2,
2007. If Notes are called for redemption prior to maturity, each holder has the
right to convert Notes into ordinary shares. The Accreting Convertible Notes
2003 are convertible into 162 million ordinary shares of the Group at an initial
conversion price of 156.56p per ordinary share. Conversion is at maturity, at
the holder's option but the Group can elect to settle in cash, in whole but not
in part, at any time at 100% of the accreted value provided that for a certain
10 day period prior to redemption, the price per ordinary share has been at
least 130% of the average conversion price in effect on each day during the 10
day period.
On January 15, 2001, DT remitted a cash payment of (pound)30 million to its
former subsidiary Eurobell, under the terms of the acquisition of Eurobell by
the Company on November 1, 2000. In consideration the Company issued additional
Accreting Convertible Notes 2003 for the same amount. In addition, under the
terms of the acquisition, the Company was obliged to provide deferred
consideration, contingent on Eurobell's turnover for the year ended December 31,
2000 exceeding a certain target. As a result additional (pound)3.5 million
Accreting Convertible Notes 2003, dated April 2, 2001, were issued to DT.
22
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
15 Debt (continued)
The unamortized portion of the discounts on issue on the Senior Discount Notes
2009 and Senior Discount Notes 2010 was (pound)123 million and (pound)101
million respectively. The discount on issue is being amortized up to the first
call dates of the bonds, such as to produce a constant rate of return on the
carrying amount.
The indentures under which the Debentures and Notes were issued contain various
covenants, which among other things, restrict the ability of the Group to incur
additional indebtedness, pay dividends, create certain liens, enter into certain
transactions with shareholders or affiliates, or sell certain assets. The Group
was in compliance with the covenants at December 31, 2001.
The Group hedges its exposure to movements in the USD:GBP exchange rate through
the use of foreign currency swaps and foreign exchange forward contracts. These
contracts are typically designed to match the first call date of the debt or
where this date has already passed, a specified date in the future. Details of
these derivative instruments are disclosed in note 5.
Senior Secured Facility
On March 16, 2001 the Group entered into a new senior secured credit facility
(the "Senior Secured Facility") with a syndicate of banks for (pound)2 billion,
of which (pound)1,360 million was drawn down at December 31, 2001. The Group is
also able to raise a further (pound)250m from institutional investors (the
"Institutional Tranche") of which (pound)125 million was drawn down at December
31, 2001. The first draw downs under the Senior Secured Facility were used to
repay amounts owed under the old senior secured credit facilities.
Borrowings under the Senior Secured Facility are secured on the assets of the
Group including the partnership interests and shares of subsidiaries and bear
interest at 0.5% to 2.25% over LIBOR (depending on the ratio of borrowings to
quarterly, annualized, consolidated net operating cash flow). Borrowings under
the Institutional Tranche bear interest at up to 4% above LIBOR.
The Group's ability to borrow under the Senior Secured Facility and the
Institutional Tranche is subject to, amongst other things, its compliance with
the financial and borrowing conditions contained therein. There are three
covenants, which are applied as follows:
o Interest charged on the senior debt facility compared with earnings
before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (`EBITDA');
o Cash-paying interest compared with EBITDA; and
o Senior debt compared with EBITDA
At December 31, 2001, the Group was in compliance with these covenants and
conditions and expects to be in compliance throughout 2002.
Vendor financing
The Group has entered into vendor financing arrangements to fund its purchase of
equipment from certain suppliers. Under the terms of these arrangements the
Group defers payment for periods up to 36 months. Interest is charged on these
arrangements at a rate that is fixed for the life of the arrangements. The
balance on these arrangements at December 31, 2001 was (pound)23 million.
SMG loan
On July 11, 2001, the Group entered into a contract with Toronto Dominion Bank
("TD"), whereby TD provides a loan to the Group, in return for security over 55%
of the Group's shareholding in SMG plc. The arrangement matures after one year,
but can be extended for up to three years by mutual agreement. The balance on
the loan at December 31, 2001 was (pound)33 million.
Bank loans
Bank loans are property loans secured on certain freehold and long leasehold
land and buildings held by the Group. The balance at December 31, 2001 was
(pound)10 million.
Other loans
At December 31, 2000 the Group had a credit facility with Liberty Media. The
balance at that date was (pound)17 million. The Group also had a standby credit
facility of (pound)2 million made available by Vivendi SA. These two loans were
repaid during the year.
23
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
15 Debt (continued)
The Maturity Profile of the Group's long-term debt is as follows:
2001
(pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 60
2003 268
2004 1
2005 345
2006 598
2007 and thereafter 3,625
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,897
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16 Income taxes
Loss before income taxes is solely attributable to the UK: 2001 2000 1999
The provisions for income taxes follow: (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax benefit/(expense) - - -
Deferred tax benefit 70 6 -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
70 6 -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A reconciliation of income taxes determined using the statutory UK rate of 30%
(2000: 30%) to the effective rate of income tax is as follows:
Year ended
December 31
2001 2000 1999
% % %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate tax at UK statutory rates (30) (30) (30)
Change in valuation allowance 34 31 30
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 1 -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2001 and 2000 are summarized as follows:
2001 2000
(pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax assets relating to:
Fixed assets 410 304
Net operating loss carried forward 465 402
Other - investments 26 27
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax asset 901 733
Valuation allowance (901) (733)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments in affiliates (113) (183)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liability per balance sheet (113) (183)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
16 Income taxes (continued)
At December 31, 2001 the Group estimates that it has, subject to Inland Revenue
agreement, net operating losses ("NOLs") of (pound)1,550 million available to
relieve against future profits. This excludes capital allowances on assets which
are available to the Group, but have not been claimed, amounting to (pound)4,410
million.
Due to a history of operating losses the Group has established a valuation
allowance with respect to deferred tax assets.
The NOLs have an unlimited carry forward period under UK tax law, but are
limited to their use to the type of business which has generated the loss.
17 Shareholders' equity
Movement in share capital
On November 23, 1999, the Company completed its acquisition of the 50% of Cable
London not already owned from NTL (Bermuda) Limited, a subsidiary of NTL
Communications Corporation. The acquisition was mainly funded by the proceeds of
a rights issue to existing Telewest shareholders. Under the terms of the rights
issue shareholders were able to acquire one new ordinary share for every 11
shares held, at a price of 213 pence per new share. Under the rights issue 190
million ordinary shares were issued. In addition 6 million ordinary shares were
redesignated into 6 million limited voting convertible ordinary shares.
On March 31, 2000 the authorized share capital of the Company was increased to
(pound)460 million divided into 4,300 million ordinary shares of 10 pence each
and 300 million limited voting convertible ordinary shares of 10p each.
On April 19, 2000 the Company issued 601 million ordinary shares of 10 pence
each in consideration for the entire issued share capital of Flextech. Also in
2000, 4 million ordinary shares of 10 pence each were issued in consideration of
(pound)3 million on exercise of employee share options.
During 2001 the Company issued 7 million ordinary shares of 10 pence each upon
exercise of employee share options. Total consideration received was (pound)6
million. In addition the Company redesignated 20 million ordinary shares of 10p
each into 20 million limited voting convertible ordinary shares of 10 pence
each.
Limited voting convertible ordinary shares
The ordinary shares and the limited voting convertible ordinary shares have the
same rights, except that the limited voting convertible ordinary shares do not
confer the right to vote on resolutions to appoint, re-appoint, elect or remove
directors of Telewest. No application will be made for the limited voting
convertible ordinary shares to be listed or dealt in on any stock exchange.
Holders of limited voting convertible ordinary shares are entitled to convert
all or some of their limited voting convertible ordinary shares into fully paid
ordinary shares, provided that the conversion would not result in a change of
control of the Company for the purposes of the indentures governing certain
Notes and Debentures. The limited voting convertible ordinary shares are
convertible into ordinary shares at the Company's option at any time, subject to
certain conditions. The sole holders of the limited voting convertible ordinary
shares are Liberty Media and Microsoft.
Members of the Liberty Media Group and/or the Microsoft Group can re-designate
all or any of their ordinary shares into limited voting convertible ordinary
shares. This is to ensure that, on any future purchase of ordinary shares by
members of the Microsoft Group and/or members of the Liberty Media Group, they
will, at that time, be able to re-designate such number of their then existing
holding of ordinary shares so as to avoid a change of control of the Company for
the purposes of the Notes and Debentures.
Future purchases of ordinary shares and/or limited voting convertible ordinary
shares by members of the Liberty Media Group and/or the Microsoft Group will,
however, be subject to Rule 9 of the UK's City Code on Take-overs and Mergers
because both classes of shares are treated as voting shares for that purpose.
Under Rule 9, when any person acquires, whether by a series of transactions over
a period of time or not, shares which (taken together with shares held or
acquired by persons acting in concert with him) carry 30% or more (but less than
50%) of the voting rights of a public company, that person is normally required
to make a general offer to shareholders for the entire share capital of the
company then in issue. Any person, or group of persons acting in concert, owning
shares carrying 50% or more of the voting rights of a public company, subject to
their own individual limits, is free to acquire further shares in that public
company without giving rise to the requirement to make a general offer for the
entire issued share capital of that company.
25
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
17 Shareholders' equity (continued)
In May 2001, Liberty Media increased its shareholding in the Company as result
of the purchase of 20 million ordinary shares of 10p each. Prior to the increase
in shareholding, Liberty Media redesignated 20 million ordinary shares of 10p
each as limited voting convertible ordinary shares of 10 pence each. As a result
Liberty Media and Microsoft's combined shareholdings remained below 50% of the
issued ordinary share capital, above which level a change of control for the
purposes of the Group's debt securities may occur.
18 Share-based compensation plans
At December 31, 2001, the Company operated five types of share-based
compensation plans: the Executive Share Option Schemes, the Sharesave Schemes,
the Telewest Restricted Share Scheme ("RSS"), the Telewest Long Term Incentive
Plan ("LTIP") and an Equity Participation Plan ("EPP").
The Company applies APB Opinion Bulletin 25 and related interpretations in
accounting for its share-based compensation plans. Compensation cost is
recognized over the estimated service period in respect of performance based
share option grants to the extent that the market value of the Company's
ordinary shares exceeds the exercise price at the earlier of the vesting date or
the Balance Sheet date. Compensation cost is recognized for awards over ordinary
shares made under the RSS since the awards have no exercise price. Compensation
cost is recognized over the estimated service period in respect of the LTIP to
the extent that the market value of the Company's ordinary shares exceeds the
exercise price at the earlier of the vesting date or the Balance Sheet date.
Compensation cost recognized for share option grants and awards is as follows:
2001 2000 1999
(pound)m (pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RSS - - -
LTIP - 5 1
Executive Share Option Schemes 1 2 23
EPP 1 1 -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 8 24
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If compensation costs for share option grants and awards under the RSS, LTIP,
Executive Option Schemes and EPP had been determined based on their fair value
at the date of grant for 2001, 2000 and 1999 consistent with the method
prescribed by SFAS 123, the Group's net loss and basic and diluted loss per
share would have been adjusted to the pro forma amounts set out below:
2001 2000 1999
(pound)m (pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss - As reported (1,741) (755) (541)
- Pro forma (1,750) (757) (519)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(pound) (pound) (pound)
Basic and diluted loss per share - As reported (0.60) (0.28) (0.25)
- Pro forma (0.61) (0.28) (0.24)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fair value of each option grant in all plans was estimated as at the date of
grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The model used a
weighted-average, risk-free interest rate of 5.5%, 5.8% and 6.8% for grants in
2001, 2000 and 1999 respectively, and an expected volatility of 55%. The Group
does not expect to pay a dividend on its ordinary shares at any time during the
expected life of any outstanding option. The Group expects options to be held
until maturity.
26
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
18 Share-based compensation plans (continued)
Performance-based share option compensation plans
The Group has two performance-based share option plans: the 1995 (No. 1)
Executive Share Option Scheme and the 1995 (No. 2) Executive Share Option
Scheme. Under both plans, certain officers and employees are granted options to
purchase ordinary shares of the Company. The exercise price of each option
generally equals the market price of the Company's ordinary shares on the date
of grant. The options are exercisable between three and ten years after the date
of the grant with exercise conditional on the Company's shares out-performing by
price the FTSE100 Index over any three-year period preceding exercise. The
Company may grant options for up to 295 million ordinary shares.
A summary of the status of the Company's performance-based share option plans as
of December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 and the changes during the years ended on
those dates are presented below:
2001 2000 1999
Weighted Weighted Weighted
average average average
Number exercise Number exercise Number exercise
of shares price of shares price of shares price
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at beginning of year 52,503,409 173.2p 17,028,622 110.0p 26,165,744 118.9p
Adjustments during the year - - 4,457,322 143.8p 1,365,978 105.0p
Granted 53,709,994 98.8p 35,154,239 205.1p 1,163,027 265.4p
Exercised (1,210,816) 78.2p (2,501,964) 114.9p (8,566,437) 136.0p
Forfeited (7,302,750) 134.3p (1,634,810) 208.8p (3,099,690) 108.4p
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at end of year 97,699,837 136.4p 52,503,409 173.2p 17,028,622 110.0p
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options exercisable at year end 16,577,655 132.0p 14,938,772 129.8p 2,386,230 116.8p
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average fair value of
options granted during the year 69.7p 33.9p 201.4p
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The adjustments during 2000 arose as a result of the transfer in of former
Flextech outstanding options (1999-compensating option holders for the dilutive
effect of the rights issue in that year).
Share options are forfeited due to employees leaving the Group before their
share options become exercisable.
The following table summarizes information about the Company's performance-based
share options outstanding at December 31, 2001.
Options Options
outstanding exercisable
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number Weighted Weighted Number Weighted
outstanding average average exercisable average
at remaining exercise at exercise
December contractual price December 31, price
31, life 2001
Range of exercise prices 2001
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
65.7 - 76.8p 14,813,365 8.2 yrs 74.2p 4,028,801 72.1 p
81.5 - 82.5p 2,175,831 9.6 yrs 81.7p - -
84.6 - 99.9p 3,122,542 3.5 yrs 90.2p 3,122,542 90.2p
102.0 - 109.1p 34,373,272 9.2 yrs 103.7p 828,028 108.7p
114.0 - 125.9p 12,605,878 8.1 yrs 119.8p 1,635,814 124.6p
130.4 - 142.9p 2,899,478 3.1 yrs 139.7p 2,899,478 139.7p
156.6 - 170.0p 1,601,198 8.2 yrs 165.8p 172,307 159.8p
202.4 - 235.0p 24,794,408 8.5 yrs 228.9p 3,675,233 226.0p
237.3 - 249.4p 543,216 8.1 yrs 239.7p 79,086 244.7p
274.3 - 276.5p 381,810 8.4 yrs 276.3p 19,978 275.3p
289.0 - 294.8p 388,839 7.8 yrs 291.2p 116,388 291.3p
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
65.7 - 294.8p 97,699,837 8.3 yrs 136.4p 16,577,655 132.0p
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
18 Share-based compensation plans (continued)
Fixed share option compensation plans
The Company also operates the Sharesave Scheme, a fixed share option
compensation scheme. Under this plan, the Company grants options to employees to
purchase ordinary shares at up to a 20% discount to market price. These options
can be exercised only with funds saved by employees over time in a qualified
savings account. The options are exercisable between 37 and 66 months after
commencement of the savings contracts.
A summary of the status of the Company's fixed share option compensation scheme
as of December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999 and the changes during the years ended
on those dates are presented below:
2001 2000 1999
Weighted Weighted Weighted
average average average
Number exercise Number exercise Number exercise
of shares price of shares price of shares price
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at beginning of year 26,635,135 91.1p 11,679,289 116.9p 9,460,336 84.7p
Adjustments during the year - - 654,868 126.2p 469,470 67.9p
Granted 9,205,135 60.3p 17,946,934 88.3p 2,775,602 236.5p
Exercised (4,380,809) 57.3p (876,216) 98.1p (30,719) 88.8p
Forfeited (9,940,127) 100.4p (2,769,740) 187.6p (995,400) 88.2p
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at end of year 21,519,334 80.5p 26,635,135 91.1p 11,679,289 116.9p
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options exercisable at year end 72,926 98.0p 4,443,443 57.1p - -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average fair value of
options granted during the year 33.3p 39.1p 153.4p
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The adjustments during 2000 arose as a result of the transfer in of former
Flextech outstanding options (1999-compensating option holders for the dilutive
effect of the rights issue in that year).
Share options are forfeited due to employees leaving the Group before their
share options become exercisable.
The following table summarizes information about the Company's fixed share
options outstanding at December 31, 2001.
Options
outstanding
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number Weighted
outstanding average
at remaining
December contractual
31, life
Range of exercise prices 2001
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
53.6 - 88.3p 19,178,335 3.0 yrs
103.9 - 115.9p 1,875,842 0.6 yrs
128.6 - 161.9p 76,965 1.1 yrs
191.0 - 236.5p 388,192 1.6 yrs
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
53.6 - 236.5p 21,519,334 2.8 yrs
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
18 Share-based compensation plans (continued)
Telewest Restricted Share Scheme ("RSS")
The Company operates the RSS in conjunction with an employment trust, the
Telewest 1994 Employees' Share Ownership Plan Trust (the "Telewest ESOP"), which
has been designed to provide incentives to executives of the Company. Under the
RSS, executives may be granted awards over ordinary shares of the Company based
on a percentage of salary. The awards are made for no consideration. The awards
generally vest three years after the date of the award and are exercisable for
up to seven years after the date when they vest. Awards granted under the RSS
may be made over a maximum of 4.0 million ordinary shares of the Company.
The compensation charge related to each award is based on the share price of the
ordinary shares on the date the award was made.
A summary of the status of the RSS at December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 and the
changes during the years ended on those dates are presented below:
2001 2000 1999
Number Number Number
of shares of shares of shares
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at beginning of year 358,316 576,333 416,186
Adjustments during the year - - 21,612
Granted 248,595 - 447,532
Exercised (76,056) (131,394) (122,157)
Forfeited - (86,623) (186,840)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at end of year 530,855 358,316 576,333
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Awards exercisable at year end 38,338 86,989 33,283
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average fair value of awards granted during the year (pound)1.10 - (pound)2.18
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The adjustments in 1999 compensated award holders for the dilutive effect of the
rights issue in that year.
Share options are forfeited due to employees leaving the Group before their
share options become exercisable.
At December 31, 2001, the 530,855 awards outstanding and the 38,338 awards
exercisable have weighted average remaining contractual lives of 8.4 years and
5.4 years respectively.
29
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
18 Share-based compensation plans (continued)
Long Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP")
The LTIP provides for share awards to executive directors and senior executives.
Under the LTIP, an executive will be awarded the provisional right to receive,
for no payment, a number of Telewest shares with a value equating to a
percentage of base salary. The shares will not vest unless certain performance
criteria, based on total shareholder return assessed over a three-year period
are met. The percentage of salary will be determined by the Remuneration
Committee and will be up to 100% of base salary for executive directors.
A summary of the status of the Company's LTIP at December 31, 2001, 2000 and
1999 and the changes during the years ended on those dates are presented below:
2001 2000 1999
Number Number Number
of shares of shares of shares
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at beginning of year 2,714,552 4,005,075 3,796,733
Adjustments during the year - - 188,468
Granted 910,730 816,175 196,139
Exercised (1,220,362) (1,152,826) -
Forfeited (838,413) (953,872) (176,265)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at end of year 1,566,507 2,714,552 4,005,075
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Awards exercisable at year end 265,939 1,058,542 -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average fair value of awards granted during the year (pound)1.09 (pound)0.24 (pound)1.93
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The adjustments in 1999 compensated award holders for the dilutive effect of the
rights issue in that year.
Share options are forfeited due to employees leaving the Group before their
share options become exercisable or due to performance criteria not being met.
At December 31, 2001, the 1,566,507 awards outstanding and the 265,939 awards
exercisable have weighted average remaining contractual lives of 2.5 years and
1.1 years respectively.
Deferred compensation cost relating to the LTIP is (pound)189,000.
30
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
18 Share-based compensation plans (continued)
Equity Participation Plan ("EPP")
The Remuneration Committee has provided that, under the EPP, an employee with
two years service or at manager level or above, can use up to 100% of the
pre-tax or post-tax Short Term Incentive Plan ("STIP") bonus payable to the
employee to acquire Telewest shares ("bonus shares"). The employee must deposit
the bonus shares with the Trustee of the existing Telewest ESOP. In return, the
employee is provisionally allocated for no payment a matching number of Telewest
shares. Provided the bonus shares are retained for three years and the employee
remains employed by the Company for three years, the bonus and matching shares
would thereafter be released to the employee.
A summary of the status of the Company's EPP at December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
and the changes during the years ended on those dates are presented below:
2001 2000 1999
Number Number Number
of shares of shares of shares
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at beginning of year 1,193,839 1,074,150 676,504
Adjustments during the year - - 57,664
Granted - 267,524 495,964
Exercised (579,430) (130,576) (67,336)
Forfeited (42,356) (17,259) (88,646)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at end of year 572,053 1,193,839 1,074,150
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Awards exercisable at year end 26,443 288,253 312,718
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average fair value of awards granted during the year - (pound)2.49 (pound)1.83
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The adjustments in 1999 compensated award holders for the dilutive effect of the
rights issue in that year.
Share options are forfeited due to employees leaving the Group before their
share options become exercisable.
At December 31, 2001, the 572,053 awards outstanding and 26,443 awards
exercisable have weighted average remaining contractual lives of 4.5 years and
3.3 years respectively.
Deferred compensation cost relating to the EPP is (pound)419,000.
19 Accumulated other comprehensive income
Gains/(losses) on mark to
market of cashflow hedges
- ----------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------------------------
Balance at January 1, 2001 -
Cumulative effect of accounting change (16)
Amounts reclassified into earnings (5)
Current period (decrease)/increase in fair value 57
- ----------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2001 36
===================================================== ================================== ==============================
31
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
20 Commitments and contingencies
Restricted cash
At December 31,2001, the Group has cash restricted as to use of (pound)20
million. Of this amount, (pound)12 million provides security for leasing
obligations and (pound)8 million guarantees a temporary overdraft of TV Travel
Group Limited, an affiliate.
Other commitments
Under the terms of the investment agreement relating to the Group's investment
in Imagine Broadband, the Group committed to spend (pound)17 million on Imagine
Broadband services on or before June 30, 2003. At the year end the unspent
balance of this commitment was (pound)4 million.
The amount of capital expenditure authorized by the Group for which no provision
has been made in the consolidated financial statements is as follows:
2001 2000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------- ------------
(pound)m (pound)m
Contracted 28 43
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------- ------------
In addition the Group has contracted to buy (pound)14 million of programming
rights for which the license period has not yet started.
Also at December 31, 2001 the Group is committed to providing funding to its
affiliates as follows:
Company Committed cash
(pound)m
Blueyonder Workwise 3
iSee Ventures 1
Vis iTV 1
- ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------
5
- ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------
Capital and operating leases
The Group leases a number of assets under arrangements accounted for as capital
leases, as follows:
Acquisition Accumulated Net book
costs depreciation value
(pound)m (pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At December 31, 2001
Electronic equipment 290 (187) 103
Other equipment 109 (43) 66
At December 31, 2000
Electronic equipment 268 (161) 107
Other equipment 104 (36) 68
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation charged on these assets was (pound)45 million and (pound)64 million
for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 respectively.
The Group leases business offices and uses certain equipment under lease
arrangements accounted for as operating leases. Minimum rental expense under
such arrangements amounted to (pound)19 million, (pound)17 million and (pound)7
million for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
32
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
20 Commitments and contingencies (continued)
Capital and operating leases (continued)
Future minimum lease payments under capital and operating leases are summarized
as follows as of December 31, 2001:
Capital Operating
leases leases
(pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 63 24
2003 55 24
2004 47 18
2005 43 13
2006 33 12
2007 and thereafter 51 96
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
292
Imputed interest (54)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
238
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is expected that, in the normal course of business, expiring leases will be
renewed or replaced.
The Group leases capacity on its network to other telecommunications companies.
These leases are accounted for as operating leases and revenues received are
recognized over the life of the leases as follows:
(pound)m
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------
2002 4
2003 5
2004 4
2005 4
2006 2
2007 and thereafter 15
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------
The assets held under these leases are accounted for as follows:
Acquisition costs Accumulated depreciation NBV
(pound)m (pound)m (pound)m
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------
At December 31, 2001
Cable and ducting 45 (3) 42
At December 31, 2000
Cable and ducting 18 (1) 17
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------
Depreciation charged on these assets was (pound)2 million and (pound)1 million
for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 respectively.
Contingent liabilities
The Group has provided performance bonds in respect of its national licence and
to local authorities up to a maximum amount of (pound)7 million (2000: (pound)7
million).
HM Customs and Excise have raised an assessment against the Group for (pound)8
million. Independent legal counsel has advised that the assessment is likely to
be set aside on appeal. Accordingly no provision has been made in these
accounts.
The Group is a party to various other legal proceedings in the ordinary course
of business which it does not believe will result, in aggregate, in a material
adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.
33
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
21 Related Party Transactions
Identity of relevant related parties
Liberty Media, Inc ("Liberty"), Microsoft and MediaOne International
("MediaOne") are related parties of the Group, in that they control or
controlled, directly or indirectly, more than 20% of the voting rights of the
Company in 2001, 2000 and 1999.
Cable London up to its acquisition on November 23, 1999, was a related party of
the Group by virtue of its status as an associated company.
Flextech up to its acquisition on April 19, 2000 was a related party of the
Group as Liberty owned more than 20% of the voting rights of Flextech.
UKTV and TV Travel Group Limited ("TVT") became related parties of the Group
with the Flextech acquisition as the Group owns 50% and 37.95% of the voting
rights respectively.
During the year Screenshop Limited ("Screenshop") became a related party when
the Group sold its shareholding in Screenshop to sit-up Limited in return for a
36.36% shareholding in sit-up Limited.
Nature of transactions
The Group had a (pound)10 million loan facility with Liberty. Interest charged
on this loan was (pound)nil (2000:(pound)1 million). The balance due to Liberty
at December 31, 2000 was (pound)17 million including accrued interest and was
repaid during the year.
Additionally, the Group purchases software and consultancy services from
Microsoft, on normal commercial terms. Purchases in the year ended December 31,
2001 amounted to (pound)2 million (2000: (pound)2 million). The balance
outstanding in respect of these purchases was (pound)nil at December 31, 2001
and 2000.
The Group, in the normal course of providing cable television services,
purchases certain of its programming from Flextech. Such programming is
purchased on commercially-available terms. Total purchases in the period to
acquisition in 2000 and in the year ended December 31, 1999 amounted to (pound)4
million and (pound)9 million respectively.
The Group made loans to Cable London prior to its acquisition in November 1999.
Interest charged on these loans in the year ended December 31, 1999 was (pound)3
million.
The Group has charged management fees to UKTV of (pound)nil (2000: (pound)3
million). In addition the Group has recharged overheads and costs incurred on
their behalf to UKTV, TVT and Screenshop of (pound)8 million, (pound)3 million
and (pound)1 million (2000: (pound)7 million, (pound)10 million and (pound)nil)
respectively. The Group has also made a loan to UKTV. Interest charged on this
loan was (pound)12 million (2000: (pound)15 million). Amounts due from UKTV, TVT
and Screenshop at December 31, 2001 were (pound)217 million, (pound)28 million
and (pound)nil respectively (2000: (pound)229 million, (pound)31 million and
(pound)nil respectively).
In the normal course of its business the Group purchases programming from UKTV.
Purchases in the year ended December 31, 2001 were(pound)5 million
(2000:(pound)4 million, 1999:(pound)2 million). The balance due to UKTV at
December 31, 2001 was(pound)2 million (2000:(pound)nil).
34
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
22 Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)
2001
Total Fourth Third Second First
quarter* quarter quarter quarter
(pound)m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue 1,254 329 312 315 298
Operating loss (1,121) (844) (83) (87) (107)
Finance expenses, net (457) (131) (104) (95) (127)
Net loss after extraordinary
item (1,741) (1,122) (192) (185) (242)
Basic and diluted loss per ordinary
share after extraordinary item (60p) (38p) (7p) (6p) (9p)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* In the fourth quarter the Group recorded a goodwill impairment charge of
(pound)766 million and wrote down the value of its investments in affiliates by
(pound)202 million.
2000
Total Fourth Third Second First
quarter quarter quarter quarter
(pound)m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue 1,069 289 280 264 236
Operating loss (359) (147) (75) (61) (76)
Finance expenses, net (385) (67) (105) (101) (112)
Net loss after extraordinary item (755) (226) (178) (163) (188)
Basic and diluted loss per ordinary
share after extraordinary item (28p) (8p) (6p) (6p) (8p)
Finance expenses include foreign exchange gains and losses on the retranslation
or valuation of non-sterling denominated financial instruments using period end
exchange rates and market valuations.
35
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
23 Segmental information
The Group applies SFAS 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information. SFAS 131 establishes standards for reporting information
about operating segments in annual financial statements. It also establishes
standards for related disclosures about products and services, and geographic
areas. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which
separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the
chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to
allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Group's chief operating
decision-making group is the Board of Directors. The operating segments are
managed separately because each operating segment represents a strategic
business unit that offers different products and services in different markets.
The Group operates in two main segments: Cable and Content. The Cable segment of
our business can be subdivided, for revenue purposes only, between four product
ranges: Cable Television, Consumer Telephony, Internet and other, and Business
Services. The Internet and Other unit comprises internet sales and sales of
cable publications. The Content segment provides entertainment content,
interactive and transactional services to the UK pay-TV and internet markets.
The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those
described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The Group has
changed the structure of its segmental analysis and certain corresponding
information from the previous years has been restated to reflect the change in
structure.
36
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
23 Segmental information (continued)
The following tables present summarized financial information relating to the
reportable segments for each of the three years ended December 31, 2001:
Note 2
2001 2001 2000 1999
$m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------------- ------------
CABLE
Cable television 478 329 279 258
Consumer telephony 710 488 445 334
Internet and other 58 40 16 17
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------------- ------------
Total Consumer Division 1,246 857 740 609
Business Services Division 390 268 248 177
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------------- ------------
Third party revenue 1,636 1,125 988 786
Operating costs and expenses (1,196) (822) (757) (597)
Depreciation (658) (453) (392) (305)
Amortization of goodwill (119) (82) (86) (62)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------------- ------------
Operating loss (337) (232) (247) (178)
============================================================================= ========== ========== ================= ============
Share of net loss of affiliates (7) (5) (6) (6)
Additions to property and equipment 944 649 587 500
Investment in affiliates 3 2 3 4
Total assets 7,407 5,093 5,146 4,568
CONTENT
Content division 208 143 88 -
Inter-segmental1 (20) (14) (7) -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------------- ------------
Third party revenue 188 129 81 -
Operating costs and expenses (196) (135) (101) -
Depreciation (24) (16) (31) -
Amortization of goodwill2 (1,261) (867) (61) -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------------- ------------
Operating loss (1,293) (889) (112) -
============================================================================= ========== ========== ================= ============
Share of net loss of affiliates and impairment (307) (211) (9) -
Additions to property and equipment 6 4 8 -
Investment in affiliates 792 545 781 -
Total assets 1,802 1,239 2,178 -
TOTAL
Cable television 478 329 279 258
Consumer telephony 710 488 445 334
Internet and other 58 40 16 17
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------------- ------------
Total Consumer Division 1,246 857 740 609
Business Services Division 390 268 248 177
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------------- ------------
Total Cable Division 1,636 1,125 988 786
Content division 208 143 88 -
Inter-segmental1 (20) (14) (7) -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------------- ------------
Total revenue 1,824 1,254 1,069 786
Operating costs and expenses (1,392) (957) (858) (597)
Depreciation (682) (469) (423) (305)
Amortization of goodwill2 (1,380) (949) (147) (62)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------------- ------------
Operating loss (1,630) (1,121) (359) (178)
Other expense2 (981) (675) (402) (343)
Income tax benefit 102 70 6 -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------------- ------------
Net loss before extraordinary loss (2,509) (1,726) (755) (521)
============================================================================= ========== ========== ================= ============
Share of net loss of affiliates and impairment (314) (216) (15) (6)
Additions to property and equipment 950 653 595 500
Investment in affiliates 795 547 784 4
Total assets 9,209 6,332 7,324 4,568
1 Inter-segmental revenues are revenues from sales in our Content Division which
are costs in our Cable Division and are eliminated on consolidation.
2 In the fourth quarter of 2001, the Group recorded a goodwill impairment charge
of (pound)766 million and wrote down the value of its investments in affiliates
by (pound)202 million.
37
Supplementary Financial Information - Five Year Summary (years ended December
31, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997)
Group
2001 2000(3) 1999(2) 1998(1) 1997
(pound)m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m (pound)m
- ----------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------- -------------- ------------ ----------
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Property and equipment (net) 3,473 3,289 2,818 2,457 1,706
Total assets 6,332 7,324 4,568 3,978 2,413
Investment in affiliates 547 784 4 27 60
Total debt and capital leases4 5,135 4,499 3,268 2,626 1,449
Equity 451 2,145 953 1,041 739
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
Cable television 329 279 258 202 160
Consumer telephony 488 445 334 233 167
Internet and other 40 16 17 20 16
Business Services Division 268 248 177 84 44
Content Division 129 81 - - -
- ----------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------- -------------- ------------ ----------
TOTAL REVENUE 1,254 1,069 786 539 387
- ----------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------- -------------- ------------ ----------
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
Consumer programming expenses (142) (132) (132) (103) (93)
Business and consumer telephony expenses (235) (235) (158) (82) (50)
Content expenses (83) (46) - - -
Selling, general and administrative (497) (445) (307) (208) (194)
Depreciation (469) (423) (305) (224) (177)
Amortization5 (949) (147) (62) (36) (27)
- ----------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------- -------------- ------------ ----------
OPERATING LOSS (1,121) (359) (178) (114) (154)
- ----------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------- -------------- ------------ ----------
Share of net loss of affiliates5 (216) (15) (6) (19) (22)
Financial expenses, net (457) (385) (335) (201) (156)
Extraordinary loss (15) - (20) - -
Net loss (1,741) (755) (541) (333) (332)
Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share
Before extraordinary loss (59p) (28p) (24p) (23p) (32p)
Extraordinary loss (1p) - (1p) - -
Net loss (60p) (28p) (25p) (23p) (32p)
1 Includes results of General Cable and Birmingham Cable beginning September 1,
1998 (the date they were acquired by the Company)
2 Includes results of Cable London beginning November 23, 1999 (the date it was
acquired by the Company)
3 Includes results of Flextech from April 19, 2000 and Eurobell from November 1,
2000 (the dates they were acquired by the Company)
4 See note 15 (Debt) and note 20 (Commitments and contingencies) to the US GAAP
Consolidated Financial Statements
5 In the fourth quarter of 2001 the Group recorded a goodwill impairment charge
of (pound)766 million and wrote down the value of its investments in affiliates
by (pound)202 million.
38
Exhibit Index
1.1 Memorandum of Association of the Company. (Incorporated by reference
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-B, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22, 1995, as
amended.)
1.2 Amended and Restated Articles of Association of the Company.
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form F-4 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
March 6, 2000 (Registration No. 333-11602).)
2.1 Senior Debenture Indenture, dated as of October 3, 1995, between the
Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee. (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996.)
2.2 Senior Discount Debenture Indenture, dated as of October 3, 1995,
between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's 1995 Annual Report on
Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April
1, 1996.)
2.3 Form of Senior Debenture (included in Exhibit 2.1).
2.4 Form of Senior Discount Debenture (included in Exhibit 2.2).
2.5 Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 3, 1995, between the Company
and The Bank of New York, as Book-Entry Depositary. (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996.)
2.6 Indenture, dated as of November 9, 1998, between the Company and The
Bank of New York, as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 8, 1999 (Registration No.
333-09792).)
2.7 Form of Senior Note (included in Exhibit 2.6).
2.8 Deposit Agreement between the Company and The Bank of New York, as
Book-Entry Depositary, dated as of November 9, 1998. (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 8, 1999
(Registration No. 333-09792).)
2.9 Registration Rights Agreement, dated November 9, 1998, among the
Company, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated and TD Securities (USA) Inc. (Incorporated
by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 8, 1999
(Registration No. 333-09792).)
2.10 Indenture, dated as of February 19, 1999, between the Company and The
Bank of New York, as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 8, 1999 (Registration No.
333-09792).)
2.11 Form of Senior Convertible Note (included in Exhibit 2.10).
2.12 Deposit and Custody Agreement among the Company, Citibank (Channel
Islands) Limited, as Book-Entry Depositary, Citibank, N.A., Brussels
Branch, as Note Custodian, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee,
dated February 19, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on April 8, 1999 (Registration No. 333-09792).)
2.13 Indenture, dated as of April 15, 1999, between the Company and The
Bank of New York, as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form F-3 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on October 4, 1999 (Registration
No. 333-10964).)
2.14 Form of Senior Discount Note (included in Exhibit 2.13).
2.15 Dollar Deposit Agreement between the Company and The Bank of New
York, as Book-Entry Depositary, dated as of April 15, 1999.
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form F-4 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
March 13, 2000 (Registration No. 333-11630).)
2.16 Sterling Deposit Agreement among the Company, The Bank of New York
Trust Company (Cayman) Ltd., as Book-Entry Depositary, and The Bank
of New York, as Note Custodian, dated as of April 15, 1999.
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form F-4 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
March 13, 2000 (Registration No. 333-11630).)
2.17 Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 15, 1999, among the
Company, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette International, CIBC Wood Gundy
plc, Chase Manhattan International Limited and Salomon Brothers
International Limited. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 13, 2000 (Registration No. 333-11630).)
2.18 Loan Agreement by and among Telewest Communications Networks Limited
and certain of the Company's subsidiaries and associated
partnerships, as borrower, The Bank of New York, CIBC World Markets
plc, Chase Manhattan plc and Toronto-Dominion Bank Europe, Limited,
as lead arrangers, the banks and financial institutions listed
therein and CIBC Markets World Markets plc as agent and security
trustee, dated as of May 17, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form F-3 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on October 4, 1999 (Registration
No. 333-10964).)
2.19 Indenture, dated January 25, 2000, between the Company and The Bank
of New York, as Trustee. (1)
2.20 Form of Senior Discount Note (included in Exhibit 2.19).
2.21 Form of Senior Note (included in Exhibit 2.19).
2.22 Dollar Deposit Agreement, dated as of January 25, 2000, among the
Company, The Bank of New York, as book-entry depositary, The Bank of
New York, as trustee, and the holders and beneficial owners of
certificateless depositary interests. (Incorporated by reference to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 1, 2000 (Registration
No. 333-12462).)
2.23 Sterling Deposit Agreement, dated as of January 25, 2000, among the
Company, The Bank of New York Trust Company (Cayman) Limited, as
book-entry depositary, The Bank of New York, as note custodian, The
Bank of New York, as Trustee, and the holders and beneficial owners
of certificated depositary interests. (Incorporated by reference to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 1, 2000 (Registration
No. 333-12462).)
2.24 Registration Rights Agreement, dated January 25, 2000, among the
Company, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette International, Bank of America
International Limited, Deutsche Bank AG London and Salomon Brothers
International Limited. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on September 1, 2000 (Registration No.
333-12462).)
2.25 Indenture, dated July 7, 2000, among the Company, Telewest Finance
(Jersey) Limited and The Bank of New York, as Trustee. (1)
2.26 Form of Senior Convertible Note (included in Exhibit 2.25).
2.27 Loan Agreement, dated March 16, 2001, for Credit Facilities
of(pound)2,000,000,000 together with an Institutional Facility of up
to(pound)250,000,000, among Telewest Communications Networks Limited
and the parties named therein. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 24, 2002.)
Note: No long-term debt instrument issued by the Company
(other than as set forth above) exceeds 10% of the
consolidated total assets of the Company and its
subsidiaries. In accordance with paragraph (b)4(iii) of Item
601 of Regulation S-K, the Company will furnish to the SEC
upon request copies of long-term instruments and related
agreements.
2.28 Letter Amendment, dated January 2, 2002, from CIBC World Markets to
Telewest Communications Networks Limited amending the Loan Agreement
referred to in Exhibit 2.27. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 24, 2002.)
2.29 5.00% Acccreting Convertible Note due 2003 in the initial principal
amount of(pound)220,000,000 issued on November 1, 2000 to Deutsche
Telekom AG. (1)
2.30 5.00% Accreting Convertible Note due 2003 in the initial principal
amount of(pound)30,000,000 issued on January 15, 2001 to Deutsche
Telekom AG. (1)
2.31 5.00% Accreting Convertible Note due 2003 in the initial principal
amount of(pound)3,500,000 issued on April 2, 2001 to Deutsche Telekom
AG. (1)
4.1 Relationship Agreement, dated as of November 22, 1994, by and among
Old Telewest, certain subsidiaries of TCI, and certain subsidiaries
of MediaOne as superseded by Exhibit 10.55. (Incorporated by
reference to Old Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995.)
4.2 Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 3, 1995, among the
Company, the TINTA Affiliate, the MediaOne Affiliates, the SBC
Affiliates and the Cox Affiliate. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996.)
4.3 Tax Deed, dated November 22, 1994, between TCI International
Holdings, Inc., U S WEST Holdings and Old Telewest. (Incorporated by
reference to Old Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995.)
4.4 Trademark License Agreement, effective as of November 22, 1994,
between Old Telewest and U S WEST. (Incorporated by reference to Old
Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995.)
4.5 Tradename Agreement, effective as of November 22, 1994, between Old
Telewest, TCI and TCI/U S WEST Cable Communications Group ("TUCCI").
(Incorporated by reference to Old Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on
Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March
31, 1995.)
4.6 Tax Deed, dated October 3, 1995, among the Company, the SBC
Affiliates and the Cox Affiliate. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996.)
4.7 Agreement, dated December 4, 1987, between United Cable Television
Corporation on behalf of itself and United Artists Communications,
Inc. and Trans-Global (UK) Limited. (Incorporated by reference to Old
Telewest's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 1994, as amended
(Registration No. 33-78398).)
4.8 Agreement to License and Provide Consulting Services, effective as of
November 22, 1994, between Old Telewest and TCI. (Incorporated by
reference to Old Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995.)
4.9 Form of BT Interconnect Agreement, a copy of which was executed by BT
and various of the Company's affiliated entities. (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's 1997 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1997.)
4.10 Interconnection Agreement, dated July 15, 1994, between Mercury
Communications Limited ( "Mercury ") and United Artists
Communications (Scotland) Limited. (Incorporated by reference to Old
Telewest's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 1994, as amended
(Registration No. 33-78398).) (2)
4.11 Mercury Marketing and Operations Agreement, dated August 10, 1993,
between Telewest CGL and Mercury. (Incorporated by reference to Old
Telewest's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 1994, as amended
(Registration No. 33-78398).) (2)
4.12 Letter Agreement, dated August 23, 1995, between SBCC and Mercury.
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form 8-B filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
September 22, 1995, as amended.) (3)
4.13 General Purchasing Agreement, dated March 1, 1993, among Telewest
CGL, various entities related to Telewest CGL, and Northern Telecom
Europe Limited (the "General Purchasing Agreement"). (Incorporated by
reference to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on June 19, 1998.) (2)
4.14 Purchase Agreement, dated August 27, 1993, between Southwestern Bell
International Holdings and GPT Limited. (Incorporated by reference to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22, 1995, as
amended.)
4.15 The Old Telewest Restricted Share Scheme. (Incorporated by reference
to Old Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995.)
4.16 The Telewest 1995 Restricted Share Scheme. (Incorporated by reference
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22, 1995, as
amended.)
4.17 The Old Telewest Sharesave Scheme. (Incorporated by reference to Old
Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995.)
4.18 The Telewest 1995 Sharesave Scheme. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22, 1995, as
amended.)
4.19 The Old Telewest Executive Share Option Scheme No. 1. (Incorporated
by reference to Old Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995.)
4.20 The Telewest 1995 Executive Share Option Scheme No. 1. (Incorporated
by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-B
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22,
1995, as amended.)
4.21 The Old Telewest Executive Share Option Scheme No. 2. (Incorporated
by reference to Old Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995.)
4.22 The Telewest 1995 Executive Share Option Scheme No. 2. (Incorporated
by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-B
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22,
1995, as amended.)
4.23 The Old Telewest Share Participation Scheme. (Incorporated by
reference to Old Telewest's 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1995.)
4.24 The Telewest 1995 Share Participation Scheme. (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 22, 1995, as
amended.)
4.25 Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of November 30, 1994
(as amended as of October 2, 1995), among the Company, The Bank of
New York, as Depositary, and the holders from time to time of
American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder. (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 1996.)
4.26 Form of American Depositary Receipt (included in Exhibit 4.25).
4.27 Amendments number 1 through 9 to the General Purchasing Agreement
referred to in Exhibit 4.13. (Incorporated by reference to Amendment
No. 1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on June 19, 1998.) (3)
4.28 Employment Agreement, dated August 7, 1997, between Charles Burdick
and Telewest CGL (Incorporated by reference to Telewest's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1997 filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1998.)
4.29 Amended and Restated Relationship Agreement, dated as of June 26,
1998, by and among the Company, the MediaOne Affiliates, TINTA, the
TINTA Affiliate, Cox, the Cox Affiliate, SBC International, Inc. and
the SBC Affiliate. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on April 8, 1999 (Registration No. 333-09792).)
4.30 Form of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Rights Agreement by and
among the Company, the Liberty Media Affiliate, the MediaOne
Affiliates, the SBC Affiliate, Southwestern Bell International
Holdings (UK-2) Corporation, the Cox Affiliate, GUHL and Vivendi.
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-4 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June
29, 1998 (Registration No. 33-50201).)
4.31 Employment Agreement, dated September 21, 1998, between Anthony
Illsley (former chief executive officer of the Company) and the
Company, as amended on January 17, 2000. (Incorporated by reference
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2000 (Registration No.
333-11602).)
4.32 Amended and Restated Relationship Agreement, dated as of May 21,
1999, by and among the Company, the MediaOne Affiliates, Liberty
Media International and the Liberty Media International Affiliate.
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's 1998 Annual Report on
Form 20-F as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
June 30, 1999.)
4.33 Form of draft Amended and Restated Relationship Agreement, by and
among the Company, Microsoft, the MediaOne Affiliates and the Liberty
Media Affiliate. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-3 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on October 4, 1999 (Registration No. 333-10964).)
4.34 Form of Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Rights Agreement, by and
among the Company, Microsoft, The MediaOne Affiliates and the Liberty
Media Affiliate. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-3 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on October 4, 1999 (Registration No. 333-10964).)
4.35 Agreement Relating to the Merger of Flextech and the Company, dated
December 16, 1999, between the Company and Flextech. (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-4 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2000
(Registration No. 333-11602).)
4.36 Employment Agreement, dated December 1, 1999, between Anthony W.P.
Stenham and the Company. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form F-4 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 6, 2000 (Registration No. 333-11602).)
4.37 Form of Service Agreement between Mark Luiz and Flextech plc, as
amended. (1)
4.38 Form of Service Agreement between Adam Singer and Flextech plc. (1)
4.39 Employment Agreement, dated October 21, 1998, between Stephen Cook
and the Company. (1)
4.40 Form of the Telewest 2000 All Employee Share Scheme. (1)
4.41 Amendment Agreement Relating to the Revised New Relationship
Agreement, dated as of May 18, 2001, between Microsoft, Liberty Media
International, Inc., Liberty UK Holdings, Inc., Liberty UK, Inc. and
the Company (Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 3 to
Statement on Schedule 13-D of Liberty Media filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on November 23, 2001.)
4.42 Appointment as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of
the Company, effective from December 1, 1999, as amended, between
Anthony W.P. Stenham and the Company. (1)
4.43 Telewest Long Term Incentive Plan. (1)
4.44 Telewest Equity Participation Plan. (1)
4.45 Amendment to Service Agreement, dated October 14, 1998, between
Charles Burdick and the Company. (1)
7 Computation of deficiency of earnings to fixed charges. (1)
8 List of Subsidiaries of the Company. (1)
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(1) Filed herewith.
(2) Portions of this agreement have been accorded confidential treatment by
the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 406 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(3) Portions of this agreement have been accorded confidential treatment by
the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.