- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ---------------- FORM 10-Q (Mark One) [X]QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended October 31, 1997 OR [_]TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period to COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-10880 BET HOLDINGS, INC. (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) DELAWARE 52-1742995 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) NUMBER) ONE BET PLAZA 1900 W PLACE, N.E., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20018-1211 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (202) 608-2000 (REGISTRANT'S PHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE) 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 the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: SHARES OUTSTANDING AT DECEMBER 5, 1997 --------------------- CLASS A COMMON STOCK 10,060,748 CLASS B COMMON STOCK 1,831,600 CLASS C COMMON STOCK 4,820,000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BET HOLDINGS, INC. FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ---- PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements: Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 1997 and July 31, 1997............................................. 1 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months ended October 31, 1997 and 1996........................ 3 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months ended October 31, 1997 and 1996........................ 4 Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements........... 5 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition....................................... 6 PART II OTHER INFORMATION............................................... 13 BET HOLDINGS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) OCTOBER 31, JULY 31, 1997 1997 ------------- ----------- IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents.......................... $ 4,390 $ 7,094 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,983 and $1,833 at October 31, 1997 and July 31, 1997, respectively................... 34,334 34,434 Prepaid expenses and other assets.................. 8,853 9,594 Current portion of programming rights, net......... 2,957 1,534 Deferred tax benefit............................... 3,445 2,937 ----------- ----------- TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS............................. 53,979 55,593 Property and equipment, net.......................... 87,374 85,085 Notes receivable..................................... 12,676 12,654 Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates.......................................... 12,539 6,864 Programming rights, less current portion............. 2,040 973 Goodwill and other intangibles, net.................. 9,466 9,710 Other assets......................................... 3,137 2,632 ----------- ----------- TOTAL ASSETS..................................... $ 181,211 $ 173,511 =========== =========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 1 BET HOLDINGS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) OCTOBER 31, JULY 31, 1997 1997 ----------- -------- IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses.................. $ 12,044 $ 10,192 Accrued compensation................................... 4,581 5,781 Current portion of programming rights payable.......... 4,108 2,723 Deferred revenue....................................... 2,727 1,175 Current maturities of long-term debt................... 2,554 2,646 -------- -------- TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES............................ 26,014 22,517 Long-term debt, less current maturities.................. 52,704 60,347 Programming rights payable, less current portion......... 1,178 -- Deferred income taxes.................................... 3,747 1,880 Other liabilities........................................ 265 349 -------- -------- TOTAL LIABILITIES.................................... 83,908 85,093 -------- -------- SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Preferred stock; $.01 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding............. -- -- Common stock; $.02 par value: Class A; 50,000,000 shares authorized, 12,900,348 and 12,888,848 shares issued and 10,060,748 and 10,049,248 shares outstanding at October 31, 1997 and July 31, 1997, respectively.................................... 258 258 Class B; 15,000,000 shares authorized, 3,349,900 shares issued, 1,831,600 shares outstanding.................. 67 67 Class C; 15,000,000 shares authorized, 4,820,000 shares issued and outstanding................................ 96 96 Additional paid-in capital............................... 47,457 47,123 Retained earnings........................................ 130,545 121,994 Cost of 2,839,600 Class A and 1,518,300 Class B common shares held in treasury at October 31, 1997 and July 31, 1997.................................................... (81,120) (81,120) -------- -------- TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY........................... 97,303 88,418 -------- -------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY......... $181,211 $173,511 ======== ======== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 2 BET HOLDINGS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, ---------------------- 1997 1996 ---------- ---------- IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS OPERATING REVENUES Advertising........................................... $ 23,152 $ 19,661 Subscriber............................................ 17,658 15,954 Other................................................. 1,514 327 ---------- ---------- TOTAL OPERATING REVENUES.............................. 42,324 35,942 ---------- ---------- OPERATING EXPENSES Production and programming............................ 12,461 11,147 Marketing............................................. 6,375 5,620 General and administrative............................ 5,357 4,768 Depreciation and amortization of intangibles.......... 2,426 2,034 ---------- ---------- TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES.............................. 26,619 23,569 ---------- ---------- INCOME FROM OPERATIONS................................ 15,705 12,373 ---------- ---------- NONOPERATING INCOME (EXPENSE) Interest income....................................... 490 331 Interest expense...................................... (1,122) (1,011) Other, net............................................ (880) (502) ---------- ---------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES............................ 14,193 11,191 Provision for income taxes............................ (5,642) (4,604) ---------- ---------- INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS..................... 8,551 6,587 Loss from discontinued operations net of income tax benefit of $321...................................... -- (482) ---------- ---------- NET INCOME............................................ $ 8,551 $ 6,105 ========== ========== NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE Income from continuing operations..................... $ .48 $ .38 Discontinued operations............................... -- (.03) ---------- ---------- $ .48 $ .35 ========== ========== Weighted Average Common and Common Equivalent Shares Outstanding.......................................... 17,858 17,525 ========== ========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 3 BET HOLDINGS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------------- 1997 1996 ------------ ----------- IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income......................................... $ 8,551 $ 6,105 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization of other intangibles..................................... 2,426 2,034 Amortization of programming rights............... 902 795 Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates.... 876 371 Deferred income taxes............................ 1,359 (85) Income tax benefit from exercise of common stock options......................................... 130 55 Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable....... 100 (2,341) Decrease in other current assets................. 741 648 Increase in deferred revenue..................... 1,552 66 Increase in other liabilities.................... 3,131 1,760 ------------ ----------- NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES.......... 19,768 9,408 ------------ ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures............................... (4,471) (2,581) Acquisition of programming rights.................. (3,392) (665) Additions to notes receivable...................... (25) (3,208) Collection of notes receivable..................... 3 500 Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates........................................ (6,551) (193) Increase in other assets........................... (505) (28) ------------ ----------- NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES.............. (14,941) (6,175) ------------ ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Principal payments of long-term debt............... (10,735) (5,192) Borrowings......................................... 3,000 3,500 Proceeds from issuance of common stock............. 204 270 Repurchase of common stock......................... -- (946) ------------ ----------- NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES.............. (7,531) (2,368) ------------ ----------- Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents....................................... (2,704) 865 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period..... 7,094 4,147 ------------ ----------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD........... $ 4,390 $ 5,012 ============ =========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 4 BET HOLDING, INC. NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) NOTE 1: BASIS OF PRESENTATION The unaudited consolidated financial statements of BET Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") included herein have been prepared pursuant to instructions for Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted or condensed where permitted by regulation. In management's opinion, all adjustments, which were of a normal recurring nature, and disclosures necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods have been made. These financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1997. The results of operations for the three months ended October 31, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for future interim periods or for the year ending July 31, 1998. NOTE 2: NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share", is required to be adopted beginning with the Company's fiscal quarter ending January 31, 1998. The Company anticipates that adoption of this standard will not materially affect the computation of its earnings per share but will require the presentation and disclosure of additional information. 5 BET HOLDINGS, INC. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION RESULTS OF OPERATIONS GENERAL BET Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") operates predominantly in the cable television programming industry. Its cable television programming operations are conducted through Black Entertainment Television ("BET"), BET on Jazz: The Cable Jazz Channel ("BET on Jazz") and Action Pay-Per-View ("Action"). Both BET and BET on Jazz are basic cable networks with revenues derived primarily from sales of advertising time and monthly subscribership fees. Action provides programming on a pay-per-view basis. Ancillary businesses established to leverage and expand the BET brand name include the publication of Emerge and BET Weekend magazines and operation of the BET SoundStage restaurant, which opened in January 1997. In connection with the Company's plan for disposal of its Color Code skin care business segment, effective July 31, 1997 it recorded a provision for losses expected to be incurred from the disposition. Accordingly, operating results of the Color Code business segment are accounted for as discontinued operations. CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The Company's consolidated results of operations were as follows (unaudited): THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------------- 1997 1996 ------------ ------------ IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS Operating revenues............................... $ 42,324 $ 35,942 ============ ============ Income from operations........................... $ 15,705 $ 12,373 ============ ============ Income before income taxes....................... $ 14,193 $ 11,191 ============ ============ Income from continuing operations................ $ 8,551 $ 6,587 ============ ============ Discontinued operations.......................... $ -- $ (482) ============ ============ Net income....................................... $ 8,551 $ 6,105 ============ ============ 6 OPERATING RESULTS BY BUSINESS UNIT Summarized results of operations by each of the Company's significant business units were as follows (unaudited): THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, -------------------- 1997 1996 --------- --------- IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OPERATING REVENUES BET.................................................... $ 36,829 $ 32,635 Action................................................. 2,135 2,262 BET on Jazz............................................ 121 87 Magazine Publishing.................................... 1,775 958 Restaurant Group....................................... 1,464 -- --------- --------- TOTAL................................................ $ 42,324 $ 35,942 ========= ========= INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS BET.................................................... $ 18,835 $ 14,848 Action................................................. (75) (4) BET on Jazz............................................ (2,087) (1,507) Magazine Publishing.................................... (554) (963) Restaurant Group....................................... (414) (1) --------- --------- TOTAL................................................ $ 15,705 $ 12,373 ========= ========= Income (loss) from operations presented in the preceding table does not reflect the allocation of certain overhead and administrative costs incurred by BET which relate to all of the Company's business units. OPERATING REVENUES Components of consolidated operating revenues were as follows (unaudited): THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------- 1997 1996 --------- --------- IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BET Advertising............................................. $ 21,808 $ 18,952 Subscriber.............................................. 15,007 13,389 Other................................................... 14 294 --------- --------- TOTAL BET............................................. 36,829 32,635 --------- --------- OTHER BUSINESS UNITS Advertising............................................. 1,344 709 Subscriber.............................................. 2,651 2,565 Other................................................... 1,500 33 --------- --------- TOTAL OTHER BUSINESS UNITS............................ 5,495 3,307 --------- --------- TOTAL CONSOLIDATED OPERATING REVENUES................. $ 42,324 $ 35,942 ========= ========= 7 BET Advertising Revenue Components of BET's advertising revenue were as follows (unaudited): THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------- 1997 1996 --------- --------- IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS National Spot............................................ $ 15,000 $ 12,408 Infomercial.............................................. 5,666 5,611 Direct Response.......................................... 1,142 933 --------- --------- TOTAL.................................................. $ 21,808 $ 18,952 ========= ========= BET's national spot advertising revenues increased 21%, to $15 million, during the quarter ended October 31, 1997 as compared to the prior year comparable period. This increase primarily resulted from rate increases and increased viewership. BET's infomercial advertising revenues increased 1%, to $5.7 million, during the quarter ended October 31, 1997 as compared to the prior year comparable period. This increase was primarily attributable to a scheduled contractual 10% increase in the rate charged to the largest purchaser of infomercial advertising time on BET, offset by a preemption of time normally available for infomercial advertising due to other programming commitments. The Company's long-term contract with its largest purchaser of infomercial advertising also provides for a rate increase of 10% for its fiscal year 1999. BET's direct response advertising revenues increased 22%, to $1.1 million, during the quarter ended October 31, 1996 as compared to the prior year comparable period. This increase primarily resulted from rate increases and inventory management efficiencies. Subscriber Revenue BET's subscriber revenues increased 12%, to $15 million, during the quarter ended October 31, 1997 as compared to the prior year comparable period. Subscriber revenue gains resulted from scheduled annual rate card increases and continuing increases in BET's subscriber base. BET's weighted average monthly per subscriber fee in place during the quarter ended October 31, 1997 was $.12 as compared to $.11 during the quarter ended October 31, 1996, an increase of 9%. BET's subscriber base, as reported by affiliated cable system operators, was 49.6 million at October 31, 1997 reflecting subscribership increases of 6% and 17% as compared to July 31, 1997 and October 31, 1996, respectively. Included in BET's subscriber base at October 31, 1997 were 4.9 million subscribers of satellite delivered programming services that are not required to remit affiliation fees until dates ranging from September 1998 to April 2000, pursuant to deferred billing arrangements. Also included in BET's subscriber base at October 31, 1997 were 2.3 million subscribers of Canadian cable system operators that are not required to remit affiliation fees until dates ranging from January 1998 to August 1998. OTHER BUSINESS UNITS Advertising Revenue Advertising revenue earned by the Company's other business units for the quarter ended October 31, 1997 increased significantly as compared to the prior year comparable period, reflecting increased revenues resulting from the addition of BET Weekend magazine, which became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company in March 1997. Subscriber Revenue Subscriber revenue earned by the Company's other business units increased 3%, to $2.7 million, for the quarter ended October 31, 1997 as compared to the prior year comparable period, reflecting increases in 8 subscriber revenue reported by Emerge magazine and BET on Jazz, offset by a decrease in subscriber revenue earned by Action. At October 31, 1997, Action was available to approximately 4.6 million addressable homes, representing a 7% increase as compared to October 31, 1996. Monthly subscriber revenues resulted from a monthly "buy rate" of approximately 3.8% for the quarter ended October 31, 1997 as compared to a "buy rate" of 4.8% for the prior year comparable period. At October 31, 1997, BET on Jazz was available to approximately 2.1 million domestic and international subscribers. BET on Jazz did not earn a significant amount of subscriber revenue for the quarter ended October 31, 1997, reflecting the economics of launching a new programming service in a highly competitive environment. BET on Jazz's current domestic affiliation agreements generally provide for a free carriage period through December 1998. Accordingly, BET on Jazz is not expected to earn significant subscriber revenue in the near future. Other Revenue Other operating revenue earned by the Company's other business units increased substantially for the quarter ended October 31, 1997 as compared to the prior year comparable period primarily due to revenues earned by the BET SoundStage restaurant, which opened in January 1997. OPERATING EXPENSES Components of consolidated operating expenses were as follows (unaudited): THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------- 1997 1996 --------- --------- IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BET Production and Programming.............................. $ 6,703 $ 7,786 Marketing............................................... 5,120 4,568 General and Administrative.............................. 4,623 4,253 Other................................................... 1,548 1,180 --------- --------- TOTAL BET............................................. 17,994 17,787 --------- --------- OTHER BUSINESS UNITS Production and Programming.............................. 5,758 3,361 Marketing............................................... 1,255 1,052 General and Administrative.............................. 734 515 Other................................................... 878 854 --------- --------- TOTAL OTHER BUSINESS UNITS............................ 8,625 5,782 --------- --------- TOTAL CONSOLIDATED OPERATING EXPENSES................. $26,619 $23,569 ========= ========= BET Production and Programming BET's production and programming expenses for the quarter ended October 31, 1997 decreased 14%, to $6.7 million, as compared to the prior year comparable period. This reduction primarily resulted from a curtailment of certain originally produced and acquired programming in favor of more cost effective hosted music video programming. 9 Marketing BET's marketing expenses for the quarter ended October 31, 1997 increased 12%, to $5.1 million, as compared to the prior year comparable period primarily due to revenue based incentive compensation. General and Administrative General and administrative expenses increased 9%, to $4.6 million, during the quarter ended October 31, 1997 as compared to the prior year comparable period, primarily due to costs associated with charitable giving and consulting costs related to the outstanding tender offer. OTHER BUSINESS UNITS Total operating expenses incurred by the Company's other business units during the quarter ended October 31, 1997 increased 49%, to $8.6 million, as compared to the prior year comparable period. This increase primarily resulted from expenses incurred by the Company's restaurant group, which opened the first BET SoundStage restaurant in January 1997. Production and Programming Production and programming costs incurred by the Company's other business units increased 71%, to $5.8 million, during the quarter ended October 31, 1997 as compared to the prior year comparable period. This increase was primarily due to costs of restaurant sales, increased BET on Jazz programming costs and costs related to publication of BET Weekend magazine. Marketing Marketing costs incurred by the Company's other business units increased 19%, to $1.3 million, during the quarter ended October 31, 1997 as compared to the prior year comparable period. This increase was primarily due to restaurant and magazine related marketing costs. General and Administrative General and administrative costs incurred by the Company's other business units increased 43%, to $.7 million, during the quarter ended October 31, 1997 as compared to the prior year comparable period, primarily due to development costs incurred by the Company's restaurant group as it pursued expansion plans. NONOPERATING EXPENSES Net nonoperating expenses for the quarter ended October 31, 1997 increased $.3 million as compared to the prior year comparable period, primarily due to the Company's equity in losses incurred by BET Movies/Starz!3. As the Company is not required to make additional equity contributions to BETMovies/Starz!3, it does not anticipate recognizing continuing losses related to BET Movies/Starz!3's operations. 10 FINANCIAL CONDITION The Company's principal source of working capital is internally generated cash flow from operations. As reported in its consolidated statements of cash flow, the Company generated net cash from operating activities of $19.8 million and $9.4 million during the quarters ended October 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. At October 31, 1997, the Company's cash and temporary investments aggregated $4.3 million and the Company had an excess of current assets over current liabilities of $28 million. At October 31, 1997, $38 million was available under the Company's $75 million revolving credit facility. As a part of its ongoing strategic plan, the Company plans to continue to invest significant amounts of capital in compatible media and other businesses reaching the Black consumer marketplace. Significant current and potential future funding commitments include: . During the quarter ended October 31, 1997 the Company provided significant operational funding to BET on Jazz. This level of funding is expected to continue until the viability of BET on Jazz is attained, which is not expected within the Company's fiscal years ending July 31, 1998 or July 31, 1999. . Through October 31, 1997, the Company has invested approximately $6.5 million in the BET SoundStage restaurant. The Company is currently developing two prototype facilities; an enterainment club in Orlando, Florida and a jazz-themed restaurant in Washington, D.C. . The Company is committed to loan BET Movies/Starz!3 up to $4 million through December 31, 1997. . During the quarter ended October 31, 1997, the Company loaned $5 million to LaVan Hawkins UrbanCityFoods LLC ("UCF"), a franchisee within the Burger King system, which plans to develop 225 restaurants in traditionally underserved inner-city African-American communities. The Company may loan UCF an additional $5 million, contingent upon the achievement of certain operating results by UCF. . During the quarter ended October 31, 1997, the Company loaned $1 million to Cybersonic Records, Inc. ("CRI"), which produces, publishes, markets and distributes musical recordings under the Fully Loaded Records label. The Company is committed to loan CRI an additional $2 million. . The Company is considering pursuing other investment opportunities in the themed-restaurant and hotel/casino segments of the entertainment industry together with potential equity partners experienced in these segments of the entertainment industry. On September 10, 1997, the Company received an offer from Robert L. Johnson, its majority shareholder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Liberty Media Corporation, a major shareholder of the Company, to acquire, through a newly formed entity owned by them, all of the Company's outstanding common stock which they do not own, at a per share price of $48 (the "Offer"). The Offer contemplates financing the purchase of such common stock on terms and conditions customary to transactions of a similar nature, which could result in a significant amount of debt funding by the Company or its successor. The Company expects that cash flow from BET's operations, as supplemented by additional credit facilities, if necessary, will be sufficient to fund its operations, debt service and capital expenditures for the foreseeable future. PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 SAFE HARBOR CAUTIONARY STATEMENT The preceding discussion contains certain forward looking statements regarding expected operating results of the Company and its unconsolidated affiliates. Such statements are subject to inherent uncertainties and risk, including among others: pricing pressures and other competitive factors, results of the Company's strategies to obtain additional subscribership to its cable programming services, and general business and economic conditions in the industries in which the Company operates. Consequently, actual events and results may vary significantly from those included in or contemplated by such statements. 11 PART II: OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS See Part 1, Item 3 of Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1997 for a description of certain previously disclosed legal proceedings. ITEM 6: EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION ------- ----------- 27 Financial Data Schedule (b) Reports on Form 8-K. A Current Report on Form 8-K was filed on September 23, 1997 to report, among other things, (i) the receipt of a letter from Robert L. Johnson and Liberty Media Corporation in connection with the Offer; (ii) the announcement of an independent committee to review the Offer; and (iii) complaints filed in connection with the Offer 12 SIGNATURES PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THE REGISTRANT HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REPORT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED. BET Holdings, Inc. (Registrant) Date: December 15, 1997 _____________________________________ Debra L. Lee, President and Chief Operating Officer Date: December 15, 1997 _____________________________________ William T. Gordon, III, Executive Vice President, Finance Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Chief Accounting Officer) 13