InvestorsApril 1, 2003
Charter Announces 2002 Operating Results and Restated Financial Results for 2001 and 2000; Company Will Extend Filing of Form 10-K
Share Article:
ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 2003--Charter Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:CHTR) today reported preliminary 2002 operating results and preliminary results of the restatement of its 2001 and 2000 financial statements. As previously reported, the Company engaged KPMG LLP to conduct new audits of its 2001 and 2000 financial statements in addition to the audit of 2002 results.
The Company also announced it will file for an extension for filing its Form 10-K report and those of its subsidiaries to provide additional time to finalize its financial statements, related filings, disclosures and audits. The Company has consolidated cash of approximately $450 million as of March 31, 2003, which it believes will be sufficient to fund its current operating requirements and debt service obligations in the ordinary course of business. Accordingly, the Company will pay the interest on its public debt securities that is due on April 1, 2003, and plans to make the interest payment of its convertible debt on April 15, 2003. Until the required financial statements are delivered to its bank lenders, the Company will be unable to make additional borrowings under three of its bank facilities.
2002 Overview
Carl Vogel, President and CEO, said that after reflecting the restatement of prior periods, 2002 annual revenue increased approximately 15% and 2002 annual adjusted EBITDA increased approximately 16% compared to pro forma 2001 results. Pro forma amounts for 2001 reflect the acquisition of certain systems from AT&T Broadband in 2001 as if they had occurred on January 1, 2001. Adjusted EBITDA reflects revenues less operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses. A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net cash flows from operating activities is included in the following Addendum. The Company believes that adjusted EBITDA traditionally has provided additional information useful in analyzing the underlying business results. The Company believes adjusted EBITDA most accurately reflects the cash flow from the Company's operations and allows a standardized comparison between companies in its industry, while minimizing the differences from depreciation policies, financial leverage and tax strategies. However, adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial metric and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net loss, earnings per share or net cash flows from operating activities.
Annual 2002 revenue totaled approximately $4.6 billion, an increase of approximately $597 million over restated annual 2001 pro forma revenue of approximately $4.0 billion. Annual 2002 adjusted EBITDA totaled approximately $1.8 billion, an increase of approximately $253 million over restated annual 2001 pro forma adjusted EBITDA of approximately $1.5 billion.
Fourth quarter 2002 revenue totaled approximately $1.2 billion, an increase of approximately 13% over restated quarterly revenue of approximately $1.1 billion for the fourth quarter of 2001; while fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA totaled approximately $457 million, an increase of approximately 14% over restated year ago quarterly adjusted EBITDA of approximately $402 million. The Company recorded special charges in the fourth quarter of 2002 of approximately $31 million for severance and related costs of its on-going initiative to reduce its workforce, and approximately $4 million in litigation related costs. The Company expects to record additional special charges in 2003 related to the reorganization of its operations and costs of litigation. In the fourth quarter of 2001 Charter recorded a special charge of $15 million related to the conversion of about 145,000 high-speed data customers from the Internet service provider @Home to Charter Pipeline and an additional $3 million related to reorganizing operating divisions and regions.
During 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) 142, which requires the valuation of indefinite lived intangible assets and goodwill. As required, the Company performed an initial impairment assessment and an annual impairment assessment using an independent third party appraiser. This independent review resulted in a $266 million ($572 million before minority interests) cumulative effect impairment charge upon adoption on January 1, 2002 and a $4.6 billion impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2002. These impairment charges increased loss from operations to approximately $4.3 billion for the year ending December 31, 2002, as compared to approximately $1.2 billion of restated losses from operations a year ago.
Net loss applicable to common stock and loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2002 were $2.5 billion and $8.55, respectively. Annual capital expenditures totaled approximately $2.2 billion for 2002. Net cash flows from operating activities, as reported on the statement of cash flows, for the year ended December 31, 2002 were $748 million.
Mr. Vogel said revenue growth for both the quarter and the year was the result of continued increases in digital and high-speed data customers and related revenues. Throughout 2002, the Company increased its revenues by foregoing deeply discounted offers for its video products in an effort to reduce controllable churn in its customer base and increase recurring monthly revenue. While the Company saw a decline in basic customers throughout the year and in the fourth quarter, revenue from the sale of analog video services increased approximately $42 million in the fourth quarter, and $194 million on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2002. Digital revenue increased approximately $24 million in the fourth quarter, and $142 million on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2002. Revenue from high-speed data services increased approximately $53 million in the fourth quarter, and $181 million on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2002.
Mr. Vogel said, "This growth in revenue has been offset somewhat by margin compression primarily attributable to increasing programming costs. The increased cash flow from our high-speed data business, which has incrementally higher and improving margins, was a significant contributor to the increase in adjusted EBITDA. Margins on a percentage basis were relatively equal in the fourth quarter of 2002 and for the year ended December 31, 2002 as compared to a year ago."
Summary of Restatements
In connection with the audits mentioned above and discussions with the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Company concluded that it was appropriate to make certain adjustments to previously reported results. Adjustments were generally required to correct previous interpretations and applications of GAAP consistently followed by the Company since 2000 and throughout the restatement period. In addition, certain adjustments were generally required for transactions that lacked appropriate or necessary supporting documentation or instances where mistakes were made in computations or applications of approved policies. Although the Company does not anticipate that additional adjustments will be required, until the SEC review process has been completed, it is possible that the staff may ask for additional adjustments.
These adjustments reduced revenue for the first three quarters of 2002 by $38 million, and for the years ending December 31, 2001 and 2000 by $146 million and $108 million, respectively, and decreased reported adjusted EBITDA by $110 million for the first three quarters of 2002, and $292 million and $195 million for the years ending December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. Such adjustments represent approximately 1%, 4% and 3% of reported revenues and approximately 8%, 16% and 13% of reported adjusted EBITDA for the respective periods in 2002, 2001 and 2000. The Company's consolidated net loss decreased by $12 million for the first three quarters of 2002 and by $11 million for the year ending December 31, 2001. Net loss increased by $29 million for the year ending December 31, 2000, primarily due to adjustments related to the accounting of original acquisitions and accounting for elements of the rebuild and upgrade activities. The more significant categories of adjustment relate to the following as outlined below.
Launch Incentives from Programmers.
Amounts previously recognized as advertising revenue in connection with the launch of new programming channels have been deferred in the year such launch support was provided, and amortized as a reduction of programming costs based upon the relevant contract term. Such adjustments decreased revenue $30 million for the first three quarters of 2002, and $118 million and $76 million for the years ending December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. Additionally, for the year ending December 31, 2000, the Company increased marketing expense by $24 million for other promotional activities associated with launching new programming services previously deferred and subsequently amortized. The corresponding amortization of such deferred revenues reduced programming expenses by $36 million for the first three quarters of 2002, and $27 million and $5 million for the years ending December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
Customer Incentives and Inducements.
Certain marketing inducements paid to encourage potential customers to switch from satellite providers to Charter branded services and enter into multi-period service agreements were previously deferred and recognized as amortization expense over the life of customer contracts. These amounts have been reclassified as a reduction of revenue in the period such inducements were paid. Revenue declined $5 million for the first three quarters of 2002, and $19 million and $2 million for the years ending December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
Capitalized Labor and Overhead Costs.
Certain elements of labor costs and related overhead allocations previously capitalized as part of the Company's rebuild activities, customer installation and new service introductions have been expensed in the period incurred. Such adjustments increased operating expenses by $73 million for the first three quarters of 2002, and $93 million and $52 million for the years ending December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
Customer Acquisition Costs.
Certain customer acquisition campaigns were conducted through third party contractors in 2000, 2001 and portions of 2002. The costs of these campaigns were originally deferred and recognized as amortization expense over the relevant customer contract terms. These amounts have been reported as marketing expense in the period incurred and totaled $32 million for the first three quarters of 2002, and $59 million and $4 million and for the years ending December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. The Company determined in the second quarter of 2002 that the benefits of this program did not justify its continued practice and it was eliminated in the end of the third quarter as contracts for third party vendors expired.
Rebuild and Upgrade of Cable Systems.
In 2000, the Company initiated a three-year program to replace and upgrade a substantial portion of its network at an estimated cost of $4 billion. In connection with this plan, the Company assessed the carrying value of, and the associated depreciable lives of, various assets to be replaced. The Company determined that accelerated depreciation expense recognized on $1.7 billion of the asset base was in error, which overstated depreciation and amortization expense by $405 million for the first three quarters of 2002, and $324 million and $113 million in the years ending 2001 and 2000, respectively.
Deferred Tax Liabilities/Franchise Assets.
As previously announced on November 19, 2002, adjustments to record deferred tax liabilities associated with the acquisition of various cable television businesses throughout 1999 and 2000 were made. These adjustments increased amounts assigned to franchise assets with a corresponding increase in deferred tax liabilities. In addition, a correction was made to reduce amounts assigned to assets identified for replacement over the three-year period of the Company's rebuild and upgrade of its network and to adjust the related depreciation method for these assets. This increased the amount assigned to the network assets to be retained and also to franchise assets with a resulting reduction in depreciation and amortization expense for the years restated.
Other Adjustments.
In addition to the items described above, reductions to 2000 revenues include the reversal of other advertising revenues totaling $17 million from equipment vendors reclassified as a reduction of related capital expenditures. Other increases or reclassifications of expenses that impacted adjusted EBITDA, principally in 2000, include expensing certain marketing and customer acquisition costs previously charged against purchase accounting reserves, certain tax reclassifications from tax expense to operating costs, and reclassifying management fee revenue from a failed joint venture to losses from investments.
The following pro forma amounts reflect acquisitions as if they had happened as of the earliest period reported, which vary slightly from previously reported data as a result of the timing of various acquisitions. In the Addendum to this press release are financial summaries that show our actual historical results as originally reported, and as adjusted, to reflect the restatements. Additionally, the financial summaries show pro forma adjustments to historical results as reported. The following is a summary of the restatements by fiscal year.
2001 Restatements
For the year ended December 31, 2001, pro forma revenue declined by $146 million, or approximately 4%, from a reported $4.1 billion to a restated $4.0 billion. Pro forma adjusted EBITDA declined $292 million, or approximately 16% from a reported $1.8 billion to a restated $1.5 billion. Pro forma loss from operations increased $4 million, or less than 1%, to $1.2 billion.
2000 Restatements
For the year ended December 31, 2000, pro forma revenue declined $108 million, or approximately 3%, from a reported $3.6 billion to a restated $3.5 billion. Pro forma adjusted EBITDA declined $195 million, or approximately 12%, from a reported $1.6 billion to a restated $1.5 billion. Pro forma loss from operations increased $117 million, or approximately 12%, from a reported $1.0 billion to a restated $1.1 billion in 2000.
2003 Outlook
Mr. Vogel said, "With the restatements essentially complete, we have a baseline from which to measure Charter's business and results of operations going forward. The potential strength of our advanced broadband platform is increasingly evident given we served in excess of 10.4 million revenue generating units (RGUs) at year-end and generate approximately $4.6 billion in annual operating revenues. RGUs represent the combination of our analog video customers, digital customers, high-speed data customers and customers of our limited roll out of telephony services. Our rebuild and upgrade activities are substantially complete and we have demonstrated our ability to deliver advanced services to many of our customers. We have recently added proven, experienced talent to our management team to address the challenges of the marketplace. These positive factors will provide us the opportunity to re-energize this Company around common goals to focus on our customers, and empower and support our local management with the goal of improving our financial and operational performance in the future. We believe that our plan to improve our operations initially announced last October is already showing positive results."
The Company's plan is to continue its efforts to grow revenue and adjusted EBITDA through the sale of broadband services, principally packages of cable television programming and high-speed data services for both residential and business customers. The Company's primary strategy to increase revenue in 2003 is to seek to increase the penetration of its high-speed data packages. The Company also plans on slowing its digital unit growth as compared to prior years and repackaging digital program tiers to its customers with the expectation of increasing its return on invested capital in the digital platform.
A plan to improve operating efficiency and rationalize Company operations was first announced by Mr. Vogel in October 2002. As part of the plan, Mr. Vogel together with Maggie Bellville, Executive Vice President and COO, have recruited leadership for the Company's new operating divisions, as well as new senior management in various other disciplines. This new leadership brings decades of experience in the industry, proven success and demonstrated expertise in their areas of responsibility. The Company has also restructured its operating management into five operating divisions from three divisions and ten regions.
Mr. Vogel said the Company has significantly reduced its workforce from approximately 18,600 full time equivalent employees at December 31, 2002 to approximately 17,300 at March 31, 2003, with further reductions anticipated. Costs associated with this reduction were recorded as a special charge as reported in the previously stated 2002 Overview section. While the Company believes this reorganization will improve its operating performance, Mr. Vogel said it will take time to realize expected results.
Mr. Vogel said the Company's 2003 efforts would include a heightened focus on execution seeking to improve the customer experience in an effort to stabilize its customer base especially as it relates to its analog video customers, and to increase operating revenue and adjusted EBITDA throughout 2003. In addition, the Company expects to reduce capital expenditures from prior year amounts in an effort to attain free cash flow, including cash interest expense. The Company expects its growth in operating revenue will be driven by continuing the bundling of analog and digital video with high-speed data in service packages at attractive and competitive price points; providing value-added digital services like video on demand, subscription video on demand, interactive channels and high definition television services which may reduce churn in today's highly competitive marketplace. The Company has also increased the degree of customer choice in our digital service packages; offering new digital sports, family and movie tiers in an effort to better satisfy customer programming needs and market demands.
In addition, the Company expects its capital expenditures to decline significantly to approximately $1.0 billion to $1.1 billion in 2003, as substantially all of its rebuild and upgrade activities are complete.
Proposal from Paul Allen to Support Covenant Compliance
In February 2003, the Company received a proposal from Paul Allen, Chairman of the Charter Board, offering to provide a backup credit facility of up to $300 million to the Company and certain of its subsidiaries to provide assistance in meeting certain covenants under existing credit facilities. The Company's Board of Directors has formed a Special Committee to evaluate this proposal. This Special Committee has retained financial and legal advisors to assist it.
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call Tuesday, April 1, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) related to the contents of this release.
The conference call will be broadcast live via the Company's website at www.charter.com. The call can be accessed through the "Investor Center" portion of the website, via the "About Us" heading at the top of the page. Participants should go to the call link at least 10 minutes prior to the start time to register.
Those parties interested in participating via telephone should dial 888/233-1576. International participants should dial 706/643-3458.
About Charter Communications
Charter Communications, A Wired World Company(TM), is the nation's third-largest broadband communications company. Charter provides a full range of advanced broadband services to the home, including cable television on an advanced digital video programming platform via Charter Digital Cable(R) brand and high-speed Internet access marketed under the Charter Pipeline(R) brand. Commercial high-speed data, video and Internet solutions are provided under the Charter Business Networks(TM) brand. Advertising sales and production services are sold under the Charter Media(TM) brand. More information about Charter can be found at www.charter.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding, among other things, our plans, strategies and prospects, both business and financial, including, without limitation, the statements under the sections entitled "2002 Overview" and "2003 Outlook." Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this news release may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "planned," "will," "may," "intend," "estimated," and "potential," among others. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this news release are set forth in reports or documents that we file from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and include, but are not limited to:
-- our ability to sustain and grow revenues and cash from
operations by offering video and data services and to maintain
a stable customer base, particularly in the face of
increasingly aggressive competition from other service
providers;
-- our ability to comply with all covenants in our credit
facilities and indentures, any violation of which would result
in a violation of the applicable facility or indenture and
could trigger a default of other obligations under cross
default provisions;
-- availability of funds to meet interest payment obligations
under our debt and to fund our operations and necessary
capital expenditures, either through cash from operations,
further borrowings or other sources;
-- any adverse consequences arising out of the restatement of our
financial statements described herein;
-- the results of the pending grand jury investigation by the
United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of
Missouri, the pending SEC investigation and the putative class
action and derivative shareholders litigation against us;
-- the cost and availability of funding to refinance the existing
debt that becomes due commencing in 2005;
-- our ability to achieve free cash flow;
-- our ability to obtain programming at reasonable prices;
-- general business conditions, economic uncertainty or slowdown
and potential international conflict;
-- the impact of any armed conflict, including loss of customers
in areas with large numbers of military personnel; and
-- the effects of governmental regulation on our business.
All forward-looking statements attributable to us or a person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. We are under no obligation to update any of the forward looking statements after the date of this news release to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.
Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in Millions, Except Share Data)
Three Months Ending
December 31,
-----------------------------------------
2002 2001 2000
--------------- ------------ ------------
(restated) (restated)
REVENUES:
Analog video $ 776 $ 734 $ 642
Digital video 122 98 41
Cable modem 106 53 18
Advertising sales 87 67 29
Other 98 99 94
--------------- ------------ ------------
Total revenues 1,189 1,051 824
--------------- ------------ ------------
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Analog video programming 256 233 206
Digital video 39 33 15
Cable modem 34 24 8
Advertising sales 24 18 16
Service 124 105 79
General and
administrative 215 193 123
Marketing 40 43 31
Depreciation and
amortization 376 715 647
Impairment of franchises 4,638 - -
Option compensation
expense 1 2 7
Special charges 35 18 -
--------------- ------------ ------------
Operating expenses 5,782 1,384 1,132
--------------- ------------ ------------
Loss from operations (4,593) (333) (308)
OTHER EXPENSES
Interest, net (391) (349) (293)
Loss on equity
investments (1) (7) (20)
Other, net (4) 33 (2)
--------------- ------------ ------------
(396) (323) (315)
--------------- ------------ ------------
Loss before minority
interest and income taxes (4,989) (656) (623)
Minority interest 2,674 347 363
--------------- ------------ ------------
Loss before income taxes (2,315) (309) (260)
Income tax benefit 444 7 7
--------------- ------------ ------------
Net loss (1,871) (302) (253)
Dividends on preferred stock
- redeemable (1) (1) -
--------------- ------------ ------------
Net loss applicable to
common stock $ (1,872)$ (303)$ (253)
=============== ============ ============
Basic and diluted loss per
share $ (6.36)$ (1.03)$ (1.08)
=============== ============ ============
Weighted average common
shares outstanding 294,457,134 294,384,003 233,738,668
=============== ============ ============
Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in Millions, Except Share Data)
Year ending December 31,
----------------------------------------
2002 2001 2000
------------ ------------ ------------
(restated) (restated)
REVENUES:
Analog video $ 3,083 $ 2,768 $ 2,503
Digital video 457 307 89
Cable modem 340 155 55
Advertising sales 302 197 142
Other 384 380 352
------------ ------------ ------------
Total revenues 4,566 3,807 3,141
------------ ------------ ------------
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Analog video programming 1,012 874 741
Digital video 159 103 34
Cable modem 112 65 25
Advertising sales 87 64 57
Service 434 374 328
General and administrative 813 696 505
Marketing 153 136 103
Depreciation and
amortization 1,437 2,682 2,398
Impairment of franchises 4,638 - -
Option compensation
expense (income) 5 (5) 38
Special charges 36 18 -
------------ ------------ ------------
Operating expenses 8,886 5,007 4,229
------------ ------------ ------------
Loss from operations (4,320) (1,200) (1,088)
OTHER EXPENSES:
Interest, net (1,506) (1,313) (1,042)
Loss on equity investments (3) (54) (19)
Other, net (118) (66) (1)
------------ ------------ ------------
(1,627) (1,433) (1,062)
------------ ------------ ------------
Loss before minority
interest, income taxes and
cumulative effect on
accounting change (5,947) (2,633) (2,150)
Minority interest 3,179 1,464 1,282
------------ ------------ ------------
Loss before income taxes and
cumulative effect
accounting change (2,768) (1,169) (868)
Income tax benefit 520 12 10
------------ ------------ ------------
Loss before cumulative effect
of accounting change (2,248) (1,157) (858)
Cumulative effect of
accounting change (266) (10) -
------------ ------------ ------------
Net loss (2,514) (1,167) (858)
Dividends of preferred stock
- redeemable (3) (1) -
------------ ------------ ------------
Net loss applicable to common
stock $ (2,517) $ (1,168) $ (858)
============ ============ ============
Basic and diluted loss per
share $ (8.55) $ (4.33) $ (3.80)
============ ============ ============
Weighted average common
shares outstanding 294,440,261 269,594,386 225,697,775
============ ============ ============
Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in Millions)
December 31,
--------------------------------
2002 2001 2000
-------- ---------- ----------
(restated) (restated)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 321 $ 2 $ 131
Accounts receivable, net of
allowance for doubtful accounts 259 292 209
Receivables from related party 8 5 -
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets 45 70 87
-------- ---------- ----------
Total current assets 633 369 427
-------- ---------- ----------
INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES:
Property, plant and equipment, net 7,679 6,914 4,829
Franchises, net 13,727 18,911 18,835
-------- ---------- ----------
Total investment in cable
properties, net 21,406 25,825 23,664
-------- ---------- ----------
OTHER ASSETS 345 269 261
-------- ---------- ----------
Total assets $ 22,384 $ 26,463 $ 24,352
======== ========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued
expenses $ 1,405 $ 1,379 $ 1,343
-------- ---------- ----------
Total current liabilities 1,405 1,379 1,343
-------- ---------- ----------
LONG-TERM DEBT 18,671 16,343 13,061
DEFERRED MANAGEMENT FEES - RELATED
PARTY 14 14 14
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES 1,177 1,682 1,517
MINORITY INTEREST 1,025 4,409 4,546
REDEEMABLE SECURITIES - - 1,104
PREFERRED STOCK - REDEEMABLE 51 51 -
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 41 2,585 2,767
-------- ---------- ----------
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity $ 22,384 $ 26,463 $ 24,352
======== ========== ==========
Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in Millions)
Year ending December 31,
-------------------------------
2002 2001 2000
------- ---------- ----------
(restated) (restated)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss $(2,514) $ (1,167) $ (858)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss
to net cash flows from operating
activities:
Minority interest (3,179) (1,464) (1,282)
Depreciation and amortization 1,437 2,682 2,398
Impairment of franchises 4,638 - -
Option compensation expense 5 (5) 38
Noncash interest expense 395 295 174
Loss on equity investments 3 54 19
Loss on derivative instruments
and hedging activities 115 50 -
Deferred income taxes (520) (12) (10)
Change in accounting principle 266 10 -
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities, net of effects from
acquisitions:
Accounts receivable 27 (73) (130)
Prepaid expenses and other
current assets 26 (11) (2)
Accounts payable and accrued
expenses 52 125 523
Receivables from and payables
to related party,
including deferred management
fees (3) - (35)
Other - 5 (7)
------- ---------- ----------
Net cash flows from
operating activities 748 489 828
------- ---------- ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and
equipment (2,222) (3,001) (2,536)
Payments for acquisitions, net of
cash acquired (139) (1,755) (1,188)
Purchases of investments (12) (3) (59)
Other investing activities 10 (15) 32
------- ---------- ----------
Net cash flows from
investing activities (2,363) (4,774) (3,751)
------- ---------- ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of common
stock 2 1,223 -
Borrowings of long-term debt 4,106 7,310 7,505
Repayments of long-term debt (2,134) (4,290) (4,500)
Payments for debt issuance costs (40) (87) (85)
------- ---------- ----------
Net cash flows from
financing activities 1,934 4,156 2,920
------- ---------- ----------
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS 319 (129) (3)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning
of period 2 131 134
------- ---------- ----------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of
period $ 321 $ 2 $ 131
======= ========== ==========
CASH PAID FOR INTEREST $ 1,103 $ 994 $ 772
======= ========== ==========
Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Summary of Operating Statistics
Approximate as of December 31,
------------------------
2002 2001
----------- -----------
Video Services:
Analog Video:
Estimated Homes Passed (a) 11,925,000 11,502,000
Residential (non-bulk) analog video
customers (b) 6,328,900 6,688,700
Multi-dwelling and commercial unit
customers (b) 249,900 247,500
----------- -----------
Total analog video customers (b) 6,578,800 6,936,200
----------- -----------
Estimated penetration of analog video
homes passed (a) (b) (c) 55% 60%
Digital Video:
Estimated digital homes passed (a) 11,547,000 10,638,300
Digital customers (d) 2,682,800 2,144,800
Estimated penetration of digital homes
passed (c) (d) 23% 20%
Digital percentage of analog video
customers (b) (d) (e) 41% 31%
Digital set-top terminals deployed 3,772,600 2,951,400
Video-on-demand homes passed 3,195,000 1,995,000
High-Speed Data Services:
Estimated cable modem homes passed (a) 9,826,000 7,561,000
Residential cable modem customers (f)(g) 1,138,100 552,900
Estimated penetration of cable modem
homes passed (c) 12% 7%
Dial-up customers 14,200 37,100
Revenue Generating Units(h):
Analog video customers (b) 6,578,800 6,936,200
Digital customers (d) 2,682,800 2,144,800
Cable modem customers (f) (g) 1,138,100 552,900
Telephony customers (i) 22,800 -
----------- -----------
Total revenue generating units (h) 10,422,500 9,633,900
=========== ===========
Customer relationships (j) 6,634,700 6,953,700
For the Year Ended
December 31,
------------------------
2002 2001
----------- -----------
Average monthly revenue per customer
relationship (j) (k) $57 $47
"Customers" include all persons corporate billing records show as
receiving service, regardless of their payment status, except for
complimentary accounts, such as Charter employees, and 45,000 accounts
that were reserved at year end 2001 to address pending disconnects. Of
the total customers reported for December 31, 2002, 93,000 customers
were more than 60 days overdue, 5,000 customers were more than 90 days
overdue, and 1,000 customers were more than 120 days overdue. Of the
total customers reported for December 31, 2001, 160,000 customers were
more than 60 days overdue, 55,000 customers were more than 90 days
overdue, and 31,000 customers were more than 120 days overdue. For
2002 and 2001, the year end financial statements of the Company
reflect a reserve for uncollectible accounts that the Company and its
outside auditors deemed sufficient. The adequancy of the 45,000
customer reserve, the disconnect policies, the application of those
policies and their effect on the customer totals reported by the
Company during 2001 and prior periods are currently under
investigation by the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern
District of Missouri and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Those
investigations are not complete. When the Company publicly announced
its 2001 results on February 11, 2002, the Company also announced that
it expected the number of customers to be reduced by 120,000 during
the first quarter of 2002 as a result of tightened disconnect and
credit policies. The Company ultimately reported a loss of 145,000
customers in that quarter.
(a) Homes passed represents the estimated number of living units,
such as single family homes, apartments units and condominium units
passed by the cable distribution network in a given area to which we
offer the service indicated.
(b) Analog video customers include all customers who receive video
services (including those who also purchase cable modem and telephony
services), but exclude approximately 55,900 and 17,500 customer
relationships, respectively, who pay for cable modem service only and
who are only counted as cable modem customers. This represents a
change in our methodology from prior reports through September 30,
2002, in which cable modem only customer relationships were included
within our analog video customers in light of the fact that they were
entitled to receive our most basic level of analog video service. Had
we previously utilized this new reporting methodology, analog video
customers (excluding cable modem only) would have been 6,647,600 as of
September 30, 2002. Commercial and multi-dwelling structures are
calculated on an equivalent bulk unit ("EBU") basis. EBU is calculated
for a system by dividing the bulk price charged to accounts in an area
by the most prevalent price charged to non-bulk residential customers
in that market for the comparable tier of service. The EBU method of
estimating analog video customers is consistent with the methodology
used in determining costs paid to programmers and has been
consistently applied year over year. Our policy is not to count
complimentary accounts (such as Charter employees) as customers.
(c) Penetration represents customers as a percentage of homes
passed.
(d) Digital video customers include all households that have one
or more digital set-top terminals. Included in digital video customers
at December 31, 2002 and 2001 are 27,500 and 34,800 customers,
respectively, that receive digital video service directly through
satellite transmission.
(e) Represents the number of digital video customers as a
percentage of analog video customers.
(f) As noted above, all of these customers also receive video
service and are included in the video statistics above, except that
the video statistics do not include approximately 55,900 and 17,500
customers at December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, who were cable
modem only customers and were entitled to receive only our most basic
analog video service.
(g) Commercial customers have historically been calculated on an
Equivalent Modem Unit basis (EMUs). EMUs calculated under the
historical method were 98,700 and 54,800 as of December 31, 2002 and
2001, respectively. Given the growth plans for our commercial data
business, we do not believe that converting commercial revenues to
residential customer counts is the most meaningful way to disclose or
describe this growing business. The amounts are not included in the
above totals.
(h) Revenue generating units represent the sum total of all
primary analog video, digital video, high-speed data and telephony
customers, not counting additional outlets within one household. For
example, a customer who receives two types of services (such as analog
video and digital video) would be treated as two revenue generating
units, and if that customer added on cable modem service, the customer
would be treated as three revenue generating units. This statistic is
computed in accordance with the guidelines of the National Cable &
Telecommunications Association (NCTA) that have been adopted by eleven
publicly traded cable operators (including Charter Communications,
Inc.) as an industry standard.
(i) Telephony customers include all households purchasing
telephone service. On January 1, 2002, 16,100 telephony customers were
acquired as a result of the AT&T Broadband transaction.
(j) Customer relationships include the number of customers that
receive at least one level of service encompassing video, cable modem
and telephony services, without regard to which service(s) customers
purchase. This statistic is computed in accordance with the guidelines
of the NCTA that have been adopted by eleven publicly traded cable
operators (including Charter Communications, Inc.) as an industry
standard.
(k) Average monthly revenue per customer relationship represents
total revenue, divided by twelve, divided by the average number of
customer relationships on an annualized basis.
Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Summary of Unaudited Restatements
(Dollars in Millions)
4th
Quarter
3rd Quarter 2002 2002
-----------------------------------
As Restatement Restated As
Reported Adjustments Actual Reported
-----------------------------------
Revenues $1,179 $(13) $1,166 $1,189
Costs and expenses:
Operating (excluding
items below) 476 (21) 455 477
Selling, general
and administrative 205 40 245 255
Depreciation and
amortization 514 (168) 346 376
Impairment of franchises - - - 4,638
Option compensation expense 1 - 1 1
Special charges - - - 35
-----------------------------------
Loss from operations $(17) $136 $119 $(4,593)
===================================
Adjusted EBITDA (a) $457
========
Year Ending December 31, 2002
---------------------------
As Restatement Restated
Reported Adjustments Actual
---------------------------
Revenues $4,604 $(38) $4,566
Costs and expenses:
Operating (excluding
items below) 1,803 1 1,804
Selling, general
and administrative 895 71 966
Depreciation and
amortization 1,869 (432) 1,437
Impairment of
franchises 4,638 - 4,638
Option compensation
expense 4 1 5
Special charges 35 1 36
---------------------------
Loss from operations $(4,640) $320 $(4,320)
===========================
Adjusted
EBITDA (a) $1,906 $(110) $1,796
===========================
Adjusted EBITDA
margin (b) 41% 39%
======== ========
(a) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as revenues less operating
expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses.
(b) Adjusted EBITDA margin represents adjusted EBITDA
as a percentage of revenues.
Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Summary of Unaudited 2002 Quarterly Restatements
(Dollars in Millions)
1st Quarter 2002
---------------------------
As Restatement Restated
Reported Adjustments Actual
---------------------------
Revenues $1,078 $(4) $1,074
Costs and expenses:
Operating (excluding items below) 429 (3) 426
Selling, general and administrative 199 23 222
Depreciation and amortization 487 (161) 326
Option compensation expense 1 1 2
Special charges - 1 1
---------------------------
Loss from operations $(38) $135 $97
===========================
2nd Quarter 2002
---------------------------
As Restatement Restated
Reported Adjustments Actual
---------------------------
Revenues $1,158 $(21) $1,137
Costs and expenses:
Operating (excluding items below) 421 25 446
Selling, general and administrative 236 8 244
Depreciation and amortization 492 (103) 389
Option compensation expense 1 - 1
---------------------------
Loss from operations $8 $49 $57
===========================
Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Summary of Unaudited Actual and Pro Forma Restatements
(Dollars in Millions)
Year Ending December 31, 2001
-------------------- -------- ----------- --------
As Restatement Restated Pro Forma Restated
Reported Adjustments Actual Adjustments Pro
(a) Forma
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
Revenues $3,953 $(146) $3,807 $162 $3,969
Costs and expenses:
Operating (excluding
items below) 1,369 111 1,480 64 1,544
Selling, general and
administrative 797 35 832 50 882
Depreciation and
amortization 3,010 (328) 2,682 48 2,730
Option compensation
expense (45) 40 (5) - (5)
Special charges 18 - 18 - 18
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
Loss from operations$(1,196) $(4) $(1,200) $- $(1,200)
======== =========== ======== =========== ========
Adjusted EBITDA (b) $1,787 $(292) $1,495 $48 $1,543
======== =========== ======== =========== ========
Adjusted EBITDA
margin (c) 45% 39% 39%
======== ======== ========
Year Ending December 31, 2000
-------------------- -------- ----------- --------
As Restatement Restated Pro Forma Restated
Reported Adjustments Actual Adjustments Pro
(a) Forma
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
Revenues $3,249 $(108) $3,141 $360 $3,501
Costs and expenses:
Operating (excluding
items below) 1,036 149 1,185 123 1,308
Selling, general and
administrative 670 (62) 608 131 739
Depreciation and
amortization 2,473 (75) 2,398 139 2,537
Option compensation
expense 41 (3) 38 - 38
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
Loss from operations $(971) $(117) $(1,088) $(33) $(1,121)
======== =========== ======== =========== ========
Adjusted EBITDA (b) $1,543 $(195) $1,348 $106 $1,454
======== =========== ======== =========== ========
Adjusted EBITDA
margin (c) 47% 43% 42%
======== ======== ========
(a) The pro forma adjustments reflect all significant acquisitions
and dispositions closed during 2001 and 2000, as if the transactions
closed on January 1, 2000. The pro forma financial information has
been presented for comparative purposes and does not purport to be
indicative of the consolidated results of operations had these
transactions been completed as of the assumed date or which may be
obtained in the future.
(b) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as revenues less operating
expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses.
(c) Adjusted EBITDA margin represents adjusted EBITDA as a
percentage of revenues.
Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Summary of Unaudited 2001 Quarterly Restatements
(Dollars in Millions)
3rd Quarter 2001
-------- ----------- --------
As Restatement Restated
Reported Adjustments Actual
-------- ----------- --------
Revenues $1,044 $(42) $1,002
Costs and expenses:
Operating (excluding items below) 364 29 393
Selling, general and administrative 213 14 227
Depreciation and amortization 775 (90) 685
Option compensation expense (57) 40 (17)
-------- ----------- --------
Loss from operations $(251) $(35) $(286)
======== =========== ========
4th Quarter 2001
-------- ----------- --------
As Restatement Restated
Reported Adjustments Actual
-------- ----------- --------
Revenues $1,107 $(56) $1,051
Costs and expenses:
Operating (excluding items below) 384 29 413
Selling, general and administrative 219 17 236
Depreciation and amortization 818 (103) 715
Option compensation expense 1 1 2
Special charges 18 - 18
-------- ----------- --------
Loss from operations $(333) $- $(333)
======== =========== ========
Adjusted EBITDA (a) $504 $(102) $402
======== =========== ========
No significant acquisitions or dispositions occurred subsequent to
July 1, 2001.
(a) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as revenues less operating
expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses.
Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Summary of Unaudited 2001 Quarterly Actual and Pro Forma Restatements
(Dollars in Millions)
1st Quarter 2001
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
As Restatement Restated Pro Forma Restated
Reported Adjustments Actual Adjustments Pro
(a) Forma
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
Revenues $874 $(17) $857 $79 $936
Costs and expenses:
Operating (excluding
items below) 307 22 329 32 361
Selling, general and
administrative 179 3 182 25 207
Depreciation and
amortization 696 (63) 633 24 657
Option compensation
expense 6 - 6 - 6
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
Loss from operations $(314) $21 $(293) $(2) $(295)
======== =========== ======== =========== ========
2nd Quarter 2001
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
As Restatement Restated Pro Forma Restated
Reported Adjustments Actual Adjustments Pro
(a) Forma
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
Revenues $928 $(31) $897 $83 $980
Costs and expenses:
Operating (excluding
items below) 314 31 345 32 377
Selling, general and
administrative 186 1 187 25 212
Depreciation and
amortization 721 (72) 649 24 673
Option compensation
expense 5 (1) 4 - 4
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
Loss from operations $(298) $10 $(288) $2 $(286)
======== =========== ======== =========== ========
(a) The pro forma adjustments reflect systems acquired and sold as
part of the AT&T Broadband transaction on June 30, 2001, as if the
transaction closed on January 1, 2001. The pro forma financial
information has been presented for comparative purposes and does not
purport to be indicative of the consolidated results of operations
had this transaction been completed as of the assumed date or which
may be obtained in the future.
Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Summary of Unaudited 2000 Quarterly Actual and Pro Forma Restatements
(Dollars in Millions)
3rd Quarter 2000
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
As Restatement Restated Pro Forma Restated
Reported Adjustments Actual Adjustments Pro
(a) Forma
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
Revenues $839 $(31) $808 $81 $889
Costs and expenses:
Operating (excluding
items below) 263 27 290 27 317
Selling, general and
administrative 177 4 181 29 210
Depreciation and
amortization 628 (17) 611 32 643
Option compensation
expense 8 1 9 - 9
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
Loss from operations $(237) $(46) $(283) $(7) $(290)
======== =========== ======== =========== ========
4th Quarter 2000
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
As Restatement Restated Pro Forma Restated
Reported Adjustments Actual Adjustments Pro
(a) Forma
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
Revenues $893 $(69) $824 $77 $901
Costs and expenses:
Operating (excluding
items below) 287 37 324 25 349
Selling, general and
administrative 173 (19) 154 29 183
Depreciation and
amortization 695 (48) 647 32 679
Option compensation
expense 7 - 7 - 7
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
Loss from operations $(269) $(39) $(308) $(9) $(317)
======== =========== ======== =========== ========
(a) The pro forma adjustments reflect all significant acquisitions
and dispositions closed during 2001 and 2000, as if the transactions
closed on January 1, 2000. The pro forma financial information has
been presented for comparative purposes and does not purport to be
indicative of the consolidated results of operations had these
transactions been completed as of the assumed date or which may be
obtained in the future.
Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Summary of Unaudited 2000 Quarterly Actual and Pro Forma Restatements
(Dollars in Millions)
1st Quarter 2000
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
As Restatement Restated Pro Forma Restated
Reported Adjustments Actual Adjustments Pro
(a) Forma
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
Revenues $722 $(1) $721 $120 $841
Costs and expenses:
Operating (excluding
items below) 233 43 276 44 320
Selling, general and
administrative 152 (25) 127 42 169
Depreciation and
amortization 546 (6) 540 42 582
Option compensation
expense 15 (3) 12 - 12
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
Loss from operations $(224) $(10) $(234) $(8) $(242)
======== =========== ======== =========== ========
2nd Quarter 2000
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
As Restatement Restated Pro Forma Restated
Reported Adjustments Actual Adjustments Pro
(a) Forma
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
Revenues $795 $(7) $788 $82 $870
Costs and expenses:
Operating (excluding
items below) 253 42 295 27 322
Selling, general and
administrative 168 (22) 146 31 177
Depreciation and
amortization 604 (4) 600 33 633
Option compensation
expense 11 (1) 10 - 10
-------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
Loss from operations $(241) $(22) $(263) $(9) $(272)
======== =========== ======== =========== ========
(a) The pro forma adjustments reflect all significant acquisitions
and dispositions closed during 2001 and 2000, as if the transactions
closed on January 1, 2000. The pro forma financial information has
been presented for comparative purposes and does not purport to be
indicative of the consolidated results of operations had these
transactions been completed as of the assumed date or which may be
obtained in the future.
Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Reconciliation of Adjusted Ebitda
to Net Cash Flows from Operations
(Dollars in Millions)
4th 4th Year Year
Quarter Quarter Ending Ending
December December
31, 31,
2001 2002 2001 2002
-------- -------- -------- --------
Adjusted EBITDA $402 $457 $1,543 $1,796
Cash interest expense (263) (289) (1,018) (1,111)
Special charges (14) (4) (14) (9)
Change in operating assets and
liabilities 35 48 35 72
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net cash flows from operations $160 $212 $546 $748
======== ======== ======== ========
The above schedule is presented in order to reconcile adjusted
EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, to the most directly comparable GAAP
measure in accordance with Section 401(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
The year ending December 31, 2001 reconciliation is on a pro forma
basis to reflect systems acquired and sold as part of the AT&T
Broadband transaction on June 30, 2001, as if such transaction closed
on January 1, 2001. Pro forma adjusted EBITDA exceeds actual adjusted
EBITDA by $48 million and the pro forma net cash flows from operations
exceeds actual net cash flows from operations by $57 million for the
year ended December 31, 2001.
CONTACT: Charter Communications
Media Contact: Deb Seidel, 314/543-5703
dseidel@chartercom.com
or
Analysts Contact: Mary Jo Moehle, 314/543-2397
mmoehle@chartercom.com
SOURCE: Charter Communications