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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[X]   Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended   September 30, 2002  

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 Number:    0-16718   

Northland Cable Properties Seven Limited Partnership


(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
 
     
Washington   91-1366564

 
(State of Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
         
1201 Third Avenue, Suite 3600, Seattle, Washington   98101

 
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(206) 621-1351


(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A


(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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 subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  [X]         No  [   ]

This filing contains 21 pages. Exhibits index appears on page 16.

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1 — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Financial Statements
BALANCE SHEETS — (UNAUDITED)
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS — (UNAUDITED)
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS — (UNAUDITED)
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
ITEM 4. Controls and procedures
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1 Legal proceedings
ITEM 2 Changes in securities
ITEM 3 Defaults upon senior securities
ITEM 4 Submission of matters to a vote of security holders
ITEM 5 Other information
ITEM 6 Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT 99.(A)
EXHIBIT 99.(B)


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PART 1 — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

NORTHLAND CABLE PROPERTIES SEVEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
BALANCE SHEETS — (UNAUDITED)
                       
          September 30,   December 31,
          2002   2001
         
 
ASSETS
               
Cash
  $ 813,323     $ 125,060  
Accounts receivable
    655,870       592,772  
Due from affiliates
    36,941       17,225  
Prepaid expenses
    156,857       89,299  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $23,386,073 and $20,956,786, respectively
    18,069,618       19,074,621  
Franchise agreements and acquisition costs, net of accumulated amortization of $10,849,665
    10,562,737       10,560,037  
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $70,130
    152,799       152,799  
Loan fees and other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $1,618,726 and $1,359,248, respectively
    629,851       485,384  
 
   
     
 
Total assets
  $ 31,077,996     $ 31,097,197  
 
   
     
 
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ DEFICIT
               
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  $ 2,389,745     $ 1,820,883  
Due to managing general partner and affiliates
    1,016,865       285,125  
Converter deposits
    18,325       71,730  
Subscriber prepayments
    577,561       595,357  
Notes payable
    40,362,530       41,236,547  
Interest rate swap agreements
          277,449  
 
   
     
 
     
Total liabilities
    44,365,026       44,287,091  
 
   
     
 
Partners’ deficit:
               
 
General Partners:
               
   
Contributed capital, net
    (25,367 )     (25,367 )
   
Accumulated deficit
    (319,971 )     (319,000 )
 
   
     
 
 
    (345,338 )     (344,367 )
 
   
     
 
 
Limited Partners:
               
   
Contributed capital, net
    18,735,576       18,735,576  
   
Accumulated deficit
    (31,677,268 )     (31,581,103 )
 
   
     
 
 
    (12,941,692 )     (12,845,527 )
 
   
     
 
     
Total partners’ deficit
    (13,287,030 )     (13,189,894 )
 
   
     
 
Total liabilities and partners’ deficit
  $ 31,077,996     $ 31,097,197  
 
   
     
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these balance sheets.

 


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NORTHLAND CABLE PROPERTIES SEVEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS — (UNAUDITED)
                       
          For the three months ended September 30,
         
          2002   2001
         
 
Service revenues
  $ 4,895,042     $ 4,691,112  
Expenses:
               
   
Cable system operations (including $50,300 and $50,388 to affiliates in 2002 and 2001, respectively), excluding depreciation and amortization shown below
    382,288       384,290  
   
General and administrative (including $452,473 and $427,556 to affiliates in 2002 and 2001, respectively)
    1,243,597       1,175,486  
   
Programming (including $52,967 paid to and $7,038 received from affiliates in 2002 and 2001, respectively)
    1,583,202       1,363,973  
   
Depreciation and amortization
    853,890       1,279,902  
 
   
     
 
 
    4,062,977       4,203,651  
 
   
     
 
Income from operations
    832,065       487,461  
Other income (expense):
               
     
Interest expense
    (675,926 )     (781,734 )
     
Loan fees
    (403,595 )     (32,496 )
     
Interest income and other, net
    1,335       (64,922 )
     
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap agreements
          (138,381 )
     
Loss on disposal of assets
    (20,442 )     (116,711 )
 
   
     
 
 
    (1,098,628 )     (1,134,244 )
 
   
     
 
Net loss
  $ (266,563 )   $ (646,783 )
 
   
     
 
Allocation of net loss:
               
     
General Partners
  $ (2,666 )   $ (6,468 )
 
   
     
 
     
Limited Partners
  $ (263,897 )   $ (640,315 )
 
   
     
 
Net loss per limited partnership unit:
               
 
(49,656 units)
  $ (5 )   $ (13 )
 
   
     
 
Net loss per $1,000 investment
  $ (11 )   $ (26 )
 
   
     
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 


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NORTHLAND CABLE PROPERTIES SEVEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS — (UNAUDITED)
                       
          For the nine months ended September 30,
         
          2002   2001
         
 
Service revenues
  $ 14,477,921     $ 13,970,216  
Expenses:
               
   
Cable system operations (including $153,241 and $168,253 to affiliates in 2002 and 2001, respectively), excluding depreciation and amortization shown below
    1,109,227       1,153,877  
   
General and administrative (including $1,334,950 and $1,303,842 to affiliates in 2002 and 2001, respectively)
    3,562,807       3,405,409  
   
Programming (including $145,789 and $51,210 to affiliates in 2002 and 2001, respectively)
    4,659,178       3,995,042  
   
Depreciation and amortization
    2,548,884       3,794,670  
 
   
     
 
 
    11,880,096       12,348,998  
 
   
     
 
Income from operations
    2,597,825       1,621,218  
Other income (expense):
               
     
Interest expense
    (2,137,953 )     (2,444,350 )
     
Loan fees
    (815,486 )     (91,453 )
     
Interest income and other, net
    2,004       (38,662 )
     
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap agreements
    277,449       (412,630 )
     
Loss on disposal of assets
    (20,975 )     (171,216 )
 
   
     
 
 
    (2,694,961 )     (3,158,311 )
 
   
     
 
Net loss
  $ (97,136 )   $ (1,537,093 )
 
   
     
 
Allocation of net loss:
               
     
General Partners
  $ (971 )   $ (15,371 )
 
   
     
 
     
Limited Partners
  $ (96,165 )   $ (1,521,722 )
 
   
     
 
Net loss per limited partnership unit:
               
 
(49,656 units)
  $ (2 )   $ (31 )
 
   
     
 
Net loss per $1,000 investment
  $ (4 )   $ (61 )
 
   
     
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 


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NORTHLAND CABLE PROPERTIES SEVEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS — (UNAUDITED)
                     
        For the nine months ended September 30,
       
        2002   2001
       
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net loss
  $ (97,136 )   $ (1,537,093 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities:
               
 
Depreciation and amortization
    2,548,884       3,794,670  
 
Unrealized (gain) loss on interest rate swap agreements
    (277,449 )     412,630  
 
Non-cash interest expense
    173,835        
 
Loan fees
    215,486       91,453  
 
Loss on sale of assets
    20,975       171,216  
 
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
               
   
Accounts receivable
    (63,098 )     31,811  
   
Due from affiliates
    (19,716 )     (45,772 )
   
Prepaid expenses
    (67,558 )     (46,211 )
 
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities
               
   
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    395,027       (798,790 )
   
Due to Managing General Partner and affiliates
    731,740       (55,873 )
   
Converter deposits
    (53,405 )     10,490  
   
Subscriber prepayments
    (17,796 )     (108,078 )
 
   
     
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    3,489,789       1,920,453  
 
   
     
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchase of property and equipment, net
    (1,524,064 )     (3,884,871 )
Proceeds from sale of assets
    500        
Increase in intangibles
            —(124,577 )
 
   
     
 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (1,523,564 )     (4,009,448 )
 
   
     
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Principal payments on borrowings
    (874,017 )     (2,459,598 )
Proceeds from borrowings
          4,500,000  
Loan fees
    (403,945 )      
 
   
     
 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (1,277,962 )     2,040,402  
 
   
     
 
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
    688,263       (48,593 )
CASH, beginning of period
    125,060       492,858  
 
   
     
 
CASH, end of period
  $ 813,323     $ 444,265  
 
   
     
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
               
 
Cash paid during the period for interest
  $ 2,404,097     $ 2,444,370  
 
   
     
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 


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NORTHLAND CABLE PROPERTIES SEVEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) Basis of Presentation

These unaudited financial statements are being filed in conformity with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X regarding interim financial statement disclosure and do not contain all of the necessary footnote disclosures required for a fair presentation of the balance sheets, statements of operations and statements of cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. However, in the opinion of management, this data includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the Partnership’s financial position at September 30, 2002, its statements of operations for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, and its statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001. Results of operations for these periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year. These financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.

(2) Intangible Assets — Adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142

Effective January 1, 2002, the Partnership adopted SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” SFAS No. 142 requires that the Partnership cease amortization of goodwill and any other intangible assets determined to have indefinite lives, and establishes a new method of testing these assets for impairment on an annual basis or on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value or if the fair value of intangible assets with indefinite lives falls below their carrying value on an annual basis. The amortization of existing goodwill ceased on December 31, 2001. The Partnership determined that its franchises met the definition of indefinite lived assets. Accordingly, amortization of these assets also ceased on December 31, 2001. The Partnership tested these intangibles for impairment upon adoption of the new standard and determined that the fair value of the assets exceeded their carrying value. The Partnership will continue to test these assets for impairment annually, or more frequently as warranted by events or changes in circumstances. The book value of the Partnership’s intangible assets is presented in the following table:

                                                   
      September 30, 2002   December 31, 2001
     
 
      Gross           Net   Gross           Net
      Carrying   Accumulated   Carrying   Carrying   Accumulated   Carrying
      Amount   Amortization   Amount   Amount   Amortization   Amount
     
 
 
 
 
 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
                                               
 
Franchises
  $ 21,412,402     $ (10,849,665 )   $ 10,562,737     $ 21,409,702     $ (10,849,665 )   $ 10,560,037  
 
Goodwill
    222,929       (70,130 )     152,799       222,929       (70,130 )     152,799  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
    21,635,331       (10,919,795 )     10,715,536       21,632,631       (10,919,795 )     10,712,836  
Definite-lived intangible assets:
                                               
 
Loan fees and other intangible assets
    2,248,577       (1,618,726 )     629,851       1,844,632       (1,359,248 )     485,384  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
  $ 23,883,908     $ (12,538,521 )   $ 11,345,387     $ 23,477,263     $ (12,279,043 )   $ 11,198,220  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 

 


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As required by SFAS No. 142, the statement has not been retroactively applied to the results for periods prior to adoption. A reconciliation of net loss for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2001, and the twelve months ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, as if amortization of goodwill and franchises had not been recorded is presented below:
                                         
    Nine Months Ended   Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended December 31,
    September 30, 2001   September 30, 2001   2001   2000   1999
   
 
 
 
 
NET LOSS:
                                       
Reported net loss
  $ (1,537,093 )   $ (646,783 )   $ (1,878,080 )   $ (815,334 )   $ (1,043,449 )
Add back: amortization of indefinite-lived franchises
    1,524,546       505,736       2,027,971       2,048,188       2,088,502  
Add back: amortization of goodwill
    4,179       1,393             5,573       5,573  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Adjusted net (loss) income
  $ (8,368 )   $ (139,654 )   $ 149,891     $ 1,238,427     $ 1,050,626  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
NET LOSS PER PARTNERSHIP UNIT:
                                       
Reported net loss per limited partnership unit
  $ (31 )   $ (13 )   $ (37 )   $ (16 )   $ (21 )
Add back: amortization of indefinite-lived franchises
    31       10       41       41       42  
Add back: amortization of goodwill
                             
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Adjusted net loss (income) per limited partnership unit
  $     $ (3 )   $ 4     $ 25     $ 21  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 

Amortization expense including amortization of loan fees for each of the next five years is expected to be as follows:

         
2003
  $ 411,174  
2004
    102,794  
2005
     
2006
     
2007
     
 
   
 
 
  $ 513,968  
 
   
 

(3) Notes Payable

On March 31, 2002, the Partnership agreed to certain terms and conditions with its bank and amended its credit agreement. The new terms and conditions modify the debt repayment schedule, applicable interest rates, certain financial covenants, and fees to be paid to the lenders. The new agreement matures on March 31, 2004, and has an applicable interest rate of LIBOR plus 4% with scheduled increases in 2003 and 2004. The amendment to the credit agreement was not considered a significant modification according to Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 96-19. Based on these terms, the Partnership is required to make the following future principal payments related to the amended agreement:

 


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    Amended
    Principal
    Payments
   
2002
  $ 300,000  
2003
    2,200,000  
2004
    37,600,000  
 
   
 
 
  $ 40,100,000  
 
   
 

If the Partnership sells assets and reduces the debt by at least $15,000,000, the interest rate increases scheduled for 2003 and 2004 would not occur and certain fees would be reduced pro rata by the amount of the debt repayment. The Partnership intends to pursue a complete or partial asset sale during the remaining term of the amended credit agreement but no assurances can be given that such a transaction will occur. It is management’s opinion that the Partnership could renegotiate the terms of its credit agreement prior to its maturity if asset sales sufficient to repay the outstanding bank debt are not completed by March 31, 2004.

Under the terms of the Partnership’s amended credit agreement, the Partnership has agreed to restrictive covenants that require the maintenance of certain ratios including a maximum ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA of 6.00 to 1.0 and a minimum ratio of Operating Cash Flow to Interest Expense of 2.25 to 1.0. As of September 30, 2002 the Partnership was in compliance with its required financial covenants.

As of the date of this filing, the balance under the credit facility is $40,100,000 at a LIBOR based interest rate of 5.82% expiring November 29, 2002.

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On October 28, 2002 the Partnership entered into an agreement to sell certain cable operations representing approximately 30% of its subscriber base to an unaffiliated third party. The sales price of the system is $21,790,000, which will result in the recognition of a gain. Closing of the sale is contingent upon the buyer obtaining financing and the transfer of franchise operating agreements. Upon closing, substantially all of the proceeds from the sale will be utilized to reduce amounts outstanding under the Partnership’s debt agreement. The sale is not expected to close until 2003. Summary operating results for the operations to be sold for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 are as follows:

 


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    For the three months ended   For the nine months ended
    September 30,   September 30,
   
 
    2002   2001   2002   2001
   
 
 
 
Service revenues
  $ 1,494,433     $ 1,479,464     $ 4,384,682     $ 4,456,247  
Expenses:
                               
Cable system operations
    145,261       154,652       414,766       456,483  
General and administrative
    352,349       351,183       1,051,008       1,050,427  
Programming
    466,586       394,098       1,362,861       1,175,269  
Depreciation and amortization
    288,280       435,167       871,795       1,290,188  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
    1,252,476       1,335,100       3,700,430       3,972,367  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Income from operations
  $ 241,957     $ 144,364     $ 684,252     $ 483,880  
 
   
     
     
     
 

 


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PART I (continued)

ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002 and 2001

As of September 30, 2002, the Partnership’s systems served approximately 34,281 basic subscribers, 17,671 premium subscribers and 3,177 digital subscribers.

Revenues totaled $14,477,921 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 representing an increase of approximately 4% over the same period in 2001. Of these revenues, $9,564,434 (66%) was derived from basic services, $1,108,787 (8%) from premium services, $1,680,142 (12%) from expanded basic services, $245,994 (2%) from digital services, $212,856 (1%) from service maintenance contracts, $1,055,977 (7%) from advertising and $609,731 (4%) from other sources. This increase is attributable to rate increases put into effect the first quarter of 2002.

Cable system operating expenses, which include costs related to technical personnel, repairs and maintenance, totaled $1,109,227 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, representing a decrease of approximately 4% over the same period in 2001. This is primarily due to decreases in operating salaries and payroll related taxes and benefits, which are a result of reductions in the number of technical and regional personnel.

General and administrative expenses totaled $3,562,807 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, representing an increase of approximately 5% over the same period in 2001. The increase is primarily attributable to (i) increases in revenue based expenses such as management fees and franchise fees, (ii) a 118% increase in marketing expenses and (iii) increases in system utility, property tax and insurance costs.

Programming expenses totaled $4,659,178 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, representing an increase of approximately 17% over the same period in 2001. The increase is primarily attributable to higher costs charged by various program suppliers as well as costs incurred as the result of offering additional channels in some of the Partnership’s systems.

Depreciation and amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 decreased approximately 33% over the same period in 2001. Such decrease is primarily attributable to the Partnership’s implementation of SFAS No. 142. As of December 31, 2001, the Partnership discontinued amortizing its franchises and goodwill in accordance with SFAS No. 142 resulting in a decrease of approximately $1,529,000 in amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 compared to the same period in 2001.

Interest expense totaled $2,137,953 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 representing a decrease of approximately 13% over the same period in 2001. This amount includes certain accrued interest charges to be paid in 2003 and 2004, which are a result of the Partnership’s accounting for scheduled increases to the interest rate margin on a straight-line basis. This approximates the effective interest rate method. The Partnership’s average bank debt outstanding decreased from $41,794,893 during the first nine months of 2001 to $40,898,798 during the first nine months of 2002. The Partnership’s effective interest rate decreased from 7.80% in 2001 to 6.97% in 2002.

 


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Loan fee expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 increased $584,687 over the same period in 2001. This increase is attributable to fees paid under the terms of the credit agreement, as amended on March 31, 2002.

The Partnership has elected not to designate its interest rate swap agreements as hedges under SFAS No. 133. Agreements in place as of December 31, 2001 expired during the first quarter of 2002, and the Partnership has elected not to enter into any new agreements.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2002 and 2001

Revenues totaled $4,895,042 for the three months ended September 30, 2002 representing an increase of approximately 3% over the same period in 2001. Of these revenues, $3,192,640 (65%) was derived from basic services, $365,704 (7%) from premium services, $574,846 (12%) from expanded basic services, $84,701 (2%) from digital services, $381,461 (8%) from advertising and $295,690 (6%) from other sources. The increase in revenues is primarily attributable to: (i) rate increases implemented in the Partnership’s systems during the first quarter of 2002; (ii) increased penetration in digital services and (iii) an increase of approximately 17% in advertising revenues.

Cable system operating expenses totaled $382,288 for the three months ended September 30, 2002, remaining constant with the same period in 2001.

General and administrative expenses totaled $1,243,597 for the three months ended September 30, 2002, representing an increase of approximately 6% over the same period in 2001. This increase is primarily attributable to: (i) increases in revenue-based expenses such as management fees and franchise fees; (ii) a 170% increase in marketing expenses and (iii) increases in insurance costs.

Programming expenses totaled $1,583,202 for the three months ended September 30, 2002, representing an increase of approximately 16% over the same period in 2001. This increase is primarily attributable to higher costs charged by various program suppliers as well as costs incurred as the result of offering additional channels in some of the Partnership’s systems.

Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2002 decreased approximately 33% over the same period in 2001. Such decrease is primarily attributable to the Partnership’s implementation of SFAS No. 142. As of December 31, 2001, the Partnership discontinued amortizing its franchises and goodwill in accordance with SFAS No. 142 resulting in a decrease of approximately $507,000 in amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2002 compared to the same period in 2001.

Interest expense totaled $675,926 for the three months ended September 30, 2002 representing a decrease of approximately 14% over the same period in 2001. This amount includes certain accrued interest charges to be paid in 2003 and 2004, which are a result of the Partnership’s accounting for scheduled increases to the interest rate margin on a straight-line basis. This approximates the effective interest rate method. The Partnership’s average bank debt outstanding decreased from $42,100,227 during the third quarter of 2001 to $40,564,519 during the same period in 2002. The Partnership’s effective interest rate decreased from 7.43% in the third quarter of 2001 to 6.67% in the third quarter of 2002.

 


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Loan fee expense for the three months ended September 30, 2002 totaled $403,595 representing an increase of $371,099 over the same period in 2001. This increase is attributable to fees paid under the terms of the credit agreement, as amended on March 31, 2002.

The Partnership has elected not to designate its interest rate swap agreements as hedges under SFAS No. 133. Agreements in place as of December 31, 2001 expired during the first quarter of 2002, and the Partnership has elected not to enter into any new agreements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Partnership’s primary source of liquidity is cash flow provided from operations. Based on management’s analysis, the Partnership’s cash flow from operations will be sufficient to cover future operating costs, debt service and planned capital expenditures over the next twelve-month period.

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $3,489,789 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. Adjustments to the $97,136 net loss for the period to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities consisted primarily of $2,548,884 of depreciation and amortization, loan fees of $215,846, non-cash interest expense of $173,835 and increases in operating liabilities of $1,055,566 offset by decreases of $277,449 relating to interest rate swap agreements.

Net cash used in investing activities consisted primarily of $1,524,064 in capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2002.

Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 consisted of $874,017 in principal payments on notes payable and payment of additional loan fees of $403,945 related to the amendment of the Partnership’s credit agreement.

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $1,920,453 for the nine months ended September 30, 2001. Adjustments to the $1,537,093 net loss for the period to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities consisted primarily of $3,794,670 of depreciation and amortization, $412,630 relating to interest rate swap agreements and decreases in operating liabilities of $952,251.

Net cash used in investing activities consisted of $4,009,448 in capital expenditures and increases in intangibles for the nine months ended September 30, 2001.

Net cash from financing activities was $2,040,402 for the nine months ended September 30, 2001. The Partnership had $4,500,000 in additions to notes payable to fund capital expenditures and made $2,459,598 in principal payments on long-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2001.

Capital Expenditures

During the first nine months of 2002, the Partnership incurred approximately $1,524,000 in capital expenditures, including the continuation of plant upgrades to 550 MHz in Sandersville, Georgia, 450 MHz in Sequim, Washington and 450 MHz in Camano Island, Washington.

 


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Planned expenditures for the remainder of 2002 include continuation of distribution plant upgrades and digital deployment.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143 — In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143 “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.” SFAS No. 143 requires entities to record the fair value of liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. Statement No. 143 will be effective for the Partnership beginning January 1, 2003. The Partnership has not yet estimated the impact of implementation on its financial position or results of operations.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 145 — In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections.” SFAS No. 145 provides for the rescission of several previously issued accounting standards, new accounting guidance for the accounting for certain lease modifications and various technical corrections that are not substantive in nature to existing pronouncements. SFAS No. 145 will be effective beginning January 1, 2003, except for the provisions relating to the amendment of SFAS No. 13, which will be effective for transactions occurring subsequent to May 15, 2002. Adoption of SFAS No. 145 will not have a material impact on the Partnership’s financial statements.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 146 — In September 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities”. SFAS No. 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity is recognized at fair value when the liability is incurred and is effective for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002. The Partnership has not yet estimated the impact of implementation on its financial position or results of operations.

Critical Accounting Policies

This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on the Partnership’s financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues, and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following critical accounting policies, which have been chosen among alternatives, require a more significant amount of management judgment than other accounting policies the Partnership employs.

Revenue Recognition — Cable television service revenue is recognized in the month service is provided to the customer. Advance payments on cable services to be rendered are recorded as subscriber prepayments. Revenues resulting from the sale of local spot advertising are recognized when the related advertisements or commercials appear before the public.

Long-lived Assets — Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Costs of additions and substantial improvements to property and equipment are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expense as incurred.

 


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Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the equipment’s estimated useful lives. The Partnership evaluates the depreciation periods of property and equipment to determine whether events or circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives.

The costs associated with the construction of cable transmission and distribution facilities and new cable service installations are capitalized. Costs include direct labor and materials as well as certain indirect costs. The amount of indirect costs that are capitalized, which include employee benefits, travel and other costs, are estimated based on historical construction costs. The Partnership periodically performs evaluations of these estimates to determine whether they are reflective of current construction costs. At the time of retirements, sales or other dispositions of property, the original cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and the gains and losses are presented in the statement of operations.

The Partnership periodically reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable

On January 1, 2002, the Partnership adopted SFAS No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangibles.” Under this statement, goodwill and franchises are no longer being amortized, but are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently as warranted by events or changes in circumstances. As of September 30, 2002, there was no indication of such impairment.

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On October 28, 2002 the Partnership entered into an agreement to sell certain cable operations representing approximately 30% of its subscriber base to an unaffiliated third party. The sales price of the system is $21,790,000, which will result in the recognition of a gain. Closing of the sale is contingent upon the buyer obtaining financing and the transfer of franchise operating agreements. Upon closing, substantially all of the proceeds from the sale will be utilized to reduce amounts outstanding under the Partnership’s debt agreement. The sale is not expected to close until 2003. Summary operating results for the operations to be sold for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 are as follows:
                                 
    For the three months ended   For the nine months ended
    September 30,   September 30,
   
 
    2002   2001   2002   2001
   
 
 
 
Service revenues
  $ 1,494,433       1,479,464     $ 4,384,682     $ 4,456,247  
Expenses:
                               
Cable system operations
    145,261       154,652       414,766       456,483  
General and administrative
    352,349       351,183       1,051,008       1,050,427  
Programming
    466,586       394,098       1,362,861       1,175,269  
Depreciation and amortization
    288,280       435,167       871,795       1,290,188  
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
    1,252,476       1,335,100       3,700,430       3,972,367  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Income from operations
  $ 241,957     $ 144,364     $ 684,252     $ 483,880  
 
   
     
     
     
 

 


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ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Partnership is subject to market risks arising from changes in interest rates. The Partnership’s primary interest rate exposure results from changes in LIBOR or the prime rate, which are used to determine the interest rate applicable to the Partnership’s debt facilities. The Partnership has from time to time entered into interest rate swap agreements to partially hedge interest rate exposure. Interest rate swaps have the effect of converting the applicable variable rate obligations to fixed or other variable rate obligations. As of the date of this filing, the Partnership is not involved in any interest rate swap agreements. The potential loss over one year that would result from a hypothetical, instantaneous and unfavorable change of 100 basis points in the interest rate of all of the Partnership’s variable rate obligations would be approximately $401,000.

Cautionary statement for purposes of the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements contained or incorporated by reference in this document that are not based on historical fact are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as “believe”, “intends”, “may”, “will”, “expect”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “continue”, or similar terms, variations of those terms or the negative of those terms.

ITEM 4. Controls and procedures

Within 90 days prior to the date of filing this report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Partnership’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-14(c) of the Exchange Act). Based on and as of the time of such evaluation, the Partnership’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer), concluded that the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Partnership required to be included in the Partnership’s reports filed or submitted by it under the Exchange Act. There have been no significant changes in the Partnership’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the time of such evaluation.

 


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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1 Legal proceedings

     None

ITEM 2 Changes in securities

     None

ITEM 3 Defaults upon senior securities

     None

ITEM 4 Submission of matters to a vote of security holders

     None

ITEM 5 Other information

     None

ITEM 6 Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

     (a)   Exhibit Index

     
99(a)   Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Northland Communications Corporation, the General Partner, Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
99(b)   Certification of the President of Northland Communications Corporation, the General Partner, Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

     (b)   Reports on Form 8-K

     
    Form 8-K originally filed on July 15, 2002, and amended on July 19, 2002, announcing the dismissal of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Partnership’s independent auditors and the appointment of KPMG LLP to serve as the Partnership’s independent auditors.

 


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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

NORTHLAND CABLE PROPERTIES SEVEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

         
    BY:   Northland Communications Corporation,
        Managing General Partner
         
 
 
Dated: 11-12-02   BY:   /s/  RICHARD I. CLARK
       
        Richard I. Clark
(Executive Vice President/Treasurer)
 
 
Dated: 11-12-02   BY:   /s/  GARY S. JONES
       
        Gary S. Jones
(President)

 


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CERTIFICATIONS

I, Gary Jones certify that:

1.    I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Northland Cable Properties Seven Limited Partnership;
 
2.    Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
 
3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
 
4.    The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

        a)    Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;
 
        b)    Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and
 
        c)    Presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.    The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and board of directors:

        a)    All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weakness in internal controls; and
 
        b)    Any fraud, whether or not material that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

6.    The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: November 12, 2002

  /s/  GARY S. JONES

Gary S. Jones
President
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 


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I, John Whetzell certify that:

1.    I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Northland Cable Properties Seven Limited Partnership;
 
2.    Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
 
3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
 
4.    The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

        a)    Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;
 
        b)    Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and
 
        c)    Presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.    The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and board of directors:

        a)    All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weakness in internal controls; and
 
        b)    Any fraud, whether or not material that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

6.    The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: November 12, 2002

  /s/  JOHN S. WHETZELL

John S. Whetzell
Chief Executive Officer