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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, 2004

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: 333-43157

Northland Cable Television, Inc.


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
State of Washington   91-1311836

 
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

AND SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR:

Northland Cable News, Inc.


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
State of Washington   91-1638891

 
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
101 Stewart Street, Suite 700
Seattle, Washington
   
98101

 
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (206) 621-1351

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x     No  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

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1 — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Financial Statements
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED 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 31.(A)
EXHIBIT 31.(B)
EXHIBIT 32.(A)
EXHIBIT 32.(B)


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PART 1 — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

NORTHLAND CABLE TELEVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Northland Telecommunications Corporation)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS — (UNAUDITED)

                 
    March 31,   December 31,
    2004
  2003
ASSETS
               
Current Assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 6,205,560     $ 2,134,254  
Due from Parent and affiliates
    1,111,931       653,029  
Accounts receivable
    1,331,193       1,663,699  
System sale receivable — current
          4,279,968  
Prepaid expenses
    498,952       464,934  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total current assets
    9,147,636       9,195,884  
Investment in Cable Television Properties:
               
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $61,854,564 and $60,525,405, respectively
    41,691,235       42,223,109  
Franchise agreements, net of accumulated amortization of $38,923,291
    39,493,670       39,493,670  
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $2,407,104
    3,937,329       3,937,329  
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $3,212,264 and $3,205,791, respectively
    64,723       71,197  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total investment in cable television properties
    85,186,957       85,725,305  
System sale receivable
    433,200        
Loan fees, net of accumulated amortization of $2,413,925 and $2,307,604, respectively
    1,666,962       1,727,629  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total assets
  $ 96,434,755     $ 96,648,818  
 
   
 
     
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER’S DEFICIT
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 58,707     $ 700,984  
Subscriber prepayments
    1,558,524       1,401,200  
Accrued expenses
    6,896,212       5,034,606  
Converter deposits
    105,550       107,101  
Due to affiliates
    60,910       96,847  
Current portion of notes payable
    2,950,000       2,800,000  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total current liabilities
    11,629,903       10,140,738  
Notes payable, net of current portion
    112,350,000       113,200,000  
Deferred tax liabilities
    459,194       152,194  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities
    124,439,097       123,492,932  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Shareholder’s Deficit:
               
Common stock (par value $1.00 per share, authorized 50,000 shares; 10,000 shares issued and outstanding) and additional paid-in capital
    12,359,377       12,359,377  
Accumulated deficit
    (40,363,719 )     (39,203,491 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total shareholder’s deficit
    (28,004,342 )     (26,844,114 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities and shareholder’s deficit
  $ 96,434,755     $ 96,648,818  
 
   
 
     
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


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NORTHLAND CABLE TELEVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Northland Telecommunications Corporation)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS — (UNAUDITED)

                 
    For the three months ended March 31,
    2004
  2003
Service revenues
  $ 12,523,682     $ 12,405,755  
Expenses:
               
Cable system operations (including $8,055 and $69,995, net paid to affiliates in 2004 and 2003, respectively), exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below
    5,186,153       5,032,126  
General and administrative (including $625,825 and $461,045 net paid to affiliates in 2004 and 2003, respectively)
    2,288,034       1,947,332  
Management fees paid to Parent
    626,184       620,288  
Depreciation and amortization
    2,302,168       2,177,256  
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
    99,057       (174 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total operating expenses
    10,501,596       9,776,828  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Income from operations
    2,022,086       2,628,927  
Other income (expense):
               
Interest expense and amortization of loan fees
    (2,897,809 )     (2,722,424 )
Other, net
    24,905       7,279  
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
    (2,872,904 )     (2,715,145 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense
    (850,818 )     (86,218 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Income tax expense
    (309,410 )     (88,832 )
 
Loss from continuing operations
    (1,160,228 )     (175,050 )
Discontinued operations (note 4)
               
Income from operations of Aiken and Port Angeles Systems, net of tax of $500,000 in 2003 (including gain on sale of systems of $31,525,585 in 2003)
          31,042,363  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net (loss) income
    (1,160,228 )     30,867,313  
 
   
 
     
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


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NORTHLAND CABLE TELEVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Northland Telecommunications Corporation)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS — (UNAUDITED)

                 
    For the three months ended March 31,
    2004
  2003
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net (loss) income
  $ (1,160,228 )   $ 30,867,313  
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    2,302,168       2,595,054  
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap agreements
          (120,377 )
Amortization of loan fees
    135,071       170,140  
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets
    99,057       (31,525,759 )
Deferred income taxes
    307,000       81,422  
Other
    14,705        
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
               
Accounts receivable
    332,506       366,890  
Prepaid expenses
    (34,018 )     (105,805 )
Due from Parent and affiliates
    (458,902 )     (249,381 )
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities
               
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    1,219,329       1,570,943  
Due to affiliates
    (35,937 )     (10,609 )
Converter deposits
    (1,551 )     581  
Subscriber prepayments
    157,324       (227,130 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    2,876,524       3,413,282  
 
   
 
     
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Investment in cable television properties
    (1,877,582 )     (1,073,540 )
Proceeds from sale of cable system, net
    3,846,768       53,445,107  
Proceeds from disposal of assets
          600  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by investing activities
    1,969,186       52,372,167  
 
   
 
     
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Principal payments on borrowings
    (700,000 )     (51,804,648 )
Loan fees
    (74,404 )      
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash used in financing activities
    (774,404 )     (51,804,648 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
INCREASE IN CASH
    4,071,306       3,980,801  
 
   
 
     
 
 
CASH, beginning of period
    2,134,254       1,666,097  
CASH, end of period
  $ 6,205,560     $ 5,646,898  
 
   
 
     
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
               
Cash paid during the period for interest
  $ 206,189     $ 982,009  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash paid during the period for state income taxes
  $ 2,410     $ 7,410  
 
   
 
     
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


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NORTHLAND CABLE TELEVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
(A wholly owned subsidiary of Northland Telecommunications Corporation)
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2004
(Unaudited)

(1) Basis of Presentation

Interim Financial Reporting

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are being filed in conformity with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X regarding interim financial statement disclosures and do not contain all of the necessary footnote disclosures required for a full presentation of the consolidated 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, these statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company’s consolidated financial position at March 31, 2004, its consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 and its consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2004. 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 Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

On March 11, 2003 and March 31, 2003, the Company sold the operating assets and franchise rights of its cable systems in and around Port Angeles, Washington and Aiken, South Carolina, respectively, which served approximately 21,850 subscribers. This filing and the accompanying financial statements present the results of operations and the sale of the Port Angeles and Aiken systems as discontinued operations.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. This includes reclassification of unrealized gains and losses on interest rate swap agreements, which were previously classified as a separate financial statement caption within other income (expense), to the interest expense financial statement caption.

(2) Intangible Assets

In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” the Company does not amortize goodwill or any other intangible assets determined to have indefinite lives. The Company has determined that its franchises meet the definition of indefinite lived assets. The Company 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.

 


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Loan fees are being amortized using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest rate method. Future amortization of loan fees is expected to be as follows:

         
2004 (9 months)
    369,000  
2005
    492,000  
2006
    492,000  
2007
    314,000  
 
   
 
 
 
  $ 1,667,000  
 
   
 
 

Other intangibles are being amortized using the straight-line method. Future amortization of these other intangibles is expected to be as follows:

         
2004 (9 months)
    19,000  
2005
    26,000  
2006
    20,000  
 
   
 
 
 
  $ 65,000  
 
   
 
 

(3) Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility

In November 2003, the Company amended and restated its existing senior credit facility (the “Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility”). The amendment and restatement resulted in the elimination of the lending syndicate and the assumption of the credit facility by one of the syndicate members. Accordingly, the Company wrote off remaining deferred loan fee costs during the fourth quarter of 2003, which resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $257,000. The Company also capitalized loan fee costs of approximately $292,000 during the fourth quarter of 2003, which were paid to the lender in connection with the transaction. The Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility establishes a term loan in the amount of $15,000,000 and a $2,000,000 revolving credit loan, under which the Company borrowed $1,000,000 upon amendment and restatement. The proceeds from the Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility were used to repay the Company’s existing senior credit facility, to provide working capital and for other general purposes. The Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility matures on December 31, 2006 and requires the Company to make quarterly principal payments beginning March 31, 2004. Remaining annual maturities of the Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility are as follows:

         
    Principal
    Payments
2004 (9 months)
  $ 2,100,000  
2005
    3,400,000  
2006
    9,800,000  
 
   
 
 
Total
  $ 15,300,000  
 
   
 
 

The interest rate per annum applicable to the Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility is a fluctuating rate of interest measured by reference to either: (i) the Index Rate, as defined, plus a borrowing margin of 2.50%; or (ii) the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR), plus a borrowing margin of 3.75%.

 


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The Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility contains a number of covenants, which among other things, require the Company to comply with specified financial ratios, including maintenance, as tested on a quarterly basis, of: (A) a Maximum Total Leverage Ratio (the ratio of Total Debt to Annualized Operating Cash Flow (as defined)) of not more than 6.50 to 1.00; (B) a Maximum Senior Leverage Ratio (the ratio of Senior Debt to Annualized Operating Cash Flow (as defined)) of not more than 1.00 to 1.00 (C) an Interest Coverage Ratio (the ratio of Operating Cash Flow (as defined) to Total Cash Interest Expense of not less than 1.50 to 1.00 initially; and (D) a Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (the ratio of Annualized Operating Cash Flow (as defined) to the Company’s Fixed Charges (as defined) of not less than 1.00 to 1.00. As of March 31, 2004, the Company was out of compliance with its Fixed Charge Ratio covenant, however, appropriate waivers have been obtained from the Company’s lender. Management believes that it is probable that the Company will be in compliance with its loan covenants throughout the remainder of 2004.

As of the date of this filing, the Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility had an outstanding balance of $15,300,000, and applicable interest rates are as follows; $12,000,000 at a LIBOR based interest rate of 4.88%, $2,300,000 at a LIBOR based interest rate of 4.86%, and $1,000,000 at a LIBOR based interest rate of 4.86%. These interest rates expire during the second quarter of 2004, at which time, new rates will be established. These rates also include a margin paid to the Company’s lender, as discussed above.

(4) System Sales

On March 11, 2003, the Company sold the operating assets and franchise rights of its cable system in and around the community of Port Angeles, Washington (the “Port Angeles System”). The Port Angeles System was sold at a price of approximately $11,375,000 of which the Company received approximately $10,800,000 at closing. Substantially all of the proceeds were used to pay down amounts outstanding under the Company’s Senior Credit Facility. The sales price was adjusted at closing for the proration of certain revenues and expenses and approximately $575,000 was to be held in escrow and released to the Company one year from the closing of the transaction, subject to general representations and warranties. In March of 2004, the Company received notice from the buyer of the Port Angeles system of certain claims, which were made under the hold back agreement provisions of the purchase and sale agreement. Management believes that such claims are unsubstantiated and intends to vigorously contest such claims. However, approximately $435,000 of the original escrow proceeds will remain in escrow until such claims are resolved. The Company has filed a lawsuit against the buyer of the Port Angeles System for recovery of the remaining escrow proceeds and unspecified damages. The escrow proceeds in excess of the claims were released to the Company in March of 2004.

On March 31, 2003, the Company sold the operating assets and franchise rights of its cable system in and around the community of Aiken, South Carolina (the “Aiken System”). The Aiken System was sold at a price of approximately $46.3 million of which the Company received approximately $42.6 million at closing. Substantially all of the proceeds were used to pay down amounts outstanding under the Company’s Senior Credit Facility. The sales price was adjusted at closing for the proration of certain revenues and expenses and approximately $3.7 million was held in escrow and released, in full, to the Company in March of 2004.

The revenue, expenses and other items attributable to the operations of the Aiken and Port Angeles systems during the first quarter of 2003, through the date the respective systems were sold, have been reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying statements of operations, and include the following:

 


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    For the three months ended
    March 31, 2003
Service revenues
  $ 3,079,389  
Expenses (income):
       
Cable system operations (including $6,289, net paid to affiliates)
    1,254,073  
General and administrative (including $152,093 paid to affiliates)
    525,281  
Management fees paid to Parent
    153,637  
Depreciation and amortization
    417,798  
Gain on disposal of assets
    (31,525,585 )
 
   
 
 
Total operating expenses (income), net
    (29,174,796 )
 
   
 
 
Income from operations
    32,254,185  
Other expense:
       
Interest expense and amortization of loan fees
    (711,822 )
 
   
 
 
 
    (711,822 )
 
   
 
 
Income from operations before income tax expense
    31,542,363  
 
   
 
 
Income tax expense
    (500,000 )
 
   
 
 
Net income
    31,042,363  
 
   
 
 

In accordance with EITF 87-24, Allocation of Interest to Discontinued Operations, the Company allocated interest expense to discontinued operations using the historic weighted average interest rate applicable to the Revised Senior Credit Facility and approximately $51.8 million in principal payments, which were applied to the Revised Senior Credit Facility as a result of the sale of the Aiken and Port Angeles systems.

 


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PART I (continued)

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Continuing Operations — Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003

Revenues from continuing operations totaled $12.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, an increase of approximately $100,000 or 0.8% over the same period in 2003. Of the 2004 revenues, $8.6 million (69%) was derived from basic services, $800,000 (6%) from premium services, $1.7 million (14%) from expanded basic services, $200,000 (2%) from digital services, $300,000 (2%) from high-speed Internet services, $400,000 (3%) from advertising and $500,000 (4%) from other sources.

Average monthly revenue from continuing operations per subscriber increased $2.50 or 5.3% from $46.97 for the three months ended March 31, 2003 to $49.47 for the three months ended March 31, 2004. This increase is primarily attributable to rate increases implemented during the first quarter of 2004 and increased revenue from the Company’s high speed Internet product offering, offset by decreased advertising revenue.

Cable system operation expenses attributable to continuing operations increased approximately $200,000, or 4.0% from $5.0 million to $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004. This increase is primarily attributable to increased salary and benefit costs, and increased programming costs as a result of rate increases by certain programming vendors.

General and administrative expenses attributable to continuing operations increased approximately $400,000, or 21.1% from $1.9 million to $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004. This increase is primarily attributable to increases in corporate overhead allocations by the Company’s Parent. These corporate overhead allocations had been reduced in prior periods, to the extent that allocation of these costs would have resulted in non-compliance with the Company’s debt covenants. Corporate overhead expenses represent actual costs incurred by the Company’s parent for the period that are attributable to the operations of the Company. The Company has no obligation or liability to its Parent for past reductions in corporate overhead charges. The increase is also attributable to more marketing costs, property insurance costs and printing charges.

Management fees attributable to continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004 remained relatively constant with the same period in the previous year. Management fees are calculated at 5.0% of gross revenues.

Depreciation and amortization expenses attributable to continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004 increased approximately $100,000, or 4.5% from $2.2 million to $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The increase is attributable to depreciation of recent purchases related to the upgrade of plant and equipment, offset by certain assets becoming fully depreciated or amortized.

Interest expense and amortization of loan fees allocated to continuing operations increased approximately $200,000, or 7.4% from $2.7 million to $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004. This increase is primarily attributable to a $120,000 unrealized gain recognized on the Company’s interest rate swap agreements during the first quarter of 2003. This amount is included in the interest expense and amortization of loan fees line item in the accompanying financial statements. In addition, the Company’s loan fee amortization increased by approximately $35,000 as a result of the costs incurred with the amendment and restatement of the Company’s senior credit facility in November of 2003.

In accordance with EITF 87-24, Allocation of Interest to Discontinued Operations, the Company allocated interest expense to discontinued operations using the historic weighted average interest rate applicable to the Revised Senior Credit Facility and approximately $51.8 million in principal payments, which were applied to the Revised Senior Credit Facility as a result of the sale of the Aiken and Port Angeles systems.

The Company has elected not to designate its interest rate swap agreements as hedges under SFAS No. 133. Interest rate swap agreements in place as of December 31, 2002 expired during the first quarter of 2003, and the Company has elected not to enter into any new agreements.

 


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EBITDA from continuing operations decreased approximately $400,000 or 8.3%, from $4.8 million to $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, and EBITDA margin decreased from 38.8% to 35.3% for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. The aforementioned increases in revenues were offset by increased cable system operations and general and administrative expenses resulting from rate increases by certain programming vendors, increased salary and benefit costs and increased corporate overhead allocations from the Company’s Parent, discussed above.

EBITDA represents a non-GAAP measure and is one of the primary measures used by our management to evaluate performance and to forecast future results. EBITDA margin represents EBITDA as a percentage of revenue. We believe EBITDA is useful to assess performance in a manner similar to the method used by management, and provides a measure that can be used to analyze, value and compare the companies in the cable television industry, which may have different depreciation and amortization policies. A limitation of this measure is that it excludes depreciation and amortization, which represents the period costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets, and gains and losses recognized on the disposal of assets. It is also not intended to be a performance measure that should be regarded as an alternative either to operating income (loss) or net income (loss) as an indicator of operating performance or to the statement of cash flows as a measure of liquidity and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our definitions of EBITDA may not be identical to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The following represents a reconciliation of EBITDA to operating income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure:

                 
    Three Months Ended March 31,
    2004
  2003
EBITDA
    4,423,311       4,806,009  
Depreciation and amortization expense
    (2,302,168 )     (2,177,256 )
(Loss) gain on disposal of assets
    (99,057 )     174  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Operating income
    2,022,086       2,628,927  
Interest expense and amortization of loan fees
    (2,897,809 )     (2,722,424 )
Other, net
    24,905       7,279  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Loss from continuing operations before Income tax expense
    (850,818 )     (86,218 )
Income tax expense
    (309,410 )     (88,832 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Loss from continuing operations
    (1,160,228 )     (175,050 )
 
   
 
     
 
 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The cable television business generally requires substantial capital for the construction, expansion and maintenance of the signal distribution system. In addition, the Company has pursued a business strategy, which includes selective acquisitions. The Company has financed these expenditures through a combination of cash flow from operations, borrowings under its senior credit facility and the issuance of senior subordinated notes. The Company anticipates that cash flow from operations will be adequate to meet its long term liquidity requirements, prior to the maturity of its senior subordinated notes, although no assurances can be given in this regard.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004. Adjustments to the $1.2 million net loss for the period to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities consisted primarily of $2.3 million of depreciation and amortization expense, $307,000 of deferred tax expense, $135,000 of amortization of loan fees and increases in operating liabilities of approximately $1.3 million.

Net cash provided by investing activities was $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, and consisted primarily of $3.8 million of escrow proceeds that were released to the Company related to the sales of the Aiken and Port Angeles systems, offset by $1.9 million in capital expenditures.

 


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Net cash used in financing activities consisted of $700,000 in scheduled principal payments on the Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility and loan fees of $74,000.

Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility

In November 2003, the Company amended and restated its existing senior credit facility (the “Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility”). The amendment and restatement resulted in the elimination of the lending syndicate and the assumption of the credit facility by one of the syndicate members. Accordingly, the Company wrote off remaining deferred loan fee costs, which resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $292,000. The Company also capitalized loan fee costs of approximately $257,000, which were paid to the lender in connection with the transaction. The Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility establishes a term loan in the amount of $15,000,000 and a $2,000,000 revolving credit loan, under which the Company borrowed $1,000,000 upon amendment and restatement. The proceeds from the Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility were used to repay the Company’s existing senior credit facility, to provide working capital and for other general purposes. The Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility matures on December 31, 2006 and requires the Company to make quarterly principal payments beginning March 31, 2004. Remaining annual maturities of the Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility are as follows:

         
    Principal
    Payments
2004 (9 months)
  $ 2,100,000  
2005
    3,400,000  
2006
    9,800,000  
 
   
 
 
Total
  $ 15,300,000  
 
   
 
 

The interest rate per annum applicable to the Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility is a fluctuating rate of interest measured by reference to either: (i) the Index Rate, as defined, plus a borrowing margin of 2.50%; or (ii) the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR), plus a borrowing margin of 3.75%.

The Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility contains a number of covenants, which among other things, require the Company to comply with specified financial ratios, including maintenance, as tested on a quarterly basis, of: (A) a Maximum Total Leverage Ratio (the ratio of Total Debt to Annualized Operating Cash Flow (as defined)) of not more than 6.50 to 1.00; (B) a Maximum Senior Leverage Ratio (the ratio of Senior Debt to Annualized Operating Cash Flow (as defined)) of not more than 1.00 to 1.00 (C) an Interest Coverage Ratio (the ratio of Operating Cash Flow (as defined) to Total Cash Interest Expense of not less than 1.50 to 1.00 initially; and (D) a Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (the ratio of Annualized Operating Cash Flow (as defined) to the Company’s Fixed Charges (as defined) of not less than 1.00 to 1.00. As of March 31, 2004, the Company was out of compliance with its Fixed Charge Ratio covenant, however, appropriate waivers have been obtained from the Company’s lender.

As of the date of this filing, the Amended and Restated Senior Credit Facility had an outstanding balance of $15,300,000, and applicable interest rates are as follows; $12,000,000 at a LIBOR based interest rate of 4.88%, $2,300,000 at a LIBOR based interest rate of 4.86%, and $1,000,000 at a LIBOR based interest rate of 4.86%. These interest rates expire during the second quarter of 2004, at which time, new rates will be established. These rates also include a margin paid to the Company’s lender, as discussed above.

 


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System Sales

On March 11, 2003, the Company sold the operating assets and franchise rights of its cable system in and around the community of Port Angeles, Washington (the “Port Angeles System”). The Port Angeles System was sold at a price of approximately $11,375,000 of which the Company received approximately $10,800,000 at closing. Substantially all of the proceeds were used to pay down amounts outstanding under the Company’s Senior Credit Facility. The sales price was adjusted at closing for the proration of certain revenues and expenses and approximately $575,000 was to be held in escrow and released to the Company one year from the closing of the transaction, subject to general representations and warranties. In March of 2004, the Company received notice from the buyer of the Port Angeles system of certain claims, which were made under the hold back agreement provisions of the purchase and sale agreement. Management believes that such claims are unsubstantiated and intends to vigorously contest such claims. However, approximately $435,000 of the original escrow proceeds will remain in escrow until such claims are resolved. The Company has filed a lawsuit against the buyer of the Port Angeles System for recovery of the remaining escrow proceeds and unspecified damages. The escrow proceeds in excess of the claims were released to the Company in March of 2004.

On March 31, 2003, the Company sold the operating assets and franchise rights of its cable system in and around the community of Aiken, South Carolina (the “Aiken System”). The Aiken System was sold at a price of approximately $46.3 million of which the Company received approximately $42.6 million at closing. Substantially all of the proceeds were used to pay down amounts outstanding under the Company’s Senior Credit Facility. The sales price was adjusted at closing for the proration of certain revenues and expenses and approximately $3.7 million was held in escrow and released, in full, to the Company in March of 2004.

The sales were made pursuant to offers by separate, independent third parties. Based on the offers made, management determined that acceptance of the offers would be in the best economic interest of the Company. The sales were 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 Company could have continued existing operations and met all obligations as they became due.

The revenue, expenses and other items attributable to the operations of the Aiken and Port Angeles systems during the first quarter of 2003, through the date the respective systems were sold, have been reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying statements of operations, and include the following:

         
    For the three months ended
    March 31, 2003
Service revenues
  $ 3,079,389  
Expenses (income):
       
Cable system operations (including $6,289, net paid to affiliates)
    1,254,073  
General and administrative (including $152,093 paid to affiliates)
    525,281  
Management fees paid to Parent
    153,637  
Depreciation and amortization
    417,798  
Gain on disposal of assets
    (31,525,585 )
 
   
 
 
Total operating expenses (income), net
    (29,174,796 )
 
   
 
 
Income from operations
    32,254,185  
Other expense:
       
Interest expense and amortization of loan fees
    (711,822 )
 
   
 
 
 
    (711,822 )
 
   
 
 
Income from operations before income tax expense
    31,542,363  
 
   
 
 
Income tax expense
    (500,000 )
 
   
 
 
Net income
    31,042,363  
 
   
 
 

 


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In accordance with EITF 87-24, Allocation of Interest to Discontinued Operations, the Company allocated interest expense to discontinued operations using the historic weighted average interest rate applicable to the Revised Senior Credit Facility and approximately $51.8 million in principal payments, which were applied to the Revised Senior Credit Facility as a result of the sale of the Aiken and Port Angeles systems.

Obligations and Commitments

In addition to working capital needs for ongoing operations, the Company has capital requirements for (i) annual maturities related to the Company’s credit facilities and (ii) required minimum operating lease payments. The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations as of March 31, 2004 and the anticipated effect of these obligations on its liquidity in future years:

                                         
            Payments Due By Period
            Less than   1 – 3   3 – 5   More than
    Total
  1 year
  years
  years
  5 years
Term loan
  $ 115,300,000     $ 2,950,000     $ 112,350,000     $     $  
Minimum operating lease payments
    279,103       73,784       159,807       45,512        
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 115,579,103     $ 2,173,784     $ 113,359,807     $ 45,512     $  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 


(a)   These contractual obligations do not include accounts payable and accrued liabilities, which are expected to be paid in 2004.
 
(b)   The Company also rents utility poles in its operations. Amounts due under these agreements are not included in the above minimum operating lease payments as, generally, pole rentals are cancelable on short notice. The Company does, however, anticipate that such rentals will recur.

Capital Expenditures

For the three months ended March 31, 2004, the Company incurred capital expenditures of approximately $1.9 million. Capital expenditures included: (i) expansion and improvements of cable properties including the launch of high-speed Internet services; (ii) additions to plant and equipment; (iii) improvement of existing equipment; (iv) cable line drops and extensions and installations of cable plant facilities; and (v) vehicle replacements.

The Company plans to invest approximately $5.3 million in capital expenditures for the remainder of 2004. This represents anticipated expenditures for upgrading and rebuilding certain distribution facilities, continued deployment of high-speed Internet services, extensions of distribution facilities to add new subscribers and vehicle replacements. It is expected that cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund planned capital expenditures.

Critical Accounting Policies

This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on the Company’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 Company employs.

 


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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 Company 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 Company 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 Company does not amortize goodwill or any other intangible assets determined to have indefinite lives. The Company has determined that its franchises meet the definition of indefinite lived assets. The Company 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.

Management believes the franchises have indefinite lives because the franchises are expected to be used by the Company 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 Company’s franchising authorities and the franchising authorities of the Company’s affiliates.

 


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ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company is subject to market risks arising from changes in interest rates. The Company’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 Company’s Revised Senior Credit Facility. 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 the Company’s variable rate obligations would be approximately $153,000.

The Company does not use financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.

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

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. The Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) have evaluated these disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and have determined that such disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

There has been no change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 


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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1 Legal proceedings

The Company has filed a lawsuit against the buyer of the Port Angeles System for recovery of the remaining escrow proceeds and unspecified damages.

The Company is a party to ordinary and routine litigation proceedings that are incidental to the Company’s business. Management believes that the outcome of all pending legal proceedings will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company, its financial condition, prospects and debt service ability.

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

         
31
  (a).   Certification of Chief Executive Officer dated May 17, 2004 pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
31
  (b).   Certification of President (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) dated May 17, 2004 pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
32
  (a).   Certification of Chief Executive Officer dated May 17, 2004 pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
32
  (b).   Certification of President (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) dated May 17, 2004 pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

     (b) Reports on Form 8-K

           None

 


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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

NORTHLAND CABLE TELEVISION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

         
SIGNATURES
  CAPACITIES
  DATE
 
       
/s/ RICHARD I. CLARK
Richard I. Clark
  Executive Vice President, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary
  5-17-04
 
       
/s/ GARY S. JONES
  President   5-17-04

  Gary S. Jones