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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 March 31, 2003

or

o 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

(State of Organization)
  91-1366564

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
101 Stewart Street, Seattle, Washington

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  98065

(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 o

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)

Yes o No x

This filing contains 15 pages. Exhibits index appears on page 12.

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1 — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Financial Statements
ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Continuing 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
CERTIFICATIONS
EXHIBIT 99 (A)
EXHIBIT 99 (B)


Table of Contents

PART 1 — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

NORTHLAND CABLE PROPERTIES SEVEN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
BALANCE SHEETS — (UNAUDITED)

                       
          March 31,   December 31,
          2003   2002
         
 
ASSETS
               
Cash
  $ 643,282     $ 519,698  
Accounts receivable
    579,205       485,780  
Due from affiliates
    7,751       34,376  
Prepaid expenses
    155,568       101,471  
System sale receivable
    1,152,445        
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $13,645,240 and $13,115,638, respectively
    12,261,828       12,582,150  
Franchise agreements , net of accumulated amortization of $10,321,249
    9,607,185       9,607,185  
Loan fees and other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $893,363 and $991,875, respectively
    198,718       517,422  
Assets from discontinued operations
          6,744,817  
 
   
     
 
Total assets
  $ 24,605,982     $ 30,592,899  
 
   
     
 
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL (DEFICIT)
               
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  $ 1,896,605     $ 1,910,050  
Due to Managing General Partner and affiliates
    1,161,270       973,023  
Deposits
    19,200       16,275  
Subscriber prepayments
    341,791       319,343  
Notes payable
    20,832,424       40,054,185  
Liabilities from discontinued operations
          947,670  
 
   
     
 
     
Total liabilities
    24,251,290       44,220,546  
 
   
     
 
Partners’ deficit:
               
 
General Partners:
               
   
Contributed capital, net
    (25,367 )     (25,367 )
   
Accumulated deficit
    (183,554 )     (323,378 )
 
   
     
 
 
    (208,921 )     (348,745 )
 
   
     
 
 
Limited Partners:
               
   
Contributed capital, net
    18,735,576       18,735,576  
   
Accumulated deficit
    (18,171,963 )     (32,014,478 )
 
   
     
 
 
    563,613       (13,278,902 )
 
   
     
 
     
Total partners’ capital (deficit)
    354,692       (13,627,647 )
 
   
     
 
Total liabilities and partners’ capital (deficit)
  $ 24,605,982     $ 30,592,899  
 
   
     
 

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 March 31,
         
          2003   2002
         
 
Service revenues
  $ 3,453,863     $ 3,287,687  
Expenses:
               
   
Cable system operations (including $37,213 and $33,583 to affiliates in 2003 and 2002, respectively), excluding depreciation and amortization shown below
    220,207       219,290  
   
General and administrative (including $364,480 and $291,739 to affiliates in 2003 and 2002, respectively)
    843,236       786,528  
   
Programming (including $10,490 and $5,807 to affiliates in 2003 and 2002, respectively)
    1,189,396       1,075,338  
   
Depreciation and amortization
    535,724       556,883  
 
   
     
 
 
    2,788,563       2,638,039  
 
   
     
 
Income from operations
    665,300       649,648  
Other income (expense):
               
     
Interest expense
    (306,850 )     (402,471 )
     
Loan fees
    (127,545 )     (17,716 )
     
Interest income
    775       1,181  
     
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap agreements
          277,449  
     
Loss on disposal of assets
    (14,295 )     (533 )
 
   
     
 
 
    (447,915 )     (142,090 )
 
   
     
 
Income from continuing operations
  $ 217,385     $ 507,558  
 
               
Discontinued operations (note 3) Income (loss) from operations of Washington systems, net (including gain on sale of systems of $14,113,294 in 2003 )
    13,764,954       (143,649 )
 
   
     
 
Net income
    13,982,339       363,909  
 
   
     
 
Allocation of net income:
               
     
General Partners
  $ 139,823     $ 3,639  
 
   
     
 
     
Limited Partners
  $ 13,842,516     $ 360,270  
 
   
     
 
Net income per limited partnership unit:
               
 
(49,656 units)
  $ 279     $ 7  
 
   
     
 
Net income per $1,000 investment
  $ 558     $ 15  
 
   
     
 

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 three months ended March 31,
       
        2003   2002
       
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net income
  $ 13,982,339     $ 363,909  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
               
 
Depreciation and amortization
    719,654       847,789  
 
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap agreements
          (277,449 )
 
Non-cash interest expense
           
 
Loan fees
    271,832       32,481  
 
(Gain) loss on sale of assets
    (14,098,999 )     533  
 
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
               
   
Accounts receivable
    (93,425 )     17,759  
   
Due from affiliates
    26,625       5,160  
   
Prepaid expenses
    (54,097 )     (58,629 )
 
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities
               
   
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (828,924 )     (269,361 )
   
Due to Managing General Partner and affiliates
    188,247       578,098  
   
Deposits
    2,925       11,845  
   
Subscriber prepayments
    22,448       61,716  
 
   
     
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    138,625       1,313,851  
 
   
     
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchase of property and equipment, net
    (232,545 )     (302,956 )
Proceeds from sale of systems
    19,281,427        
 
   
     
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    19,048,882       (302,956 )
 
   
     
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Principal payments on borrowings
    (19,221,761 )     (257,840 )
 
   
     
 
Net cash used in financing activities
    (19,221,761 )     (257,840 )
 
   
     
 
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH
    (34,254 )     753,055  
CASH, beginning of period
    677,536       125,060  
 
   
     
 
CASH, end of period
  $ 643,282     $ 878,115  
 
   
     
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
               
 
Cash paid during the period for interest
  $ 767,131     $ 742,958  
 
   
     
 

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 March 31, 2003, its statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, and its statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002. 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, 2002.

Effective January 1, 2003, the Partnership adopted SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” (“SFAS No. 143”) which addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the reporting of obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and associated asset retirement obligations (“ARO”). Under the scope of this pronouncement, the Partnership has ARO associated with removal of equipment from poles and headend sites that are leased from third parties. Based on management's analyses, the Partnership has concluded that for the reasons mentioned below, it is not able to reasonably estimate the fair values of the ARO. First, to operate the cable television network, the Partnership will always need to have equipment deployed at these poles and headend sites. Additionally, the Partnership has not historically incurred any ARO and, given the length of time in the future when any potential obligations might exist, management believes that estimating any probability at this time is not practicable. As a result, upon adoption of SFAS No. 143 the Partnership did not record any ARO associated with the obligation to remove the equipment.

On March 11, 2003, the Partnership sold the operating assets and franchise rights of its cable systems in and around Sequim and Camano Island, Washington. The accompanying financial statements have been restated to report the discontinued operations of the Partnership, effected for this sale.

(2)  Intangible Assets

In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” the Partnership does not amortize goodwill or any other intangible assets determined to have indefinite lives. The Partnership has determined that its franchises meet the definition of indefinite lived assets. The Partnership tests these assets for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter, 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 book value of the Partnership’s intangible assets, effecting for the sale of the Washington Systems described in note 3, is presented in the following table:

                                                   
      March 31, 2003   December 31, 2002
     
 
      Gross           Net   Gross           Net
      Carrying   Accumulated   Carrying   Carrying   Accumulated   Carrying
      Amount   Amortization   Amount   Amount   Amortization   Amount
     
 
 
 
 
 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
                                               
 
Franchise agreements
  $ 19,928,434     $ (10,321,249 )   $ 9,607,185     $ 19,928,434     $ (10,321,249 )   $ 9,607,185  
Definite-lived intangible assets:
                                               
 
Loan fees and other intangibles
    1,092,081       (893,363 )     198,718       1,509,297       (991,875 )     517,422  
 
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
  $ 21,020,515     $ (11,214,612 )   $ 9,805,903     $ 21,437,731     $ (11,313,124 )   $ 10,124,607  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 

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

         
2003
  $ 149,017  
2004
    49,701  
2005
     
2006
     
2007
     
 
   
 
 
  $ 198,718  
 
   
 

 


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(3)  System Sales

On March 11, 2003, the Partnership sold the operating assets and franchise rights of its cable systems in and around the communities of Sequim and Camano Island, Washington (the “Washington Systems”). The Washington Systems were sold at a price of approximately $20,340,000 of which the Partnership received approximately $19,280,000 at closing. The sales price was adjusted at closing for the proration of certain revenues and expenses and approximately $1,060,000 will be held in escrow and released to the Partnership one year from the closing of the transaction, subject to general representations and warranties. Historically, the Partnership has entered into similarly structured transactions, and has collected the amount held in escrow. Substantially all of the proceeds were used to pay down amounts outstanding under the Partnership’s credit agreement.

The sale was made pursuant to an offer by Wave Division Networks, LLC, which was formalized in a Purchase and Sale Agreement dated October 28, 2002. Based on the offer made by Wave Division Networks, LLC, management determined that acceptance would be in the best economic interest of the Partnership, and that the sale was not a result of declining or deteriorating operations nor was it necessary to create liquidity or reduce outstanding debt. It is the opinion of management that the Partnership could have continued existing operations and met all obligations as they became due.

The assets and liabilities attributable to the Washington Systems as of December 31, 2002 have been reported as assets and liabilities from discontinued operations in the accompanying balance sheets, and consist of the following:

           
      As of
      December 31, 2002
     
Cash
  $ 157,838  
Accounts receivable
    242,211  
Prepaid expenses
    15,819  
Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $10,816,079)
    5,215,097  
Franchise agreements (net of accumulated amortization of $528,415)
    961,053  
Goodwill (net of accumulated amortization of $70,130)
    152,799  
 
   
 
 
Total assets
  $ 6,744,817  
 
   
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    589,453  
Deposits
    2,025  
Subscriber prepayments
    356,192  
 
   
 
 
Total liabilities
  $ 947,670  
 
   
 

In addition, the revenue, expenses and other items attributable to the operations of the Washington Systems for the period form January 1, 2003 to March 11, 2003 (the date of the sale of the Washington Systems), and for the three months ended March 31, 2002 have been reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying statements of operations, and include the following:

 


Table of Contents

                   
     
      2003   2002
     
 
Service revenues
  $ 1,129,917       1,416,611  
Expenses:
               
 
Operating (including $13,642 and $20,045 paid to affiliates in 2003 and 2002, respectively)
    130,423       136,542  
 
General and administrative (including $144,476 and $143,781 paid to affiliates in 2003 and 2002, respectively)
    283,904       347,617  
 
Programming (including $32,896 and $34,599 paid to affiliates in 2003 and 2002, respectively)
    388,583       434,996  
 
Depreciation and amortization
    183,930       290,906  
 
   
     
 
 
    986,840       1,210,061  
 
   
     
 
Income from operations
  $ 143,077     $ 206,550  
Other income (expense):
               
 
Interest expense
    (347,130 )     (335,434 )
 
Loan fees
    (144,287 )     (14,765 )
 
Gain on sale of system
    14,113,294        
 
   
     
 
Income (loss) from operations of Washington Systems, net
  $ 13,764,954     $ (143,649 )
 
   
     
 

In accordance with EITF 87-24, Allocation of Interest to Discontinued Operations, the Partnership allocated interest expense based on the historical weighted average effective interest rate.

(4)  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% and provided for scheduled increases in 2003 and 2004. However, 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 sale of the Washington Systems in March of 2003 met the asset sale criteria, reducing the fees and applicable interest rate margin over the remaining term of the loan agreement.

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 5.90 to 1.0 and a minimum ratio of Operating Cash Flow to Interest Expense of 2.25 to 1.0. As of March 31, 2003 the Partnership was in compliance with its required financial covenants.

 


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As of the date of this filing, the balance under the credit facility is $20,586,759 at a LIBOR based interest rate of 5.30%, which expires May 30, 2003.

PART I (continued)

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

Three Months Ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

Revenues totaled $3,453,863 for the three months ended March 31, 2003 representing an increase of $166,176 or approximately 5% over the same period in 2002. Of these revenues, $2,225,540 (64%) was derived from basic services, $282,357 (8%) from premium services, $474,827 (14%) from expanded basic services, $51,965 (2%) from digital services, $204,095 (6%) from advertising, $67,401 (2%) from late fees, and $147,678 (4%) 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 2003 and (ii) increased penetration in expanded and digital services.

Cable system operating expenses, which consist primarily of salary and benefit costs, totaled $220,207 for the three months ended March 31, 2003, remaining relatively constant with the same period in 2002.

General and administrative expenses totaled $843,236 for the three months ended March 31, 2003, an increase of $56,708 or approximately 7% over the same period in 2002. This increase is primarily attributable to increases in revenue based fees such as management and franchise fees, marketing expense and other overhead costs.

Programming expenses totaled $1,189,396 for the three months ended March 31, 2003, increasing $114,058 or 11% over the same period in 2002. This increase is due primarily to higher costs charged by various program suppliers as well as costs incurred as the result of offering additional channels and digital programming in some of the Partnership’s systems.

Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2003 decreased $21,159 or approximately 4% over the same period in 2002. Such decrease is primarily attributable to certain assets becoming fully depreciated offset by depreciation of recent purchases related to the upgrade of plant and equipment.

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2003 decreased approximately 24% over the same period in 2002. The Partnership’s average bank debt outstanding decreased from $41,169,600 during the first quarter of 2002 to $35,246,622 during the same period in 2003, due primarily to the fact that the proceeds from the sale of the Washington Systems were used to repay debt in March of 2003. The Partnership’s effective interest rate increased from 7.17% in the first quarter of 2002 to 7.42% in the first quarter of 2003, due to increases in the margin to be paid to the Partnership’s lenders, as required under the terms of the amended loan agreement.

In accordance with EITF 87-24, Allocation of Interest to Discontinued Operations, the Partnership allocated interest expense based on the historical weighted average effective interest rate.

Loan fee expense for the three months ended March 31, 2003 totaled $127,145 representing an increase of $109,429 over the same period in 2002. 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. The Partnership generates cash through the monthly billing of subscribers for cable services. Losses from uncollectible accounts have not been material. 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.

 


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Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $138,625 for the three months ended March 31, 2003. Adjustments to the $13,982,339 net income for the period to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities consisted primarily of a gain of $14,098,999 related primarily to the sale of the Washington Systems and decreases in operating liabilities of $615,304, offset by loan fees of 271,832 and depreciation and amortization of $719,654.

Net cash provided by investing activities consisted of proceeds from the sale of the Washington Systems of $19,281,427, offset by $232,545 in capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2003.

Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2003, consisted of $19,221,761 in principal payments on long-term debt, due primarily to the sale of the Washington Systems.

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% and provided for scheduled increases in 2003 and 2004. However, 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 sale of the Washington Systems in March of 2003 met the asset sale criteria, reducing the fees and applicable interest rate margin over the remaining term of the loan agreement.

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 5.90 to 1.0 and a minimum ratio of Operating Cash Flow to Interest Expense of 2.25 to 1.0. As of March 31, 2003 the Partnership was in compliance with its required financial covenants.

As of the date of this filing, the balance under the credit facility is $20,586,759 at a LIBOR based interest rate of 5.30%, which expires May 30, 2003.

System Sale

On March 11, 2003, the Partnership sold the operating assets and franchise rights of its cable systems in and around the communities of Sequim and Camano Island, Washington (the “Washington Systems”). The Washington Systems were sold at a price of approximately $20,340,000 of which the Partnership received approximately $19,280,000 at closing. The sales price was adjusted at closing for the proration of certain revenues and expenses and approximately $1,060,000 will be held in escrow and released to the Partnership one year from the closing of the transaction, subject to general representations and warranties. Historically, the Partnership has entered into similarly structured transactions, and has collected the amount held in escrow. Substantially all of the proceeds were used to pay down amounts outstanding under the Partnership’s credit agreement.

The sale was made pursuant to an offer by Wave Division Networks, LLC, which was formalized in a Purchase and Sale Agreement dated October 28, 2002. Based on the offer made by Wave Division Networks, LLC, management determined that acceptance would be in the best economic interest of the Partnership, and that the sale was not a result of declining or deteriorating operations nor was it necessary to create liquidity or reduce outstanding debt. It is the opinion of management that the Partnership could have continued existing operations and met all obligations as they became due.

     In addition to working capital needs for ongoing operations, the Partnership has capital requirements for (i) annual maturities and interest payments related to the term loan and (ii) required minimum operating lease payments. The following table summarizes the contractual obligations of the Partnership, after effecting for the sales of the Washington Systems and the anticipated effect of these obligations on the Partnership’s liquidity in future years:

 


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    2003   2004   2005   2006   2007   Total
   
 
 
 
 
 
Notes payable
  $ 2,241,318     $ 19,056,592     $ 29,868     $ 13,166           $ 21,340,944  
Interest payments (weighted average interest rate of 5.45% as of December 31, 2002)
    1,574,782       509,612       2,361       264             2,087,019  
Minimum operating lease payments
    42,728       31,898       18,698       1,898             95,222  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Total contractual cash obligations (a)
  $ 3,858,828     $ 19,598,102     $ 50,927     $ 15,328           $ 23,523,185  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 


(a)   These contractual obligations do not include accounts payable and accrued liabilities, which are expected to be paid in 2003.

Capital Expenditures

During the first three months of 2003, the Partnership incurred approximately $233,000 in capital expenditures, including various line extensions, plant upgrades and the continuation of digital service deployment. Planned expenditures for the remainder of 2003 include the initial phase of an upgrade of the distribution plant to 450MHz in Royston, GA, as well as the construction of additional extensions and continued digital deployment.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Effective January 1, 2003, the Partnership adopted SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” (“SFAS No. 143”) which addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the reporting of obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and associated asset retirement obligations (“ARO”). Under the scope of this pronouncement, the Partnership has ARO associated with removal of equipment from poles and headend sites that are leased from third parties. Based on management's analyses, the Partnership has concluded that for the reasons mentioned below, it is not able to reasonably estimate the fair values of the ARO. First, to operate the cable television network, the Partnership will always need to have equipment deployed at these poles and headend sites. Additionally, the Partnership has not historically incurred any ARO and, given the length of time in the future when any potential obligations might exist, management believes that estimating any probability at this time is not practicable. As a result, upon adoption of SFAS No. 143 the Partnership did not record any ARO associated with the obligation to remove the equipment.

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, including service and maintenance, is recognized in the month service is provided to customers. 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.

Property and Equipment - Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Costs of additions and substantial improvements, which include materials, labor, and other indirect costs associated with the construction of cable transmission and distribution facilities, are capitalized. Indirect costs include employee salaries and benefits, travel and other costs. These costs are estimated based on historical information and analysis. The Partnership periodically performs evaluations of these estimates as warranted by events or changes in circumstances.

In accordance with SFAS No. 51, “Financial Reporting by Cable Television Companies,” the Partnership also capitalizes costs associated with initial customer installations. The costs of disconnecting service or reconnecting service to previously installed locations is expensed in the period incurred. Costs for repairs and maintenance are also charged to operating expense, while equipment replacements, including the replacement of drops, are capitalized.

Intangible Assets - In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” the Partnership does not amortize goodwill or any other intangible assets determined to have indefinite lives. The

 


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Partnership has determined that its franchises meet the definition of indefinite lived assets. The Partnership tests these assets for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter, 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.

Management believes the franchises have indefinite lives because the franchises are expected to be used by the Partnership for the foreseeable future and effects of obsolescence, competition and other factors are minimal. In addition, the level of maintenance expenditures required to obtain the future cash flows expected from the franchises are not material in relation to the carrying value of the franchises. While the franchises have defined lives based on the franchising authority, renewals are routinely granted, and management expects them to continue to be granted. This expectation is supported by management’s experience with the Partnership’s franchising authorities and the franchising authorities of the Partnership’s affiliates.

 


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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 $208,000.

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 filed March 25, 2003 announcing the sale of the Sequin and Camano Island, Washington systems.

 


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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: 5-15-03       BY:   /s/   RICHARD I. CLARK
Richard I. Clark
(Executive Vice President/Treasurer)
                 
                 
Dated: 5-15-03       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: 5-15-03

         
/s/   GARY S. JONES    
    Gary S. Jones    
    President    

 


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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: 5-15-03

         
/s/   JOHN S. WHETZELL    
    John S. Whetzell    
    Chief Executive Officer