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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
F O R M 10-K
(Mark One)
|X| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1998
OR
|_| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT of 1934
For the Transition Period From __________ to __________
Commission File No. 0-22616
NTL INCORPORATED
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 52-1822078
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
110 East 59th Street, New York, New York 10022
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(212) 906-8440
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(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
NONE
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
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(Title of Class)
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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 whether disclosure by delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K.|_|
The aggregate market value of the Registrant's voting stock held by
non-affiliates at March 23, 1999, valued in all cases in accordance with the
NASDAQ/NMS closing sale price for the Registrant's Common Stock was
approximately $5,504,096,000
Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as at March 23, 1999: 73,303,103
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
-----------------------------------
Document Part of 10-K in which
Incorporated
Definitive proxy statement for the 1999 Annual Part III
Meeting of the Stockholders of NTL Incorporated:
* * * * * *
This Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, at the
time of filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, modifies and
supersedes all prior documents filed pursuant to Section 13, 14 and 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for purposes of any offers or sales of any
securities after the date of such filing pursuant to any Registration Statement
or Prospectus filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 which incorporates by
reference this Annual Report.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995:
Certain statements contained herein constitute "forward-looking
statements" as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. When used in this Form 10-K, the words, "believe,"
"anticipate," "should," "intend," "plan," "will," "expects," "estimates,"
"projects," "positioned," "strategy," and similar expressions identify such
forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the Registrant, or industry results, to
be materially different from those contemplated or projected, forecast,
estimated or budgeted in or expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Such factors include, among others: general economic and business
conditions, industry trends, the Registrant's ability to continue to design
network routes, install facilities, obtain and maintain any required government
licenses or
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approvals and finance construction and development, all in a timely manner, at
reasonable costs and on satisfactory terms and conditions, as well as
assumptions about customer acceptance, churn rates, overall market penetration
and competition from providers of alternative services, and availability, terms
and deployment of capital.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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PART I
Item 1. Business.............................................................1
Item 2. Properties..........................................................52
Item 3. Legal Proceedings...................................................53
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.................53
PART II ....................................................................54
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
Matters...........................................................54
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.............................................55
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations.......................57
Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk...........69
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.........................72
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure.................................72
PART III ....................................................................73
Items 10, 11, 12, and 13......................................................73
PART IV ....................................................................73
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-k....73
Exhibit Index.................................................................74
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
INTRODUCTION
NTL Incorporated, formerly International CableTel Incorporated ("NTL" or
the "Company") was incorporated in April 1993 under the laws of the State of
Delaware.
NTL is a leading communications company in the United Kingdom (the "UK"),
providing residential, business and wholesale customers with the following
services: (i) Residential Telecoms and Television Services, including
residential telephony, cable television ("CATV") and Internet access services;
(ii) National Telecoms Services, including national business telecoms, national
and international carrier telecommunications, Internet services and satellite
and radio communications services; and (iii) Broadcasting Services, including
digital and analog television and radio broadcast transmission services.
NTL provides its broad range of services over local, national and
international network infrastructure. The Company operates: (i) advanced local
broadband networks serving entire communities throughout NTL's regional
franchise areas; (ii) the UK's first synchronous digital hierarchy ("SDH")
backbone telecommunications network, as well as satellite earth stations and
radio communications facilities from NTL's tower sites across the UK; and (iii)
a broadcast transmission network which provides national, regional and local
analog and digital transmission services to customers throughout the UK.
Management's objective is to exploit the convergence of the
telecommunications, entertainment and information services industries to become
a premier new era communications company in the UK, which will offer these
services to residential, business and wholesale customers on a national scale.
Management believes that the Company will be able to deliver its strategy, based
on NTL's entrepreneurial approach, innovative marketing and technical
excellence.
In March 1997, the Company changed its name from International CableTel
Incorporated to NTL Incorporated to reflect the integration of the services
provided by the Company following its acquisition of NTL Group Limited in 1996,
and to capitalize on NTL Group Limited's 40-year history in the UK as a provider
of reliable communications services.
In this Report on Form 10-K, references to "pounds sterling," "(pound),"
"pence" or "p" are to the lawful currency of the UK and references to "U.S.
dollars," "dollars," "$" or "(cent)" are to the lawful currency of the United
States. Solely for the convenience of the reader, this Form 10-K contains
translations of certain pound sterling amounts into U.S. dollars and certain
U.S. dollar amounts into pounds sterling. These translations should not be
construed as representations that the pound sterling amounts actually represent
such U.S. dollar amounts or vice versa or could have been or could be or will be
converted into U.S. dollars or pounds sterling, as the case may be, at the rate
indicated or at any other rate. Unless otherwise indicated, the translations of
pounds sterling into U.S. dollars and U.S. dollars into pounds sterling have
been made at $1.6595 per (pound)1.00, the noon buying rate in the City of New
York for cable transfers in pounds sterling as certified for customs purposes by
the
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Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the "Noon Buying Rate") on December 31, 1998.
On March 23, 1999, the Noon Buying Rate was $1.6372 per (pound)1.00.
Principal Businesses
Local Telecoms and Television Services
The Company is the second largest operator of local broadband
communications systems in the UK as measured by the number of customers, and has
achieved the highest customer penetration and lowest churn rates of any
multi-system operator in the UK. The Company is presently the sole provider of
broadband services in its franchise areas, offering residential telephony, CATV
and Internet access services to customers connected to its networks. These
services are provided over local broadband fiber networks which have both
coaxial and copper connections to the home. Based on operating results and
experience gained by management in the United States telecommunications market,
the Company has developed innovative marketing strategies which have increased
customer penetration rates, customer retention and operating profitability.
The industry in which the Company participates has demonstrated strong
growth over the last several years. Since January 1, 1992, the industry has
connected approximately 4.1 million telephone lines. Since January 1, 1994, the
industry has more than doubled its market share of multi-channel homes to 45%.
The following tables illustrates these statistics:
UK TELEPHONY CABLE INDUSTRY STATISTICS
Telephone Lines
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Residential
Total Residential Telephone Line
Telephone Lines Telephone Lines Homes Passed Penetration
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January 1, 1999 4,070,866 3,567,786 11,904,341 30%
January 1, 1998 3,442,196 3,038,809 10,693,809 28%
January 1, 1997 2,278,113 2,039,081 8,351,310 24%
January 1, 1996 1,419,819 1,287,248 6,042,296 21%
January 1, 1995 717,566 649,350 4,116,971 16%
January 1, 1994 314,381 279,728 2,786,202 10%
January 1, 1993 106,989 92,715 1,954,829 5%
January 1, 1992 21,225 N/A 1,343,557 --
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Multi-Channel Homes
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Broadband Total
Cable Multi-Channel Broadband Cable
Subscribers DTH Homes Homes As a % of Total
January 1, 1999 2,826,010 3,458,000 6,284,010 45%
January 1, 1998 2,373,548 3,583,000 5,956,548 40%
January 1, 1997 1,872,962 3,446,000 5,318,962 35%
January 1, 1996 1,326,842 3,170,000 4,496,842 30%
January 1, 1995 908,018 2,818,000 3,726,018 24%
January 1, 1994 611,423 2,438,000 3,049,423 20%
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Source: ITC; BSkyB
As of December 31, 1998, NTL (not including recent acquisitions) had
471,000 residential customers, approximately 92% of which subscribed to both
telephone and television services. At the end of 1998, NTL (not including recent
acquisitions) had a total of 905,100 RGUs resulting in 44.2% customer
penetration, 42.3% telephone penetration, 42.7% cable penetration and 85% RGU
penetration of homes marketed. As of December 31, 1998, including the
acquisition of the operations of ComTel Limited and Telecential Communications
(collectively, "ComTel") and the amalgamation with Comcast UK Cable Partners
Limited (but excluding Cable London Plc) ("Partners") and pro forma for the
acquisition of Diamond Cable Communications Plc ("Diamond Cable"), the Company
had approximately 1.2 million residential customers and over 1.9 million RGUs,
resulting in 38.5% customer penetration, 36.3% telephone penetration, 28.9%
cable penetration and 63.6% RGU penetration of homes marketed. By comparison,
based on published statistics of the Independent Television Commission ("ITC"),
as of January 1, 1999, UK cable penetration averaged approximately 30.0% for
telephone and approximately 23.7% for cable television. As of January 1, 1999,
the UK telephony cable industry had connected approximately 4.1 million
telephone lines and approximately 2.8 million broadband cable customers.
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The following table illustrates operating statistics for the Company's
newly constructed network:
PRO
FORMA
NTL
Combined
NTL ONLY(*) (5)
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December 31,
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1998 1997 1996 1995 1998
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- --------------
Homes passed (1) 1,247,200 1,007,000 779,100 463,000 3,495,000
Homes marketed (Telephone) 1,064,600 810,000 467,300 176,200 2,907,200
Homes marketed (Cable) 1,064,600 810,000 467,300 176,200 3,046,800
Homes marketed (as % of
homes passed 85% 80% 60% 38% 87%
Total customers (2) 471,000 321,300 168,200 57,700 1,172,300
Dual 434,000 287,200 133,800 44,630 764,700
Telephone-only 16,100 15,300 15,950 6,620 291,200
CATV-only 20,800 18,800 18,450 6,450 116,400
Total RGUs (3) 905,100 608,500 302,000 102,300 1,937,000
Customer penetration 44.2% 39.7% 36.0% 32.8% 38.5%
RGU penetration (4) 85.0% 75.1% 64.6% 58.1% 63.6%
Telephone penetration 42.3% 37.3% 32.0% 29.0% 36.3%
CATV penetration 42.7% 37.8% 32.6% 29.1% 28.9%
Annualized churn 10% 11% 10% NM NA
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(*) Excludes all recent acquisitions.
(1) "Homes passed" is the expression in common usage in the cable industry
as the measurement of the size of a cabled area, meaning the total number
of residential premises which have the potential to be connected to the
Company's network.
(2) As of December 31, 1998, the Company also provided service to
approximately 19,400 customers connected to acquired cable systems over
which it does not offer a full range of services. The Company also has
approximately 195,000 Internet customers.
(3) An RGU (revenue generating unit) is one telephone account or one CATV
account; a dual customer generates two RGUs.
(4) RGU penetration is the number of RGUs per 100 homes marketed.
(5) Includes Partners, ComTel and Diamond Cable. Excludes 50% ownership of
Cable London.
NA Not available.
NM Not meaningful due to the limited customer base and recent commencement
of services.
The Company believes that much of its success during this period has been
due to its marketing strategies and the introduction of innovative residential
services packages which bundle telephone and a small selection of CATV channels
within a single product offering. The Company also gives customers the
opportunity to purchase additional channel packages and premium channels, as
well as additional telephone lines and Internet access services. Consistent with
the Company's objectives, the high penetration rates generated by this strategy
have led to increased levels of gross profit contribution per home passed.
The Company believes it has also maintained high levels of customer
satisfaction as indicated by the Company's low rates of churn. As of the end of
1998, the Company had an
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annualized churn rate of less than 10%, a rate which is significantly lower than
the published churn rates of the other UK telephone/cable operators.
Local Broadband Network Construction
The Company is installing a full-service network capable of providing a
high speed, high capacity, two-way voice, data and video communications pathway
to the customer. This approach allows the Company to pursue four revenue streams
(residential telephony, residential cable television, business
telecommunications services and Internet access services) on its network without
a significant increase in fixed investment.
Including recent acquisitions, NTL's local franchise areas cover
approximately 5 million homes, spanning a broad geographic area across England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. As of December 31, 1998, including recent
acquisitions, the Company's integrated full-service network (including recent
acquisitions) had been constructed past approximately 3.5 million homes (or
approximately 70%) of its homes under franchise. NTL's local broadband networks
use advanced high capacity SDH fiber rings which serve entire communities,
bringing fiber connections directly to businesses and "Siamese" coaxial/copper
connections to residences. The Company estimates that, including recent
acquisitions, its local franchise networks cover approximately 7,000 route miles
of fiber backbone network, with approximately 400,000 fiber miles, and an
estimated 75,000,000 route miles of coaxial/copper connections.
The Company's licenses require it to roll out its network past a specified
number of premises (or homes) each year. The total requirement for all the
Company's licenses, including the recent acquisitions, is to pass approximately
4.7 million homes, which is less than the actual total of homes available to the
Company should it wish to construct its network past them. The Company believes
it will be able to satisfy its milestones, but there can be no assurance that
such milestones will be met or that any application to modify those milestones
would be accepted. If the Company is unable to meet the construction milestones
required by any of its licenses and is unable to obtain modifications to the
milestones, the relevant license or licenses could be revoked.
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National Telecoms Services
The Company offers national business telecoms, national and international
carrier telecoms services, radio communications, satellite services and national
Internet services.
The Company's objective in National Telecoms Services is to successfully
integrate its strategies for developing, operating and marketing local
telephony/cable systems with its national network to provide high quality voice,
data and video communications services throughout the UK. The Company has
constructed a national SDH fiber telecoms network, which is one of only five
independent national telecoms networks in the UK. The Company estimates that the
NTL national network currently covers approximately 3,500 route miles and
140,000 fiber miles throughout England, Scotland and Wales. During 1998, the
Company extended the network and to include the first resilient fiber connection
between Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and England, and, through its
acquisition of Eastern Group Telecoms ("EGT"), expanded the network to reach
international landing sites in southeast England.
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The Company intends to compete in the major segments of the UK telecoms
market. According to published Office of Telecommunications ("OFTEL")
statistics, the total annual telecoms market in the UK in 1997/98 was estimated
at approximately (pound)24 billion. Of the total telecoms market, the Company
estimates that approximately (pound)8 billion represents national business
telecoms, (pound)2 billion represents carrier services and (pound)1 billion
represents international carrier telecom services. The NTL national network has
significantly expanded the Company's telecoms opportunities from the business
within its franchise areas to the much greater UK national market.
Combining Local and National Networks
The integration of its local networks with the national telecoms network
creates strategic advantages for the Company's telephony business. The national
network allows the Company to carry telecommunications traffic between each of
its franchise areas and throughout the UK and, therefore, achieve significant
savings on the interconnection fees it pays to other carriers. In addition,
using the national telecoms network gives the Company greater pricing
flexibility and will enable the Company to design and offer new telephony
service packages to its customers, which management believes should have a
positive effect on the Company's penetration rates.
The integration of its voice and data platforms creates strategic
advantages for the Company's Internet business. A key issue facing telecom
operators such as BT is how to transition high volume, lower unit value Internet
traffic from the traditional voice networks, as early as possible onto the more
cost-effective packet-based IP infrastructures. By routing Internet traffic at
the edge of our network, via the transit layer, NTL is able to achieve this, and
therefore optimizing its investment in switching infrastructure.
The Company has made significant progress connecting its local switches to
the NTL national network. Nearly all of the Company's local switches are
connected either directly or via access hubs to the national network. In 1999,
the Company will continue the development and connectivity of its networks,
including the introduction of four additional local switches, a further
international switch and a new national transit switching layer. The transit
switching layer is expected to be comprised of 9 switches, which will be sited
in major cities across the UK. It will act as a common interconnect gateway for
voice and Internet traffic between NTL and other operators, and during 1999 will
have connections to over 80% of the trunk network of British Telecommunications
plc ("BT") for least cost routing. The Company has already begun carrying a
portion of its own long distance voice and data traffic on the network. This
will grow significantly during 1999 with the implementation of the transit
network.
National Business Telecoms
In the business market, NTL emphasizes its regional focus and describes
itself as a "nationally competitive but locally accountable" service provider,
whose business purpose is to "enable businesses to become more efficient and
effective".
In addition to its national efforts, NTL continues to focus regionally upon
education, healthcare, local government, and media and information technology
companies. The NTL communications solution is attractive to these customers
because of its reliable, high bandwidth solutions and because of the Company's
ability to
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bundle several services together at attractive prices. The Company's program for
education has not only provided value-added technology services to universities,
but also has accelerated the connection of local secondary and primary schools
to the Internet.
The Company bases its approach to the large and medium-sized businesses on
or close to its network, by grouping its products and services into five groups.
The first includes NTL's simple "Access" services. These services connect
the customer to the Company for inbound and outbound voice and data calls. These
access services include traditional analogue Business Exchange Lines ("BELs")
and Digital Business Exchange Lines ("DELs"). DEL services include Basis Rate
Access ("BRA"), also known as "ISDN2", and Primary Rate Access ("PRA"), also
known as "ISDN30". PRA services deliver DASS2 or Q931 signaling. These and other
direct and indirect access services are priced competitively and offered in
competition with a number of other direct and indirect suppliers.
The other four groups of services and products are described as "Managed
Voice", "Managed Data", "Internet" and "Enhanced Services".
The Managed Voice service is best illustrated by the Company's Central
Exchange "Centrex" service which presents the customer with business exchange
lines configured as a "virtual PABX", complete with call-handling facilities
normally associated with a traditional PABX (or PBX). The success of this
product is best demonstrated in the East Midlands where eight of the 11 local
government organizations use NTL Centrex as their main business service,
including the Nottingham City Council with more than 3,500 lines.
Managed Data services include fixed point-to-point private circuits at
speeds from 64Kbit/s, through multiples of that speed (i.e. "n x 64Kbit/s",
2Mbit/s or "Fibrelink2") and multiples of 2Mbit/s, including a 10Mbit/s Local
Area Network Extension services ("LANLink") and individually tailored 100Mbit/s
and 155Mbit/s Services. Other services in this family include the provision of
intersite data services with a particular transmission protocol, for example
Internet Protocol ("TCP/IP"), Frame Relay and Asynchronous Transfer Mode
("ATM"). An example of these services would be the provision of a 155Mbit/s ATM
network to a group of 16 university and hospital sites in South Wales.
The Internet group of products and services ranges from "Dialup" customers
to private circuits at speeds of 64Kbit/s and above. The Company expects to
launch a range of new services and branded hardware products in the second and
third quarters of 1999, which should include both entry level and advanced
"firewalls", and a self-provisioning web-hosting service. The Company owns and
provides all the support for VirginNet and provides service to BusinessNet and
more than 20 other Internet Service Providers.
"Enhanced Services" describes a range of Voice, Data and Vision services.
The Company has created business solutions from enhanced telephony using
Computer Telephony Integration and Interactive Voice Response solutions for Call
Center operators (in configurations similar to the Company's own customer call
centers). Other enhanced services are Closed Circuit Television and
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Surveillance Systems ("CCTV"), like the installations at the Royal Yacht
Britannia, Bristol Prison and many town and city centers across the UK.
To date, the Company has been successful in obtaining telecoms contracts
from businesses located within its franchise areas. As of December 31, 1998, the
Company (excluding recent acquisitions) had over 13,100 business customers and
approximately 50,800 business telephony lines installed, which represented
nearly 100% increase over year end 1997 for both customers and lines. Including
the recent acquisitions of Partners (excluding the 50%-owned Cable London
franchise), ComTel and Diamond Cable, the Company had approximately 128,400
business telephony lines installed.
Capitalizing on the extended reach of its national network, the Company is
competing for a share of the business telecoms market on a national basis.
Management believes that it can build on the strengths gained in its local
franchise areas to approach targeted business users located in other areas of
the UK, initially focusing on users with multiple business locations. NTL
launched its national business telecoms service in November 1997 and its
strategy is to target medium and large businesses, beginning with those located
near the major urban areas currently served by the NTL national network.
NTL has a variety of methods to connect the "last mile" to the customers'
premise from the national network. First, as a certified national public
telecommunications operator ("PTO"), NTL can readily obtain the permits to
construct telecoms networks, and can therefore simply build out its network to
reach customers. Although this is clearly the most costly, the expense can be
justified in the case of large customers or when a significant level of traffic
is obtained from several customers. Second, NTL has already been successful in
utilizing its significant tower infrastructure to efficiently connect to
customers using microwave radio links. As a result of its long history in
broadcasting and other communications businesses, NTL owns or has direct access
to over 1,300 tower sites in attractive locations all across the UK. Microwave
radio represents an efficient and reliable method for connecting customer
locations to the national network. Third, NTL can lease circuits on the local
networks of other service providers to connect to the customers premises.
Although this may reduce the operating margin on a particular account, it
requires no capital expense, it can often be installed relatively quickly, and
the circuit can be replaced at a later date if a more profitable connection
method can be justified.
In addition, the Company has been awarded a license to operate radio fixed
access services at 10 GHz throughout the UK. The Company is currently undergoing
test trials of the service in preparation for operational trials with major
business customers. If the test trials are successful, and if the Company
determines to seek and deploy the additional capital resources to pursue this
opportunity and the networks are developed, the 10 GHz license would further
facilitate the development of the Company's local access reach to large
businesses.
As a complement to its national business telecoms effort, the Company's
Vision Services group offers CCTV and remote monitoring services. Current
customers include shopping centers, hospitals, railways and prisons. Management
believes that CCTV services offer the potential to
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increase network traffic, broaden the Company's product base, enhance
relationships with customers and reinforce the NTL image as a leading
communications company.
Carrier Services and International
NTL competes in the growing market for bandwidth, voice and leased line
services in the national and international wholesale telecommunications market.
The Company provides digital leased lines from 2Mbits/sec to STM-16 on both a
national and international basis. This capacity is used for voice, data, video
and audio traffic to major regions of the UK, US and Europe. Customers include
fixed line and mobile telecommunications operators, cable operators, Internet
service providers, and various information technology and facilities management
companies.
NTL has considerably expanded its 'carriers' customer base over the last
year through leveraging its own international, national and local
infrastructure. Relationships with a number of major national and international
operators have been established, notably:
COLT where NTL has won 'preferred supplier' status for the distribution of
COLT's traffic outside the London area. This covers bandwidths from 2Mb/s
to STM-1.
ENERGIS for which NTL provides high speed managed services to enable the
operator to more effectively address its 'off-net' customer base.
Global One, as part of this international operators' roll-out, NTL is
providing managed services between London and Dublin over the recently
completed and NTL-owned 'Sirius' sub-sea cable.
Additionally, NTL has continued to grow its business within the Mobile
Operators market sector. During 1998, both Vodafone and Orange considerably
increased their requirements for inter- switch capacity, and as of December
1998, NTL supplied Orange with the majority of its inter-switch capacity.
NTL has recently acquired EGT, thus gaining significant fiber assets
connecting the east and south coast major submarine cable landing sites to
London. This acquisition, in conjunction with the NTL fiber infrastructure to
the South West, has enabled NTL to expand geographically providing international
cable owners with connectivity to the main telecommunications hub sites in the
UK. NTL has correspondingly developed its broadband product portfolio to
specifically address the large bandwidth 'backhaul' services required by this
customer base.
The Company's international facilities license allows it to supply
international services to other carriers in conjunction with achieving internal
cost savings. NTL has entered into long-term agreements to purchase
international telecoms capacity on new transatlantic fiber optic cables
connecting the Netherlands, Germany, the UK and the United States. NTL recently
completed the 'Sirius' extension of its UK SDH network to Ireland via two
submarine cables and the installation of a duct route between Dublin and
Belfast. This cable system is the first independent cable system to Ireland and
has been reported to be the largest submarine cable system in the world with 48
fibers.
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NTL is also expanding its product portfolio to include virtual private
networks, managed data networks, ATM, Frame Relay and multi-media services. NTL
recently gained international connectivity to Scandinavia, France and Italy. The
Company has extensive satellite coverage from three UK teleports providing
voice, bandwidth, data and media services to most of the world.
Radio Communications
The Company's Radio Communications group ("RadioComms") offers a full
range of services, including the operation of radio networks and the provision
of support and maintenance services to customers with "Mission Critical" radio
communications needs.
This Division serves an estimated 70% of the radio installation and
maintenance market for Public Safety Services within England and Wales and
includes associated customers such as HM Prison Service and HM Coast Guard.
These customers provide a steady source of revenues for NTL, and have also
proven to be very effective references for other NTL services and products.
NTL's track record for reliability and responsive customer care is also clearly
demonstrated through these customers.
RadioComms is involved in mobile communications maintenance, support and
facilities management. This enables RadioComms to offer customers the optimum
solution to their requirements, from equipment specific component
repair/replacement, to full turnkey site and equipment maintenance.
The Company intends to secure further customers and contracts, expanding
from facilities and maintenance activities into complete outsource arrangements.
The Company has positioned itself to effectively compete in the major growth
sector in the radio communications market over the next five years, from both
public and private mobile operators. Several large contracts of this type are
under bid process this year, with contract awards expected in 1999. Long-term
contracts (typically greater than five years) of this nature, if awarded to the
Company, are expected to substantially increase the revenue profile of
RadioComms and help maintain the revenue stability of the Company overall. There
can be no assurances that such contracts will be awarded to the Company.
The UK market in radio communications continues to grow strongly. The
Company also has concentrated on growing its owned and managed portfolio of
radio sites and generating revenue through the provision of site sharing
facilities to mobile communication operators. During 1998, the UK site sharing
businesses of Simoco and EGT were acquired and further portfolio growth was
achieved through site management deals with three additional fire brigades.
NTL Internet
NTL Internet provides residential, wholesale and business Internet access
and support services, consulting and systems integration services, and Intranet
design and implementation. In 1995, the Company launched its Internet access
service as a national service throughout the UK. This service provides access to
the World Wide Web to customers in and outside its Regional Areas. NTL
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Internet provides Internet service on a wholesale basis to other Internet
service providers as well as on a retail basis.
NTL Internet has become one of the fastest growing Internet carriers in
the UK. The Company currently services more than 200,000 Internet users,
primarily through its wholesale relationships with Virgin.Net, Which? Online and
others.
In 1996, the Company established the Virgin.Net joint venture with Virgin
Communications Limited ("Virgin"), which began offering service in November 1996
under the name Virgin.Net. The joint venture is owned 49% by a subsidiary of the
Company and 51% by Virgin and is intended to offer Internet access and
interactive services to UK consumers and small office/home users. In addition,
Virgin.Net has contracted NTL Internet to provide the dial-up national network
and back office structure necessary for access to Virgin.Net and the Internet.
As with the Company's local telephony business, management believes that
access to the national telecoms network will have strategic benefits for NTL
Internet and the Company's Internet services businesses. Management expects
utilization of the Company's national telecoms network to reduce operating
costs, increase flexibility and national reach and improve the overall marketing
and product opportunities of NTL Internet.
National Consumer Services
National Consumer Services ("NCS") is NTL's first retail offering to the
UK consumer outside its franchise areas. NCS will carry the consumer's telephony
traffic via Indirect Access for voice and Internet calls. The bundle of services
will provide Internet access via the PC or through NCS's TV-Internet set top box
which enables full Internet access without the need to purchase a PC. It is
estimated that of the 26.5 million UK homes, over 18 million homes have neither
a PC nor Internet service. Through this service, NTL will also offer a per
minute national call tariff of 3p/day, 2p/evening and 1p during the weekend.
Digital and Interactive Services
The Digital Services division includes NTL Interactive, which is
developing a range of interactive services for television and other platforms,
the Digital Technology group, which is involved in the deployment of NTL's
digital cable, and the Digital Media Centre, a digital TV and interactive
content playout center.
NTL Interactive is responsible for the aggregation of a range of types of
interactive content into a seamless service which can be deployed on NTL's
interactive television services, such as TV- Internet and digital cable. The
division has partnered with Internet, CD-ROM, and TV content owners, among
others, to deliver a wide ranging interactive service, including Education, Home
Shopping and Banking, Travel, Entertainment, Games, News, Sport and Local
content areas. NTL Interactive has positioned itself to be able to gain
distribution for its services on other platforms, both inside and outside of
NTL. The Digital Technology group provides a resource pool of technological
expertise to be applied to individual projects, such as NTL's digital cable
project, and investigation
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and trialing of next generation technologies which could be used to deliver
NTL's services. The Digital Media Centre is set up to manage the playout of
NTL's digital television services, including digital cable, NTL's interactive
services, and other digital television channels, such as British Eurosport.
The digital and interactive division is also responsible for managing NTL's
investments in SDN and Digital One division. NTL has a 33% stake in SDN, the
operator of a national Digital Terrestrial television license, which will
commence broadcasting commercial services in 1999. In addition, NTL has a 33%
stake in Digital One, the operator of the exclusive national commercial Digital
Radio license, which will also commence services at the end of 1999.
Broadcast Services
The Company's Broadcast Services group includes the original core business
of NTL Group Limited which has been providing television and radio broadcasters
with broadcast transmission services for more than 40 years. This group designs,
installs, operates and maintains new transmitter networks and has a spectrum
planning service to plan the coverage of television and radio networks. It
operates a national infrastructure in the UK of over 1,300 owned and shared
transmission sites which deliver broadcast signals for ITV, Channel 4, S4C,
Channel 5, Teletext and many of the UK's independent local, regional and
national radio broadcasters. In addition to transmission services, the Broadcast
Services division markets value added services to its existing television
customers including additional monitoring services, reserve system services and
contribution/distribution services.
NTL has been involved in broadcast television since the 1950s when it
designed and built the television transmission system for the UK's first
independent commercial television network. The Broadcast Services group provides
the Company with a stable contracted revenue stream from a variety of customers
through long-term contracts generally with eight to ten-year terms. The
projected total value of the Company's currently contracted revenues for
national telecoms and broadcast services from January 1, 1999 through December
31, 2007 is more than $2 billion.
The foregoing projection of the expected approximate revenues receivable
pursuant to existing contracts, which includes Channel 3, Channel 4 and S4C
transmission contracts, is based on various factors and was derived utilizing
several assumptions. Important assumptions and other important factors that
could cause actual revenues to differ include, among other things, general
economic conditions, the regulatory regime prevailing from time to time,
adherence to the construction, service and other obligations of such contracts,
absence of labor or weather difficulties, absence of defaults, particularly
payment defaults, by the counter-parties to such contracts or the termination or
non-renewal of such contracts. The Company assumes no obligation to update this
projection to reflect actual revenues received by the Company, changes in
assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the information presented. The
contracts with the ITV companies and Channel 4 terminate on December 31, 2012,
or at the time of analogue switch-off, whichever occurs first. If analogue
switch-off occurs later than December 31, 2012, the contract can be extended on
a daily basis. The contract with S4C presently terminates on December 31, 2002.
Although historically the ITV companies have renewed their contract, there can
be no assurance that they will
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do so upon expiration of the current contract, that they will not seek to obtain
more favorable terms or that they would not seek to obtain from third parties
all or a portion of the transmission services currently provided by the Company.
The loss of this contract could have a material adverse effect on the business
of the Company.
Television Broadcasting
The Company currently provides broadcast transmission services for three
of the five national television channels in the UK. Channel 3, Channel 4/S4C and
Channel 5 are all currently broadcast from NTL's network of over 1,300 owned and
shared transmission sites.
In November 1998, NTL made broadcasting history with the launch of the
first ever digital terrestrial television network. Two of the four recipients of
the Digital Terrestrial Television ("DTT") multiplexes, Digital 3 & 4 and SDN,
selected the Company as the supplier of transmission services. The Company has
contracted to provide a complete, end-to-end service, including studio
compression, transmission and full systems integration. The Company has
successfully completed on time the first phase of the build program from
play-out centers to transmission. Both of the two new networks were available
for services as required in November 1998 and will undergo further expansion in
1999.
Radio Broadcasting
The Broadcast Services division also offers a range of services to local
and national radio broadcasting licensees in the UK including: target service
area planning; site location, installation and construction; and equipment
selection, procurement, operation, monitoring and maintenance. This division
offers total broadcast contract services ("TBCs"), where it designs, builds,
owns and maintains the operator's transmission facilities, and facility
management contract services ("FMCs"), where it maintains customer-owned
equipment and administers the operation of the transmission service. It
maintains over 70 TBCs and 60 FMCs.
In 1998, NTL was successful in winning 8 year transmission contracts for
both of the new regional radio licences advertised in the year, and successfully
entered the new small market radio sector, winning a total of eight contracts.
NTL also successfully negotiated long term contract extensions, for terms up to
10 years, with two of its major radio customers.
In digital radio, the Company believes it is positioned to be a major
supplier of transmission and distribution services. In 1998, NTL signed a
transmission contract worth (pound)50m over 12 years with Digital One, the
successful licence winner for the only national commercial multiplex. The
Company is also well positioned to win transmission contracts for the 26 local
Digital Radio multiplex licences which will be rolled out in 1999 and 2000.
NTL International
NTL International, formerly known as Nexus, provides broadcasting systems
design, and specializes in services associated with the design and construction
of radio and television studio
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centers and technical facilities. These services include installation,
commissioning, equipment procurement, training and consultancy for projects
ranging from production and post production studio facilities to full turnkey
systems involving transmitter network planning and installation.
Management believes that the Company is uniquely placed to capitalize on
the two major trends that will shape global broadcasting in the coming years;
privatization and digitalization. In 1998, there has been focus on creating
partnerships with major broadcasters to design, build and operate complex
digital broadcast systems. NTL's strategy is to transfer our success in UK to
other countries (see also "Recent Developments").
Business Strategies
Management's objective is to exploit the convergence of the
telecommunications, entertainment and information services industries to become
a premier new era communications company in the UK, which will offer these
services to residential, business and wholesale customers on a national scale.
Management believes that NTL will be able to deliver its strategy based on its
entrepreneurial approach, innovative marketing, state-of-the-art network and
technical excellence. The Company is currently employing several strategies to
achieve its objectives:
Installing Flexible Integrated Full-service Networks. This strategy allows
the Company to pursue four revenue streams--residential cable television,
residential telephony, business telecommunications services and Internet access
services--without significant incremental cost in fixed investment. The
integrated full-service networks provide a high-speed, high-capacity, two-way
communications pathway to the consumer that is capable of delivering new
services which may emerge from the convergence of telecommunications,
information and entertainment. Such embedded flexibility allows NTL to adapt its
national network to offer Frame Relay and Asynchronous Transfer Mode ("ATM")
services.
Focusing on Target Market Segments. The Company believes that tailoring
its services to the needs of its customers will increase the penetration of
these services. Examples of tailored services include the development of local
television programming and advertising and of private telecommunications
networks geared to "captive" local organizations such as governmental and
educational institutions. NTL has a track record of differentiating itself by
providing flexible and customized solutions to meet its customers' individual
requirements.
Maximizing Network Capacity Utilization. The fixed cost structure of
building communications networks allows the Company to gain significant
operating leverage from incremental services provided over its networks. In its
local franchises areas, the Company's strategy is to maximize gross profit
contribution per home passed, rather than revenue per customer, by increasing
overall penetration of the number of services provided over its network.
Examples of this strategy are the development of bundled product offerings that
encourage subscriptions to multiple services, multiple television pricing plans
that appeal to differing and distinct market segments and price points, and more
"a la carte" and transaction-oriented services which increase network
utilization. This strategy resulted in the design and launch of the Choices
marketing packages, which increased the Company's overall penetration rates as
well as its percentage of dual subscribers.
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The Company's strategy in national telecoms is to continue to expand both
the geographical reach and breadth of services provided, so as to increase the
potential market of national business and wholesale customers. In its national
business telecoms, management is seeking to increase network utilization by
identifying cross-selling opportunities within NTL's existing customer base
through new services that capitalize upon the convergence of telecoms,
entertainment and information services.
Providing Superior Customer Service. The Company believes customer service
and attentiveness to the needs of customers are critical to the continued growth
of its residential and business services and places great significance on
consistently servicing customer requirements. The Company operates multiple
customer call centers, including three large centers in Luton, South Wales and
Central Scotland, as well as multiple call centers throughout the regions of the
recently acquired businesses (see "Recent Developments"). Calls are answered 24
hours a day, 365 days a year. The customer call centers currently employ
approximately 500 people, who are specially trained to deal with customers'
inquiries and needs with respect to the Company's various products and services.
Each customer representative attends a four week in-house specialized training
program, which is focused on increasing a representative's knowledge of NTL's
corporate culture and products and providing the individual with specific sales
skills as well as a better understanding of the level of service expected to be
provided to potential and existing customers on an ongoing basis. Finally, as
NTL recognizes the importance of the installation in the customer's satisfaction
with the services, management has focused on monitoring installers' performance
closely to ensure compliance with strict quality standards and scheduling
installations to suit customers' requirements.
Developing Advanced Management Information Systems. NTL believes that
advanced management information systems are critical to effectively, efficiently
and accurately serving its customers. The Company uses proprietary software to
handle its subscriber management functions from one central location. The system
uses Windows-based software and can handle both business and residential
customers as well as telephony and CATV on a single platform. It is capable of
managing the Company's tariff and discounting structures, and will also allow
for the introduction of new telephony and CATV services, such as 0800 numbers.
Additionally, the system provides the functionality to support the customer
representatives inquiry handling and contributes to NTL's high level of customer
service. For example, customer representatives have on-line access to customers'
billing, payment and subscription histories.
Gaining Cost Efficiencies. The Company gains cost efficiencies by
centralizing certain services provided to the franchise areas in the Company's
head office in Farnborough. Examples include network planning, marketing,
information systems and legal affairs. Alternatively, those cost centers which
are critical to penetration, customer service, and retention are located as
close to the customer as possible. Examples include construction management,
sales, customer service, and network maintenance, which are all located in each
of the Regional Areas.
Marketing Strategies
The Company increases its customer base and improves market penetration
for its services by implementing separate marketing strategies tailored to its
residential and business customers. The
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Company believes that separately marketing to residential and business customers
based on the specific benefits they receive from the Company's services is the
most effective means of maximizing the Company's customer base.
Residential Marketing
The Company markets its local telecoms and television service under the
NTL/CableTel name and promotes its image as an integral part of the emerging
information super-highway. This marketing strategy includes the following
concepts in the Company's advertising, literature and other materials:
o positioning NTL as a local telephone company;
o introducing alternative telephone service, multi-channel television
and Internet access as the first of an expanding array of services
which will be carried on the network in the future;
o emphasizing that the Company is bringing "more choice" in television
viewing, "better value" in telephone service and "state of the art"
communications technology in providing access to the Internet;
o demonstrating the Company's commitment to quality, value and service
in its offerings as evidenced by its Code of Practice approved by
OFTEL;
o building interest, awareness, and credibility for the Company's
services.
The Company employs an extensive direct marketing and selling approach to
gain customers. The Company begins to build a relationship with our communities
before construction commences in a given area by closely coordinating its
upcoming activities with local government authorities and community groups and
eliciting feedback on ways to minimize disruptions and inconvenience.
Information packages and construction notices are delivered to the neighborhood
prior to construction. The Company's consumer affairs advisors personally visit
affected neighborhoods and households in order to meet the special needs of the
residents. All written and telephonic inquiries from residents are input by name
into a lead-tracking database, so that when areas are released to marketing, the
Company's sales personnel have complete customer profiles of the residents in
their selling area.
The Company initiates its marketing in an area by direct mail, which is
followed by a personal appointment with a Company sales advisor. In some
regions, the sales visit is also preceded by the hand delivery to every
household of a videotape which describes NTL and its services. All information
regarding both current and future sales opportunities is entered into the
database, and current sales information is updated in the Company's
provisioning, billing and subscriber management system. Unsold household data is
maintained for future telemarketing, direct mail, and re-marketing by the sales
force.
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As an additional service, the Company launched pay-per-view services to
its customers in March 1998. The Company has entered into a joint venture with
TeleWest, General Cable and Diamond Cable for the provision of a cable-only
movie, sport and event pay-per-view television service called Front Row. The
joint venture comprises approximately 60% of the UK cable television industry
and represents the alternative to BSkyB's dominant position in movie and sports
rights for pay television. The pay-per-view service will be available to other
cable operators subject to agreeing terms of carriage. Front Row has signed
content output contracts with major Hollywood studios, including Warner
Brothers, Sony Pictures Entertainment (Columbia/Tristar) and the Walt Disney
Company (Walt Disney Studios, Miramax, Hollywood Pictures and Touchstone).
Additionally, as part of NTL's focus in ensuring and maximizing customer
retention, the Company usually charges an installation fee (currently
(pound)49.99 including VAT), which is often discounted. It also adopts a one
year service agreement and encourages direct debit payment as the "standard".
The installation fee and one year contract provide qualifying mechanisms to
ensure that the customer understands and recognizes the value of the services,
while the encouragement of direct debit payment helps to avoid non-payment or
non-payment related cancellations.
Bundled Product Offerings. The Company's product and pricing strategies
emphasize choice, value, and quality and are designed to encourage subscription
to multiple services and maximize long-term customer retention. With its
integrated dual service network, the Company has the opportunity to offer
bundled telephony, Internet and CATV services.
Following the success of a trial in certain of the Company's franchises,
in November 1996, the Company announced the introduction of a new promotional
pricing and packaging structure called "Choices" for its telephony and CATV
service. The Choices packaging structure is still in place today and has been
extremely successful for the Company. The First Choice entry package offers the
customer the Company's telephone service, plus a choice of either (i) a limited
selection of television channels which includes all of the terrestrial channels,
several popular CATV channels and one NTL exclusive local TV channel, (ii)
Internet access service or (iii) a second telephone line. The current price for
First Choice is (pound)8.87, which is approximately the same as BT's current
line rental charge. This means that NTL's customers can receive their telephone
line plus cable television, Internet access or a second telephone line for the
price of the monthly telephone line rental alone from BT. Customers can add
either or both of the two other choices for (pound)5 each.
The customer is also encouraged to choose from several genre-based tiers
of mini packages called Choice Collections and the Popular Collection, each of
which includes a number of additional cable channels. The Premium Choices
packages enable the customer to select from several premium channels each of
which can be purchased for an additional charge.
The Company believes that this type of bundled and flexible service
package is responsive to the desires and tastes of its customers. The packages
also give the customer the opportunity to trade up or down rather than churn.
NTL seeks to gain incremental revenues by pulling customers through to higher
tier packages. The promotional offer of Sample Choice serves as a shop window
for other incremental services. In addition, the Company encourages subscription
to multiple services by offering a "two for one" discount on installation
charges.
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Value for Money. The Company also emphasizes the "value" of its
residential telephone service. By bundling its telephone service with a choice
of additional services for the price of BT's telephone line rental, the Company
believes that it offers its customers greater value for their money.
In addition to these savings incentives, using the national telecoms
network gives the Company greater pricing flexibility and therefore enables the
Company to design and offer new telephony service packages to its customers. By
integrating its national telecoms network with its local networks, the Company
is able to bypass a portion of the wholesale long distance fees charged by BT
and other carriers for carrying calls to and from the Company's local telephone
networks. This increased flexibility positions the Company to introduce more
volume-oriented and/or geographically based calling plans designed to give the
customer even greater choice and value. Management believes that increased
ability to design attractive marketing plans and to better package services
versus its competitors should have a positive effect on the Company's
penetration rates.
Internet Access and Other Interactive Services. As part of the Company's
multiple services product strategy, NTL Internet offers retail Internet access
at speeds of up to 56.6 Kbits/sec. Particular emphasis is being placed on
jargon-free customer service and support. The Company is testing the provision
of Internet access at substantially higher speed through either Ethernet access
(10 Mbits/sec.), cable modems (4 Mbits/sec.) or ISDN access (128 Kbits/sec.).
Business Marketing
In the business market, NTL is recognized as having the third largest
national telecommunications network in the UK. The Company is leveraging this in
two ways; firstly through a dedicated team of national account managers dealing
with the largest national accounts including many of the other services
carriers, and also through the regional sales and marketing structure.
NTL's sales strategy within its regional bases employs a mixture of
telephone sales and marketing for the single line businesses and a direct and
consultative sales approach for the larger businesses.
NTL is market-driven and has analyzed the market and segmented it into
eight communities of interest - for example, health, education, information
technology - and treats its smaller towns as a unique community of interest. The
sales and marketing teams are structured to support this approach.
NTL offers a choice of voice, data, vision and Internet services as
described under 'Business Telecommunications'.
Carriers Marketing
The liberalization of the Telecoms market in the UK has seen a number of
alternative national and regional operators emerge. NTL has and expects to
continue to successfully serve this
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marketplace through its strategy of providing high quality and competitively
priced services. Additionally, NTL continues to leverage its specialized ability
to provide tailored solutions necessary to serve this demanding market.
The rapid expansion in voice traffic is expected to continue and NTL has
entered into interconnect agreements with national and international operators
to both reduce the costs of carriage and termination of NTL originated traffic
and for the termination of other carriers' traffic.
The expected growth in the number of international operators building and
operating submarine cable systems has and continues to materialize with many of
these cables transiting the UK. NTL has considerably increased its physical
connectivity to UK international cable landing stations and products have been
successfully developed to address the needs of these international cable
operators for backhaul services between the cable landing sites and the major UK
international nodes such as Telehouse, London.
NTL believes the UK market for wholesale data services is significant and
growing rapidly due to the fast growth in IP, Internet and other data traffic.
Utilizing the state of the art NTL ATM network, the Company has developed Frame
Relay and ATM wholesale products to address this increasing demand for high
speed data connectivity. Additionally, leveraging NTL's core data network, local
loop infrastructure and connectivity to the main international UK nodes will
allow the Company to address the needs of international operators for the
termination/origination of UK bound/generated data traffic.
The NTL Networks
Local Broadband Networks
The Company believes that its advanced network design is sufficiently
flexible to permit it to deliver a wide variety of existing entertainment,
telecommunications and information services and will enable it to offer
anticipated new services in the future without incurring significant additional
construction costs to adapt its existing underground network. The Company
estimates that, including recent acquisitions, its local franchise networks
cover approximately 7,000 route miles of fiber backbone network, with
approximately 400,000 fiber miles, and an estimated 75,000,000 route miles of
coaxial/copper connections.
Network Design and Functionality. The Company is installing its
cable/telephone and telecommunications network using established
state-of-the-art technology, deploying fiber optics directly to business
concentrations and residential nodes typically averaging 600 telephone lines or
500 homes respectively, and installing spare duct and transmission capacity in
excess of anticipated needs. In this manner, the Company achieves the cost
efficiencies and rapid deployment that using standardized equipment entails,
while retaining the flexibility to expand and adapt its network over time with
little or no additional underground or construction investment.
The design and construction of a new network varies depending upon factors
including the number of route miles to be installed, density of homes and
businesses, type of surface, and the
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architecture of the network backbone. Each system has been designed with at
least one head-end and at least one telephone switching office. Each system's
head-end and telephone switching office is directly connected to each node by
fiber optic cable. Each node is then connected to a subscriber's premises.
Construction of each system has been planned on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood
basis to allow revenue generating operations to commence in a neighborhood as
construction of the portion of the system serving such neighborhood is
completed.
Fiber Optics. The evolution of fiber optic technology over the past
decade, including increases in the capacity of laser transmitters and decreases
in the price of optical receivers, has enabled the economic deployment of fiber
optic cable much closer to the customer than in traditional coaxial cable CATV
and twisted copper pair telephone networks, thereby improving the quality and
capacity of the CATV and telephone service. The main advantages of deploying
fiber in place of both coaxial cable or copper wire are its smaller size,
greater capacity, freedom from electrical interference, and significant
reduction of the requirement for periodic maintenance. The Company is deploying
fiber to nodes which are normally less than several hundred meters from the
furthest home.
Network Architecture. The Company's cable network is being built with four
2-way channels having an initial capacity of 750 MHz, which is sufficient to
carry over 60 analog channels of television. With digital compression of the
television signal, many more channels can be transmitted. The system is
upgradeable to 1 GHz. Generally, a maximum of one amplifier is required between
the head-end optical receivers and a home. Traditional cable systems often
employ "cascades" of more than 5 amplifiers which degrade signal quality and
increase the chances of system failure.
NTL's local telecommunications network uses a SDH redundant-ring based
architecture, which improves the Company's ability to flexibly deploy capacity
and further enhances system resilience. Telephone signals are carried from the
node to the home over traditional copper pair, over a shorter distance than in
traditional telephone networks, which improves signal quality and allows higher
bandwidth services to be more easily deployed. To connect its residential
customers, the Company uses a "dual drop" consisting of "Siamese" coaxial cable,
capable of transmitting 1 GHz of bandwidth, and two copper twisted pairs capable
of providing two telephone connections. Large business customers are connected
to the telephone network directly through fiber optic cable or microwave.
National Telecoms Network
The Company's national network was designed specifically for the high
volume telecommunications market in the UK and it incorporates many customer
sites directly into the backbone network. Expertise in designing and installing
this network was gained through nearly 40 years of managing its television
transmission network. The Company estimates that the NTL national network covers
approximately 3,500 route miles and 140,000 fiber miles across England, Scotland
and Wales. During 1998, the Company extended the network to include the first
resilient fiber connection between Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and
England. In addition, in
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December 1998, the Company acquired EGT. This acquisition expanded NTL's network
to cover southeast England.
The national network is a fully redundant, SDH digital fiber network. The
major fiber routes are complemented with microwave radio connections which
increase the capacity and reach of the network. SDH is an advanced technology
which is being increasingly adopted by the telecoms industry for the high speed
transmission of voice, data and video. The Company believes that SDH technology
improves network reliability and performance and provides greater flexibility
than conventional transmission architecture. Provision speeds are also generally
higher with SDH because it is remotely driven by software. In addition, network
availability, reliability, management, and routing are also superior to
conventional transmission architecture because signals are automatically
re-routed to the best path available if another is degraded. Management believes
that NTL has a competitive advantage over other carriers such as BT and C&WC
because SDH technology has been built in its networks from the start, thus
avoiding integration problems with older technology.
The NTL national network has been designed with significant existing
capacity as well as the ability to efficiently increase capacity in the future.
The fiber optic backbone network consists of fiber optic cable which generally
contains 24 pairs (48 fibers), each pair providing 16 x 155Mbits/sec (STM-16).
NTL has also provided for spare fiber optic pairs as well as duct space. For
example, the trunk route specification provides for two large ducts, each with
capacity for 4 sub-ducts, only one of such sub-ducts is currently used.
Therefore, the network capacity can be increased by a further seven times with
minimal incremental capital cost.
The national network supports voice, data, video, Internet and broadcast
services. It provides the backbone for local franchises, carrying national and
international destined traffic across the country. All local franchises and main
broadcast sites are directly linked into the national network.
NTL's local and national networks are not only physically but also
operationally integrated. In 1997, the Company created a Network Operations and
Management directorate, responsible for the central monitoring, operations and
management of both the local and national networks. From one location, NTL
operators are able to remotely monitor the networks, identify faults and contact
local field operators for repair (if necessary) and maximize network capacity
utilization by accessing information about both the local and national networks
simultaneously.
During 1998, NTL implemented an umbrella management system to enable
multiple platforms and equipments from different suppliers to be managed under a
single system. This will allow NTL to exploit the synergies between new local
franchises and its national network more rapidly.
National Broadcast Transmission Network
The Company's television transmission network consists of over 1,300 owned
and shared transmission sites, with towers ranging from fifteen feet to nearly
twelve hundred feet in height. The division's transmission tower at Emley Moor
in Yorkshire is the UK's tallest free-standing structure
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at over 1,000 feet. These towers are complemented by other transmission sites
and relay stations situated throughout the UK.
In addition to the transmission sites owned by this division, this
division also shares sites formerly held by the BBC (now held by Castle
Transmission), allowing it to complete its nationwide coverage. In all, the
Company maintains over 2,000 transmitters, currently monitored from our national
control center at Emley Moor and maintained by a field force strategically
positioned in 54 locations across the UK.
The transmitters of the Broadcast Services division range in size from a 2
watt repeater which serves a small village to 500 kilowatt main stations that
cover large metropolitan areas. All of the transmitters which are analog can be
divided into two categories, solid state circuitry and klystron tube. The
klystron tube transmitters have been manufactured by Pye and Marconi, while the
solid state units were manufactured by Harris, NEC, Thomson and CML, all
reputable manufacturers of transmission equipment. Klystron tube-type television
transmitters have a useful life of 20 to 25 years, while the solid state
transmitters can last well beyond this time frame. Solid state transmitters
require less maintenance than klystron transmitters.
In addition, this division has built and currently operates and maintains
radio transmission facilities for a number of independent local radio operators.
These facilities share components of the Company's television transmission
network infrastructure.
Recent Developments
Holding Company Structure
On or about April 1, 1999, NTL will form a holding company under the
Delaware General Corporation Law which will be the new publicly traded company
of the NTL group of companies. Each share of NTL will be converted into a share
in the new holding company which will continue to trade on NASDAQ and EASDAQ.
NTL will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the new holding company. Through
other subsidiaries, the new holding company will pursue opportunities outside
the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland; the first such investment will
be the acquisition of NTN described under "Australian National Transmission
Network" below.
Australian National Transmission Network
In March 1999, the Commonwealth of Australia accepted NTL Australia's bid
to own and operate the Australian National Transmission Network ("NTN").
Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, NTL Australia, which will be
an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the new holding company described above,
will purchase all of the shares of National Transmission Company (the entity
which will hold all of the NTN assets) for an aggregate purchase price of
approximately $650 million Australian ($407 million U.S.). The closing is
expected to occur early in the second quarter of 1999.
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NTN operates from over 560 tower sites and provides exclusive television
and radio transmission services to Australia's only national TV and radio
broadcasters, ABC and SBS. In addition, NTN serves regional and community TV and
radio broadcasters, and provides equipment hosting services to telecom operators
and emergency service communications provides on its towers. NTN's customers
include Telstra, WIN Television, Prime Television, Vodafone and Air Services
Australia. NTN holds long term contractual relationships with the majority of
its customers.
Broadcast and Tower-related Opportunities
NTL's board of directors has approved the pursuit of alternative corporate
financial strategies with regard to its broadcasting and tower-related
opportunities. These strategies are intended to provide the division with more
flexibility to pursue future opportunities and to illuminate the value of those
assets, while leaving the cash flow from its UK operations within NTL.
Diamond Acquisition
On March 8, 1999, the Company acquired all of the shares of Diamond Cable
Communications Plc ("Diamond Cable") pursuant to an acquisition agreement with
the shareholders of Diamond for an aggregate of approximately 13 million shares
of Company Common Stock. In connection with the acquisition of Diamond Cable,
Diamond Cable expects to make a Change of Control Offer pursuant to the terms of
the indentures governing Diamond Cable's indebtedness. The Company has entered
into a bridge facility to finance the redemption of Diamond Cable bonds
tendered, if any, which is subject to certain funding conditions.
Strategic Partnership with Microsoft
On January 25, 1999, Microsoft Corporation ("Microsoft") and the Company
agreed to jointly develop new broadband services for delivery to customers in
the UK and Ireland. In addition, on January 28, 1999, Microsoft purchased $500
million in 5 1/4% Preferred Stock of the Company. Such 5 1/4% Preferred Stock is
convertible into the Company's Common Stock at a conversion price of $100 per
share, is redeemable in 10 years for cash or Company Common Stock and may be
redeemed by the Company on the earlier of 7 years or the date on which the
Company's Common Stock has traded above $120 for 25 consecutive days.
Microsoft and the Company have agreed to work closely together with
respect to the development of new digital services and intend to enter into
additional agreements throughout 1999 regarding software and services. In
addition, on January 28, 1999, Microsoft received 1.2 million five-year warrants
to purchase the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $84 per share.
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EGT Acquisition
On December 22, 1998, the Company acquired EGT (formerly Eastern Group
Telecoms Limited) from Eastern Group Plc for (pound)60 million in cash and
(pound)31 million in 9.9% Preferred Stock, Series B of the Company. This
Preferred Stock has a pay-in-kind coupon of 9.9%, will mature in 2008 and is
redeemable within 18 months from issuance for, at the Company's option, cash or
Company Common Stock.
EGT is headquartered in Ipswich, England, and is comprised of two business
divisions. The telecoms division utilizes a 1,800 km fiber-optic network across
the southeast and east of England, and the radio sites division, consisting of
121 radio masts across East Anglia, serves the UK's major mobile phone network
operators.
Newcastle United Share Acquisition
On December 17, 1998, Premium TV Limited ("Premium TV"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company, acquired 9,000,000 shares, or 6.3%, of Newcastle
United PLC ("Newcastle United") from Cameron Hall Developments Limited ("CHD"),
the majority shareholder of Newcastle United, for approximately (pound)10
million in cash.
In conjunction with the sale of such shares, CHD also entered into an
irrevocable commitment to Premium TV which provides that if Premium TV makes a
general offer for all of the issued share capital of Newcastle United, CHD will
accept such offer in respect of the remaining balance of its shares in Newcastle
United, representing 50.8% of the issued share capital of Newcastle United. If
made, any such offer would be at a price of 111.7p per share in cash and may, if
Premium TV so decides, carry a full zero coupon loan note alternative.
Premium TV's decision regarding whether to make such an offer may be
influenced by, among other things, the substance of the report by the Monopolies
and Mergers Commission on the proposed offer for Manchester United Football Club
by BSkyB. The irrevocable commitment given by CHD is binding until 12 weeks
following the publication of such report, subject to extension in certain
circumstances.
Partners Acquisition
On October 29, 1998, pursuant to an agreement and plan of amalgamation
with Comcast UK Cable Partners Limited ("Partners"), a wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Company amalgamated (the "Amalgamation") with Partners. Shareholders of
Partners received 0.3745 shares of the Company's Common Stock for each common
share of Partners, an aggregate of approximately 18,764,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock.
Partners was formed to develop, construct, manage and operate businesses
in the UK cable and telecommunications industry. As of September 30, 1998,
Partners had interests in four operations: Birmingham Cable Corporation Limited
("Birmingham Cable"), in which Partners
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owned a 27.5% interest (the "Birmingham Cable Equity Interest"), Cable London
PLC ("Cable London"), in which Partners currently owns a 50% interest (the
"Cable London Equity Interest" and, together with the Birmingham Cable Equity
Interest, the "Equity Interests"), Cambridge Holding Company Limited in which
Partners currently owns a 100% interest, and two companies holding the
franchises for Darlington and Teesside, England (collectively, "Teesside"), in
which Partners currently owns a 100% interest.
As a result of the execution of the Amalgamation, TeleWest Communications
Plc ("TeleWest"), which at that time owned a 27.5% interest in Birmingham Cable
and a 50% interest in Cable London, had certain rights to acquire the Equity
Interests. Pursuant to an Agreement in Respect of the Rights of First Refusal
Relating to Birmingham Cable and Cable London, dated August 14, 1998 (the
"TeleWest Agreement"), between the Company, Partners, TeleWest and TeleWest
Communications Holdings Limited, the Birmingham Cable Equity Interest was sold
to TeleWest immediately prior to the consummation of the Amalgamation for
approximately (pound)130 million in cash. Pursuant to the TeleWest Agreement,
TeleWest and Partners passed a special resolution to Cable London's articles of
association which, for purposes of the Amalgamation, effectively eliminated the
rights of TeleWest to acquire the Cable London Equity Interest. However, the
TeleWest Agreement generally provides that, at any time during the period
beginning April 29, 1999 and ending July 29, 1999, NTL will either sell the
Cable London Equity Interest to TeleWest or purchase TeleWest's 50% ownership
interest in Cable London.
ComTel Acquisition
On June 16, 1998, the Company entered into an acquisition agreement (the
"ComTel Agreement") with Vision Networks III B.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Royal PTT Nederland NV (KPN), for the acquisition of ComTel. ComTel operates
telephony/cable networks in the UK, and its franchises cover approximately 1.1
million homes and are located in the Midlands and South East England regions,
covering areas including Oxford, Swindon, Coventry and Stratford.
Pursuant to the ComTel Agreement, the Company acquired ComTel for a total
of (pound)550 million in two stages. In the first stage, which was completed on
June 16, 1998, the Company acquired certain of the ComTel properties for
(pound)275 million in cash. In the second stage, which was completed on
September 22, 1998, the Company acquired the remaining ComTel properties for
(pound)200 million in cash and (pound)75 million in the Company's 9.9% Preferred
Stock, Series A. This Preferred Stock has a pay-in-kind coupon of 9.9%, will
mature in 2008 and is redeemable within 15 months from the date of issuance for
Company Common Stock valued at market, new Company convertible preferred
securities or cash.
Competition
The Company faces significant competition from established and new
competitors in the areas of residential telephony, business telecommunications
services, Internet and cable television. The Company believes that competition
will intensify in each of these business areas, particularly business
telecommunications and Internet.
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Residential Telephony. The Company competes primarily with BT in providing
telephone services to residential customers. BT, formerly the only major
national PTO in the UK, occupies an established market position and manages
fully built networks and resources substantially greater than those of the
Company. According to OFTEL, at March 31, 1998, BT serviced nearly 87% of UK
residential telephone exchange line customers. The Company's growth in
telecommunications services, therefore, depends upon its ability to convince
BT's customers to switch to the Company's telecommunications services. The
Company believes that value for money is currently one of the most important
factors influencing the decision of UK customers to switch from BT to a cable
telecommunications service. BT has, however, introduced price reductions in
certain categories of calls and, due to regulatory price controls, BT will be
making further reductions in its telecommunications prices. Accordingly,
although the Company intends to remain competitive, in the future it may be
unable to offer residential telephone services at rates lower than those offered
by BT. In such case, the Company may not achieve desired penetration rates and
may experience a decline in total revenues. There can be no assurance that any
such decline in revenues or penetration rates will not adversely affect the
Company. In addition to BT, other telecommunications competitors could prevent
the Company from increasing its share of the residential telecommunications
market. In particular, BT is under a regulatory obligation to introduce carrier
pre-selection CCPS) on its network, which it expects to do in the second half of
2000. CPS may increase the appeal of indirect access operators, whose discounted
call charges may undercut the Company's.
The Company also competes with mobile networks. This technology may grow
to become a competitive threat to the Company's networks, particularly if call
charges are reduced further on the mobile networks. The Company's Radio
Communications group may enable the Company to benefit from the growth in this
technology. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will be able to
compete successfully with BT or such other telecommunications operators.
The Company believes that it has a competitive advantage in the
residential market because it offers integrated telephone, CATV,
telecommunications services (including interactive and on-line services) and
multi-product packages designed to encourage customers to subscribe to multiple
services. However, there can be no assurance that this competitive advantage
will continue. Indeed, BT and all other operators will be permitted to provide
and convey CATV services throughout the UK starting January 1, 2001. In
addition, all areas currently without franchises will open to general
competition in the future, and exclusive franchises will no longer be awarded.
British Sky Broadcasting Limited ("BSkyB") currently markets
telecommunications services on an indirect access basis (which requires the
customer to dial additional digits before entering the primary telephone number,
thus diverting calls onto another operator's network). In addition, BSkyB has
proposed a joint venture with BT, Midland Bank and Matsushita that is known as
Open (formerly British Interactive Broadcasting). If Open's bid to enter the
interactive digital services market passes review by the competition directorate
of the European Commission, the Company believes that the resulting combination
would provide significant competition.
Business Telecommunications. BT is also the Company's principal competitor
in providing business telecommunications services. In addition, the Company
competes with C&WC, Energis
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Communications Limited, Scottish Telecom in Scotland and with other companies
that have been granted telecommunications licenses such as MCI-WorldCom and
Colt. In the future, the Company may compete with additional entrants to the
business telecommunications market. Competition is based on price, range and
quality of services, and the Company expects price competition to intensify if
existing and other new market entrants compete aggressively. Most of these
competitors have substantial resources and there can be no assurance that these
or other competitors will not expand their businesses in the Company's existing
markets or that the Company will be able to continue to compete successfully
with such competitors in the business telecommunications market.
CATV. The Company's CATV systems compete with direct reception
over-the-air broadcast television, direct-to-home ("DTH") satellite services and
satellite master antenna systems. In addition, pay television and pay-per-view
services offered by the Company compete to varying degrees with other
communications and entertainment media, including home video, cinema exhibition
of feature films, live theater and newly emerging multimedia services. The
Company expects that, in the future, it may face competition from programming
provided by video-on-demand services, including those that may be provided by
PTOs with national licenses (i.e., national PTOs). In addition, there will be
general licensing to provide CATV services, including in the Company's franchise
areas, from January 1, 2001. Should any additional operators, including BT and
Mercury (which merged with three cable operators that hold such licenses--NYNEX
CableComms, Bell Cablemedia plc and Videotron Holdings plc--to form C&WC) choose
to construct or adopt networks to provide CATV in these areas, it could have a
material adverse effect on the Company.
On September 29, 1993, the ITC issued a statement pursuant to which it
took the position (shared by OFTEL and DTI) that BT and the other national PTOs
may provide video-on-demand services under their existing licenses. No assurance
can be given that video-on-demand will not provide substantial competition to
the Company within its markets in the future.
The Broadcasting Act 1996 provides for the regulation of digital
terrestrial television ("DTT") that will initially provide an additional 18 or
more new terrestrial channels serving between 60% and 90% of the UK's
population. Some of the channels are reserved for digital simultaneous
broadcasting by the existing terrestrial broadcasters. The majority of the DTT
capacity for pay TV services was licensed to Ondigital, which launched its
services in the fourth quarter of 1998. The introduction of DTT, as well as
digital satellite television, will provide both additional programming sources
as well as increased competition for the Company and its subsidiaries. There can
be no assurance that satisfactory (or any) terms of carriage will be obtained by
the Company for digital satellite programs or channels.
The full extent to which existing or future competitors using existing or
developing media will compete with cable television systems may not be known for
several years. There can be no assurance, however, that existing, proposed or as
yet undeveloped technologies will not become dominant in the future and render
cable television systems less profitable or even obsolete.
Broadcast Services. In February 1997, the UK Government sold the BBC's
Home Service and World Service transmission businesses to a consortium led by
Castle Tower Corporation. There can be no assurance that the Company will not
encounter significant competition from this
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consortium for a range of transmission services, such as for local radio
stations. However, the Company's current contracts with the ITV contractors and
Channel 4/S4C for the provision of transmission services have successfully been
extended through to the shut-down of analogue TV broadcasting.
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REGULATION
Certain Regulatory Matters
General
Cable television and cable telephone service industries in the UK are
governed by legislation under the Telecommunications Act, the Broadcasting Act
1990, which replaced the CBA, and the Broadcasting Act 1996. The operator of a
cable television and cable telephone franchise in the UK covering more than
1,000 homes requires the following two principal licenses for each franchise
area:
(a) a telecommunications license, granted under the
Telecommunications Act by the Secretary of State and supervised by the DTI
and OFTEL, which authorizes the installation and operation of the
telecommunications network used to provide cable television and cable
telephone services, and
(b) a cable television license, which authorizes the provision of
broadcasting services within a defined geographical area and which may be
either:
(i) a Prescribed Diffusion Service License ("PDSL"), granted
under the CBA prior to 1991, which allows an operator to provide
cable television and other entertainment services by means of a
cable network, or
(ii) an LDL granted since January 1, 1991 under the
Broadcasting Act 1990, which allows an operator to deliver
television and other programming services by means of a licensed
telecommunications network including a cable network.
Each type of license described above contains various conditions, and in
the event of the breach of such conditions, the Director General or the ITC, as
appropriate, could issue an enforcement order and ultimately commence
proceedings to require compliance or to revoke such licenses.
Under the Broadcasting Act 1990, cable operators may elect to replace
certain PDSLs with LDLs with similar terms.
The regulatory environment in the UK has generally encouraged the
development of the cable telecommunications and the cable television industry
by, among other things, licensing only one operator for each cable franchise
area and restricting the national PTOs from using existing telecommunications
networks to carry broadcast entertainment.
On April 23, 1998, the Department of Trade and Industry announced the UK
government's intention to progressively end this policy, allowing any operator
to seek a license to compete in the provision of broadcast entertainment in
those areas outside current cable franchises. From January 1, 2001, competition
within current cable franchises will also be permitted.
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Cable Television
The Broadcasting Act 1990
The Broadcasting Act 1990 established the ITC to license and regulate
commercial television services (terrestrial and satellite) and the Radio
Authority to regulate radio services. The ITC's functions are, among other
things, to grant licenses for television broadcasting activities 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 cable television license conditions. The ITC has the
power to vary cable television licenses and impose fines and revoke such
licenses in the event of a breach of the license conditions. The ITC also
enforces ownership restrictions on those who hold or may hold an interest in
licenses issued under the Broadcasting Act. See "-- Cable Television Licenses --
Ownership Restrictions".
Cable Television Licenses
General. As of December 31 , 1998, cable television licenses had been
granted for over 160 franchise areas in the UK While the ITC had previously
indicated that it will grant only one cable television license for each
geographical area, on April 23, 1998, the Department of Trade and Industry
announced the UK government's intention to progressively end the policy of
granting only one cable television license for a franchise area. As a result,
any operator can seek a license to compete in the provision of broadcast
entertainment in those areas outside current cable franchises. From January 1,
2001, competition within current cable franchises will also be permitted. The
ITC also has indicated that certain areas, for which cable television licenses
have yet to be awarded, may be advertised at the request of applicants. In the
past, such licenses (LDLs) were awarded after competitive bids. However, it is
now the government's policy to grant licenses in new areas to all suitable
applicants. Before awarding an LDL, the ITC must be satisfied as to certain
matters, including the technical specification of the proposed system; that the
applicant has sufficient funding to run the franchise; and that the applicant is
a fit and proper person to be awarded a license.
Cable operators may carry UK licensed broadcast services, foreign
satellite programs or text in their services. Cable television licenses also
require cable operators to ensure that advertising and foreign satellite
programs carried by them as part of their services conform to the restrictions
set forth in the codes on advertising, sponsorship and programming issued by the
ITC. Cable television licenses also impose an obligation on licensees to provide
any information which the ITC may require for purposes of exercising its
statutory functions.
Term, Renewal and Revocation of Cable Television Licenses. NTL holds 39
PDSLs and 13 LDLs, all for 15-year terms.
An application may be made to the ITC to extend a PDSL for up to an
additional eight years if the cable operator holds a 23-year telecommunications
license. Fees would continue to be payable on the same basis as for the
unextended PDSLs and no PQRs or cash bids would be payable during this 8-year
term. If NTL elects to extend the PDSLs, NTL will upon expiration of such PDSLs
as so extended, be required to apply for a new LDL under the competitive bid
procedures described
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above. If NTL elects not to extend a PDSL, NTL may apply to the ITC (no earlier
than five years prior to the expiration of the PDSL) for a replacement 15-year
LDL, with respect to which it must agree with the ITC on the amount of the cash
bid and PQR payments that will be payable over the term of the LDL (based on
what would have been offered if the franchise had been offered for competitive
bids).
NTL's PDSLs will currently all expire at varying dates from 2000. NTL has
not yet applied to extend any of its PDSLs, nor has it applied for any
replacement LDLs under the procedure outlined above, but will do so at the
appropriate time.
The ITC may refuse an application for renewal, but only on limited
grounds, including that the ITC proposes to grant a license in an area different
from that described under the existing license or that the applicant is not
providing services through the whole of its franchise area.
The ITC may, after consultation with the DTI and the Director General,
revoke a cable television license if an operator fails to comply with its
conditions or with any direction of the ITC, and the ITC considers revocation to
be in the public interest. The ITC must be notified of changes in control of the
licensee, of changes in directors and of certain other changes in shareholdings
in the licensee. If there is any change in either the nature or characteristics
of an operator that is a corporate entity, or any change in persons controlling
or having an interest in it, the ITC can revoke the license if, as a result, it
would not have awarded the license had the new ownership or control existed at
the time the application for the license originally was considered. The ITC can
also revoke any cable television license in order to enforce restrictions on
ownership contained in the Broadcasting Act 1990 as amended by the Broadcasting
Act 1996 (see below) and can impose fines and shorten the license period of
LDLs.
NTL also holds a number of licenses to provide local television program
services under the Broadcasting Act 1990. All of these licenses are for a period
of 10 years.
Ownership Restrictions. The ITC has a general duty to ensure that cable
television licenses are held by "fit and proper" persons and may exercise
control over who may hold a license where financial assistance is provided to,
or influence is exercised over, a license holder which may produce results which
it considers adverse to the public interest. The Broadcasting Act 1990 also
contains specific restrictions on the types of entities which may hold cable
television licenses or significant interests therein. Cable television licenses
may not be held by a local authority, an advertising agency, a religious or
political body (or one of its officers) or any entity controlled by them.
Ownership restrictions also apply to ownership of different licensed services
(including local delivery services, television, satellite and radio services and
newspapers), or associates of entities operating such services. See "-- Media
Ownership". While PDSLs in most respects continue to be regulated under the
Broadcasting Act 1990 and the Broadcasting Act 1996 as if the CBA remained in
force, the ownership restrictions for PDSLs and LDLs are substantially similar.
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There is currently no statutory restriction on the number of cable
television licenses which may be held by any person. However, in October 1998,
the ITC indicated that where a merger would lead to a concentration of ownership
of connected homes exceeding 25% of all pay-TV homes, the ITC would consider
possible competition concerns and would consult the OFT.
Cable Telecommunications
The Telecommunications Act
The Telecommunications Act provides a licensing and regulatory framework
for telecommunications activities in the UK and established OFTEL under the
Director General as an independent regulatory authority. Telecommunications
policy is overseen by the DTI. The DTI on behalf of the Secretary of State also
has primary licensing authority under the Telecommunications Act, although it
may delegate that authority to the Director General. The functions of the
Director General are, among other things, to monitor and enforce compliance with
telecommunications license conditions, establish and administer standards for
telecommunications equipment and contractors, and investigate complaints and
exercise certain functions concurrently with other regulators to promote or
ensure competition in telecommunications markets. The Director General may
modify telecommunications licenses either with the agreement of the licensee
following a statutory period of public consultation or following a report by the
MMC. The Director General is also empowered to issue enforcement orders
requiring compliance with telecommunication license conditions which have been
breached (see below).
Telecommunications Licenses
The Company holds individual franchise telecommunications licenses. A
telecommunications license authorizes a cable operator to install and operate
the physical network used to provide cable television and cable
telecommunications services. It also authorizes the operator to connect its
system to other television and telecommunications systems, including those
operated by the PTOs, the terrestrial broadcasting authorities and satellite
broadcasting systems. Although individual franchise telecommunications licenses
granted to a cable operator are for a particular area, they are not exclusive
and, as a result, a cable telephone operator is subject to competition with
respect to the provision of telephone services from national PTOs such as BT and
CWC and other telephone service providers in its franchise area. There are more
than 200 telecommunication licensed operators in the UK. See "Competition --
Business Telecommunications" and " -- Competition -- Residential Telephony".
Following the Duopoly Review, the Government has granted a telecommunications
license to any applicant provided the applicant has satisfied certain
requirements, including with respect to financial viability and, in some cases,
service commitments. See "-- Duopoly Review".
A cable operator's telecommunications license contains conditions
regulating the manner in which the licensee operates its telecommunications
system, provides telecommunications services, connects its systems to others and
generally operates its business. A cable operator's telecommunications license
also contains a number of detailed provisions relating to the technical aspects
of the licensed system (e.g., numbering, metering and the use of standard
technical
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interfaces) and the manner in which the licensee conducts its business (e.g.,
publication of certain prices, terms and conditions). In addition, a cable
operator's telecommunications license contains prohibitions on undue preference
and discrimination in providing service. The cable operator's telecommunications
license also requires the licensee to provide any information which the Director
General may require for the purposes of carrying out his statutory functions.
Failure to comply with an enforcement order in respect of a breach of a
telecommunications license condition might give rise to revocation, an
injunction by the Director General or to a third party's right to damages. In
September 1997 OFTEL completed its review of the PTO licenses held by cable
operators to convert them to the standard "slimline" format of non-dominant PTOs
which Mercury's modified license now follows to a large extent. Modifications to
these cable operators licenses have now been issued and have come into effect.
This has resulted in the deletion of a number of conditions in the Group's
individual franchise telecommunications licenses, for example, those relating to
the pre-notification of prices and the prohibition on unfair cross-subsidies
although such conduct may fall within the fair trading condition. See below.
The telecommunications licenses of BT and CWC now contain a condition,
referred to as the fair trading condition, which prohibits any abuse of their
dominant position and any agreement or concerted practice between the licensee
and other entities restricting or distorting competition in the
telecommunications market. This condition has been incorporated into new
telecommunications licenses issued since December 31, 1996 including the
Company's telecommunications licenses.
The fees payable for the telecommunications license consist of an initial
fee payable on the grant of the license and annual fees thereafter. The annual
fees are based on a proportion of the costs of the Director General in
exercising his functions under the Telecommunications Act and in certain cases a
proportion of costs of the MMC incurred in relation to license modification
references under the Telecommunications Act.
A telecommunications license is not transferable. However, certain changes
in ownership of an entity holding a license are allowed, subject to compliance
with a notification requirement.
Network Construction and Service Obligations
Where a cable operator holds a PDSL or an LDL replacing a PDSL (see " --
Certain Regulatory Matters -- General"), the milestones are contained in the
corresponding telecommunications license and are reviewable by OFTEL.
Where, on the other hand, a cable operator holds a new LDL which is not a
conversion from a PDSL, the milestones are contained in the LDL and are
reviewable by the ITC.
Each of the Company's individual franchise telecommunications licenses
prescribes milestones which require the Company to construct its network to pass
a specified number of premises within prescribed time periods. The milestones
may be varied by the Director General if he considers that the variation would
enable the licensee to meet the final milestone more easily. The final
milestones can be modified only following a public consultation period and with
the approval of the Director General. If the milestones prescribed by a
telecommunications license are not met,
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the Director General may take enforcement action which, if not complied with,
could result in the revocation of such license. Similarly, the LDLs which the
Group has acquired contain build milestones which may be varied by the ITC. The
Company understands that all milestones from now on will be contained in LDLs.
The Company also understands that the ITC will have jurisdiction to enforce
these milestones. To date, the ITC has not published any guidelines on
enforcement of milestones.
Where a cable network has been installed, a licensee must provide a cable
television service to anyone who reasonably requests it. A cable operator is not
required to provide telephony services, but where it does so, and achieves a 25%
or more share of the relevant market for such services (as determined by the
Director General) within its licensed area, the licensee may, at the direction
of the Director General, be required to ensure that telephone services are
available to anyone in the licensed area who reasonably requests them. The
Company has not received any such direction from the Director General.
Under a telecommunications license, the cable operator is subject to and
has 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). The activities of cable operators under the
Telecommunications Code are also subject to planning legislation.
Cable operators have the benefit of, and must comply with, the Street
Works Act, which provides them with the same rights and responsibilities with
respect to construction on public highways as other public utilities. The Street
Works Act standardizes fees for inspections of construction works by local
governmental authorities and standardizes specifications for reinstatement of
property following excavation. As a result, construction delays previously
experienced by cable operators because of separate and often lengthy
negotiations with local governmental entities have been reduced.
Cable operators are required to post bonds for local authorities in
respect of their obligation to ensure reinstatement of roads and streets in the
event the operators become insolvent, cease to carry on business or have their
telecommunications license terminated. In order to install equipment on private
property cable operators must obtain legal permission from occupiers, property
owners and others.
Term, Renewal and Revocation of Telecommunications Licenses
To date, telecommunications licenses have generally been granted for
periods of 15 or 23 years. All of the Company's individual franchise
telecommunications licenses are valid for an initial period of 23 years,
commencing on the date specified by the Secretary of State (which, in practice,
is the date on which the cable system first becomes operative).
Upon expiration, a telecommunications license cannot be extended and
application must be made for a new license.
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A telecommunications 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. A telecommunications
license may also be revoked if, among other things, the licensee fails to give
the required notification to the DTI of changes in shareholdings and changes in
control and agreements affecting control of the licensee, or if the DTI
concludes that any such change would be against the interests of national
security or the UK Government's international relations.
Licensing Directive implementation
On 31 December 1998, the UK Government implemented the EC Licensing
Directive (97/13/EC). The Directive requires that all UK licenses conform to a
number of key conditions and criteria set out in the Directive. All new licenses
would conform to these criteria and the Government announced its intention to
amend all existing licenses by the end of 1998 to ensure that they too were in
conformity with the Directive.
In September 1998, the Government issued a consultation document setting
out how it proposed to effect these changes to existing licenses. Broadly,
existing license conditions would be amended or supplemented to reflect the
precise wording and conditions of the Licensing Directive, the Interconnection
Directive, and the Revised Voice Telephony Directive. The Government stated that
it did not expect these changes to lead to material changes to the operating
circumstances of existing licensees. The final date for completing this process
of amendment was subsequently put back to the end of June 1999, and at the time
of writing, the Government's specific proposals for regulations are awaited.
Duopoly Review
In 1991, the UK Government concluded in its Duopoly Review that the
termination of the duopoly policy (which permitted only BT and CWC to operate
local, national or international fixed-link networks in the UK to provide public
telephone services) might increase competition and benefit consumers in the UK
telecommunications market. As a result, the UK Government revised its policy and
determined that application for licenses would be considered from any person
seeking to operate new telecommunications networks over fixed links within the
UK. Such licenses normally would be granted subject to the general statutory
duties of the DTI and the Director General to ensure the provision of
telecommunications services, to satisfy all reasonable demands for them and the
ability of a person providing the services to finance their operations.
The Duopoly Review also recommended specific amendments to license
conditions that are particularly important to cable operators. Until the Duopoly
Review, for a cable operator to provide telephone services it had to enter an
agreement with BT or CWC with respect to the terms and conditions (including
price) under which the operator would provide telephone services, obtain a
determination from the Director General that services could be provided and
operate its network as agent for either BT or CWC. Since the Duopoly Review,
cable operators have been permitted to provide all forms of wired
telecommunications services in their own right, including the ability to
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switch their own traffic. The Duopoly Review also recommended changes to and
further study of arrangements relating to interconnection, number portability
and equal access (discussed below).
As a result of the Duopoly Review, the Group applied for and received
modified telecommunications licenses to enable the Group to provide wired
telecommunications services in its own right.
Interconnect Arrangements
The ability of cable operators to provide viable voice and other
telecommunications services is dependent on their ability to interconnect
cost-effectively with other PTO's telecommunications networks in order to
complete calls that originate from a customer on their cable network but that
terminate off their network or that originate from a customer off their cable
network and terminate on their network. Since the Duopoly Review, cable
operators with contiguous franchises have been able to connect their networks
without regard to whether they are under common ownership without using the
services of BT or CWC.
The Telecommunications (Interconnection) Regulations came into force on
December 31, 1997. These implement the Interconnection Directive (Directive
97/33/EC), which will extend, to a certain extent, the categories of operator in
the UK who will have the right to request interconnection and a reciprocal
obligation to provide it. These rights and obligations may extend to certain
operators who operate under class licenses. It is not currently possible to
predict accurately which categories of operator/service provider will fall
within the criteria set out in these regulations and therefore to which
operators interconnection rights and obligations will be extended. Operators
wishing to benefit from such interconnection rights and obligations will be
required to apply to OFTEL which will assess whether the relevant criteria have
been met.
PTOs are required under their telecommunications licenses to enter into
interconnection agreements with other PTOs such as NTL (if requested to do so by
such a PTO), and NTL has interconnection agreements with BT, CWC, Energis,
Global One and ACC. The BT agreements may be terminated by either party upon two
years' notice, the CWC agreement may be terminated by either party upon two
years' notice, the Energis Agreements may be terminated by either party on six
months' notice and the Global One agreement may be terminated by either party
upon one month's notice after an initial term of one year. If NTL is unable to
negotiate acceptable pricing terms with BT, CWC, Energis or Global One in
connection with any continuation or extension of these agreements or scheduled
reviews of these agreements, NTL may request that the Director General determine
such terms. In 1995 a House of Lords decision established that it is possible
for a regulated company to challenge in the UK courts a determination by the
Director General of terms of interconnection agreements. The Director General
also has the power to make determinations in respect of certain obligations of
any party under an interconnection agreement.
Until October 1, 1997 OFTEL determined standard interconnect charges. The
first interim charge determination covered the period from April 1, 1995 to
March 31, 1996. Interim charges were based on BT's forecast financial statements
(on a fully allocated costs basis). OFTEL has now assessed final charges based
on BT's final financial statements for that period. As a result of these
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revised charges, NTL will receive outgoing interconnect charge rebates, and must
pay incoming termination rebates for periods from April 1, 1995. At the end of
1996, OFTEL completed another consultation process and published interim charges
for the period from April 1, 1996 to March 31, 1997. OFTEL has issued its
determination of final charges for this period. OFTEL has now determined interim
charges for the period from April 1, 1997 to September 30, 1997, and is
expecting to publish final charges for that period in the near future.
As from October 1, 1997 the twice yearly determination by OFTEL of BT's
network charges has been replaced by a system of network price controls and the
cost base for interconnection charges has been changed from fully allocated
costs to long run incremental costs. After a lengthy consultation period begun
in December 1995, in July 1997 OFTEL issued its final proposals which have been
accepted by BT and the necessary modifications have been incorporated into BT's
license. The new system provides for the application of price controls depending
on the level of competitiveness of the service. Services which are not
competitive are divided into baskets, each basket being subject to a charge cap
of RPI minus X. The July 1997 document determined the value of X for each basket
at 8%. Charges for those services which are expected to become competitive
during the next price control period, i.e., from August 1997 until the middle of
2001, will not be included in the network baskets, but will be governed by
safeguard caps of RPI plus 0%. Charges for those services which were expected to
become competitive before August 1997 or which are determined by the Director
General to be competitive during the control period, will be free of network
controls. The July 1997 document also sets out the starting charges for the
services in the network baskets which are based on BT's long run incremental
costs. The new system which commenced from October 1, 1997 will run for four
years.
In November 1997 OFTEL published non-legally binding guidelines on the
structure and operation of the new network charge control arrangements and on
OFTEL's approach to complaints about charges and other interconnect terms and
conditions. In respect of complaints that BT's charges are unreasonable, OFTEL
will first test whether the charge falls between a cost floor and ceiling
determined by BT using a methodology prescribed by OFTEL and designed to
indicate whether the charge may be anti-competitive. Floors and ceilings for all
non-competitive services will be published each year by BT as part of their long
run incremental costs financial statements.
Number Translation Services
In March 1999, OFTEL issued a statement on the interconnect and retail
pricing regime for 'Number Translation Services' - freephone, national rate and
local rate numbers, the latter of which are used in the UK by many operators to
connect dial-up Internet services.
The OFTEL document stated that its existing formula for dividing the
revenue generated by such calls between the originating network and the
terminating network - which some operators had argued allocated too much revenue
to the terminating network - would remain in place until the next retail price
control review in 2001. OFTEL would, however, be exploring ways in which greater
competition in this market could be encouraged through the creation of
additional retail price points for NTS services. The Company believes that the
effect on the Company of OFTEL's decision is
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likely to be neutral given that its origination of Internet call traffic is now
being balanced by substantial Internet termination revenues.
Price Regulation
Although to date the Company has for the most part been able to price its
cable telephone call charges below those of BT, there can be no assurance that
it will be able to continue to do so in the future. BT currently is subject to
controls over the prices it may charge customers, including a requirement that
the overall basket of charges may not be changed by more than an amount equal to
the percentage change in the RPI less X (and BT may, as a result, have to
decrease prices). In particular, BT may not increase charges for certain
services by more than the amount of the percentage change in the RPI.
OFTEL's latest proposals for control of BT's retail prices have been
incorporated in BT's license. The retail price controls will continue until 2001
and are stated to be the last such controls. The controls will only be put in
place where consumer protection is required, that is, for low to medium-spending
residential customers and small businesses. The current price cap is RPI minus
4.5% on the narrower basket of services described above. Safeguard caps of RPI
plus 0% have been imposed on certain services. OFTEL has indicated that this is
likely to be the last retail price control imposed on BT. See " -- Competition
- -- Residential Telephony".
BT has limited opportunity for differential pricing to the same class of
customer because it is subject to prohibitions on undue preference and undue
discrimination across the UK. Following the Duopoly Review, BT's
telecommunications license was modified to permit it to offer discounts to high
volume users, subject to several conditions. However, BT may not offer
discounted services in local markets without offering the discounts nationally
if such discounts result in undue discrimination or unfair cross-subsidy.
The telephone service prices charged by the Group currently are not
regulated by the Director General, although they are subject to the fair trading
condition.
Indirect and Equal Access ("Carrier Pre-Selection")
Indirect access is access to a customer through another operator whereas
equal access means preselection by the customer of the indirect access operator
or dialing parity, where the number of digits dialed for calls over the first
(access) network is the same as for calls over the second (indirect) network. In
July 1996, OFTEL released a statement setting out its policy on indirect and
equal access, dealing with the continued provision by BT of indirect access to
CWC and other operators, the possible extension of the obligation imposed on BT
to include equal access, and the possible extension of an indirect access
obligation to CWC and other "non-dominant" operators.
OFTEL concluded in its statement that indirect access will remain an
important route for many customers who are not yet able to take advantage of
competition in direct connections to receive the benefits of competitive
provision of telecommunication services and that, given BT's continuing dominant
position in the direct access network, BT should continue to be obligated to
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provide indirect access to other operators. However, OFTEL also concluded that
this obligation on BT should not extend to providing equal access to other
operators. OFTEL, having commissioned a cost benefit analysis, concluded that,
rather than a cost benefit, there would be a significant net cost in
implementing equal access. Further, OFTEL concluded that "non-dominant"
operators (such as CWC and the cable operators) should not be required to give
indirect access to other operators. Although all PTO licenses include a
condition regarding the provision of indirect access, it is subject to a number
of tests including the need to ensure that the requirements of fair competition
are satisfied and that indirect access, in all the circumstances, is reasonably
required. OFTEL considered that these tests were not satisfied. However, OFTEL
stated that it considers the "well established" operator threshold of 25% of
customer connections in a relevant market to be a useful guide in determining
whether a "non-dominant" operator should, in the future, be required to grant
indirect access to other operators. OFTEL stated that this threshold would not
automatically mean that the operator would be required to grant indirect access,
but that OFTEL would investigate the issue further in respect of that operator
and market conditions generally once that threshold was reached. On December 1,
1997 the EC Council of Telecommunications Ministers reached political agreement
on a draft directive to amend the Interconnection Directive (Directive 97/33/EC)
with regard to number portability and carrier pre-selection. This will require
member states (except those which have been granted a derogation under the Full
Competition Directive (Dir 96/19/EC)) to introduce carrier pre-selection by
January 1, 2000, for operators with significant market power. Member states may
request a deferment of this obligation if they can show that it would impose "an
excessive burden on certain organizations or classes of organization". The UK
Government has sought a short deferment until the end of 2000.
Number Portability
Telephone subscribers changing their telephone service to a cable operator
have historically had to change their telephone numbers. As a result certain
customers have been reluctant to switch carriers because they would lose their
existing telephone numbers. In response to this, NTL has provided its business
customers with the opportunity to use the Company's telephone service for their
outgoing telephone calls, which generally carry higher revenues than incoming
calls, and for their specialized telecommunications needs, while retaining their
existing service provider (and their existing telephone number) for incoming
telephone calls.
In January 1994, the Director General announced that OFTEL was working on
directives to require BT to introduce number portability for the cable operators
who had provided OFTEL with the necessary information as to where and when they
could provide portability to BT. The Director General's statement indicated that
number portability may be introduced in the geographic areas where it is
technically feasible in the foreseeable future. BT rejected a framework proposed
by OFTEL for determining the charges payable for number portability in the event
of a dispute between BT and other operators. In April 1995, the Director General
referred the matter to the MMC to establish whether the failure of BT to reach
agreements with other operators on the commercial terms and conditions for
number portability was against the public interest, and if so, whether the
adverse effects could be remedied or prevented by modifications to the
conditions of BT's telecommunications license. On December 14, 1995, the
Director General announced the MMC's conclusions, including that the absence of
number portability operated against the public interest,
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that the absence of number portability was an obstacle to operators' (including
cable operators) ability to win customers from BT, that the introduction of
number portability will strengthen competition, and that BT's telecommunications
license should be modified (following a statutory consultation period) to enable
the allocation of BT's costs incurred in this regard between BT and other
operators (including cable operators), with BT bearing the greater share. The
MMC also noted that there is general agreement in the industry that reciprocity
should continue to be an essential element in the introduction of number
portability, and that the arrangements to be made for allocating portability
costs need to take account of the fact that BT will not always be the exporting
operator. BT's telecommunications license has been modified accordingly.
On April 9, 1997, OFTEL issued a statement which set out OFTEL's proposals
to modify the license conditions of CWC and other fixed operators including
cable operators to ensure that they too provide number portability for all users
of fixed phones including portability of specially tariffed services such as
toll-free (0800), premium rate and national rate services.
Appropriate license modifications were made on December 17, 1997. These
take full account of the MMC report and are based on the current license
condition in BT's PTO license. They also apply the MMC's principles on the
charges which operators can make to each other for providing portability. In
particular, the following principles are applied:
(i) the licensee would be required to provide portability on request
from another qualifying licensee;
(ii) the principle of reciprocity would apply;
(iii) each licensee would be required to pay the initial costs of
modifying its network;
(iv) each licensee would be able to pass on to the other licensee
concerned the costs of enabling individual customers to port their
numbers;
(v) the exporting licensee would not directly charge the importing
licensee for any additional conveyance costs associated with routing a
call to a ported number; and
(vi) if requested, the Director General would determine the
reasonableness of the terms and conditions upon which portability was
offered.
These license modifications came into effect on December 17, 1997. The
deadline for all PTO's, including the Company, to introduce geographic number
portability is January 1, 2000.
Restrictions on National PTOs
The Duopoly Review maintained restrictions upon BT and other national PTOs
from conveying or providing entertainment services (such as the cable television
services currently provided by NTL) over their national telecommunications
networks. The new Labour government started reviewing the restrictions upon the
conveyance and provision by BT and CWC of broadcast
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entertainment ahead of the schedule set by the former Conservative government,
which did not intend to review the restrictions on conveyance and on provision
until 2001 although the government was prepared to reconsider the conveying
aspect after March 1998 on the advice of the Director General of
Telecommunications. In November 1997 the Labour government stated that it
expects to publish proposals in the near future. See " -- Certain Regulatory
Matters -- General". The Duopoly Review policy did not prevent the national PTOs
from providing cable television services of the kind currently provided by the
Company, but it did require that such services be provided through separate
systems by separate subsidiaries of the national PTOs under separate licenses
similar to those held by the Company. The ITC's historical policy of granting
one cable television license for each geographic area ensured that no national
PTO subsidiaries compete with the Company in the provision of cable television
services in the same area. On April 23, 1998, the Department of Trade and
Industry announced the UK government's intention to progressively end this
policy, allowing any operator to seek a license to compete in the provision of
broadcast entertainment in those areas outside current cable franchises. From
January 1, 2001, competition within current cable franchises will also be
permitted. Since April 1, 1994, cable television services may be provided
locally by the national PTOs without requiring separate subsidiaries, although
all other licensing requirements, including the need for the national PTO to
obtain an LDL to provide cable services within each locality, will remain
applicable to both national PTOs and to other cable operators such as the
Company. In November 1994, the DTI stated that if national PTOs (including BT
and CWC) successfully bid for a new cable television license, the DTI would be
prepared to issue a telecommunications license to enable any such national PTO
to convey entertainment services over its own systems within the relevant
franchise area.
Following a consultative document issued in March 1996, the UK Government
announced on June 6, 1996, that it was ending the duopoly between BT and CWC as
international carriers from the UK. A license holder may now provide
international services from the UK on telecommunications facilities owned and
controlled by the company providing the service, and will be able to offer
services on any route it chooses. A large number of international facilities
licenses have been granted.
Access to higher bandwidth services
In January 1999, OFTEL issued a consultation document on the arrangements
for access to so-called 'higher bandwidth' services, including fast Internet
access and video on demand. The document envisaged a number of possible
arrangements whereby such services could be provided over the BT network, both
by BT itself and by third party service providers. The document sought views on
whether there was substantial unmet demand for these services, whether this
demand could be met by other means, and, if not, what form of regulatory
intervention might be appropriate to mandate the development of such services
over the BT network. OFTEL emphasized that any such intervention would need to
be consistent with OFTEL's wider policy of encouraging the development of
alternative infrastructure. At the time of writing, it is not known what
conclusions OFTEL has drawn from the responses to the consultation.
Digital Broadcasting
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The Broadcasting Act 1996 introduced provisions for the licensing of
digital terrestrial broadcasting and introduced a "must carry" requirement on
cable companies where both program provider and cable operator use digital
technology to ensure the universal availability of designated public service
channels. Must carry obligations concerning public service channels already
apply to holders of PDSLs.
The Broadcasting Act 1996 distinguishes between "multiplex" providers, the
providers of the frequency ranges on which the television channels will be
carried, and the digital program service providers, who provide the programs to
be broadcast on the multiplexes. Each must be licensed by the ITC. Licensed
digital multiplex providers will be required to contract with licensed digital
program providers to carry their services on the multiplexes on a fair and
non-discriminatory basis.
Initially six multiplexes are available for digital terrestrial
television. Each of the existing terrestrial broadcasters have reserved capacity
on these multiplexes, being offered half a multiplex for each existing channel.
This means that the BBC has full control of one multiplex, Channel 3 and Channel
4 have joint control of a multiplex and Channel 5 and S4C each have half of a
third multiplex. Existing terrestrial broadcasters have obligations to simulcast
their existing analog channels and will be able to use their remaining multiplex
capacity to provide new free-to-air or pay services. Following a competitive
tender, the ITC announced in June 1997 that the remaining three multiplexes
would be awarded to British Digital Broadcasting (BDB), a joint venture between
Carlton Communications and Granada Group. BSkyB was also originally a member of
the joint venture but because of competition concerns the ITC required it to
divest itself of the shareholding which was transferred equally to Carlton and
Granada. BSkyB however will remain a major supplier of programming to BDB. The
joint venture arrangements are currently being investigated by the EC
competition authorities. The licenses were formally granted by the ITC on
December 19, 1997 following conclusion of the ITC's own discussions with the EC
competition authorities regarding their concerns. The licenses contain
conditions which are intended to address, among other things, concerns over
program service contracts with BSkyB. The conditions include the limitation of
program supply agreements to five years, a requirement for the licensee to
support open technical standards on integrated TV sets and conditions to ensure
that BDB is not prevented from competing with BSkyB.
Future Developments
Conditional Access
Pay television broadcasters need to use conditional access systems to
ensure that only subscribers receive their services. Conditional access systems
provide two main types of services: encryption services and customer management
services. The EC Advanced Television Standards Directive (Directive 95/47/EC)
requires, amongst other things, that conditional access services for digital
television services should be available to broadcasters on a fair, reasonable
and non-discriminatory basis. This Directive was implemented in the UK by the
Advanced Television Services Regulations which came into force on January 7,
1997. In addition to the requirement that conditional access services must be
offered on a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory basis, the Regulations
provide that broadcasters may obtain information on the conditional access
system prior
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to its being put on the market. Further, the Regulations provide that
conditional access operators are required to cooperate with cable operators so
that cable operators are able to receive and rebroadcast television services
using their own conditional access system without incurring unnecessary or
unreasonable expense.
The Regulations also modify the Telecommunications Act 1984 to provide for
conditional access systems which make available conditional access services
including encryption, subscriber management or subscriber authorization services
to be treated as telecommunications systems. Each such system must be licensed
and the UK Secretary of State granted a Class License to authorize the running
of these conditional access systems which came into force also on January 7,
1997 and runs until July 31, 2001 unless previously revoked. The license
contains similar provisions to those in the Regulations set out above and, in
addition, includes the fair trading condition.
Under the Class License, the Director General can order a licensee to make
available its intellectual property rights if the licensee is using them to
prevent or obstruct products from being made available. The Director General can
also designate an interface between the licensed system and a broadcaster's
conditional access or other transmission system as an "essential interface" and
thereafter the licensee must comply with any relevant standard specified by a
broadcaster which includes applicable European standards or other standards
specified by the Director General.
Following public consultation, OFTEL published guidelines on the
regulation of conditional access services for digital television. The guidelines
set out how OFTEL would propose to deal with anti-competitive behavior in
relation to the provision of conditional access services. The guidelines are not
legally binding and are expected to be reviewed where market developments so
require.
In July 1997 the DTI and OFTEL issued a joint consultation proposing the
extension of the current conditional access regime for digital television
broadcasts to digital non-television broadcasts and non-broadcast services in
the light of the convergence of the technologies and markets in broadcasting and
telecommunications. The services to be covered include non-broadcast interactive
services such as home-shopping and non-broadcast information services.
Conditional access systems for analog services are not included.
In addition, in October 1997, OFTEL issued a consultative document
relating to guidance on the pricing of conditional access systems to ensure that
they are offered on a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory basis. The aim is
to ensure that prices are reasonable and that comparable broadcasters receive
comparable treatment by not being subject to differential pricing. OFTEL
proposes to group together providers of subscription services and to assess
whether they are comparable by reference to number of subscribers and number of
different services (or combination of services) offered to subscribers.
BSkyB has entered into a joint venture, BIB, with BT, Midland Bank and
Matsushita (one of the manufacturers of decoders for accessing digital
television channels) to create and operate a platform for the provision of
digital interactive television services to UK viewers. The interactive services
which it hopes to offer include home banking, home shopping and Internet access
via TV screens. BIB intends to subsidize the costs of the manufacture and
installation of the decoders
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needed to access the services. The joint venture arrangements have been approved
by the EC competition authorities, but subject to strict conditions.
Media Ownership
The Broadcasting Act 1996 amends the media ownership rules contained in
the Broadcasting Act 1990. It relaxes the earlier rules limiting ownership
between terrestrial television, satellite and cable broadcasters, except for
those broadcasters which are already more than 20% owned by a newspaper with
more than 20% national newspaper circulation. Qualifying terrestrial
broadcasters are now allowed to have controlling interests in cable and
satellite companies, provided their total interests do not exceed 15% of the
total television market (defined by audience share including public service
broadcasters) and qualifying cable companies will be able to control terrestrial
television companies, subject to the 15% total television market limit and
certain restrictions on the number of terrestrial licenses held. Newspaper
groups with less than 20% national newspaper circulation are now able to control
television broadcasters constituting up to 15% of the total television market,
subject to a limit on the number of terrestrial licenses held, unless the ITC
decides that such control would be against the public interest. Newspaper
companies, the license holders of Channel 3 and Channel 5 and satellite and
cable broadcasters, are to have the ability to control any number of digital
terrestrial television licenses, in addition to any analogue licenses.
BSM Services
In August 1995 OFTEL issued a consultative document which addressed the
potential development of broadband switched mass-market ("BSM") services in the
UK and related regulatory issues. BSM services involve the delivery of
video-quality images over a switched system, at prices intended to encourage the
development of a mass market. The consultative document suggested that dominant
operators (potentially including cable operators) should be required to provide,
on transparent and non-discriminatory terms, broadband conveyance (including
switching) as a network business to service providers which could have direct
commercial relationships with individual customers. Requirements for accounting
separation and the possible need for some form of price control were also
considered. OFTEL suggested that BT is likely, at an early stage, to be
considered a dominant operator, possibly when it starts to roll out BSM services
aimed at covering a significant portion of the UK, either nationally or in a
specific regional market. OFTEL suggested that such regulation should only be
applied to the cable sector when it becomes dominant, either nationally or in a
specific regional market, and is able to compete on equal terms with BT and any
other BSM services distributor. In the meantime the document recognized the
importance of encouraging continuing local investment in the cable industry's
infrastructure. The document also raised the question whether license
obligations on cable operators to provide cable television services where their
systems have been installed should not apply to BSM services (other than the
broadcast entertainment services for which they have exclusive cable
distribution rights in their franchise areas) until they become dominant in
their relevant markets. The stated purpose of the consultative document was to
raise issues in order to stimulate debate to assist in the development of the
kind of regulatory regime that will best promote the new services. The August
1995 consultative document was followed by a consultative document in February
1996 and by a statement by the Director
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General in June 1996, both of which were concerned with promoting competition in
the current market for services such as on-line information, electronic data
interchange and voice messaging.
Accounting Separation
The EC Interconnection Directive (mentioned above) requires that operators
who have special or exclusive rights for the provision of services in sectors
other than telecommunications in the same or another member state must keep
separate accounts of their telecommunications activities if their turnover from
the provision of public telecommunications networks or publicly available
telecommunications services is more than 50 million ecus. This requirement has
been implemented in the UK by the Telecommunications (Interconnection)
Regulations. See "-- Cable Telecommunications -- Interconnect Arrangements".
The DTI and OFTEL take the view that cable operators have special or
exclusive rights for the provision of entertainment services over their cable
systems and therefore fall within this obligation. Several cable operators,
including the Company have challenged this interpretation because they are
subject to competition in their franchise areas from DTH satellite service
operators and will in the near future be subject to competition from digital
terrestrial television.
The implementing regulations do not set out detailed guidelines for the
accounting separation requirements, but it appears that the Company's individual
franchises do not cross the revenue threshold necessary for these conditions to
become operative.
Separation of Cable and Telecommunications Operations
The EC Commission is of the view that accounting separation provided for
under the existing Cable TV Directive (95/51/EC) is not sufficient to ensure
competition and is proposing an amending directive under its powers in Article
90 of the EC Treaty, relating to the structural separation of operators' cable
television and telecommunications activities. The draft directive was adopted by
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on
December 16, 1997 and will be subject to a two month period of consultation
commencing on the date the draft text is published in the Official Journal. At
the end of the consultation period the Commission can then formally adopt the
directive with or without taking into account comments of third parties, the
European Parliament or the European Council received during that period. The
amending directive should enter into force twenty days after its publication. As
it is still in draft form, any impact of the amending directive on UK cable
operators cannot yet be predicted. However, it would appear that the requirement
for legal separation of the provision of public telecommunications and cable TV
networks will apply to dominant telecommunications operators which also have
special/exclusive rights in respect of the provision of cable TV networks and
(if the operator is not state-controlled) in respect of the use of relevant
radio frequencies. In a footnote in a relevant Communication, the Commission
specifically described the situation in the UK where BT, CWC and Kingston
Communications can operate cable TV networks, if they obtain a franchise, but
the networks have to be run separately from the main telecommunications
activities of those entities. In addition, the Commission takes the view that
full divestment could still be required in specific cases. In its current
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form, the directive would not appear to require any structural separation by the
Company given the nature and extent of its current authorized activities.
Competition Bill
The UK Government enacted a new Competition Act (the "Competition Act")
which grants concurrent powers to the industry specific regulators and the
Director General of Fair Trading for the enforcement of prohibitions modeled on
Article 85 and 86 of the European Community Treaty. The Competition Act
introduces a prohibition on the abuse of a dominant position and on
anti-competitive agreements, and introduces third party rights, stronger
investigative powers, interim measures and effective enforcement powers.
Under the Competition Act, the Director General of Telecommunications is
able, but not required, to exercise concurrent powers with the Director General
of Fair Trading in relation to "commercial activities connected with
telecommunications". The Competition Act enables third parties to bring
enforcement actions directly against telecommunications operators who are in
breach of the prohibitions and seek damages, rather than have to wait for the
Director General of Telecommunications to make an enforcement order.
Broadcast and National Telecoms Services
A significant proportion of the Company's total revenues is attributable
to the provisions of television and radio transmission and distribution services
and the provision of telecommunications services. In the UK, the provision of
such services is governed by the Telecommunications Act and The Wireless
Telegraphy Act 1949 (the "Wireless Telegraphy Act"). Set forth below is a brief
summary of the principal licenses of the Company's National Telecoms and
Broadcast Services divisions granted pursuant to these Acts.
Telecommunications Act Licenses
The Company holds five licenses under the Telecommunications Act (in
addition to Telecommunications Act licenses for its cable franchises).
License to run telecommunications systems for the provision of television
and radio transmission services (the "Transmission License"). The Transmission
License enables the Company to run telecommunications systems for the provision
of television and radio transmission services. It permits NTL to carry out its
core business of providing transmission services to television and radio
broadcasters. The Transmission License was granted on December 20, 1990 for a
period of 25 years from January 1, 1991. It is subject to revocation thereafter
on 10 years' notice in writing. No notice may be given before the end of the
fifteenth year.
The Company's Transmission License contains conditions and other
provisions which, among other things: (i) require the Company to provide
specified telecommunications services to specified persons on request; (ii)
specify certain criteria to be met by the Company in providing those services;
(iii) require the connection of the Company's telecommunications systems with
those
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of certain other transmission operators and the transmission over those systems
by such operators of messages for general reception; (iv) require the Company to
publish its charges and terms and conditions of business and not to show undue
preference to or exercise undue discrimination against particular persons in the
provision of certain telecommunications services; (v) requires the Company to
hold Wireless Telegraphy Act licenses in respect of each item of wireless
telegraphy comprised in its system; (vi) impose on the Company an obligation to
share its transmission sites with other transmission operators; (vii) restrict
the prices which the Company is allowed to charge for the provision of certain
services. (see "--Price Cap Review" below); (viii) prohibit the Company from
cross-subsidizing the unregulated side of its business, and (ix) impose a
requirement for separate accounts to be produced in relation to both the
regulated and unregulated parts of the Company's business. However, the Company
is not obliged to do anything "not reasonably practicable."
The Secretary of State may revoke the Transmission License in the
circumstances described under "Telecommunications Licenses--Term, Renewal and
Revocation of Licenses" above.
License to run telecommunications systems for the provision of outside
broadcasting services by means of satellite systems (the "OBS License"). The OBS
License, which permits the Company to run telecommunications systems for the
provision of outside broadcasting services by means of satellite systems,
enables the Company to operate satellite up-links from outside broadcast sites
(sites which are not permanently equipped or adapted for television or radio
broadcasting). The OBS License was granted on February 6, 1991 for a period of
25 years from February 7, 1991, thereafter revocable on 10 years' notice in
writing. No notice may be given before the end of the fifteenth year. The OBS
License contains conditions similar to those in the Transmission License. The
OBS License specifies the circumstances in which it may be revoked by the
Secretary of State which include on revocation of the Transmission License.
License to run telecommunications systems ("Telecoms License"). The
Telecoms License enables the Company to convey messages (including voice and
data) between points on NTL's telecommunications networks. The Telecoms License
also contains conditions and revocation provisions similar to those in the
Transmission License. The Telecoms License was granted on December 30, 1992 for
a period of 10 years from December 30, 1992. Thereafter it is revocable on 5
years' written notice. No notice may be given before the end of the fifth year.
License to run telecommunications systems ("PTO License"). The PTO License
permits the Company to run telecommunications systems of every description
within the UK and to provide telecommunications services both authorizations are
subject to certain exceptions. The Company's PTO License was granted on February
14, 1996 for a period of 25 years from that date. Thereafter, it is revocable on
10 years' written notice. No notice may be given before the end of the fifteenth
year. The Company's PTO License also includes a condition obliging it, subject
to certain exceptions, to enter into an agreement to connect its system to the
system of any operator which requires it to do so, provided that operator has
been granted a license authorizing it to connect its system to the Company's
system. The PTO License details the exceptions and conditions subject to which
the Telecommunications Code will apply to the Company. The Telecommunications
Code confers certain important rights on PTO's in relation to network
construction, buildings and land.
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International Facilities License. The international facilities license
permits the Company to provide direct international facilities based services,
without being required to do so via BT or Mercury. The license will enable the
Company to take advantage of the expanding volumes of international
telecommunication traffic, especially data services such as the Internet, and
substantially reduce the Company's international call conveyance costs. In this
connection, the Company has been awarded telecommunications licenses in the
Republic of Ireland and in the United States
Wireless Telegraphy Act Licenses
The Company holds a number of Wireless Telegraphy Act licenses of which
the most important are the following:
License for the Transmission of Broadcasting Services. This license was
granted on January 1, 1991 and permits the licensee to operate wireless
telegraphy stations at those sites set out in a schedule to the License. In
respect of each station, site and mast heights, power, polarization and
frequency to be used are specified.
Microwave Fixed Link License. This license permits the licensee to
establish and use fixed stations for sending and receiving wireless telegraphy
at those sites as detailed in the schedule to the license.
Private Mobile Radio License. This license permits the licensee to
establish sending and receiving stations for wireless telegraphy (both base
stations and mobile stations) and to use these stations for the purpose of
sending and receiving spoken messages concerning the business of the licensee.
Earth Station Licenses. The Company holds a number of earth station
licenses. These licenses permit the licensee to establish earth stations at
specified locations in the UK for the purpose of providing wireless telegraphy
up-links between the earth station and specified geo-stationary satellites.
Each of the four types of license referred to above continue in force from
year to year unless revoked by the Secretary of State or unless any of the
license fees are unpaid by the licensee in which case the relevant license
expires.
Licenses for the Transmission of Broadcasting Services (special status).
The Company provides transmission services for a large number of radio stations
pursuant to its License for the Transmission of Broadcasting Services dated
January 1, 1991 (see above). In respect of two radio stations, Classic FM and
Virgin Radio, NTL has been issued licenses which are specific for those radio
stations. This has been done for the sake of administrative convenience because,
in both cases, the license fees are paid direct to the Radio Communications
Agency by the radio station concerned.
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Radio Fixed Access License. A Radio Fixed Access License has been granted
for services provided at 10 GHz. This license allows the Company to provide
short-range radio-links between business customers and its network.
Conditions in the Company's Wireless Telegraphy Act Licenses. The
Company's Wireless Telegraphy Act licenses contain conditions relating to
revocation of the Licenses and notifications to the Secretary of State. In
general, the Secretary of State may revoke a Wireless Telegraphy Act license at
any time. There are no notification requirements in respect of a change of
control. The license for the transmission of broadcasting services contain
provisions which enable the Secretary of State to revoke the license if, among
other things, (i) the licensee is, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, not
a fit and proper body to hold such a license; (ii) it appears to him requisite
or expedient to do so for purposes connected with the EU or any other
international organization or obligation or co-operation; (iii) the licensee
ceases to hold any contracts for the broadcasting of television or sound
broadcasting services or (iv) the licensee's license granted under the
Telecommunications Act is for any reason revoked.
On June 18, 1998, the new Wireless Telegraphy Act came into force. This
allows the UK's Radiocommunications Agency for the first time to charge more for
spectrum than the costs they incur in allocating it. The Agency has set out its
detailed proposals on how the first wave of 'spectrum pricing' will be applied.
This envisages increases in the price which the Group pays for microwave fixed
links from July 1999. The Group considers that the increases will not impact
significantly on the business.
The Agency has indicated that the spectrum pricing approach could be
applied in the future (possibly from July 2000 onwards) to other spectrum uses.
It has indicated, however, that spectrum pricing is unlikely to broadcast
spectrum.
Price Cap Review
The Company's regulated business may be divided into two categories: Price
Regulated Business and Applicable Rate Business. Price Regulated Business
comprises those telecommunication services which the Company is obliged to
provide pursuant to its Transmission License and in respect of which price
controls are imposed. The Company's Applicable Rate Business comprises those
telecommunications services which the Company is obliged to provide but which do
not fall within the definition of Price Regulated Business. Charges for
Applicable Rate Business are agreed between the Company and the relevant
customer. If despite all reasonable efforts agreement cannot be reached between
the Company and a significant proportion of its customers in respect of any
particular telecommunications service, the charge will be determined by the
Director General.
In respect of any services provided by the Company which are not Price
Regulated Business or Applicable Rate Business, the prices charged by the
Company are wholly unregulated, except for the overriding duty not to engage in
any pricing policy which constitutes undue preference or undue discrimination
against any person or class of person in respect of telecommunications services.
The
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Company's unregulated income would include, for example, charges for site
rentals to PCN operators.
The Company's Price Regulated Business is, essentially, the television
transmission service provided to the ITV (Channel 3) companies and Channel 4/S4C
including the operation and maintenance of transmission equipment and the
provision to third party transmission operators of the accommodation, masts and
antennae necessary for the operation of broadcast transmission services.
On December 24, 1996, the Director General issued the formal modification
to the Company's Telecommunications Act Licenses to effect the price controls
which are to apply to the Company for the period from January 1, 1997 to
December 31, 2002. The Price Cap Review had two purposes: (1) to establish a new
"P0" (the Company's allowable revenues for the first year of the next control
period, 1997, in respect of the Company's Maximum Price Regulated Business) and
(2) to establish a new "X" (the percentage by which such revenues must, after
allowing for consumer price inflation, be reduced each year thereafter). The
Director General's review concluded that, on present assumptions, the new P0 is
(pound)53.15 million and the new X is 4.0%.
In addition to price control, the Price Cap Review raised a number of
other issues which will impact upon the Company's Price Regulated Business in
the future. In particular, the Director General suggested that it would be
desirable for the Company to "unbundle" the prices for operational services and
required site rentals which it charges to each broadcaster (such as Channel 3
and Channel 4/S4C) in the form of a transmission fee in order to expose those
elements of the service which are potentially competitive and allow broadcasters
to choose an alternative supplier if they wish. OFTEL has proposed to review
whether the Company should publish a ratecard with a menu of prices for
unbundled services in 2002 when the Company's regulated business is next due for
full review. At present, the system for calculating the proportion of Channel
3's total transmission fee which is charged to each individual franchisee is
based on net advertising revenues ("NAR") accruing to each franchisee, rather
than the costs of actually providing the transmission service to each of the
franchisees.
OFTEL proposed that the Company should continue to charge Channel 3 as a
group a single price for each component of its transmission service, albeit that
each component would be separately distinguished. This arrangement would
continue unless and until NAR arrangements no longer applied. This decision
could only be taken after agreement with the Department of Culture, Media and
Sport and consultation with other interested bodies.
European Union Legislation
The Company's business is further regulated by the EU under various
European Commission Directives. In addition, EU law, in particular Directive
94/46, regulates the provision of satellite services within the EU. In addition,
possible future EU legislation (Green Paper on Convergence) the Company may be
subject to additional controls as a result of dealing both with broadcasting and
telephony services on a single network.
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GENERAL
Research and Development
The Company's research and development activities involve the analysis of
technological developments affecting its cable television, telephone and
telecommunications business, the evaluation of existing services and sales and
marketing techniques and the development of new services and techniques.
Patents, Copyrights and Licenses
The Company does not have any material patents or copyrights nor does it
believe that patents play a material role in its business. The Company is
substantially dependent on the licenses and franchises granted by the
legislative agencies which regulate their respective businesses. The loss of any
one or more of the licenses and franchises of the Company could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business and financial condition. There are no
material intellectual property licenses used by the Company the loss of which
would have such an effect.
Customers
Except for the Company's broadcast services business, no material part of
the Company's business is dependent upon a single customer or a few customers,
the loss of any one or more of which would have a materially adverse effect on
the Company. The broadcast services business is, however, substantially
dependent on the revenues it receives pursuant to its contracts with the ITV
companies and Channel 4/S4C the loss of one or more of which may have a material
adverse effect on the Company.
Employees
At December 31, 1998, the Company and its subsidiaries had approximately
9,135 employees. Approximately 190 employees are represented by the
Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematographic and Theatre Union which has entered
into a collective bargaining agreement with NTLIH. No other employees of the
Company are represented by any labor organization. The Company believes that its
relationship with its employees is good.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
Properties
The Company's subsidiaries own, lease or occupy under license 29 business
unit and regional head-offices throughout the UK, with its corporate head-office
being in Farnborough and 11 retail shops. In addition, the Company's
subsidiaries own or lease approximately 135 switching centers/head-ends and
operational hub-sites together with warehouses and other non-operational
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properties, as well as various cable television, telephone and
telecommunications equipment used in each of its regional systems.
The Company also owns, leases or occupies under license approximately 770
properties, of which approximately 700 are used as transmitter sites. In
addition, the Company also is the lessee or licensee of approximately 600
transmitter sites which are owned by Castle Transmission and shared between the
two organizations pursuant to a site sharing agreement.
The Company maintains offices under lease for its corporate staff in New
York City.
The Company believes that its facilities are presently adequate for their
current use. The Company intends to continue to expand its systems in accordance
with the requirements of its network build schedules and acquire new sites as
part of the ongoing expansion of its transmission networks.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
Legal Proceedings
A civils main build contractor employed by Diamond, E. H. O'Neill Limited
("O'Neill"), has commenced legal proceedings against Diamond, claiming
approximately (pound)7.1 million in respect of estimated anticipated lost
profits on future work pursuant to an alleged oral agreement. Diamond denies the
existence of any such agreement and intends to defend the proceedings in full.
In addition, the Company is involved in, or has been involved in, certain
disputes and litigation arising in the ordinary course of its business,
including claims involving contractual disputes and claims for damages to
property and personal injury resulting from the construction of the Company's
networks and the maintenance and servicing of the Company's transmission masts,
none of which are expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial position.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
At a special meeting held on October 29, 1998, the Company's stockholders
were asked to consider proposals (1) to approve the issuance of shares of
Company Common Stock pursuant to the Amalgamation Agreement and (2) to amend the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company to increase the maximum
number of authorized shares of the Company's Common Stock from 100,000,000 to
400,000,000 shares and to increase the maximum number of authorized shares of
the Company's Preferred Stock from 2,500,000 to 10,000,000 shares. With respect
to the first proposal, 30,522,721 votes were cast for, 35,646 against and there
were 21,186 abstentions and broker non-votes. With respect to the second
proposal, 26,366,230 votes were cast for, 4,191,521 against and 21,802 were
abstentions and broker non-votes.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS.
The Company's Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market's National
Market under the symbol "NTLI" and on EASDAQ under the symbol "NTLI.ED". From
October 14, 1993 through March 26, 1997, the Common Stock traded on Nasdaq Stock
Market's National Market under the symbol "ICTL". The following table sets
forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low last sale prices as reported
on Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market.
Last Sale Price
High Low
---------------------------
1997
First Quarter $26.75 $18.25
Second Quarter 27.00 19.25
Third Quarter 27.63 20.75
Fourth Quarter 29.13 25.25
1998
First Quarter 45.75 26.75
Second Quarter 54.00 35.75
Third Quarter 65.00 35.50
Fourth Quarter 59.50 32.00
1999
First Quarter (through 83.13 53.75
March 29, 1999)
On March 29, 1999, the closing sale price for the Company's Common Stock,
as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market was $81.44. As of March
29, 1999, there were approximately 583 record holders of the Common Stock. This
figure does not reflect beneficial ownership of shares held in nominee name.
The Company has never paid cash dividends on its Common Stock. Pursuant to
the indentures governing the Company's Senior Notes and the Certificates of
Designation governing the Company's Preferred Stock, certain provisions
currently materially limit the Company's ability to pay dividends on the
Company's equity securities. In addition, there are legal and contractual
restrictions on the ability of the Company's subsidiaries to transfer funds to
the Company in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -
Liquidity and Capital Resources". The Company does not currently intend to pay
cash dividends in the foreseeable future on shares of its capital stock. The
Company anticipates that for the foreseeable future any cash flow generated from
subsidiaries'
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operations will be used to develop and expand the Company's business and for
debt service. Any future determination as to the payment of dividends will be at
the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and will depend upon the
Company's operating results, financial condition and capital requirements,
indenture and other contractual restrictions, general business conditions and
such other factors as the Company's Board of Directors deems relevant. There can
be no assurance that the Company will pay dividends at any time in the future.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
The following table sets forth certain financial data for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995 and 1994. This information should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto
appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
(In thousands, except per share data)
Year ended December 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
--------------------------------------------------------------
(1) (2)
Income statement data:
Operating revenues $ 747,015 $ 491,755 $ 228,343 $ 33,741 $ 13,745
(Loss) before extraordinary item (503,927) (328,557) (254,454) (90,785) (29,573)
Net (loss) (534,616) (333,057) (254,454) (90,785) (29,573)
Basic and diluted net (loss) per common share:
(Loss) before extraordinary item (3) (12.69) (10.60) (8.20) (3.01) (.98)
Net (loss) per common share (3) (13.43) (10.74) (8.20) (3.01) (.98)
Weighted average number of common
shares used in the computation of basic
and diluted net loss per common share (3) 41,202 32,117 31,041 30,190 30,175
As of December 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
--------------------------------------------------------------
(1) (2)
Working capital (deficiency) $ 600,549 $ (52,344) $ 242,102 $ 76,128 $ 251,544
Fixed assets, net 3,854,430 1,756,985 1,459,528 639,674 191,725
Total assets 6,194,097 2,421,639 2,454,611 1,010,669 664,366
Long-term debt 5,043,803 2,015,057 1,732,168 513,026 143,488
Senior Redeemable Exchangeable
Preferred Stock 124,127 108,534 -- -- --
Shareholders' equity (deficiency) 355,154 (61,668) 328,114 339,257 436,534
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(1) In June and September 1998, the Company purchased ComTel for an aggregate
purchase price of $969 million, including intangibles aggregating $224
million. In October 1998, the Company purchased Partners for an aggregate
purchase price of $600.4 million, including intangibles of $129.8 million.
In December 1998, the Company purchased EGT for an aggregate purchase
price of $151 million, including intangibles of $45 million. The net
assets and results of operations of ComTel, Partners and EGT are included
in the consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of
acquisition.
(2) In May 1996, the Company purchased NTL Group Limited for an aggregate
purchase price of approximately $439,000,000, including goodwill of
approximately $263,000,000. The net assets and results of operations of
NTL Group Limited are included in the consolidated financial statements
from the date of the acquisition.
(3) After giving retroactive effect to the four-for-three stock split by way
of stock dividend paid in August 1995.
The Company did not declare or pay any cash dividends during the years
indicated.
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
As a result of the completion of the acquisitions of ComTel Limited and
Telecential Communications (collectively, "ComTel"), Comcast UK Cable Partners
Limited ("NTL Bermuda") and Eastern Group Telecoms ("EGT") in 1998, the Company
consolidated the results of operations of these businesses from the date of
acquisition. The results of these businesses are not included in the 1997
results.
Years Ended December 31, 1998 and 1997
NTL's revenues increased from 1997 to 1998 by approximately 52% to
$747,015,000. This $255,240,000 increase in revenues was accompanied by only a
$70,490,000 increase in operating expenses, representing a 73% incremental
margin.
Local telecommunications and television revenues increased to $355,589,000
from $166,951,000 primarily as a result of customer growth that increased the
Company's current revenue stream. The 1998 revenue includes $52,772,000 and
$21,441,000 from ComTel and NTL Bermuda, respectively. The Company expects its
customer base to continue to increase which will drive further revenue growth as
the Company completes the construction of its dual service network past the
remaining homes in its franchise areas.
National and international telecommunications revenues increased to
$248,895,000 from $185,194,000 primarily as a result of increases in business
telecommunications revenues, Internet services revenues and carrier services
revenues. Business telecommunications and Internet services revenues increased
primarily as a result of customer growth. The Company expects its business
telecommunications and Internet services customer bases to continue to increase
which will drive further revenue growth. The Company is expanding its sales and
marketing effort to business customers and for Internet services in its
completed network. Carrier services revenues increased due to growth in
satellite services and telephone services provided by the Company's wholesale
operation to broadcasters and telephone companies, respectively. Revenue growth
in carrier services is primarily dependent upon the Company's ability to
continue to attract new customers and expand services to existing customers.
Recent new contracts should contribute to revenue growth in the near term.
Broadcast transmission and other revenues increased to $140,156,000 from
$130,799,000 primarily due to increases in broadcast television and FM radio
customers and accounts, which exceeded price cap reductions in the Company's
regulated services. Broadcast television revenues are expected to increase in
the future as digital television broadcasting commences.
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Other telecommunications revenues decreased to $2,375,000 from $8,831,000
primarily due to the sales of the assets of the Company's wholly-owned
subsidiary, OCOM Corporation, to AirTouch Communications, Inc. and to Cellular
Communications of Puerto Rico, Inc. during 1998.
Operating expenses increased to $372,134,000 from $301,644,000 primarily
as a result of increases in interconnection costs and programming costs due to
customer growth. The 1998 expenses include $26,745,000 and $8,453,000 related to
ComTel and NTL Bermuda, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $299,494,000
from $169,133,000 as a result of increases in telecommunications and CATV sales
and marketing costs and increases in additional personnel and overhead to
service the increasing customer base. The 1998 expense includes $31,212,000 and
$9,502,000 related to ComTel and NTL Bermuda, respectively.
Franchise fees increased to $25,036,000 from $23,587,000 primarily as a
result of the inflation adjustment to the Northern Ireland license payment.
Corporate expenses decreased to $17,048,000 from $18,324,000 primarily due
to the sale of OCOM's assets in 1998. Certain OCOM personnel were included in
corporate expenses in 1997.
Nonrecurring charges of $20,642,000 in 1997 were comprised of
restructuring costs of $15,629,000 and deferred costs written-off of $5,013,000.
The deferred costs written off arose in connection with the Company's
unsuccessful bid for Digital Terrestrial Television multiplex licenses.
Restructuring costs relate to the Company's announcement in September 1997 of a
reorganization of certain of its operations. The Company consolidated the
Customer Operations departments that serve three franchise areas in England
(excluding the ComTel and NTL Bermuda franchises) into one department and
consolidated certain operations and management groups within the Broadcast
Services division, as well as certain other consolidations or cessation of
activities. This charge consisted of employee severance and related benefit
costs of $6,726,000 for approximately 280 employees to be terminated, lease exit
costs of $6,539,000 and penalties of $2,364,000 associated with the cancellation
of contractual obligations. The consolidations have been completed, the lease
exit costs are for leases that extend over a number of years and the contract
cancellations have been completed. As of December 31, 1998, $9,172,000 of the
provision has been used, including $5,558,000 for severance and related costs,
$1,450,000 for lease exit costs and $2,164,000 for penalties associated with the
cancellation of contractual obligations. As of December 31, 1998, 177 employees
had been terminated. The $4,194,000 reversed in 1998 from changes in estimates
of costs to be incurred includes $1,168,000 for severance and related costs,
$2,826,000 for lease exit costs and $200,000 for penalties associated with the
cancellation of contractual obligations. This reversal was necessary because
employees whose positions were eliminated chose to remain with the Company in
other positions rather than leave the Company and receive severance pay; and the
real estate markets in which the Company sublet space improved increasing the
sublet rentals and shortening the period of time required to find subtenants.
The remaining restructuring reserve of $2,263,000 is for lease costs
net of sublease revenue.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $266,112,000 from
$150,509,000
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primarily due to an increase in depreciation of telecommunications and CATV
equipment. The 1998 expense includes $31,091,000 and $14,702,000 from ComTel and
NTL Bermuda, respectively, including amortization of acquisition related
intangibles.
Interest expense increased to $328,815,000 from $202,570,000 due to the
issuance of additional debt in 1998 and the increase in the accretion of
original issue discount on the deferred coupon notes. Interest of $118,273,000
and $78,817,000 was paid in the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.
Other gains of $21,497,000 in 1997 include a gain on sale of fixed assets
of $11,497,000 and a $10,000,000 payment from LeGroupe Videotron Ltee pursuant
to the settlement of a lawsuit.
Foreign currency transaction gains increased to $4,152,000 from $574,000
due to favorable changes in the exchange rate subsequent to the issuance in
March 1998 of new debt denominated in British pounds sterling.
The Company recorded an extraordinary loss from the early extinguishment
of debt of $30,689,000 in 1998 as a result of the redemption of the 10-7/8%
Notes and the repayment of the bank loan. In connection with the repayment of
debt, a subsidiary recorded an extraordinary loss of $4,500,000 in 1997 from the
write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs.
Years Ended December 31, 1997 and 1996
Local telecommunications and television revenues increased to $166,951,000
from $89,209,000 as a result of customer growth that increased the Company's
current revenue stream.
National and international telecommunications revenues increased to
$185,194,000 from $45,430,000 as a result of the acquisition of NTL Group
Limited in May 1996, plus the new site acquisition, installation, design and
construction projects and additional site sharing revenue in 1997.
Broadcast transmission and other revenues increased to $130,799,000 from
$83,618,000 as a result of the acquisition of NTL Group Limited in May 1996,
plus the revenues from NTL Group Limited's ten-year contract to broadcast
Channel 5 in the United Kingdom which commenced in 1997.
Operating expenses increased to $301,644,000 from $144,315,000. NTL Group
Limited operating expenses in the year ended December 31, 1997 and in the period
from May 9, 1996, the date of acquisition, to December 31, 1996 were
$185,995,000 and $71,871,000, respectively. The remainder of the increase was
primarily the result of increases in programming and interconnection costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $169,133,000
from $114,992,000. NTL Group Limited selling, general and administrative
expenses in the year ended December 31,
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1997 and in the period from May 9, 1996, the date of acquisition, to December
31, 1996 were $18,799,000 and $9,384,000, respectively. The remainder of the
increase was the result of increases in telecommunications and CATV sales and
marketing costs and in additional personnel and overhead to service the
increasing customer base.
Franchise fees of $23,587,000 and $13,117,000 in 1997 and 1996,
respectively, are for the Northern Ireland license. Franchise fee expense was
incurred upon the start of operations in Northern Ireland in June 1996.
Corporate expenses increased to $18,324,000 from $14,899,000 primarily due
to an increase in personnel and related costs. The 1997 and 1996 amounts include
$1,852,000 and $2,906,000, respectively, of non-cash expense related to
non-compete agreements.
Nonrecurring charges of $20,642,000 in 1997 include restructuring costs of
$15,629,000 and deferred costs written-off of $5,013,000. Restructuring costs
include costs of employee severance and related costs, lease exit costs and
penalties associated with the cancellation of contractual obligations. The
deferred costs of $5,013,000 written-off arose in connection with the Company's
unsuccessful bid for DTT multiplex licenses.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $150,509,000 from
$98,653,000. The increase was primarily due to an increase in depreciation of
telecommunications and CATV equipment. Depreciation and amortization expense of
NTL Group Limited and amortization of goodwill as a result of the acquisition
was $37,724,000 and $20,339,000 in the year ended December 31, 1997 and in the
period from May 9, 1996, the date of acquisition, to December 31, 1996,
respectively.
Interest expense increased to $202,570,000 from $137,032,000 due to the
issuance of the 10% Senior Notes in February 1997, the issuance of the 7%
Convertible Subordinated Notes in June 1996 and the increase in accretion of the
original issue discount on the deferred coupon notes. Interest of $78,817,000
and $37,889,000 was paid in the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
Other gains of $21,497,000 in 1997 include a gain on sale of fixed assets
of $11,497,000 and a $10,000,000 payment from LeGroupe Videotron Ltee pursuant
to the settlement of a lawsuit.
In connection with the repayment of debt, a subsidiary of NTL Group
Limited recorded an extraordinary loss in 1997 of $4,500,000 from the write-off
of unamortized deferred financing costs.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company will continue to require significant amounts of capital to
finance construction of its local and national networks, for connection of
telephone, telecommunications and CATV customers to the networks, for other
capital expenditures and for debt service. The Company
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estimates that these requirements will aggregate approximately $1.6 billion in
1999. This amount includes the requirements of ComTel, NTL Bermuda and EGT
acquired in 1998, as well as the requirements of Diamond Cable Communications
plc ("Diamond") which was acquired in March 1999. The Company intends to fund
these requirements from cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities on hand
of $1.8 billion as of December 31, 1998 (including Diamond's cash and cash
equivalents as of December 31, 1998 and the cash received from Microsoft Corp.
in January 1999 (see below), and funds internally generated by the operations of
the Company's subsidiaries. The Company's commitments for equipment and services
at December 31, 1998 of approximately $264 million are included in the
anticipated requirements.
In January 1999, the Company sold $500 million of 5.25% convertible
preferred stock to Microsoft Corp. The preferred stock is convertible into the
Company's common stock at a conversion price of $100 per share. Dividends are
payable quarterly, at the Company's option, in cash, shares of common stock or
additional shares of convertible preferred stock. The Company also issued a
warrant to Microsoft Corp. to purchase 1.2 million shares at an exercise price
of $84 per share which expires in January 2004.
The Company is highly leveraged. The accreted value at December 31, 1998
of the Company's consolidated long-term indebtedness, including the Redeemable
Preferred Stock, and adjusted for the Diamond acquisition and the Microsoft
transaction is approximately $6.4 billion, representing approximately 82% of
total capitalization. The following table summarizes the terms of those notes
and Redeemable Preferred Stock issued by the Company.
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10-3/4%
11-1/2% 12-3/4% Senior 9-3/4% 12-3/8%
Series B Senior Series A Senior Sterling Senior Senior
Deferred Coupon Deferred Coupon Deferred Coupon Deferred Coupon Deferred Coupon Notes
Notes Notes Notes Notes
Denomination $ $ (pound) $ $
Net Proceeds
(in 000's) 582,000 145,125 170,584 778,340 241,967
Issue Date January 30, 1996 April 20, 1995 March 13, 1998 March 13, 1998 November 6, 1998
Issue Price (1) 57.155% 53.995% 58.62% 61.724% 55.505%
Aggregate Principal
Amount at
Maturity
(in 000's) 1,050,000 277,803 300,000 1,300,000 450,000
Maturity Date February 1, 2006 April 15, 2005 April 1, 2008 April 1, 2008 October 1, 2008
Yield or Interest
Rate (2) 11-1/2% 12-3/4% 10-3/4% 9-3/4% 12-3/8%
Interest or Dividend February 1 and April 15 and April 1 and April 1 and April 1 and
Payment August 1 October 15 October 1 October 1 October 1
Dates from 8-1-01 from 10-15-00 from 10-1-2003 from 10-1-2003 from 4-1-2004
Earliest Optional
Redemption
Date (4) February 1, 2001 April 15, 2000 April 1, 2003 April 1, 2003 October 1, 2003
Redemption 105.75 (2001) to 103.64 (2000) to 105.375 (2003) to 104.875 (2003) to 106.188 (2003) to 100
Price (%)(5) 100 (2003) 100 (2002) 100 (2006) 100 (2006) (2006)
Conversion
Price (6) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Senior/
Subordinated Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior
(Table continues on the following page)
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7% 7%
11-1/2% Convertible Convertible 9-1/2% 10% Redeemable
Senior Subordinated Subordinated Senior Sterling Series B Preferred
Notes Notes Notes Notes Senior Notes Stock
Denomination $ $ $ (pound) $ $
Net Proceeds
(in 000's) 607,031 583,500 267,437 121,161 389,000 96,625
Issue Date Nov 2, 1998 Dec 16, 1998 June 12, 1996 March 13, 1998 February 14, 1997 February 14, 1997
Issue Price (1) 100% 100% 100% 99.670% 100% 100%
Aggregate Principal
Amount at
Maturity
(in 000's) 625,000 600,000 275,000 125,000 400,000 100,000
Maturity Date October 1, 2008 Dec 15, 2008 June 15, 2008 April 1, 2008 February 15, 2007 February 15, 2009
Yield or Interest
Rate (2) 11-1/2% 7% 7% 9-1/2% 10% 13%
Interest or Dividend April l and June 15 and June 15 and April 1 and February 15 and May 15, August 15,
Payment October 1 from December 15 December 15 October 1 August 15 November 15 and
Dates 4-1-99 from 6-15-99 from 12-15-96 from 10-1-98 from 8-15-97 February 15
from 5-15-97 (3)
Earliest Optional
Redemption
Date (4) October 1, 2003 Dec 15, 2001 June 15, 1999 April 1, 2003 February 15, 2002 February 15, 2002
Redemption 105.75 (2003) to 104.4 (2001) to 104.9 (1999) to 104.75 (2003) to 105 (2002) to 106.5 (2002) to
Price (%) (5) 100 (2006) 100 (2006) 100 (2006) 100 (2006) 100 (2005) 100 (2005)
Conversion
Price (6) N/A 61.25 37.875 N/A N/A N/A
Senior/
Subordinated Senior Subordinated Subordinated Senior Senior N/A
(1) Percent of aggregate principal amount at maturity (or aggregate
liquidation preference in the case of the Redeemable Preferred Stock).
(2) Percent per annum.
(3) Dividend payments on the Redeemable Preferred Stock are payable in cash or
additional shares of Redeemable Preferred Stock, at the Company's option.
From May 15, 2004, dividend payments are payable in cash.
(4) This is the first date when redeemable at the Company's option. The
Redeemable Preferred Stock is mandatorily redeemable for cash on February
15, 2009.
(5) Expressed as a percentage of principal amount or liquidation preference,
as applicable, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest or
dividends thereon to the applicable redemption date.
(6) This is the conversion price per share of the Company's common stock,
adjusted for the four-for-three stock split in August 1995 and subject to
further adjustments in certain events.
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In addition to the notes issued by the Company summarized above, NTL
Bermuda and Diamond have issued the following notes. NTL Bermuda has $517.3
million principal at maturity Discount Debentures which are due on November 15,
2007. Interest accretes at 11.2% per annum compounded semi-annually until
November 15, 2000, after which date interest will be paid in cash beginning on
May 15, 2001. NTL Bermuda also has a (pound)8,456,000 note payable to Comcast
U.K. Holdings, Inc. that incurs interest at 9% per annum, compounded
semi-annually. The note plus accrued interest is due in September 1999. Accrued
interest was (pound)3,854,000 as of December 31, 1998.
Diamond was acquired in March 1999 when the Company issued an aggregate of
approximately 13 million shares in exchange for each ordinary share and deferred
share of Diamond at a ratio of approximately .85 shares of the Company's common
stock for four Diamond ordinary shares or one deferred share. Diamond had the
following notes outstanding as of December 31, 1998:
(i) 13 1/4% Senior Discount Notes due September 30, 2004, principal amount at
maturity of $285 million, interest payable semi-annually beginning on
March 31, 2000, redeemable at Diamond's option after September 30, 1999,
(ii) 11 3/4% Senior Discount Notes due December 15, 2005, principal amount at
maturity of $531 million, interest payable semi-annually beginning on June
15, 2001, redeemable at Diamond's option on or after December 15, 2000,
(iii) 10 3/4% Senior Discount Notes due February 15, 2007, principal amount at
maturity of $421 million, interest payable semi-annually beginning on
August 15, 2002,
(iv) 10% Senior Notes due February 1, 2008, issued by Diamond Holdings plc, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Diamond, principal amount of (pound)135 million
($224 million), interest payable semi-annually as of August 1, 1998,
(v) 9 1/8% Senior Notes due February 1, 2008, issued by Diamond Holdings plc,
principal amount of $110 million, interest payable semi-annually as of
August 1, 1998, and
(vi) mortgage of (pound)2.5 million ($3.7) million to fund the construction
of an office building, repayable over 20 years as of July 31, 1995,
interest at LIBOR plus 1 1/2%.
The Company intends to commence an offer to repurchase its outstanding
notes at 101% of their accreted value or principal amount on or about April 1,
1999 pursuant to the "change of control" provisions of the indentures. The offer
will expire 30 days thereafter. NTL has entered into a bridge facility to
finance the redemption of Diamond bonds tendered, if any, which is subject to
certain funding conditions.
The Company has other significant commitments or potential commitments in
addition to those described above. These are as follows:
(i) Pursuant to the terms of the Northern Ireland LDL, a subsidiary of the
Company is required to make annual cash payments to the ITC for 15 years
in the amount of approximately (pound)14.4 million (subject to adjustment
for inflation) in addition to the percentages of qualifying revenue
payments of 0% for the first ten years and 2% for the last five years of
the LDL.
(ii) Pursuant to an agreement with TeleWest Communications plc relating to NTL
Bermuda's and TeleWest's respective 50% ownership interests in Cable
London PLC, between April 29 and
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July 29, 1999, NTL Bermuda can notify TeleWest of the price at which it is
willing to sell its 50% ownership in Cable London to TeleWest. Following
such notification, TeleWest at its option is required at that price to
either purchase NTL Bermuda's 50% interest or sell its 50% interest to NTL
Bermuda. If NTL Bermuda fails to give notice to TeleWest by July 29, 1999,
it will be deemed to have delivered an offer notice for (pound)100
million ($166 million).
(iii) In December 1998, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company acquired 9
million shares, representing 6.3% of the issued share capital, of
Newcastle United PLC (the Newcastle United football club) for cash of
approximately $17 million. In conjunction with the sale of shares, the
seller entered into an irrevocable commitment to the Company that if the
Company makes an offer for all of the issued share capital of Newcastle
United, it will accept that offer in respect of the remaining balance of
its shares representing 50.8% of the issued share capital at a price of
111.7 pence per share in cash, or at the Company's option, in a zero
coupon note aggregating approximately $135 million.
(iv) In March 1999, the Commonwealth of Australia accepted the Company's bid to
own and operate the Australian National Transmission Network ("NTN"). NTN
operates from over 560 tower sites and provides exclusive television and
radio transmission services to Australia's only national TV and radio
broadcasters, serves regional and community TV and radio broadcasters, and
provides equipment hosting services to telecom operators and emergency
service communications providers on its towers. A subsidiary of the
Company will purchase the company that will hold the NTN assets for an
aggregate purchase price of approximately $407 million.
The development, construction and operations of the Company's combined
telecommunications networks will require substantial capital. In addition, the
Company will require significant amounts of capital to finance the other capital
expenditures and other obligations of its subsidiaries. The Company intends to
fund a portion of these requirements from cash and securities on hand and cash
from operations. However, under certain circumstances, additional funding will
be necessary to meet these requirements. There can be no assurance that: (i)
actual construction costs will not exceed the amounts estimated or that
additional funding substantially in excess of the amounts estimated will not be
required, (ii) additional financing will be obtained or will be available on
acceptable terms, (iii) conditions precedent to advances under future credit
facilities will be satisfied when funds are required, (iv) the Company and its
subsidiaries will be able to generate sufficient cash from operations to meet
capital requirements, debt service and other obligations when required, (v) the
Company will be able to access such cash flow or (vi) the Company will not incur
losses from its exposure to exchange rate fluctuations or be adversely affected
by interest rate fluctuations.
Management does not anticipate that the Company and its subsidiaries will
generate sufficient cash flow from operations to repay at maturity the entire
principal amount of the outstanding indebtedness of the Company and its
subsidiaries. Accordingly, the Company may be required to consider a number of
measures, including: (i) refinancing all or a portion of such indebtedness, (ii)
seeking modifications to the terms of such indebtedness, (iii) seeking
additional debt financing, which may be subject to obtaining necessary lender
consents, (iv) seeking additional equity financing, or (v)
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a combination of the foregoing.
The Company's operations are conducted through its direct and indirect
wholly-owned subsidiaries. As a holding company, the Company holds no
significant assets other than its investments in and advances to its
subsidiaries. The Company is therefore dependent upon the receipt of sufficient
funds from its subsidiaries to meet its own obligations. Accordingly, the
Company's ability to make scheduled interest and principal payments when due to
holders of indebtedness of the Company and the Company's ability to pay cash
dividends to its stockholders is dependent upon the receipt of sufficient funds
from its subsidiaries.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Cash used in operating activities was $18,943,000 and $17,271,000 in the
years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The change is primarily
due to an increase in the operating loss and changes in operating assets and
liabilities.
Purchases of fixed assets were $772,144,000 in 1998 and $503,656,000 in
1997 as a result of the continuing fixed asset purchases and construction in
1998.
Proceeds from borrowings, net of financing costs, of $3,525,588,000 in
1998 is comprised of the proceeds from the various notes issued during the year
plus proceeds from borrowings under the bank loan. Principal payments of
$845,018,000 represent the repayment of borrowings under the bank loan. Cash
placed in escrow of $217,622,000 was used to redeem the Company's 10-7/8% Senior
Deferred Coupon Notes which was completed in October 1998.
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Year 2000
The Company has a comprehensive Year 2000 project designed to identify and
assess the risks associated with its information systems, products, operations
and infrastructure, suppliers, and customers that are not Year 2000 compliant,
and to develop, implement and test remediation and contingency plans to mitigate
these risks. The project comprises four phases: (1) identification of risks, (2)
assessment of risks, (3) development of remediation and contingency plans and
(4) implementation and testing.
The Company has completed its compilation of equipment and systems that
might be affected by Year 2000 noncompliance. An impact and risk assessment is
underway on all items to determine whether items are business critical, high
priority or low priority. This assessment will include all information systems
("IS") and non-IS equipment with embedded technology such as air conditioning,
generators and power supplies. All business critical and high priority items
have been identified. The Company's billing, provisioning and customer service
systems are being reviewed and modified for Year 2000 readiness. Although this
was expected to be completed by the end of 1998, it is now expected to be
completed in March 1999. Integration testing of the complete system will begin
in the second quarter of 1999 and is expected to require three months. Testing
of other business critical and high priority items is in various stages with
some areas 100% complete. The target for the completion of this testing is the
end of June 1999, although a small portion of such testing is scheduled to
extend into the third quarter of 1999. Where appropriate, remedial work has been
minimized by bringing forward planned system revisions and retiring old
equipment. The Company is also communicating with its suppliers with respect to
the high priority and business critical items. A central database has been
established to insure all issues are resolved. This communication is virtually
complete. A Millennium Operations Plan is being created that details the key
resources needed for problems that may arise over the Year 2000 weekend. All
Business Continuity Plans are being reviewed and are being revised to account
for special circumstances related to the Year 2000. These plans are expected to
be finalized in the third quarter of 1999.
The Company expects to incur $13 million primarily in labor costs to
compile inventories, assess risks, prioritize remediation projects, communicate
with suppliers, maintain the supplier communications database, test remediations
and implement remediations. The Company incurred approximately $3.2 million of
this amount in 1998. The expected cost includes enhancements and upgrades that
are part of the normal upgrades and system revisions.
The Company currently believes that the most reasonably likely worst case
scenario with respect to the Year 2000 is the failure of public electricity
supplies during the millennium period. A number of critical sites have permanent
automatic standby generators and uninterruptible power supplies. Where critical
sites do not have permanent standby power, the Company intends to deploy its
mobile generators. In addition, other telephone operators have suggested that
the telephone network may overload due to excessive traffic. The Company is
reviewing its "cold start" scenarios and alternative interconnection routes in
the event of interruptions in the service of other telephone companies. The
Company expects the UK Telecoms Regulator to require evidence of contingency
plans from all the major operators and the results will be shared through the
Inter-Operator Forum. Either or both of the above mentioned scenarios could have
a material
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adverse effect on operations, although it is not possible at this time to
quantify the amount of revenues and gross profit that might be lost, or the
costs that could be incurred.
As the Year 2000 project continues, the Company may discover additional
problems, may not be able to develop, implement or test remediation or
contingency plans, or may find that the costs of these activities exceed current
expectations. In many cases, the Company is relying on assurances from suppliers
that new and upgraded information systems and other products will be Year 2000
ready. The Company plans to test such third-party products, but cannot be sure
that its tests will be adequate or that, if problems are identified, they will
be addressed by the supplier in a timely and satisfactory way.
Because the Company uses a variety of information systems and has
additional systems embedded in its operations and infrastructure, the Company
cannot be sure that all of its systems will work together in a Year 2000-ready
fashion. Furthermore, the Company cannot be sure that it will not suffer
business interruptions, either because of its own Year 2000 problems or those of
third-parties upon whom the Company is reliant for services. The Company is
continuing to evaluate its Year 2000-related risks and corrective actions.
However, the risks associated with the Year 2000 problem are pervasive and
complex; they can be difficult to identify and address, and can result in
material adverse consequences to the Company. Even if the Company, in a timely
manner, completes all of its assessments, identifies and tests remediation plans
believed to be adequate, and develops contingency plans believed to be adequate,
some problems may not be identified or corrected in time to prevent material
adverse consequences to the Company.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Certain statements contained herein constitute "forward-looking
statements" as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, the words, "believe," "anticipate,"
"should," "intend," "plan," "will," "expects," "estimates," "projects,"
"positioned," "strategy," and similar expressions identify such forward-looking
statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance
or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different
from those contemplated, projected, forecasted, estimated or budgeted, whether
expressed or implied, by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include
the following: general economic and business conditions in the United Kingdom,
the Company's ability to continue to design networks, install facilities, obtain
and maintain any required governmental licenses or approvals and finance
construction and development, all in a timely manner at reasonable costs and on
satisfactory terms and conditions, as well as assumptions about customer
acceptance, churn rates, overall market penetration and competition from
providers of alternative services, the impact of new business opportunities
requiring significant up-front investment, Year 2000 readiness, and
availability, terms and deployment of capital.
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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Market Risk
The Company is exposed to various market risks, including changes in
foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Market risk is the potential
loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as foreign
currency exchange and interest rates. The Company does not enter into
derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
The Company enters into financial instruments to manage and reduce the impact of
changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily US dollar/UK Pound
Sterling. The counterparties are major financial institutions. The Company does
not enter into derivatives or financial instruments to manage or reduce the
impact of changes in interest rates.
Foreign Exchange Contracts
To the extent that the Company obtains financing in United States dollars
and incurs costs in the construction and operation of its networks in the United
Kingdom in British pounds sterling, it will encounter currency exchange rate
risks. At December 31, 1998, the Company had approximately $195 million in
pounds sterling cash and cash equivalents to reduce this risk. In addition, the
Company's pounds sterling denominated Notes issued in March 1998 will also
reduce this risk. Furthermore, the Company's revenues are generated primarily in
British pounds sterling while its interest and principal obligations with
respect to most of the Company's existing indebtedness are payable in U.S.
dollars. The Company has entered into an option agreement to hedge some of the
risk of exchange rate fluctuations related to interest and principal payments on
U.S. dollar denominated debt and for parent company expenses up to an annual
limit of approximately $13 million. The Company may purchase U.S. dollars at a
fixed rate of (pound)1 to $1.40 on specified dates through June 2001 for
specified amounts of U.S. dollars. The dates and U.S. dollar amounts correspond
to the Company's interest and principal payment dates and amounts for its U.S.
dollar denominated debt and anticipated amounts of parent company expenses. In
addition, NTL Bermuda has option agreements of (pound)250 million notional
amount to purchase U.S. dollars at a fixed rate of (pound)1 to $1.35 in November
2000. This option provides a hedge against an adverse change in exchange rates
when interest payments commence on NTL Bermuda's U.S. dollar denominated
Discount Debentures.
The estimated fair value of foreign currency contracts represents the
amount required to enter into offsetting contracts with similar remaining
maturities based on quoted market prices. At December 31, 1998, the difference
between the fair value of the outstanding contracts and the contract amounts was
immaterial.
Interest Rates
The fair market value of long-term fixed interest rate debt is subject to
interest rate risk. Generally, the fair market value of fixed interest rate debt
will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. Fair
values were determined from quoted market prices.
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Interest Rate Sensitivity
Principal Amount by Expected Maturity
Average Interest Rate
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair
Value
(dollars in thousands) 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Thereafter Total 12/31/98
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term Debt, including
Current Portion
12.75% Series A Senior
Deferred Coupon Notes due
2005
Fixed Rate - - - - - $277,804 $277,804 $252,801
Average Interest Rate 12.75%
11.50% Series B Senior
Deferred Coupon Notes due
2006
Fixed Rate - - - - - $1,050,000 $1,050,000 $882,000
Average Interest Rate 11.50%
7% Covertible Subordinated
Notes due 2008 (1996 issue)
Fixed Rate - - - - - $275,000 $275,000 $411,125
Average Interest Rate 7%
7% Convertible Subordinated
Notes due 2008 (1998 issue)
Fixed Rate - - - - - $600,000 $600,000 $656,340
Average Interest Rate 7%
10% Series B Senior Notes
due 2007
Fixed Rate - - - - - $400,000 $400,000 $408,000
Average Interest Rate 10%
9.75% Senior Deferred
Coupon Notes due 2008
Fixed Rate - - - - - $1,300,000 $1,300,000 $835,250
Average Interest Rate 9.75%
11.5% Senior Notes due 2008
Fixed Rate - - - - - $625,000 $625,000 $681,250
Average Interest Rate 11.5%
12.375% Senior Deferred
Coupon Notes due 2008
Fixed Rate - - - - - $450,000 $450,000 $274,500
Average Interest Rate 12.375%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Interest Rate Sensitivity
Principal Amount by Expected Maturity
Average Interest Rate and Average Forward Foreign Exchange Rate
(USD/British Sterling)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair
Value
(pounds in thousands) 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Thereafter Total 12/31/98
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term Debt (including
Current Portion)
Denominated in Foreign
Currency
9.5% Senior Notes (Sterling)
due 2008
Fixed Rate - - - - - (pound)125,000 (pound)125,000 (pound)116,250
Average Interest Rate
Average Forward 9.5%
Exchange Rate 1.6506
10.75% Senior Deferred
Coupon Notes (Sterling) due
2008
Fixed Rate - - - - - (pound)300,000 (pound)300,000 (pound)177,000
Average Interest Rate
Average Forward 10.75%
Exchange Rate 1.6506
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest Rate Sensitivity
Principal Amount by Expected Maturity
Average Interest Rate and Average Forward Foreign Exchange Rate
(USD/British Sterling)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair
Value
(dollars in thousands) 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Thereafter Total 12/31/98
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term Debt, including
Current Portion
11.20% Senior Discount
Debentures due 2007
Fixed Rate - - - - - $517,300 $517,300 $437,119
Average Interest Rate
Average Forward Exchange 11.20%
Rate 1.6506
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The consolidated financial statements of the Company are filed under this
Item commencing on page F-1 of this Report.
The following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for the
years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997.
(In thousands, except per share data)
1998
Three Months Ended
---------------------------------------------------
March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31
---------------------------------------------------
Revenues $ 147,792 $ 154,314 $ 182,484 $ 262,425
Operating loss (41,962) (40,665) (55,640) (90,348)
(93,672) (104,302) (133,892) (172,061)
Loss before extraordinary item
(93,672) (104,302) (138,131) (198,511)
Net loss
Basic and diluted loss per common share (3.02) (2.80) (3.34) (3.29)
before extraordinary item
Basic and diluted net loss per common
share (3.02) (2.80) (3.44) (3.79)
1997
Three Months Ended
---------------------------------------------------
March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31
---------------------------------------------------
Revenues $ 106,817 $ 114,822 $ 126,734 $ 143,402
Operating loss (45,231) (51,772) (54,438) (40,623)
Loss before extraordinary item (85,761) (87,674) (83,357) (71,765)
Net loss (85,761) (87,674) (83,357) (76,265)
Basic and diluted loss per common share
before extraordinary item (2.73) (2.84) (2.70) (2.34)
Basic and diluted net loss per common
share (2.73) (2.84) (2.70) (2.48)
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
Not applicable.
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PART III
ITEMS 10, 11, 12, and 13.
The information required by PART III (Items 10, 11, 12 and 13) is
incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement
involving the election of directors which the Company expects to file, pursuant
to Regulation 14A, within 120 days following the end of its fiscal year.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
(a) (1) Financial Statements - See list of Financial Statements on
page F-1.
(2) Financial statement schedules - see list of Financial
Statement Schedules on page F-1.
(3) Exhibits - See Exhibit Index on page 74.
(b) During the fourth quarter of 1998, the Company filed Current
Reports on Form 8-K dated October 5, 1998, October 27, 1998, October 29, 1998,
December 16, 1998, December 21, 1998 and December 22, 1998 (reporting matters
under Item 5 - Other Events). No financial statements were filed with this
report.
(c) Exhibits - The response to this portion of Item 14 is submitted
as a separate section of this report.
(d) Financial Statement Schedules - See list of Financial Statement
Schedules on page F-1.
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
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2.1 Amended and Restated Agreement of Reorganization and Plan of
Merger, dated as of May 28, 1993, among the Company, OCOM and
CableTel Merger Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2,
Registration File No. 33-63570)
2.2 Deed of Irrevocable undertaking dated March 28, 1996 by and
among Addroute Limited, certain shareholders in the NTL Group
Limited, NTL Group Limited and the Company (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4,
File No. 333-1010)
2.3 Form of Offer Document dated March 28, 1996 of Addroute Limited
for NTL Group Limited (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-1010)
2.4 Deed of Adjustment dated March 28, 1996 by and among Addroute
Limited and Mercury Asset Management plc. (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4,
File No. 333-1010)
2.5 Share Exchange Agreement, dated as of August 30, 1996, by and
among the Company, B/G Co., Booth American Company, Columbia
Management, Inc. and Robert T. Goad (Incorporated by reference
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No.
333-16751)
2.6 Share Purchase Agreement, dated October 7, 1996, by and among
the Company, South Wales Electricity plc and Swalec Telco
Investment Limited (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 333- 16751)
2.7 Agreement and Plan of Amalgamation, dated as of February 4,
1998, as amended, among the Company, NTL (Bermuda) Limited, and
Comcast UK Cable Partners Limited (Incorporated by reference to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No.
333-64727)
2.8 Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Amalgamation, dated as
of May 28, 1998, among the Company, NTL (Bermuda) Limited and
Comcast UK Cable Partners Limited (Incorporated by reference to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No.
333-64727)
2.9 Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of the Vision Networks UK
Group, dated June 16, 1998, by and between Vision Networks III
B.V., ComTel UK Finance B.V., Vision Networks (UK) I Limited,
Telecential Communications (Canada) Ltd., Vision Networks (UK)
II Limited, Telecential Communications (UK) Limited, Vision
Networks (UK) Holding B.V., NTL Group Limited and the Company
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with
the Commission on October 5, 1998)
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79
2.10 Supplemental Agreement, dated September 22, 1998, to a Sale and
Purchase Agreement, dated June 16, 1998, entered into between
inter alia Vision Networks III B.V., ComTel UK Finance B.V. and
NTL Group Limited in respect of the sale and purchase of Vision
Networks UK Group (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on October 5, 1998)
2.11 Share Exchange Agreement, dated as of June 16, 1998, as amended,
among the Company and the shareholders of Diamond Cable
Communications Plc (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Proxy Statement, dated January 29, 1999)
2.12 Amendment No. 1 to Share Exchange Agreement, dated as of
December 21, 1998, among the Company and the shareholders of
Diamond Cable Communications plc (Incorporated by reference to
the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on December
23, 1998)
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
3.1(a) Certificate of Ownership and Merger, dated as of March 26, 1997
(Incorporated by reference to Company's Form 8-K, dated and
filed with the Commission on March 26, 1997)
3.2 Rights Agreement entered into by the Company and Continental
Stock Transfer & Trust Company (Incorporated by Reference to
Exhibit 4.2, Registration No. 33- 63570)
3.3 Restated By-Laws (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2,
Registration No. 33- 63570)
4.1 Specimen of Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.1, Registration File No. 33-63570)
4.2 Warrant Agreement, dated February 14, 1996 between the Company
and Chemical Bank as Warrant Agent (Incorporated by reference to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No.
333-00118)
4.3 Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (included in Exhibit
4.2)
4.4 Indenture, dated as of October 1, 1993, by and between the
Company and Chemical Bank with respect to the 10% Senior Notes
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1, Registration File No.
33-63572)
4.5 Indenture, dated as of April 20, 1995, by and between the
Company and Chemical Bank as Trustee, with respect to the 12
3/4% Senior Notes (Incorporated by reference from the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 33-92794)
4.6 Indenture, dated as of January 30, 1996, by and between the
Company and Chemical Bank as Trustee, with respect to the 11
1/2% Senior Notes (Incorporated by reference from the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-00118)
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80
4.7 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 22, 1996, by
and among the Company and Chemical Bank, as Trustee, with
respect to the 12 3/4% Senior Notes (Incorporated by reference
from the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No.
333-00118)
4.8 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 23, 1996, by
and among the Company and Chemical Bank, as Trustee, with
respect to the 10% Notes (Incorporated by reference from the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No.
333-00118)
4.9 Indenture, dated as of February 12, 1997, by and between the
Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee, with respect
to the 10% Senior Notes (Incorporated by reference from the
Company's 1996 Form 10-K)
4.10 Indenture, dated as of March 13, 1998, by and between the
Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee, with respect
to the 9 1/2% Senior Notes (Incorporated by reference from the
Company's 1997 Form 10-K)
4.11 Indenture, dated as of March 13, 1998, by and between the
Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee, with respect
to the 9 3/4% Senior Deferred Coupon Notes (Incorporated by
reference from the Company's 1997 Form 10-K)
4.12 Indenture, dated as of March 13, 1998, by and between the
Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee, with respect
to the 10 3/4% Senior Deferred Coupon Notes (Incorporated by
reference from the Company's 1997 Form 10-K)
4.13 Indenture, dated as of November 2, 1998, by and among the
Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee, with respect
to the 11 1/2% Senior Notes due 2008
4.14 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 2, 1998 by
and among the Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,
Chase Securities Inc., Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation and Goldman, Sachs & Co., with respect to the 11
1/2% Senior Notes due 2008
4.15 Indenture, dated as of November 6, 1998, by and among the
Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee, with respect
to the 12 3/8% Senior Deferred Coupon Notes due 2008
4.16 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 6, 1998 by
and among the Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,
Chase Securities Inc., Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation and Goldman, Sachs & Co., with respect to the 12
3/8% Senior Deferred Coupon Notes due 2008
4.17 Indenture, dated as of December 16, 1998, by and among the
Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee, with respect
to the 7% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2008
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81
4.18 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 16, 1998 by
and among the Company and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corporation, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,
Goldman, Sachs & Co., Chase Securities Inc., Salomon Smith
Barney Inc, BT Alex. Brown Incorporated and Warburg Dillon Read
LLC with respect to the 7% Convertible Subordinated Notes due
2008
4.19 Certificate of Designation, dated February 12, 1997, with
respect to the 13% Redeemable Preferred Stock (Incorporated by
reference from the Company's 1996 Form 10-K)
4.20 Certificate of Designation, dated October 7, 1996, in respect of
the Company's Series A Preferred Stock (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on
October 9, 1996)
4.21 Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 12, 1997, by and
among the Company and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation, Chase Securities, Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated with respect to the 10% Senior Notes
(Incorporated by reference from the Company's 1996 Form 10-K)
4.22 Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 12, 1997, by and
among the Company and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation, Chase Securities, Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated with respect to the 13% Senior Notes
(Incorporated by reference from the Company's 1996 Form 10-K)
4.23 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 13, 1998, by
and among the Company and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
International, Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited, BT
Alex. Brown International, Chase Securities Inc. and Salomon
Brothers International Limited with respect to the 9 1/2% Senior
Notes (Incorporated by reference from the Company's 1997 Form
10-K)
4.24 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 13, 1998, by
and among the Company and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corporation, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, BT
Alex. Brown Incorporated, Chase Securities Inc. and Salomon
Brothers Inc. with respect to the 9 3/4% Senior Deferred Coupon
Notes (Incorporated by reference from the Company's 1997 Form
10-K)
4.25 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 13, 1998, by
and among the Company and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
International, Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited, BT
Alex. Brown International, Chase Securities Inc. and Salomon
Brothers International Limited with respect to the 10 3/4%
Senior Deferred Coupon Notes (Incorporated by reference from the
Company's 1997 Form 10-K)
4.26 Form of Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference from the
Company's 1996 Form 10-K)
4.27 Indenture, dated as of June 12, 1996, by and between the Company
and Chemical Bank, as Trustee, with respect to the 7%
Convertible Notes (Incorporated by
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reference from the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3,
File No. 333- 07879)
4.28 Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 12, 1996, by and among
the Company and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation and Salomon Brothers Inc, with respect to the 7%
Convertible Notes (Incorporated by reference from the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-07879)
4.29 Indenture, dated as of April 20, 1995, by and among the Company
and Chemical Bank, as Trustee, with respect to the 7 1/4%
Convertible Notes (Incorporated by reference from the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 333- 92792)
4.30 Registration Agreement, dated April 12, 1995, by and among the
Company and Salomon Brothers Inc, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corporation and Goldman Sachs & Co., with respect to
the 7 1/4% Convertible Notes (Incorporated by reference from the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-
92792)
4.31 Rights Agreement entered into by the Company and Continental
Stock Transfer & Trust Company (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2, Registration No. 33- 63570)
10.1 Compensation Plan and Agreements, as amended and restated
effective June 3, 1997 (Incorporated by reference from the
Company's 1997 Form 10-K)
10.2 Rules of the NTL Sharesave Plan, adopted by the Company on
October 28, 1997
10.3 Form of Director and Officer Indemnity Agreement (together
with a schedule of executed Indemnity Agreements)
(Incorporated by reference from the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-4, File No. 33-92794)
10.4 1998 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, as Amended and Restated
October 1998
10.5 Bridge Loan Agreement, dated as of March 17, 1999, among the
Company, the Lenders named therein and Goldman Sachs Credit
Partners L.P.
10.6 Agreement, dated August 14, 1998, among TeleWest Communications
PLC, TeleWest Communications Holdings Limited, NTL (Bermuda)
Limited, and the Company (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 18, 1998)
11 Statement re: computation of per share earnings
21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
27.1 Financial Data Schedule, for the year ended December 31, 1998
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83
99.1 Prescribed Diffusion Service License, dated July 21, 1987,
issued to British Cable Services Limited (now held by CableTel
Surrey and Hampshire Limited) for the area of West Surrey and
East Hampshire, England (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.2 Prescribed Diffusion Service License, dated December 3, 1990,
issued to Clyde Cablevision (renamed CableTel Glasgow) for the
area of Inverclyde, Scotland (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.3 Prescribed Diffusion Service License, dated December 3, 1990,
issued to Clyde Cablevision (renamed CableTel Glasgow) for the
area of Bearsden and Milngavie, Scotland (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission
on March 19, 1996)
99.4 Prescribed Diffusion Service License, dated December 3, 1990,
issued to Clyde Cablevision (renamed CableTel Glasgow) for the
area of Paisley and Renfrew, Scotland (Incorporated by reference
to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March
19, 1996)
99.5 Prescribed Diffusion Service License, dated July 10, 1984,
issued to Clyde Cablevision (renamed CableTel Glasgow) for the
area of North Glasgow and Clydebank, Strathclyde, Scotland
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with
the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.6 Prescribed Diffusion Service License, dated December 3, 1990,
issued to Clyde Cablevision (renamed CableTel Glasgow) for the
area of Greater Glasgow, Scotland (Incorporated by reference to
the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 19,
1996)
99.7 Prescribed Diffusion Service License, dated December 3, 1990,
issued to Newport Cablevision Limited (renamed CableTel Newport)
for the area of Newport, Wales (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.8 Prescribed Diffusion Service License, dated December 3, 1990,
issued to Cable and Satellite Television Holdings Ltd (renamed
CableTel West Glamorgan Limited) for the area of West Glamorgan,
Wales (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K,
filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.9 Prescribed Diffusion Service License, dated December 3, 1990,
issued to British Cable Services Limited for the area of Cardiff
and Penarth, Wales (now held by CableTel Cardiff Limited)
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with
the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.10 Prescribed Diffusion Service License, dated December 3, 1990,
issued to Kirklees Cable (renamed CableTel Kirklees) for the
area of Huddersfield and Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with
the Commission on March 19, 1996)
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84
99.11 Prescribed Diffusion Service License, dated December 3, 1990,
issued to CableVision Communications Company of Hertfordshire
Ltd (renamed CableTel Hertfordshire Limited) for the area of
Broxbourne and East Hertfordshire, England (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission
on March 19, 1996)
99.12 Prescribed Diffusion Service License, dated December 3, 1990,
issued to CableVision Communications Company Ltd (renamed
CableTel Central Hertfordshire Limited) for the area of Central
Hertfordshire, England (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.13 Prescribed Diffusion Service License, dated March 26, 1990,
issued to CableVision Bedfordshire Limited (renamed CableTel
Bedfordshire Ltd.) for the area of Luton and South Bedfordshire
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with
the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.14 Prescribed Diffusion Service License, dated December 3, 1990,
issued to CableVision North Bedfordshire Ltd (renamed CableTel
North Bedfordshire Ltd.) for the area of North Bedfordshire,
England (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K,
filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.15 Local Delivery Service License, dated October 2, 1995, issued to
CableTel Northern Ireland Limited for Northern Ireland
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with
the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.16 Local Delivery Service License, dated December 6, 1995, issued
to CableTel South Wales Limited for Glamorgan and Gwent, Wales
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with
the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.17 Local Delivery Service License, dated March 15, 1991, issued to
Maxwell Cable TV Limited for Camarthen, Wales (now held by Metro
South Wales Limited) (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.18 Local Delivery Service License, dated March 15, 1991, issued to
Maxwell Cable TV Limited for Milford Haven, Wales (now held by
Metro South Wales Limited) (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.19 Local Delivery Service License, dated March 15, 1991, issued to
Maxwell Cable TV Limited for Cwmgors (Amman Valley), West
Glamorgan, Wales (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.20 Local Delivery Service License, dated March 15, 1991, issued to
Maxwell Cable TV Limited for Ammanford, West Glamorgan, Wales
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with
the Commission on March 19, 1996)
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85
99.21 Local Delivery Service License, dated March 15, 1991, issued to
Maxwell Cable TV Limited for Brecon, Gwent, Wales (Incorporated
by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the
Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.22 Local Delivery Service License, dated March 15, 1991, issued to
Maxwell Cable TV Limited for Haverfordwest, Preseli, Wales
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with
the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.23 Local Delivery Service License, dated March 15, 1991, issued to
Maxwell Cable TV Limited for Neyland, Preseli, Wales (now held
by Metro South Wales Limited) (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.24 License, dated January 11, 1991, issued to Cablevision
Communications the Company of Hertfordshire Ltd (renamed
CableTel Hertfordshire Limited) for the Hertford, Cheshunt and
Ware (Lea Valley) cable franchise, England (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission
on March 19, 1996)
99.25 License, dated December 8, 1990, issued to Cablevision
Communications the Company Limited for Central Hertfordshire
(renamed CableTel Central Hertfordshire Limited), England
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with
the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.26 License, dated August 23, 1989, issued to Cablevision
Bedfordshire Limited for Bedford and surrounding areas, England
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with
the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.27 License, dated January 9, 1991, issued to Cablevision North
Bedfordshire Ltd for North Bedfordshire, England (Incorporated
by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the
Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.28 License, dated January 29, 1991, issued to Clyde Cablevision
(renamed CableTel Glasgow) for the Inverclyde Cable Franchise,
Scotland (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K,
filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.29 License, dated January 29, 1991, issued to Clyde Cablevision
(renamed CableTel Glasgow) for the Bearsden and Milngavie Cable
Franchise, Scotland (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.30 License, dated January 29, 1991, issued to Clyde Cablevision
(renamed CableTel Glasgow) for the Paisley and Renfrew Cable
Franchise, Scotland (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.31 License, dated June 7, 1985, issued to Clyde Cablevision Ltd
(renamed CableTel Glasgow) for North West Glasgow and Clydebank,
Scotland (Incorporated by
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reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission
on March 19, 1996)
99.32 License, dated January 29, 1991, issued to Clyde Cablevision
(renamed CableTel Glasgow) for the Greater Glasgow cable
franchise, Scotland (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.33 License, dated October 13, 1993, issued to Insight
Communications Cardiff Limited (renamed CableTel Cardiff
Limited) for Cardiff, Wales (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.34 License, dated January 22, 1991, issued to Newport Cablevision
Limited (renamed CableTel Newport), for Newport Cable franchise
Wales (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K,
filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.35 License, dated May 18, 1990, issued to Cable and Satellite
Television Holdings Limited (renamed CableTel West Glamorgan
Limited) for West Glamorgan, Wales (Incorporated by reference to
the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 19,
1996)
99.36 License, dated December 20, 1990, issued to Kirklees Cable
(renamed CableTel Kirklees) for the Huddersfield and Dewsbury
cable franchise, England (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.37 License, dated October 13, 1993, issued to Insight
Communications Guildford Limited (renamed CableTel Surrey and
Hampshire Limited) for the West Surrey/East Hampshire
(Guildford) Cable Franchise, England (Incorporated by reference
to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March
19, 1996)
99.38 License, dated January 20, 1995, issued to CableTel Bedfordshire
Ltd. for the area of South Bedfordshire, England (Incorporated
by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the
Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.39 License, dated January 20, 1995, issued to CableTel North
Bedfordshire Ltd. for the area of Bedford, England (Incorporated
by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the
Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.40 License, dated January 20, 1992, issued to Cable and Satellite
Television Holdings Limited (renamed CableTel West Glamorgan
Limited) for the area of Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot, Wales
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with
the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.41 License, dated January 20, 1995, issued to Cabletel
Hertfordshire Ltd. for the area of Hertford, Cheshunt and Ware
(Lea Valley), England (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
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87
99.42 License, dated January 20, 1995, issued to Cabletel Central
Hertfordshire Ltd. for the area of Central Hertfordshire,
England (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K,
filed with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.43 License, dated July 21, 1995, issued to CableTel Kirklees
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with
the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.44 License, dated June 8, 1995, issued to CableTel Bedfordshire
Ltd. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed
with the Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.45 License, dated October 27, 1995, issued to Metro South Wales
Limited for the area of Neyland, Wales (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission
on March 19, 1996)
99.46 License, dated October 27, 1995, issued to Metro South Wales
Limited for the area of Cwmgors, Wales (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission
on March 19, 1996)
99.47 License, dated October 27, 1995, issued to Metro South Wales
Limited for the area of Ammanford, Wales (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission
on March 19, 1996)
99.48 License, dated October 27, 1995, issued to Metro South Wales
Limited for the area of Carmarthen, Wales (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission
on March 19, 1996)
99.49 License, dated October 27, 1995, issued to Metro South Wales
Limited for the area of Haverfordwest, Wales (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission
on March 19, 1996)
99.50 License, dated October 27, 1995, issued to Metro South Wales
Limited for the area of Pembroke Dock, Wales (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission
on March 19, 1996)
99.51 License, dated October 27, 1995, issued to Metro South Wales
Limited for the area of Milford Haven, Wales (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission
on March 19, 1996)
99.52 License, dated October 27, 1995, issued to CableTel South Wales
Limited for the area of Glamorgan and Gwent, Wales (Incorporated
by reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the
Commission on March 19, 1996)
99.53 License, dated January 26, 1996, issued to Cabletel South Wales
Limited, for part of the Glamorgan area (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Form 8-K, filed with the Commission
on March 19, 1996)
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98.54 License, dated November 3, 1997, issued to NTL (UK) Group, Inc.
for the Provision of Radio Fixed Access Operator Services
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's 1997 Form 10-K)
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
Dated: March 31, 1999
NTL INCORPORATED
By: /s/ J. Barclay Knapp
- -------------------------------------
J. Barclay Knapp
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Executive and Principal
Financial Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signature Title Date
/s/ J. Barclay Knapp President, Chief March 31, 1999
- ------------------------ Executive Officer and
J. Barclay Knapp Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Executive
and Principal Financial
Officer)
/s/ George S. Blumenthal Chairman of the Board March 31, 1999
- ------------------------ and Treasurer
George S. Blumenthal
/s/ Gregg Gorelick Vice President- March 31, 1999
- ------------------------ Controller (Principal
Gregg Gorelick Accounting Officer)
84
89
/s/ Sidney R. Knafel Director March 31, 1999
- ------------------------
R. Knafel
/s/ Ted H. McCourtney Director March 31, 1999
- ------------------------
Ted H. McCourtney
/s/ Del Mintz Director March 31, 1999
- ------------------------
Del Mintz
/s/ Alan J. Patricof Director March 31, 1999
- ------------------------
Alan J. Patricof
/s/ Warren Potash Director March 31, 1999
- ------------------------
Warren Potash
/s/ Michael S. Willner Director March 31, 1999
- ------------------------
Michael S. Willner
/s/ Robert T. Goad Director March 31, 1999
- ------------------------
Robert T. Goad
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90
Form 10-K--Item 14(a)(1) and (2)
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Index of Consolidated Financial Statements
and Financial Statement Schedules
The following consolidated financial statements of NTL Incorporated and
Subsidiaries are included in Item 8:
Report of Independent Auditors ....................................................... F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 1998 and 1997 ............................. F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations -
Years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 ...................................... F-5
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity (Deficiency) -
Years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 ...................................... F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
Years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 ...................................... F-8
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements .......................................... F-10
The following consolidated financial statement schedules of NTL Incorporated and
Subsidiaries are included in Item 14(d):
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant .......................... F-41
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts ..................................... F-48
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting
regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the
related instructions or are inapplicable and, therefore have been omitted.
F-1
91
Report of Independent Auditors
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
NTL Incorporated
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of NTL Incorporated and
Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, shareholders' equity (deficiency) and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998. Our audits also
included the financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 14(a).
These financial statements and schedules are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements and schedules based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. 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 referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of NTL
Incorporated and Subsidiaries at December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial
statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic financial
statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects the
information set forth therein.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
New York, New York
March 26, 1999
F-2
92
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31
1998 1997
-----------------------------------------------
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 736,265,000 $ 98,902,000
Marketable securities 260,631,000 4,998,000
Accounts receivable--trade, less allowance for doubtful
accounts of $38,475,000 (1998) and $8,056,000 (1997) 152,356,000 66,022,000
Other 55,248,000 67,232,000
-----------------------------------------------
Total current assets 1,204,500,000 237,154,000
Fixed assets, net 3,854,430,000 1,756,985,000
Intangible assets, net 725,028,000 364,479,000
Investment in Cable London PLC, net of accumulated
amortization of $3,093,000 229,093,000 -
Other assets, net of accumulated amortization
of $56,264,000 (1998) and $25,889,000 (1997) 181,046,000 63,021,000
-----------------------------------------------
Total assets $6,194,097,000 $2,421,639,000
===============================================
F-3
93
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)
December 31
1998 1997
------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficiency)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 167,079,000 $ 45,475,000
Accrued expenses and other 221,070,000 163,158,000
Accrued construction costs 88,033,000 26,930,000
Interest payable 34,258,000 18,875,000
Deferred revenue 69,820,000 35,060,000
Current portion of long-term debt 23,691,000 -
------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 603,951,000 289,498,000
Long-term debt 5,043,803,000 2,015,057,000
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Deferred income taxes 67,062,000 70,218,000
Senior redeemable exchangeable preferred stock - $.01 par value,
plus accreted dividends; liquidation preference $125,000,000;
less unamortized discount of $3,133,000 (1998) and $3,444,000
(1997); issued and outstanding 125,000 (1998) and
110,000 (1997) shares 124,127,000 108,534,000
Shareholders' equity (deficiency):
Series preferred stock--$.01 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares:
Series A - liquidation preference $128,760,000; issued
and outstanding 125,000 (1998) and none (1997) 2,000 -
shares;
Series B - liquidation preference $52,517,000; issued
and outstanding 52,000 (1998) and none (1997) shares; - -
Series A - issued and outstanding none (1998) and 780
(1997) shares - -
Common stock--$.01 par value; authorized 400,000,000
shares; issued and outstanding 60,249,000 (1998) and
32,210,000 (1997) shares 602,000 322,000
Additional paid-in capital 1,501,561,000 538,054,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income 104,657,000 117,008,000
(Deficit) (1,251,668,000) (717,052,000)
------------------------------------------------
355,154,000 (61,668,000)
------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficiency) $6,194,097,000 $2,421,639,000
================================================
See accompanying notes.
F-4
94
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31
1998 1997 1996
-------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues
Local telecommunications and television $355,589,000 $ 166,951,000 $ 89,209,000
National and international telecommunications 248,895,000 185,194,000 45,430,000
Broadcast transmission and other 140,156,000 130,799,000 83,618,000
Other telecommunications 2,375,000 8,831,000 10,086,000
-------------------------------------------------------------
747,015,000 491,775,000 228,343,000
Costs and expenses
Operating expenses 372,134,000 301,644,000 144,315,000
Selling, general and administrative expenses 299,494,000 169,133,000 114,992,000
Franchise fees 25,036,000 23,587,000 13,117,000
Corporate expenses 17,048,000 18,324,000 14,899,000
Nonrecurring charges (4,194,000) 20,642,000 -
Depreciation and amortization 266,112,000 150,509,000 98,653,000
-------------------------------------------------------------
975,630,000 683,839,000 385,976,000
-------------------------------------------------------------
Operating (loss) (228,615,000) (192,064,000) (157,633,000)
Other income (expense)
Interest and other income 46,024,000 28,415,000 33,634,000
Interest expense (328,815,000) (202,570,000) (137,032,000)
Other gains - 21,497,000 -
Foreign currency transaction gains 4,152,000 574,000 2,408,000
-------------------------------------------------------------
(Loss) before income taxes, minority interests
and extraordinary item (507,254,000) (344,148,000) (258,623,000)
Income tax benefit (provision) 3,327,000 15,591,000 (7,653,000)
-------------------------------------------------------------
(Loss) before minority interests and extraordinary
item (503,927,000) (328,557,000) (266,276,000)
Minority interests - - 11,822,000
-------------------------------------------------------------
(Loss) before extraordinary item (503,927,000) (328,557,000) (254,454,000)
Loss from early extinguishment of debt (30,689,000) (4,500,000) -
-------------------------------------------------------------
Net (loss) $ (534,616,000) $(333,057,000) $(254,454,000)
=============================================================
Basic and diluted net (loss) per common share:
(Loss) before extraordinary item $(12.69) $(10.60) $(8.20)
Extraordinary item (.74) (.14) -
-------------------------------------------------------------
Net (loss) per common share $(13.43) $(10.74) $(8.20)
=============================================================
See accompanying notes.
F-5
95
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity (Deficiency)
Series A Series A Series B
Preferred Preferred Preferred Common Stock--
Stock Stock Stock $.01 Par Value
Shares Par Shares Par Shares Par Shares Par
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1995 30,202,000 $302,000
Exercise of stock options 396,000 4,000
Exercise of warrants 53,000 1,000
Issuance of warrants in connection
with consent solicitations
Shares issued for acquisitions 780 $ - 1,415,000 14,000
Comprehensive income:
Net loss for the year ended
December 31, 1996
Currency translation adjustment
Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996 780 - 32,066,000 321,000
Exercise of stock options 119,000 1,000
Exercise of warrants 25,000
Accreted dividends on senior
redeemable exchangeable
preferred stock
Accretion of discount on senior
redeemable exchangeable
preferred stock
Comprehensive income:
Net loss for the year ended
December 31, 1997
Currency translation adjustment
Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1997 780 - 32,210,000 322,000
Exercise of stock options 298,000 3,000
Exercise of warrants 70,000
Accreted dividends on preferred stock
Accretion of discount on preferred
stock
Conversion of 7-1/4% Convertible
Subordinated Notes 6,958,000 70,000
Conversion of Series Preferred Stock (780) 1,950,000 20,000
Preferred stock issued for acquisition 125,000 $2,000 52,000 -
Common stock issued for acquisition 18,763,000 187,000
Issuance of warrants in connection
with consent solicitations
Comprehensive income:
Net loss for the year ended
December 31, 1998
Currency translation adjustment
Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1998 - $ - 125,000 $2,000 52,000 $ - 60,249,000 $602,000
==========================================================================================
See accompanying notes.
F-6
96
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity (Deficiency) (continued)
Accumulated
Additional Other
Paid-In Comprehensive Comprehensive
Capital loss Income (Deficit)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1995 $ 462,223,000 $6,273,000 $(129,541,000)
Exercise of stock options 1,362,000
Exercise of warrants 298,000
Issuance of warrants in connection
with consent solicitations 1,641,000
Shares issued for acquisitions 83,123,000
Comprehensive income:
Net loss for the year ended
December 31, 1996 $(254,454,000) (254,454,000)
Currency translation adjustment 156,868,000 156,868,000
---------------------
Total $ (97,586,000)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996 548,647,000 163,141,000 (383,995,000)
Exercise of stock options 1,532,000
Exercise of warrants 138,000
Accreted dividends on senior
redeemable exchangeable
preferred stock (11,978,000)
Accretion of discount on senior
redeemable exchangeable
preferred stock (285,000)
Comprehensive income:
Net loss for the year ended
December 31, 1997 $(333,057,000) (333,057,000)
Currency translation adjustment (46,133,000) (46,133,000)
---------------------
Total $(379,190,000)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1997 538,054,000 117,008,000 (717,052,000)
Exercise of stock options 6,331,000
Exercise of warrants 508,000
Accreted dividends on preferred stock (18,761,000)
Accretion of discount on preferred
stock (311,000)
Conversion of 7-1/4% Convertible
Subordinated Notes 186,942,000
Conversion of Series Preferred Stock (20,000)
Preferred stock issued for acquisition 178,493,000
Common stock issued for acquisition 600,245,000
Issuance of warrants in connection
with consent solicitations 10,080,000
Comprehensive income:
Net loss for the year ended
December 31, 1998 $(534,616,000) (534,616,000)
Currency translation adjustment (12,351,000) (12,351,000)
---------------------
Total $(546,967,000)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1998 $1,501,561,000 $104,657,000 $(1,251,668,000)
=====================================================================================
See accompanying notes.
F-7
97
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Year ended December 31
1998 1997 1996
-------------------------------------------------------------
Operating activities
Net loss $ (534,616,000) $ (333,057,000) $ (254,454,000)
Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash
(used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 266,112,000 150,509,000 98,653,000
Loss from early extinguishment of debt 30,689,000 4,500,000 -
Amortization of non competition agreements 1,389,000 1,852,000 2,906,000
Provision for losses on accounts receivable 27,282,000 6,891,000 2,597,000
Minority interests - - (11,822,000)
Deferred income taxes (3,327,000) (16,852,000) 5,063,000
Amortization of original issue discount 232,691,000 122,639,000 104,264,000
Other (30,916,000) (8,148,000) 8,578,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities,
net of effect from business acquisitions:
Accounts receivable (70,364,000) (30,430,000) 10,050,000
Other current assets 22,631,000 (6,563,000) (20,316,000)
Other assets 6,000 2,303,000 (24,000)
Accounts payable (2,564,000) (4,615,000) (2,869,000)
Accrued expenses and other 15,272,000 74,706,000 35,691,000
Deferred revenue 26,772,000 18,994,000 278,000
-------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash (used in) operating activities (18,943,000) (17,271,000) (21,405,000)
Investing activities
Purchase of fixed assets (772,144,000) (503,656,000) (505,664,000)
Payment of deferred purchase price - (57,330,000) -
Increase in other assets (35,595,000) (4,322,000) (6,013,000)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries and minority interests,
net of cash acquired (746,817,000) - (332,693,000)
Proceeds from sales of assets 1,312,000 - -
Purchase of marketable securities (540,639,000) (145,939,000) -
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities 291,276,000 142,596,000 -
-------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash (used in) investing activities (1,802,607,000) (568,651,000) (844,370,000)
F-8
98
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
Year ended December 31
1998 1997 1996
-------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings and sale of preferred stock,
net of financing costs $ 3,525,588,000 $ 490,302,000 $1,146,190,000
Principal payments (845,018,000) (242,424,000) (95,283,000)
Cash placed in escrow (217,622,000) - -
Cash released from escrow - - 1,600,000
Proceeds from borrowings from minority partner - - 31,232,000
Consent solicitation payments (11,333,000) - -
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants 6,842,000 1,671,000 1,665,000
-------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 2,458,457,000 249,549,000 1,085,404,000
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 456,000 (10,609,000) 50,972,000
-------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 637,363,000 (346,982,000) 270,601,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 98,902,000 445,884,000 175,283,000
-------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 736,265,000 $ 98,902,000 $ 445,884,000
=============================================================
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for interest exclusive of
amounts capitalized $ 90,513,000 $ 72,047,000 $ 27,595,000
Income taxes paid 336,000 1,107,000 367,000
Supplemental schedule of noncash financing activities
Accretion of dividends and discount on preferred stock $ 19,072,000 $ 12,263,000 $ -
Conversion of Convertible Notes, net of unamortized
deferred financing costs of $ 4,738,000 187,012,000 - -
Preferred stock issued for acquisitions 178,495,000 - -
Common stock issued for acquisitions 600,432,000 - 34,137,000
Warrants issued in connection with consent
solicitations 10,080,000 - 1,641,000
Preferred stock issued for acquisition of minority
interest, including notes payable to minority
partner - - 49,000,000
Liabilities incurred in connection with acquisitions - - 81,906,000
See accompanying notes.
F-9
99
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Business
NTL Incorporated (the "Company"), through its subsidiaries and joint ventures,
owns and operates television and radio broadcasting, cable television, telephone
and telecommunications systems in the United Kingdom. Based on revenues and
identifiable assets, the Company's predominant lines of business are television
and radio broadcasting, cable television, telephone and telecommunications
services in the United Kingdom.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its
wholly-owned subsidiaries and entities where the Company's interest is greater
than 50%. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated in consolidation.
Foreign Currency Translation
The financial statements of the Company's foreign subsidiaries have been
translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 52, "Foreign Currency Translation." All
balance sheet accounts have been translated using the current exchange rates at
the respective balance sheet dates. Statement of operations amounts have been
translated using the average exchange rates for the respective years. The gains
or losses resulting from the change in exchange rates have been reported as a
component of accumulated other comprehensive income.
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents are short-term highly liquid investments purchased with a
maturity of three months or less. Cash equivalents were $651,242,000 and
$55,894,000 at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, which consisted
primarily of corporate commercial paper. At December 31, 1998 and 1997,
$120,734,000 and none, respectively, of the cash equivalents were denominated in
British pounds sterling.
F-10
100
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Marketable Securities
Marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale, which are carried at
fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses on securities, net of tax, are
carried as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amortized
cost of debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion
of discounts to maturity. Such amortization is included in interest income.
Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other than
temporary are included in interest income. The cost of securities sold or
matured is based on the specific identification method. Interest on securities
is included in interest income.
Marketable securities at December 31, 1998 consisted principally of corporate
commercial paper. Marketable securities at December 31, 1997 consisted of
federal agency notes. During the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
there were no realized gains or losses on sales of securities. All of the
marketable securities as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 had a contractual
maturity of less than one year.
Fixed Assets
Fixed assets are stated at cost, which includes amounts capitalized for labor
and overhead expended in connection with the design and installation of
operating equipment. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over
the estimated useful lives of the assets. Estimated useful lives are as follows:
operating equipment - 5 to 40 years and other equipment - 3 to 40 years.
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the
sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying
amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair
value and the carrying value of the asset.
Investments
Investments in entities in which the Company has the ability to exercise
significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee
are accounted for under the equity method. Equity method investments are
recorded at original cost and adjusted periodocially to recognize the Company's
proportionate share of the investees' net income or losses after the date of
investment, additional contributions made and dividends received. The difference
between the Company's recorded investment and its proportionate interest in the
book value of the investees' net assets are being amortized on a straight-line
basis over 10 years.
F-11
101
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets include goodwill, license acquisition costs and customer
lists. Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net
assets acquired in business combinations accounted for as purchases. Goodwill is
amortized on a straight-line basis over the periods benefited of 15 or 30 years.
License acquisition costs represent the portion of purchase price allocated to
the licenses acquired in business combinations. License acquisition costs are
amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining lives of the licenses at
acquisition, which vary from approximately two years to 23 years. Customer lists
represent the portion of the purchase price allocated to the value of the
customer base. Customer lists are amortized on a straight-line basis over 5
years. The Company continually reviews the recoverability of the carrying value
of these assets using the same methodology that it uses for the evaluation of
its other long-lived assets.
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs were incurred in connection with the issuance of debt
and are amortized over the term of the related debt.
Capitalized Interest
Interest is capitalized as a component of the cost of fixed assets constructed.
In 1998, 1997 and 1996, interest of $27,760,000, $6,770,000 and $10,294,000,
respectively, was capitalized.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues are recognized at the time the service is provided to the customer.
Cable Television System Costs, Expenses and Revenues
The Company accounts for costs, expenses and revenues applicable to the
construction and operation of its cable television, telephone and
telecommunications systems in accordance with SFAS No. 51, "Financial Reporting
by Cable Television Companies."
F-12
102
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Advertising Expense
The Company charges the cost of advertising to expense as incurred. Advertising
costs were $33,951,000, $31,003,000 and $22,727,000 in 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
Net (Loss) Per Share
The Company reports its basic and diluted net (loss) per share in accordance
with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per
Share".
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." The Company applies APB Opinion No.
25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" and related interpretations in
accounting for its stock option plans.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 1998
presentation.
3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In 1998, the Company adopted the following Statements of Financial Accounting
Standards:
o SFAS 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income", which requires the components
of comprehensive income to be disclosed in the financial statements.
o SFAS 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information", which requires disclosures of certain information about the
Company's operating segments on a basis consistent with the way in which
the Company is managed and operated.
o SFAS 132, "Employer's Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement
Benefits", which revises disclosures about pensions and other
postretirement benefits and requires presentation of information about
such plans in a standardized format.
Adoption of these new standards required that the Company make certain new
disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or in the notes to the
consolidated financial statements.
In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities," which is required to be adopted by the
Company effective January 1, 2000. The Company is currently evaluating the
impact the adoption of SFAS No. 133 will have on its earnings and financial
position.
F-13
103
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
4. Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties
Need for Additional Financing
The Company will require additional financing in the future. There can be no
assurance that the required financing will be obtainable on acceptable terms.
Concentrations
The Company's television and radio broadcasting business is substantially
dependent upon contracts with a small group of companies for the right to
broadcast their programming, and upon a site sharing agreement for a large
number of its transmission sites. The loss of any one of these contracts or the
site sharing agreement could have a material adverse effect on the business of
the Company.
Currency Risk
To the extent that the Company obtains financing in United States dollars and
incurs construction and operating costs in British pounds sterling, it will
encounter currency exchange rate risks. In addition, the Company's revenues are
generated primarily in British pounds sterling while its interest and principal
obligations with respect to most of the Company's existing indebtedness are
payable in United States dollars.
5. Fixed Assets
Fixed assets consist of:
December 31
1998 1997
-------------------------------------------
Operating equipment $3,528,973,000 $1,612,440,000
Other equipment 376,518,000 225,514,000
Construction-in-progress 369,923,000 134,795,000
-------------------------------------------
4,275,414,000 1,972,749,000
Accumulated depreciation (420,984,000) (215,764,000)
-------------------------------------------
$3,854,430,000 $1,756,985,000
===========================================
F-14
104
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
6. Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of:
December 31
1998 1997
--------------------------------------------
License acquisition costs, net of accumulated
amortization of $69,202,000 (1998) and $46,620,000
(1997) $153,007,000 $123,116,000
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of
$32,358,000 (1998) and $13,449,000 (1997) 514,529,000 241,363,000
Customer lists, net of accumulated amortization of
$3,375,000 57,492,000 -
--------------------------------------------
$725,028,000 $364,479,000
============================================
The Company made the following acquisitions in 1998:
(i) The Company acquired ComTel Limited and Telecential Communications
(collectively, "ComTel") for a total of (pound)550 million comprised of
(pound)475 million in cash and 125,000 shares of 9.9% Non-voting
Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series A in two stages
completed in June and September 1998. The Company financed the cash
portion of the transaction through a bank loan, completed through an
amendment to the Company's then existing bank facility with The Chase
Manhattan Bank. The preferred stock was valued at (pound)75 million,
based on an appraisal as of the date of issuance. ComTel is a provider
of cable television and telecommunications services in England.
(ii) In October 1998, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, NTL
(Bermuda) Limited ("NTL Bermuda") acquired all of the outstanding
common stock of Comcast UK Cable Partners Limited ("Partners") in
exchange for 18,763,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The
Company's common stock was valued at $600,432,000, the fair value on
the date prior to the announcement. Partners provides cable television
and telecommunications services in England.
(iii) In December 1998, the Company acquired Eastern Group Telecoms ("EGT")
for (pound)60 million in cash and 52,000 shares of 9.9% Non-voting
Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series B. The preferred stock
was valued at $52,217,000, based on an appraisal as of the date of
issuance. EGT's telecoms division has a fibre-optic network across
portions of England, and its radio sites division serves mobile phone
operators in portions of England.
These acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases, and accordingly, the
net assets and results of operations of the acquired businesses have been
included in the consolidated financial statements from the dates of acquisition.
The aggregate purchase price of $1.7 billion, which includes the related
acquisition costs and the return of cash acquired in the ComTel transaction of
(pound)31 million, exceeded the fair value of the net tangible assets acquired
by $591 million, which has been allocated as follows: $185.6 million to the
investment in Cable London PLC, $52.4 million to license acquisition costs,
$60.9 million to customer lists and $292.1 million to goodwill.
F-15
105
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
6. Intangible Assets (continued)
The pro forma unaudited consolidated results of operations for the years ended
December 31, 1998 and 1997 assuming consummation of the above mentioned
transactions as of January 1, 1997 is as follows:
December 31
1998 1997
--------------------------------------------
Total revenue $966,694,000 $667,534,000
(Loss) before extraordinary item (627,249,000) (618,510,000)
Net loss (657,938,000) (623,010,000)
Basic and diluted net loss per share:
(Loss) before extraordinary item (11.54) (12.64)
Net (loss) (12.08) (12.73)
In 1996, the Company acquired (i) the remaining 40% interest it did not already
own in CableTel Newport, which owns and operates cable television and
telecommunications franchises in South Wales, (ii) the remaining 30% interest it
did not already own in English Cable Enterprises, Inc., which owns and operates
cable television and telecommunications franchises in the northern suburbs of
London and (iii) all of the outstanding shares of NTL Group Limited, which
provides television and radio transmission services and a range of other
services in the broadcasting and telecommunications industries. The NTL Group
Limited acquisition was accounted for as a purchase, and accordingly, the net
assets and results of operations of NTL Group Limited was included in the
consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The aggregate
purchase price for these acquisitions including the costs incurred was $526
million, consisting of 780 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, 1,415,000 shares
of common stock and cash of (pound)256.1 million (of which (pound)35 million was
paid in 1997). The 780 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were valued at $49
million, based on an appraisal as of the date of issuance. The 1,415,000 shares
of common stock were valued at $34 million, based on the market price on the
date of issuance. The aggregate purchase price exceeded the aggregate fair value
of the net tangible assets acquired by $273 million, which was allocated $10
million to license acquisition costs and $263 million to goodwill.
7. Investment in Cable London PLC
NTL Bermuda has a 50% ownership interest in Cable London PLC ("Cable London").
Cable London operates integrated cable television and telecommunications systems
in the London metropolitan area. Included in the investment in Cable London as
of December 31, 1998 are loans to Cable London of (pound)28.5 million ($47.3
million) and accrued interest of (pound)8.6 million ($14.3 million). The loans
accrue interest at a rate of 2% above the published base lending rate of
Barclays Bank PLC (8.25% effective rate as of December 31, 1998) and are
subordinate to Cable London's revolving bank credit facility. Of these loans,
(pound)21.0 million ($34.8 million) are convertible into ordinary shares of
Cable London at a conversion price of (pound)2.00 ($3.32) per share.
F-16
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NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
7. Investment in Cable London PLC (continued)
In August 1998, Partners and Telewest Communications plc ("Telewest') entered
into an agreement to rationalize their joint ownership of Cable London pursuant
to an agreed procedure (the "Shoot-out"). Between April 29 and July 29, 1999,
NTL Bermuda can notify Telewest of the price at which it is willing to sell its
50% ownership interest in Cable London to Telewest. Following such notification,
Telewest at its option will be required at that price to either purchase NTL
Bermuda's 50% ownership interest in Cable London or sell its 50% ownership
interest in Cable London to NTL Bermuda. If NTL Bermuda fails to give notice to
Telewest by July 29, 1999, it will be deemed to have delivered an offer notice
for (pound)100 million ($166 million).
8. Diamond Acquisition
The Company acquired Diamond Cable Communications plc ("Diamond") in March 1999.
The Company issued an aggregate of approximately 13 million shares in exchange
for each ordinary share and deferred share of Diamond at a ratio of .85 shares
of the Company's common stock for four Diamond ordinary shares or one deferred
share. Diamond had five different notes outstanding at December 31, 1998 for an
aggregate principal amount at maturity of $1.6 billion. Diamond intends to
commence an offer to repurchase its outstanding notes at 101% of their accreted
value or principal amount on or about April 1, 1999 pursuant to the "change of
control" provisions of the indentures. The offer will expire 30 days thereafter.
The Company has entered into a bridge facility to finance the redemption of
Diamond bonds tendered, if any, which is subject to certain funding conditions.
F-17
107
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
9. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consists of:
December 31
1998 1997
----------------------------------------------
10-7/8% Senior Deferred Coupon Notes
("10-7/8% Notes") (a) $ - $ 194,959,000
12-3/4% Series A Senior Deferred Coupon Notes
("12-3/4% Notes") (b) 236,935,000 209,387,000
11-1/2% Series B Senior Deferred Coupon Notes
("11-1/2% Series B Notes") (c) 831,976,000 743,961,000
10% Series B Senior Notes ("10% Notes") (d) 400,000,000 400,000,000
9-1/2% Senior Sterling Notes, less unamortized discount of
$639,000 ("Sterling Senior Notes") (e) 206,800,000 -
10-3/4% Senior Deferred Coupon Sterling Notes ("Sterling
Deferred Coupon Notes") (f) 317,511,000 -
9-3/4% Senior Deferred Coupon Notes ("9-3/4% Notes") (g) 865,880,000 -
11-1/2% Senior Notes ("11-1/2% Notes") (h) 625,000,000 -
12-3/8% Senior Deferred Coupon Notes
("12-3/8 Notes") (i) 254,718,000 -
7-1/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes
("7-1/4 Convertible Notes") (j) - 191,750,000
7% Convertible Subordinated Notes
("7% Convertible Notes") (k) 275,000,000 275,000,000
7% Convertible Subordinated Notes
("New Convertible Notes") (l) 600,000,000 -
11.2% Senior Discount Debentures ("11.2% Debentures") (m) 421,835,000 -
Other (n) 31,839,000 -
----------------------------------------------
5,067,494,000 2,015,057,000
Less current portion 23,691,000 -
----------------------------------------------
$5,043,803,000 $2,015,057,000
==============================================
F-18
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NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
9. Long-Term Debt (continued)
(a) In October 1998, the Company redeemed the 10-7/8% Notes with an accreted
value of $211 million for cash of $218 million. The Company recorded an
extraordinary loss from the early extinguishment of the 10-7/8% Notes of
approximately $12.1 million in 1998, which includes $4.8 million of
unamortized deferred financing costs. In October 1993, the Company issued
$212,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 10-7/8% Notes due 2003 at a
price to the public of 58.873% or $124,811,000. During 1998, 1997 and
1996, the Company recognized $15,344,000, $19,591,000 and $17,620,000,
respectively, of the original issue discount as interest expense.
(b) In April 1995, the Company issued $277,803,500 aggregate principal amount
of 12-3/4% Senior Deferred Coupon Notes due 2005. The 12-3/4% Notes were
issued at a price to the public of 53.995% or $150,000,000. The Company
incurred $6,192,000 in fees and expenses in connection with the issuance
of 12-3/4% Notes which is included in deferred financing costs. The
original issue discount accretes at a rate of 12-3/4%, compounded
semiannually, to an aggregate principal amount of $277,803,500 by April
15, 2000. Interest will thereafter accrue at 12-3/4% per annum, payable
semiannually beginning on October 15, 2000. During 1998, 1997 and 1996,
the Company recognized $27,548,000, $24,344,000 and $21,515,000,
respectively, of original issue discount as interest expense. The 12-3/4%
Notes may be redeemed at the Company's option, in whole or in part, at any
time on or after April 15, 2000 at 103.64% the first year, 101.82% the
second year and 100% thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the
date of redemption.
(c) In January 1996, the Company issued $1,050,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of 11-1/2% Series B Senior Deferred Coupon Notes due 2006. The
11-1/2% Series B Notes were issued at a price of 57.155% of the aggregate
principal amount at maturity or $600,127,500. The Company incurred
$19,273,000 in fees and expenses in connection with the issuance of the
11-1/2% Series B Notes which is included in deferred financing costs. The
original issue discount accretes at a rate of 11-1/2%, compounded
semiannually, to an aggregate principal amount of $1,050,000,000 by
February 1, 2001. Interest will thereafter accrue at 11-1/2% per annum,
payable semiannually beginning on August 1, 2001. During 1998, 1997 and
1996, the Company recognized $88,015,000, $78,704,000 and $65,129,000 of
original issue discount as interest expense. The 11-1/2% Series B Notes
may be redeemed at the Company's option, in whole or in part, at any time
on or after February 1, 2001 at 105.75% the first year, 102.875% the
second year and 100% thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the
date of redemption.
(d) In February 1997, the Company issued $400,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of 10% Series B Senior Notes due 2007. The Company received net
proceeds of $389,000,000 after discounts and commissions from the issuance
of the 10% Notes. Discounts, commissions and other fees incurred of
$11,885,000 are included in deferred financing costs. The 10% Notes accrue
interest at 10% per annum, payable semiannually as of August 15, 1997. The
10% Notes may be redeemed at the Company's option, in whole or in part, at
any time on or after February 15, 2002 at a redemption price of 105% that
declines annually to 100% in 2005, in each case together with accrued and
unpaid interest to the date of redemption.
F-19
109
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
9. Long-Term Debt (continued)
(e) In March 1998, the Company issued (pound)125,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of 9-1/2% Senior Notes due 2008. The Sterling Senior Notes were
issued at 99.67% or (pound)124.6 million. The aggregate of the discounts,
commisions and other fees incurred of $5,981,000 is included in deferred
financing costs. The Sterling Senior Notes accrue interest at 9-1/2% per
annum, payable semiannually, which commenced on October 1, 1998. The
Sterling Senior Notes may be redeemed at the Company's option, in whole or
in part, at any time on or after April 1, 2003, at a redemption price of
104-3/4% to 105-3/8% that declines annually to 100% in 2006, in each case
together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.
(f) In March 1998, the Company issued(pound)300,000,000 aggregate principal
amount at maturity of 10-3/4% Senior Deferred Coupon Sterling Notes due
2008. The Sterling Deferred Coupon Notes were issued at 58.62% or
(pound)175.9 million. The aggregate of the discounts, commissions and
other fees incurred of $9,181,000 is included in deferred financing costs.
The original issue discount of the Sterling Deferred Coupon Notes accretes
at a rate of 10-3/4%, compounded semiannually, to an aggregate principal
amount of (pound)300,000,000 by April 1, 2003. Interest on the Sterling
Deferred Coupon Notes will thereafter accrue at 10-3/4% per annum payable
semiannually beginning on October 1, 2003. In 1998, the Company recognized
$25,697,000 of the original issued discount as interest expense. The
Sterling Deferred Coupon Notes may be redeemed at the Company's option, in
whole or in part, at any time on or after April 1, 2003, at a redemption
price of 105-3/8% that declines annually to 100% in 2006, together with
accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.
(g) In March 1998, the Company issued $1.3 billion aggregate principal amount
at maturity of 9-3/4% Senior Deferred Coupon Notes due 2008. The 9-3/4%
Notes were issued at 61.724% or $802.4 million. The aggregate of the
discounts, commissions and other fees incurred of $24,931,000 is included
in deferred financing costs. The original issue discount of the 9-3/4%
Notes accretes at a rate of 9-3/4%, compounded semiannually, to an
aggregate principal amount of $1.3 billion by April 1, 2003. Interest on
the 9-3/4% Notes will thereafter accrue at 9-3/4% per annum payable
semiannually beginning on October 1, 2003. In 1998, the Company recognized
$63,468,000 of the original issued discount as interest expense. The
Sterling Deferred Coupon Notes may be redeemed at the Company's option, in
whole or in part, at any time on or after April 1, 2003, at a redemption
price of 105-3/8% that declines annually to 100% in 2006, together with
accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.
(h) In November 1998, the Company issued $625,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of 11-1/2% Senior Notes due 2008. The aggregate of the discounts,
commissions and other fees incurred of $18,253,000 is included in deferred
financing costs. The 11-1/2% Notes accrue interest at 11-1/2% per annum,
payable semiannually beginning on April 1, 1999. The 11-1/2% Notes may be
redeemed, at the Company's option, in whole or in part, at any time on or
after October 1, 2003 at a redemption price of 105.75% that declines
annually to 100% in 2006, in each case together with accrued and unpaid
interest to the date of redemption.
F-20
110
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
9. Long-Term Debt (continued)
(i) In November 1998, the Company issued $450,000,000 aggregate principal
amount at maturity of 12-3/8% Senior Deferred Coupon Notes due 2008. The
12-3/8% Notes were issued at 55.505% or $249,773,000. The aggregate of the
discounts, commissions and other fees incurred of $8,040,000 is included
in deferred financing costs. The original issue discount on the 12-3/8%
Notes accretes at a rate of 12-3/8%, compounded semiannually, to an
aggregate principal amount of $450,000,000 by October 1, 2003. Interest
will thereafter accrue at 12-3/8% per annum, payable semiannually
beginning on April 1, 2004. In 1998, the Company recognized $4,945,000 of
the original issue discount as interest expense. The 12-3/8% Notes may be
redeemed, at the Company's option, in whole or in part, at any time on or
after October 1, 2003 at a redemption price of 106.188% that declines
annually to 100% in 2006, in each case together with accrued and unpaid
interest to the date of redemption.
(j) In April and May 1995, the Company issued $191,750,000 principal amount of
7-1/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2005. In March 1998, the Company
called for redemption all of the 7-1/4% Convertible Notes. The redemption
date was April 20, 1998, at a redemption price of 105.08% of the principal
amount plus accrued and unpaid interest through the date of redemption. The
7-1/4% Convertible Notes were convertible into common stock at a conversion
price of $27.56 per share. In April 1998, all of the 7-1/4% Convertible
Notes were converted into approximately 6,958,000 shares of the Company's
common stock.
(k) In June 1996, the Company issued $275,000,000 aggregate principal amount
of 7% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2008. Interest payments began on
December 15, 1996 and interest is payable every six months thereafter. The
7% Convertible Notes mature on June 15, 2008. The 7% Convertible Notes are
unsecured obligations convertible into shares of common stock prior to
maturity at a conversion price of $37.875 per share, subject to
adjustment. There are approximately 7,261,000 shares of common stock
reserved for issuance upon conversion of the 7% Convertible Notes. The 7%
Convertible Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of
the Company at any time on or after June 15, 1999, at a redemption price
of 104.9% that declines annually to 100% in 2006, in each case together
with accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The Company
incurred $8,616,000 in fees and expenses in connection with the issuance
of the 7% Convertible Notes, which is included in deferred financing
costs.
F-21
111
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
9. Long-Term Debt (continued)
(l) In December 1998, the Company issued $600,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of 7% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2008. Interest is payable
semiannually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15,
1999. The New Convertible Notes mature on December 15, 2008. The New
Convertible Notes are unsecured obligations convertible into shares of
common stock prior to maturity at a conversion price of $61.25 per share,
subject to adjustment. There are approximately 9,796,000 shares of common
stock reserved for issuance upon conversion of the New Convertible Notes.
The New Convertible Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at the
option of the Company, at any time on or after December 15, 2001, at a
redemption price of 104.375% that declines annually to 100% in 2006, in
each case together with accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption
date. The Company incurred $16,729,000 in fees and expenses in connection
with the issuance of the New Convertible Notes which is included in
deferred financing costs.
(m) NTL Bermuda has assumed the obligations of Partners' $517.3 million
principal amount at maturity, 11.2% Debentures. Interest accretes on the
11.2% Debentures at 11.2% per annum compounded semi-annually from
November 15, 1995 to November 15, 2000, after which date interest will be
paid in cash on each May 15 and November 15 through November 15, 2007. In
1998, the Company recognized $7,674,000 of the original issue discount as
interest expense.
(n) Other includes notes payable by NTL Bermuda to Comcast U.K. Holdings, Inc.
(an affiliate of a shareholder of the Company) of $20,428,000 and other
obligations of subsidiaries of NTL Bermuda of $11,411,000. The notes
payable accrue interest at 9% and are due in September 1999.
The indentures governing the notes issued by the Company and the 11.2%
Debentures contain restrictions relating to, among other things: (i) incurrence
of additional indebtedness and issuance of preferred stock, (ii) dividend and
other payment restrictions and (iii) mergers, consolidations and sales of
assets.
In connection with the ComTel acquisition, the Company borrowed an aggregate of
(pound)475 million under its credit facility from The Chase Manhattan Bank. In
November 1998, the Company received net proceeds of $849 million from the
issuance of the 11-1/2% Notes and the 12-3/8% Notes, a substantial portion of
which was used to repay the $799 million outstanding under the bank loan. The
Company recorded an extraordinary loss from the early extinguishment of the bank
loan of $18,579,000 in 1998.
F-22
112
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
9. Long-Term Debt (continued)
The Company required consents from the holders of some of its notes to modify
certain indenture provisions in order to proceed with the Partners acquisition.
In October 1998, the Company paid $11,333,000 in consent payments and issued
warrants to purchase 766,000 shares of common stock in lieu of additional
consent payments of $10,080,000. In 1996, pursuant to the terms of the consent
solicitations to the holders of the 10-7/8% Notes and to the holders of the
12-3/4% Notes to gain consent to modify certain indenture provisions, the
Company paid an aggregate of $3,592,000 in consent payments and issued warrants
to purchase 164,000 shares of common stock in lieu of additional consent
payments of $1,641,000.
The 11.2% Debentures restrict the payment of cash dividends and loans from NTL
Bermuda to the Company. At December 31, 1998, restricted net assets of NTL
Bermuda were approximately $587 million.
Long-term debt repayments are due as follows:
Year ended December 31:
1999 $ 23,691,000
2000 1,539,000
2001 1,261,000
2002 1,090,000
2003 999,000
Thereafter 5,038,914,000
--------------
$5,067,494,000
==============
10. Redeemable Preferred Stock
In February 1997, the Company issued $100,000,000 of its 13% Senior Redeemable
Exchangeable Preferred Stock (the "Redeemable Preferred Stock"). The Company
received net proceeds of $96,625,000 after discounts and commissions from the
issuance of the Redeemable Preferred Stock. Discounts, commissions and other
fees incurred of $3,729,000 were recorded as unamortized discount at issuance.
Of the 2,500,000 authorized shares of Series Preferred Stock, 100,000 shares of
Redeemable Preferred Stock were issued. Dividends accrue at 13% per annum ($130
per share) and are payable quarterly in arrears as of May 15, 1997. Dividends,
whether or not earned or declared, will accrue without interest until declared
and paid, which declaration may be for all or part of the accrued dividends.
Dividends accruing on or prior to February 15, 2004 may, at the option of the
Company, be paid in cash, by the issuance of additional Redeemable Preferred
Stock or in any combination of the foregoing. As of December 31, 1998, the
Company has accrued $27,260,000 for dividends and has issued approximately
25,000 shares for $25,225,000 of such accrued dividends. The Redeemable
Preferred Stock may be redeemed, at the Company's option, in whole or in part,
at any time on or after February 15, 2002 at a redemption price of 106.5% of the
liquidation preference of $1,000 per share that declines annually to 100% in
2005, in each case together with accrued and unpaid dividends to the redemption
date. The
F-23
113
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
10. Redeemable Preferred Stock (continued)
Redeemable Preferred Stock is subject to mandatory redemption on February 15,
2009. On any scheduled dividend payment date, the Company may, at its option,
exchange all of the shares of Redeemable Preferred Stock then outstanding for
the Company's 13% Subordinated Exchange Debentures due 2009 (the "Subordinated
Debentures").
The Subordinated Debentures, if issued, will bear interest at a rate of 13% per
annum, payable semiannually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year
commencing with the first such date to occur after the date of exchange.
Interest accruing on or prior to February 15, 2004 may, at the option of the
Company, be paid in cash, by the issuance of additional Subordinated Debentures
or in any combination of the foregoing. The Subordinated Debentures will be
redeemable, at the Company's option, in whole or in part, on or after February
15, 2002 at a redemption price of 106.5% that declines annually to 100% in 2005,
in each case together with accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.
11. Nonrecurring Charges Including Restructuring Charges
Nonrecurring charges of $20,642,000 in 1997 include deferred costs written-off
of $5,013,000 and restructuring costs of $15,629,000. The deferred costs
written-off arose in connection with the Company's unsuccessful bid for United
Kingdom digital terrestrial television multiplex licenses. Restructuring costs
relate to the Company's announcement in September 1997 of a reorganization of
certain of its operations. This charge consisted of employee severance and
related costs of $6,726,000 for approximately 280 employees to be terminated,
lease exit costs of $6,539,000 and penalties of $2,364,000 associated with the
cancellation of contractual obligations. As of December 31, 1998, $9,172,000 of
the provision has been used, including $5,558,000 for severance and related
costs, $1,450,000 for lease exit costs and $2,164,000 for penalties associated
with the cancellation of contractual obligations. As of December 31, 1998, 177
employees had been terminated. The $4,194,000 reversed in 1998 from changes in
estimates of costs to be incurred includes $1,168,000 for severance and related
costs, $2,826,000 for lease exit costs and $200,000 for penalties associated
with the cancellation of contractual obligations. This reversal was necessary
because employees whose positions were eliminated chose to remain with the
Company in other positions rather than leave the Company and receive severence
pay; and the real estate markets in which the Company sublet space improved
increasing the sublet rentals and shortening the period of time required to find
sub tenants. The remaining restructuring reserve of $2,263,000 is for lease
costs net of sublease revenue.
12. Other Gains
Other gains of $21,497,000 in 1997 include a legal settlement of $10,000,000 and
a gain on the sale of fixed assets of $11,497,000. In October 1997, following
the U.S. District Court's decision to dismiss the Company's complaint against
LeGroupe Videotron Ltee and its subsidiary, the Company entered into a
Settlement Agreement dismissing the Company's complaint in exchange for a
payment of $10,000,000. In December 1997, a U.S. subsidiary of the Company sold
its fixed and other assets utilized in its microwave transmission service
business and recognized a gain of $11,497,000.
F-24
114
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
13. Income Taxes
The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following:
Year ended December 31
1998 1997 1996
---------------------------------------------------------
Current:
Federal $ - $ - $ -
State and local - 1,261,000 344,000
Foreign - - 2,246,000
---------------------------------------------------------
Total current - 1,261,000 2,590,000
---------------------------------------------------------
Deferred:
Federal - - -
State and local - - -
Foreign (3,327,000) (16,852,000) 5,063,000
---------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred (3,327,000) (16,852,000) 5,063,000
---------------------------------------------------------
$(3,327,000) $(15,591,000) $ 7,653,000
=========================================================
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of
the deferred tax liabilities and assets are as follows:
December 31
1998 1997
-------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Fixed assets $ 68,766,000 $ 68,380,000
Other 6,598,000 4,894,000
-------------------------------------------
Total deferred tax liabilities 75,364,000 73,274,000
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating losses 244,394,000 107,208,000
Net deferred interest expense 113,993,000 94,689,000
Depreciation and amortization 107,378,000 16,935,000
Other 19,975,000 18,164,000
-------------------------------------------
Total deferred tax assets 485,740,000 236,996,000
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets (477,438,000) (233,940,000)
-------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax assets 8,302,000 3,056,000
-------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax liabilities $67,062,000 $ 70,218,000
===========================================
F-25
115
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
13. Income Taxes (continued)
At December 31, 1998, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of
approximately $280,000,000 for U.S. federal income tax purposes that expire in
varying amounts commencing in 2009. The Company also has United Kingdom net
operating loss carryforwards of approximately $470,000,000 which have no
expiration date. Pursuant to United Kingdom law, these losses are only available
to offset income of the separate entity that generated the loss.
The Company is currently undergoing a U.S. federal income tax audit. The
Internal Revenue Service has issued notices of proposed adjustment. The Company
does not expect that the audit adjustments, if any, will have a material adverse
effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
The reconciliation of income taxes computed at U.S. federal statutory rates to
income tax expense is as follows:
Year ended December 31
1998 1997 1996
--------------------------------------------------------------
Provision (benefit) at federal statutory
rate (35%) $(188,309,000) $(120,452,000) $(90,518,000)
Add (deduct):
State and local income tax, net of
federal benefit - 820,000 224,000
Foreign losses with no benefit 83,500,000 59,804,000 44,610,000
Amortization of goodwill and license
acquisition costs 4,366,000 3,925,000 4,031,000
U.S. losses with no benefit 97,116,000 40,312,000 49,184,000
Other - - 122,000
--------------------------------------------------------------
$(3,327,000) $(15,591,000) $7,653,000
==============================================================
14. Fair Values of Financial Instruments
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its
fair value disclosures for financial instruments:
Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated
balance sheets approximate fair value.
Long-term debt: The fair values of the Company's debt are based on the quoted
market prices.
Redeemable Preferred Stock: The fair value is based on the quoted market
price.
F-26
116
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
14. Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)
The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's financial instruments are
as follows:
December 31, 1998 December 31, 1997
------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Carrying Carrying
Amount Fair Value Amount Fair Value
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents $ 736,265,000 $ 736,265,000 $ 98,902,000 $ 98,902,000
Long-term debt:
10-7/8% Notes - - 194,959,000 199,810,000
12-3/4% Notes 236,935,000 252,801,000 209,387,000 230,577,000
11-1/2% Series B Notes 831,976,000 882,000,000 743,961,000 819,000,000
10% Notes 400,000,000 408,000,000 400,000,000 422,000,000
Sterling Senior Notes 206,800,000 192,917,000 - -
Sterling Deferred
Coupon Notes 317,511,000 293,732,000 - -
9-3/4% Notes 865,880,000 835,250,000 - -
11-1/2% Notes 625,000,000 681,250,000 - -
12-3/8% Notes 254,718,000 274,500,000 - -
7-1/4% Convertible Notes - - 191,750,000 212,843,000
7% Convertible Notes 275,000,000 411,125,000 275,000,000 264,688,000
New Convertible Notes 600,000,000 656,340,000 - -
11.2% Debentures 421,835,000 437,119,000 - -
Redeemable Preferred
Stock 124,127,000 124,127,000 108,534,000 121,846,000
15. Related Party Transactions
On July 25, 1990, Cellular Communications, Inc. ("CCI") and AirTouch
Communications, Inc. ("AirTouch") entered into a Merger and Joint Venture
Agreement, as amended as of December 14, 1990. In connection with this
agreement, on July 31, 1991, CCI distributed to its shareholders the stock of
the Company.
Through August 1996, CCI provided management, financial and legal services to
the Company. Amounts charged to the Company included direct costs where
identifiable, and indirect costs allocated utilizing direct labor hours as
reported by the common officers and employees of CCI and the Company. For the
year ended December 31, 1996, CCI charged $1,194,000 which is included in
corporate expenses. In August 1996, upon the merger of CCI with AirTouch, the
Company commenced providing management, financial, legal and technical services
to Cellular Communications International, Inc. ("CCII") and Cellular
Communications of Puerto Rico, Inc. (formerly CoreComm Incorporated) ("CCPR").
In 1996, the Company charged CCII and CCPR $351,000 and $200,000, respectively,
which included direct costs where identifiable and allocated corporate overhead
based upon the amount of time incurred on CCII and CCPR business by the common
officers and employees of the Company, CCII and CCPR. These charges reduced
corporate expenses in 1996.
F-27
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NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
15. Related Party Transactions (continued)
In January 1997, the Company, CCPR and CCII agreed to a change in the Company's
fee for the provision of services. In 1997, the Company charged CCPR and CCII
$1,492,000 and $871,000, respectively, for direct costs where identifiable and a
fixed percentage of its corporate overhead. In 1998, the Company charged CCPR,
CCII and CoreComm Limited (which was formed in 1998 and has certain common
officers and directors with the Company) $1,148,000, $982,000 and $313,000,
respectively, for direct costs where identifiable and a fixed percentage of its
corporate overhead. These charges reduced corporate expenses. In the opinion of
management of the Company, the allocation methods are reasonable.
As of December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company had receivables of none and
$69,000 from CCII, $588,000 and $71,000 from CCPR and $1,038,000 and none from
CoreComm Limited, respectively.
F-28
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NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
16. Net Loss Per Common Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per
share:
Year ended December 31
1998 1997 1996
--------------------------------------------------------------
Numerator:
Loss before extraordinary item $(503,927,000) $(328,557,000) $(254,454,000)
Preferred stock dividend (18,761,000) (11,978,000) -
--------------------------------------------------------------
(522,688,000) (340,535,000) (254,454,000)
Extraordinary item (30,689,000) (4,500,000) -
--------------------------------------------------------------
Loss available to common
shareholders $(553,377,000) $(345,035,000) $(254,454,000)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Denominator for basic net loss
per common share 41,202,000 32,117,000 31,041,000
Effect of dilutive securities - - -
--------------------------------------------------------------
Denominator for diluted net loss
per common share 41,202,000 32,117,000 31,041,000
--------------------------------------------------------------
Basic and diluted net loss per common share:
Loss before extraordinary item $(12.69) $(10.60) $(8.20)
Extraordinary item (.74) (.14) -
--------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss $(13.43) $(10.74) $(8.20)
==============================================================
Stock options, warrants and convertible securities are excluded from the
calculation of net loss per common share as their effect would be antidilutive.
17. Shareholders' Equity (Deficiency)
Series Preferred Stock
In September 1998, the Company issued 125,000 shares of 9.9% Non-voting
Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series A (the "Series A Preferred
Stock") in connection with the ComTel acquisition. Each share of Series A
Preferred Stock has a stated value of $1,000. Cumulative dividends accrue at
9.9% of the stated value per share. Dividends are payable when and if declared
by the Board of Directors and may be paid, in the sole discretion of the Board,
in cash, in shares of common stock, in shares of Convertible Preferred Stock or
through any combination of the foregoing. As of December 31, 1998, accrued and
unpaid dividends were $3,480,000. On December 22, 1999, all outstanding shares
of the Series A Preferred
F-29
119
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
17. Shareholders' Equity (Deficiency) (continued)
Stock shall be redeemed for $1,000 per share together with accrued and unpaid
dividends, at the Company's option, in cash, in shares of common stock, in
shares of Convertible Preferred Stock or through any combination of the
foregoing.
In December 1998, the Company issued 52,000 shares of 9.9% Non-voting
Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series B (the "Series B Preferred
Stock") in connection with the EGT acquisition. Each share of Series B Preferred
Stock has a stated value of $1,000. Cumulative dividends accrue at 9.9% of the
stated value per share. Dividends are payable when and if declared by the Board
of Directors and may be paid, in the sole discretion of the Board, in cash, in
shares of common stock, or through a combination of the foregoing. The Series B
Preferred Stock may be redeemed, at the Company's option, any time at a price
equal to $1,000 per share, together with accrued and unpaid dividends to the
redemption date. On July 1, 2000 all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred
Stock shall be redeemed for $1,000 per share together with accrued and unpaid
dividends, at the Company's option, in cash, in shares of common stock, or
through a combination of the foregoing.
As of December 31, 1998, the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred
Stock would have been redeemable into an aggregate of 3,140,000 shares of the
Company's common stock.
In October 1996, 780 shares of Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A
("Convertible Preferred Stock") were issued in connection with the CableTel
Newport acquisition. In May 1998, the 780 outstanding shares of Convertible
Preferred Stock were converted into 1,950,000 shares of Common Stock.
Warrants
The Company has the following warrants outstanding as of December 31, 1998: (i)
warrants to purchase an aggregate of 756,000 shares of common stock at $5.57 per
share issued in 1993 that expire in 2000 (899,000 were originally issued), (ii)
warrants to purchase an aggregate of 158,000 shares of common stock at $23.78
per share issued in 1996 that expire in 2006 (164,000 were originally issued)
and (iii) warrants to purchase an aggregate of 766,000 shares of common stock at
$43.39 per share issued in 1998 that expire in 2008 (766,000 were originally
issued).
F-30
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NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
17. Shareholders' Equity (Deficiency) (continued)
Shareholder Rights Plan
The Rights Agreement provides that one Right will be issued with each share of
common stock issued on or after October 13, 1993. The Rights are exercisable
upon the occurrence of certain potential takeover events and will expire in
October 2003 unless previously redeemed by the Company. When exercisable, each
Right entitles the owner to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a
share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock ("Rights Preferred
Stock") at a purchase price of $100.
The Rights Preferred Stock will be entitled to a minimum preferential quarterly
dividend payment of $.01 per share and will be entitled to an aggregate dividend
of 100 times the dividend, if any, declared per share of common stock. In the
event of liquidation, the holders of Rights Preferred Stock will be entitled to
a minimum preferential liquidation payment of $1 per share and will be entitled
to an aggregate payment of 100 times the payment made per share of common stock.
Each share of Rights Preferred Stock will have 100 votes and will vote together
with the common stock. In the event of any merger, consolidation or other
transaction in which shares of common stock are changed or exchanged, each share
of Rights Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive 100 times the amount
received per share of common stock. The Rights are protected by customary
antidilution provisions.
There are 2,500,000 authorized shares of Series Preferred Stock of which
1,000,000 shares are designated Rights Preferred Stock.
Stock Options
There are 2,164,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the OCOM
Corporation (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) 1991 Stock Option Plan.
The plan provides that incentive stock options ("ISOs") be granted at the fair
market value of OCOM's common stock on the date of grant, and nonqualified stock
options ("NQSOs") be granted at not less than 85% of the fair market value of
OCOM's common stock on the date of grant. Options are exercisable as to 20% of
the shares subject thereto on the date of grant and become exercisable as to an
additional 20% of the shares subject thereto on each January 1 thereafter, while
the optionee remains an employee of the Company. Options will expire ten years
after the date of the grant.
There are 6,653,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the NTL
Incorporated 1993 Stock Option Plan. The exercise price of an ISO may not be
less than 100% of the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the
date of grant, and the exercise price of a NQSO may not be less than 85% of the
fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. Options
are exercisable as to 20% of the shares subject thereto on the date of grant and
become exercisable as to an additional 20% of the shares subject thereto on each
January 1 thereafter, while the optionee remains an employee of the Company.
Options will expire ten years after the date of the grant.
F-31
121
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
17. Shareholders' Equity (Deficiency) (continued)
Stock Options (continued)
There are 100,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the OCOM
Corporation Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan. The plan provides that all
options be granted at the fair market value of OCOM's common stock on the date
of grant, and options will expire ten years after the date of the grant. Options
are exercisable as to 20% of the shares subject thereto on the date of grant and
become exercisable as to an additional 20% of the shares subject thereto on each
subsequent anniversary of the grant date, while the optionee remains a director
of the Company. Options will expire ten years after the date of the grant.
There are 320,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the NTL
Incorporated 1993 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan. Under the terms of
this plan, options will be granted to members of the Board of Directors who are
not employees of the Company or any of its affiliates. The plan provides that
all options be granted at the fair market value of the Company's common stock on
the date of grant, and options will expire ten years after the date of the
grant. Options are exercisable as to 20% of the shares subject thereto on the
date of grant and become exercisable as to an additional 20% of the shares
subject thereto on each subsequent anniversary of the grant date while the
optionee remains a director of the Company. Options will expire ten years after
the date of the grant.
There are 15,000,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 1998
Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan. The exercise price of a NQSO shall be
determined by the Compensation and Option Committee. Options are exercisable as
to 20% of the shares subject thereto on the date of grant and become exercisable
as to an additional 20% of the shares subject thereto on each January 1
thereafter, while the optionee remains an employee of the Company. Options will
expire ten years after the date of the grant.
Pro forma information regarding net loss and net loss per share is required by
SFAS No. 123, and has been determined as if the Company had accounted for its
employee stock options under the fair value method of that Statement. The fair
value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions for 1998, 1997 and 1996: risk-free interest rates of 5.02%, 5.89%
and 6.56%, respectively, dividend yield of 0%, volatility factor of the expected
market price of the Company's common stock of .331, .276 and .255, respectively,
and a weighted-average expected life of the option of 10 years.
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the
fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully
transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly
subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because
the Company's stock options have characteristics significantly different
F-32
122
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
17. Shareholders' Equity (Deficiency) (continued)
Stock Options (continued)
from those of traded options and because changes in the subjective input
assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's
opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single
measure of the fair value of its stock options.
For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options
is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period. Following is the
Company's pro forma information:
Year Ended December 31
1998 1997 1996
-------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Pro forma net (loss) $(580,747,000) $(343,850,000) $(261,245,000)
Basic and diluted pro forma net (loss) per share $(14.55) $(11.08) $(8.42)
A summary of the Company's stock option activity and related information for the
years ended December 31 follows:
1998 1997 1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Weighted-Average Number of Weighted-Average Number of Weighted-Average
Options Exercise Price Options Exercise Price Options Exercise Price
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding-beginning of
year 8,157,000 $15.98 6,738,000 $ 14.10 5,934,000 $11.04
Granted 8,864,000 37.59 1,571,000 23.97 1,390,000 25.94
Exercised (298,000) 21.24 (119,000) 12.85 (396,000) 3.44
Forfeited (275,000) 46.47 (33,000) 23.78 (190,000) 27.39
---------------- --------------- ---------------
Outstanding-end of year 16,448,000 $27.02 8,157,000 $15.98 6,738,000 $14.10
================ =============== ===============
Exercisable at end of year 7,046,000 $16.55 5,663,000 $12.39 4,258,000 $10.71
================ =============== ===============
Weighted-average fair value of options, calculated using the Black-Scholes
option pricing model, granted during 1998, 1997 and 1996 is $20.54, $12.74 and
$13.98, respectively.
F-33
123
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
17. Shareholders' Equity (Deficiency) (continued)
The following table summarizes the status of the stock options outstanding and
exercisable at December 31, 1998:
Stock Options Outstanding Stock Options Exercisable
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of Exercise Number of Weighted-Remaining Weighted-Average Weighted-Average
Prices Options Contractual Life Exercise Price Number of Options Exercise Price
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$0.18 to $0.56 77,000 2.6 Years $0.245 77,000 $0.245
$0.70 to $1.12 150,000 2.6 Years $0.745 150,000 $0.745
$1.53 to $2.69 355,000 2.5 Years $2.157 355,000 $2.157
$3.00 to $4.50 47,000 3.5 Years $3.230 47,000 $3.230
$8.00 to $14.70 3,289,000 4.4 Years $8.833 3,289,000 $8.833
$15.00 to $22.88 1,390,000 6.4 Years $21.704 1,087,000 $21.671
$23.00 to $33.25 2,676,000 8.0 Years $25.581 1,399,000 $26.088
$36.50 to $45.00 8,192,000 9.2 Years $36.912 591,000 $40.485
$46.00 to $55.69 272,000 9.9 Years $49.014 51,000 $49.202
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 16,448,000 7,046,000
=====================================================================================================================
As of December 31,1998, the Company has 38,325,000 shares of its common stock
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of warrants and stock options and the
conversion of debt and preferred stock.
F-34
124
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
18. Employee Benefit Plans
Certain subsidiaries of NTL Group Limited operate a defined benefit pension plan
in the United Kingdom. The assets of the Plan are held separately from those of
NTL Group Limited and are invested in specialized portfolios under the
management of an investment group. The pension cost is calculated using the
attained age method. The Company's policy is to fund amounts to the defined
benefit plan necessary to comply with the funding requirements as prescribed by
the laws and regulations in the United Kingdom.
Year Ended December 31
1998 1997
----------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year $202,645 $157,002
Service cost 13,365 10,693
Interest cost 14,684 12,765
Actuarial losses/(gains) (14,640) 26,732
Foreign currency exchange rate changes 2,363 -
Benefits paid (4,968) (4,547)
----------------------------------------------
Benefit obligation at end of year $213,449 $202,645
==============================================
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $193,607 $158,965
Actual return on plan assets 24,144 30,852
Foreign currency exchange rate changes 2,257 -
Company contributions 10,233 8,905
Benefits paid (4,968) (4,547)
Other - (568)
----------------------------------------------
Fair value of plan assets at end of year $225,273 $193,607
==============================================
Funded status of the plan (underfunded) $ 11,824 $(9,038)
Unrecognized net actuarial losses/(gains) (23,060) (1,057)
Unrecognized transition obligation 9,306 10,118
----------------------------------------------
Prepaid/(accrued)benefit cost $ (1,930) $ 23
==============================================
Actuarial assumptions:
Weighted average discount rate 5.75% 7.25%
Weighted average rate of compensation increase 5.50% 8.00%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 8.00% 9.00%
F-35
125
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
18. Employee Benefit Plans (continued)
The components of net pension costs are as follows:
Year Ended December 31
1998 1997 1996
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Service cost $ 13,365,000 $ 10,693,000 $ 7,997,000
Interest cost 14,684,000 12,765,000 11,679,000
Actual return on plan assets (24,144,000) (30,852,000) (16,103,000)
Net amortization and deferral 8,282,000 17,327,000 4,241,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 12,187,000 $ 9,933,000 $ 7,814,000
=======================================================================
19. Leases
Leases for buildings, office space and equipment extend through 2031. Total
rental expense for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 under
operating leases was $29,356,000, $20,674,000 and $14,886,000, respectively.
Future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases as of
December 31, 1998 are as follows:
Operating
Leases
-----------------------
Year ended December 31:
1999 $ 33,730,000
2000 35,499,000
2001 36,658,000
2002 33,231,000
2003 22,048,000
Thereafter 287,797,000
-----------------------
$448,963,000
=======================
F-36
126
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
20. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
As of December 31, 1998, the Company was committed to pay approximately
$264,000,000 for equipment and services.
The Company has various licenses for its cable television, telephone and
telecommunications business, and for its transmission and distribution services.
The Company's license fees in 1998 were $5,924,000.
Pursuant to the terms of the Company's local delivery operator license ("LDL")
for Northern Ireland, a subsidiary of the Company is required to make annual
cash payments to the ITC for 15 years in the amount of approximately (pound)15.4
million (subject to adjustment for inflation). This is in addition to the
percentages of qualifying revenue payments of 0% for the first ten years and 2%
for the last five years of the LDL.
In December 1998, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company acquired 9 million
shares, representing 6.3% of the issued share capital, of Newcastle United PLC
(the Newcastle United football club) for cash of approximately $17 million. In
conjunction with the sale of shares, the seller entered into an irrevocable
commitment to the Company that if the Company makes an offer for all of the
issued share capital of Newcastle United, it will accept that offer in respect
of the remaining balance of its shares. The seller would sell Newcastle United
shares representing 50.8% of the issued share capital at a price of 111.7 pence
per share in cash, or at the Company's option, in a zero coupon note.
The Company is involved in, or has been involved in, certain disputes and
litigation arising in the ordinary course of its business. None of these matters
are expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
position, results of operations or cash flows.
21. Industry Segments
The Company has four reportable segments: Local Telecoms and Television,
National Telecoms, Broadcast and Corporate and Other. The Local Telecoms and
Television segment delivers residential telephony and cable television services
in regional franchise areas in the United Kingdom. The National Telecoms segment
includes the Company's national business telecoms, national and international
carrier telecoms, radio communications, satellite services and national Internet
services business units. The Broadcast segment provides television and radio
broadcasters with broadcast transmission services from owned and shared tower
sites throughout the United Kingdom. Corporate and other includes the Company's
shared services departments in the United Kingdom and OCOM, a subsidiary that
operated long distance and microwave transmission businesses in the United
States until June 1998.
F-37
127
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
21. Industry Segments (continued)
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The Company's management evaluates
segment performance based on various financial and non-financial measurements.
The results of operations data utlized in financial measurements are revenues
and EBITDA, which is revenues less operating and selling, general and
administrative expenses. Certain selling, general and administrative expenses
are allocated to segments based on revenues. Segment assets include only those
assets that are specific to the segment. Management does not allocate shared
services departments and jointly used assets for purposes of measuring segment
performance.
The reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different
services. They are managed separately because each business requires different
technology and marketing strategies.
Local
Telecoms Corporate
and National and
Broadcast Television Telecoms Other Total
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Year ended December 31, 1998
Revenues $140,156 $ 355,589 $248,895 $ 2,375 $ 747,015
Depreciation and amortization 29,974 143,479 29,476 63,183 266,112
EBITDA (1) 91,687 67,587 35,848 (119,735) 75,387
Expenditures for long-lived assets 88,476 413,917 297,745 67,141 867,279
Total assets 289,068 3,100,492 761,097 2,043,440 6,194,097
Year ended December 31, 1997
Revenues $130,799 $ 166,951 $185,194 $ 8,831 $ 491,775
Depreciation and amortization 13,584 78,730 9,666 48,529 150,509
EBITDA (1) 73,636 18,693 13,522 (84,853) 20,998
Expenditures for long-lived assets 36,142 304,656 105,076 20,519 466,393
Total assets 230,920 1,323,808 220,318 646,593 2,421,639
Year ended December 31, 1996
Revenues $ 83,618 $ 89,209 $ 45,430 $ 10,086 $ 228,343
Depreciation and amortization 6,752 51,014 3,704 37,183 98,653
EBITDA (1) 49,684 (52,215) 10,800 (39,233) (30,964)
Expenditures for long-lived assets 29,195 505,345 29,224 24,311 588,075
Total assets 220,077 1,184,156 98,912 951,466 2,454,611
(1) Represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization,
corporate expenses, franchise fees, nonrecurring charges, other gains,
minority interest and extraordinary items.
F-38
128
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
21. Industry Segments (continued)
The reconciliation of segment combined EBITDA to loss before income taxes,
minority interest and extraordinary item is as follows:
Year ended December 31
1998 1997 1996
--------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
Segment Combined EBITDA $ 75,387 $ 20,998 $ (30,964)
(Add) Deduct:
Franchise fees 25,036 23,587 13,117
Corporate expenses 17,048 18,324 14,899
Nonrecurring charges (4,194) 20,642 -
Depreciation and amortization 266,112 150,509 98,653
Interest and other income (46,024) (49,912) (33,634)
Interest expense 328,815 202,570 137,032
Foreign currency transaction gains (4,152) (574) (2,408)
--------------------------------------------------------
582,641 365,146 227,659
--------------------------------------------------------
Loss before income taxes, minority
interest and extraordinary item $(507,254) $(344,148) $(258,623)
========================================================
22. Geographic Information
United States United Kingdom
-----------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
1998
Revenues $ 2,375 $ 744,640
Long-lived assets 137,223 4,852,374
1997
Revenues 8,831 482,944
Long-lived assets 55,173 2,129,312
1996
Revenues 10,086 218,257
Long-lived assets 56,881 1,856,689
F-39
129
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
23. Subsequent Events
In January 1999, the Company received $500 million in cash from Microsoft Corp.
in exchange for 500,000 shares of the Company's 5.25% Convertible Preferred
Stock, Series A and warrants to purchase 1,200,000 shares of the Company's
common stock at an exercise price of $84 per share. The preferred stock is
convertible into common stock at a conversion price of $100 per share. The
preferred stock is redeemable 10 years from the date of issuance in cash or
shares of common stock. The preferred stock may be redeemed by the Company on
the earlier of seven years or the date on which the Company's common stock has
traded above $120 per share for 25 consecutive trading days. Dividends are
payable at the Company's option in cash, common stock or additional shares of
preferred stock. The warrants expire in 2004.
In March 1999, the Commonwealth of Australia accepted the Company's bid to own
and operate the Australian National Transmission Network ("NTN"). NTN operates
from over 560 tower sites and provides exclusive television and radio
transmission services to Australia's only national TV and radio broadcasters,
serves regional and community TV and radio broadcasters, and provides equipment
hosting services to telecom operators and emergency service communications
providers on its towers. A subsidiary of the Company will purchase the company
that will hold the NTN assets for an aggregate purchase price of approximately
$407 million.
F-40
130
NTL Incorporated
Schedule I--Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Condensed Balance Sheets
December 31
1998 1997
----------------------------------------------
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 514,865,000 $ 46,421,000
Marketable securities 260,631,000 4,998,000
Other 13,070,000 8,804,000
----------------------------------------------
Total current assets 788,566,000 60,223,000
Office improvements and equipment, net of accumulated
depreciation of $890,000 (1998) and $555,000 (1997) 1,198,000 1,551,000
Investments in and loans to subsidiaries 4,211,862,000 1,970,114,000
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of
$17,486,000 (1998) and $13,141,000 (1997) 136,025,000 50,771,000
Other assets, net of accumulated amortization
of $13,192,000 (1998) and $11,803,000 (1997) 161,000 1,540,000
----------------------------------------------
Total assets $5,137,812,000 $2,084,199,000
==============================================
Liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficiency)
Current liabilities $ 44,711,000 $ 22,276,000
Long-term debt 4,613,820,000 2,015,057,000
Senior redeemable exchangeable preferred stock 124,127,000 108,534,000
Shareholders' (deficiency):
Series preferred stock 2,000 -
Common stock 602,000 322,000
Additional paid-in capital 1,501,561,000 538,054,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income 104,657,000 117,008,000
(Deficit) (1,251,668,000) (717,052,000)
----------------------------------------------
355,154,000 (61,668,000)
----------------------------------------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficiency) $5,137,812,000 $2,084,199,000
==============================================
See accompanying notes.
F-41
131
NTL Incorporated
Schedule I--Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (continued)
Condensed Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31
1998 1997 1996
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Costs and expenses
Corporate expenses $ 14,718,000 $ 12,811,000 $ 14,144,000
Depreciation and amortization 10,576,000 6,655,000 4,954,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Operating (loss) (25,294,000) (19,466,000) (19,098,000)
Other income (expense)
Interest and other income 128,457,000 4,490,000 5,017,000
Interest expense (317,677,000) (191,124,000) (128,755,000)
Other gain - 10,000,000 -
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) 3,673,000 (2,221,000) 1,376,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(Loss) before income taxes, extraordinary item
and equity in net (loss) of subsidiaries (210,841,000) (198,321,000) (141,460,000)
Income tax (provision) - (1,083,000) (193,000)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(Loss) before extraordinary item and equity in net
(loss) of subsidiaries (210,841,000) (199,404,000) (141,653,000)
Loss from early extinguishment of debt (12,110,000) - -
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(Loss) before equity in net (loss) of subsidiaries (222,951,000) (199,404,000) (141,653,000)
Equity in net (loss) of subsidiaries (311,665,000) (133,653,000) (112,801,000)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Net (loss) $ (534,616,000) $ (333,057,000) $(254,454,000)
=================================================================
See accompanying notes.
F-42
132
NTL Incorporated
Schedule I--Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (continued)
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
Year ended December 31
1998 1997 1996
-------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash (used in) operating activities $ (291,427,000) $ (55,467,000) $ (28,152,000)
Investing activities
Purchase of office improvements and equipment (96,000) (156,000) (1,891,000)
Purchase of marketable securities (540,639,000) (145,939,000) -
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities 291,276,000 142,596,000 -
Increase in investments in and loans to subsidiaries (1,466,334,000) (482,179,000) (798,784,000)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash (used in) investing activities (1,715,793,000) (485,678,000) (800,675,000)
Financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings and sale of preferred stock,
net of financing costs 2,697,777,000 484,340,000 842,820,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants 6,842,000 1,671,000 1,665,000
Consent solicitation payments (11,333,000) - -
Cash placed in escrow (217,622,000) - -
-------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 2,475,664,000 486,011,000 844,485,000
-------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 468,444,000 (55,134,000) 15,658,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 46,421,000 101,555,000 85,897,000
-------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 514,865,000 $ 46,421,000 $101,555,000
=============================================================
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for interest $77,295,000 $53,485,000 $ 23,687,000
Income taxes paid - - 193,000
Supplemental schedule of noncash financing activities
Accretion of dividends and discount on preferred stock $19,072,000 $12,263,000 $ -
Conversion of convertible Notes, net of unamortized
deferred financing costs of $4,738,000 187,012,000 - -
Warrants issued in connection with consent
solicitations 10,080,000 - 1,641,000
Preferred stock issued for acquisitions 178,495,000
Common stock issued for acquisition 600,432,000 - 34,137,000
Preferred stock issued for acquisition of minority
interest, including notes payable to minority
partner - - 49,000,000
Liabilities incurred in connection with acquisitions - - 81,906,000
See accompanying notes.
F-43
133
NTL Incorporated
Schedule I-Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (continued)
1. Basis of Presentation
In the NTL Incorporated (the "Company") condensed financial statements, the
Company's investment in subsidiaries is stated at cost plus equity in the
undistributed earnings of the subsidiaries since the date of acquisition. The
Company's share of net loss of its unconsolidated subsidiaries is included in
consolidated net loss using the equity method of accounting. The condensed
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's
consolidated financial statements.
2. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consists of:
December 31
1998 1997
----------------------------------------------
10-7/8% Senior Deferred Coupon Notes
("10-7/8% Notes") (a) $ - $ 194,959,000
12-3/4% Series A Senior Deferred Coupon Notes
("12-3/4% Notes") (b) 236,935,000 209,387,000
11-1/2% Series B Senior Deferred Coupon Notes
("11-1/2% Notes") (c) 831,976,000 743,961,000
10% Series B Senior Notes ("10% Notes") (d) 400,000,000 400,000,000
9-1/2% Senior Sterling Notes, less unamortized discount of
$639,000 ("Sterling Senior Notes") (e) 206,800,000 -
10-3/4% Senior Deferred Coupon Sterling Notes ("Sterling
Deferred Coupon Notes") (e) 317,511,000 -
9-3/4% Senior Deferred Coupon Notes ("9-3/4% Notes") (e) 865,880,000 -
11-1/2% Senior Notes ("11-1/2% Notes") (f) 625,000,000 -
12-3/8% Senior Deferred Coupon Notes
("12-3/8 Notes") (f) 254,718,000 -
7-1/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes
("7-1/4 Convertible Notes") (g) - 191,750,000
7% Convertible Subordinated Notes
("7% Convertible Notes") (h) 275,000,000 275,000,000
7% Convertible Subordinated Notes
("New Convertible Notes")(i) 600,000,000 -
----------------------------------------------
$4,613,820,000 $2,015,057,000
==============================================
F-44
134
NTL Incorporated
Schedule I-Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (continued)
2. Long-Term Debt (continued)
(a) In October 1998, the Company redeemed the 10-7/8% Notes with an accreted
value of $211 million for cash of $218 million. The Company recorded an
extraordinary loss from the early extinguishment of the 10-7/8% Notes of
approximately $12.1 million in 1998.
(b) In April 1995, the Company issued $277,803,500 aggregate principal amount
of 12-3/4% Senior Deferred Coupon Notes due 2005. The 12-3/4% Notes were
issued at a price to the public of 53.995% or $150,000,000.
(c) In January 1996, the Company issued $1,050,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of 11-1/2% Series B Senior Deferred Coupon Notes due 2006. The
11-1/2% Notes were issued at a price of 57.155% of the aggregate principal
amount at maturity or $600,127,500.
(d) In February 1997, the Company issued $400,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of 10% Series B Senior Notes due 2007. Interest in payable
semiannually.
(e) In March 1998, the Company issued (pound)125,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of 9-1/2% Senior Notes due 2008 (the "Sterling Senior Notes"),
(pound)300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 10-3/4% Senior Deferred
Coupon Notes due 2008 (the "Sterling Deferred Coupon Notes") and
$1,300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 9-3/4% Senior Deferred Coupon
Notes due 2008 (the "9-3/4% Notes"). The Sterling Senior Notes, Sterling
Deferred Coupon Notes and the 9-3/4% Notes were issued at 99.67% or
(pound)124,588,000, 58.62% or (pound)175,860,000 and 61.724% or
$802,412,000, respectively. The Sterling Senior Notes pay interest
semiannually.
(f) In November 1998, the Company issued $625,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of 11-1/2% Senior Notes due 2008 (the "11-1/2% Notes") and
$450,000,000 aggregate principal amount at maturity of 12-3/8% Senior
Deferred Coupon Notes due 2008 (the "12-3/8% Notes"). The 11-1/2% Notes
and the 12-3/8% Notes were issued at 100% or $625,000,000 and 55.505% or
$249,773,000, respectively. Interest on the 11-1/2% Notes is payable
semiannually.
F-45
135
NTL Incorporated
Schedule I-Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (continued)
2. Long-Term Debt (continued)
(g) In March 1998, the Company called for redemption all of the 7-1/4%
Convertible Subordinated Notes. The redemption date was April 20, 1998, at
a redemption price of 105.08% of the principal amount plus accrued and
unpaid interest through the date of redemption. The 7-1/4% Convertible
Notes were convertible into common stock at a conversion price of $27.56
per share. In April 1998, all of the 7-1/4% Convertible Notes were
converted into approximately 6,958,000 shares of the Company's common
stock.
(h) In June 1996, the Company issued $275,000,000 aggregate principal amount
of 7% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2008. Interest payments began on
December 15, 1996 and interest is payable every six months thereafter. The
7% Convertible Notes mature on
June 15, 2008.
(i) In December 1998, the Company issued $600,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of 7% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2008. Interest is payable
semiannually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15,
1999. The New Convertible Notes are convertible into shares of common
stock prior to maturity at a conversion price of $61.25 per share, subject
to adjustment.
3. Redeemable Preferred Stock
In February 1997, the Company issued $100,000,000 of its 13% Senior Redeemable
Exchangeable Preferred Stock (the "Redeemable Preferred Stock"). Dividends
accrue at 13% per annum ($130 per share) and are payable quarterly in arrears as
of May 15, 1997. Dividends, whether or not earned or declared, will accrue
without interest until declared and paid, which declaration may be for all or
part of the accrued dividends. Dividends accruing on or prior to February 15,
2004 may, at the option of the Company, be paid in cash, by the issuance of
additional Redeemable Preferred Stock or in any combination of the foregoing. As
of December 31, 1998, the Company has accrued $27,260,000 for dividends and has
issued approximately 25,000 shares for $25,225,000 of such accrued dividends.
The Redeemable Preferred Stock is subject to mandatory redemption on February
15, 2009. On any scheduled dividend payment date, the Company may, at its
option, exchange all of the shares of Redeemable Preferred Stock then
outstanding for the Company's 13% Subordinated Exchange Debentures due 2009.
4. Leases
Leases for office space extend through 2004. Total rental expense for the years
ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 under operating leases was $573,000,
$503,000 and $220,000, respectively.
F-46
136
NTL Incorporated
Schedule I-Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (continued)
Future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases as of
December 31, 1998 are as follows:
Year ended December 31:
1999 $724,000
2000 922,000
2001 922,000
2002 982,000
2003 982,000
Thereafter 655,000
-----------------------
$5,187,000
=======================
5. Other Gain
In October 1997, following the U.S. District Court's decision to dismiss the
Company's complaint against LeGroupe Videotron Ltee and its subsidiary, the
Company entered into a Settlement Agreement dismissing the Company's complaint
in exchange for a payment of $10,000,000.
6. Other
No cash dividends were paid to the registrant by subsidiaries in any of the last
three years.
F-47
137
NTL Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Schedule II--Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Col. A Col. B Col. C Col. D Col. E
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additions
(2)
(1) Charged to
Balance at Charged to Other Balance
Beginning of Costs and Accounts-- Deductions at End
Description Period Expenses Describe Describe of Period
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31, 1998
Allowance for doubtful accounts $8,056,000 $27,282,000 $ - $3,137,000 (a) $38,475,000
==================================================================================
Year ended December 31, 1997
Allowance for doubtful accounts $3,870,000 $ 6,891,000 $ - $(2,705,000) (b) $8,056,000
==================================================================================
Year ended December 31, 1996:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $767,000 $ 2,597,000 $ - $506,000 (c) $3,870,000
==================================================================================
(a) Uncolletible accounts written-off, net of recoveries of $9,158,000, offset
by $12,214,000 allowance for doubtful accounts as of acquisition dates of
purchased subsidiaries and $81,000 foreign currency translation
adjustments.
(b) Uncollectible accounts written-off, net of recoveries of $2,604,000 and
$101,000 foreign currency translation adjustments.
(c) Uncollectible accounts written-off, net of recoveries of $645,000, offset
by $804,000 allowance for doubtful accounts as of acquisition date of
purchased subsidiary and $347,000 foreign currency translation
adjustments.
F-48
138