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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

     
þ   Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the period ended September 30, 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:     0-18307

Northland Cable Properties Eight Limited Partnership

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
     
Washington   91-1423516

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

 
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(206) 623-1351


(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 been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes þ       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 þ



 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

ITEM 1. Financial Statements
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED 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
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 PROPERTIES EIGHT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
BALANCE SHEETS — (UNAUDITED)

                 
    September 30,   December 31,
    2004
  2003
ASSETS
               
Cash
  $ 185,729     $ 493,469  
Accounts receivable
    69,786       83,889  
Due from affiliates
    16,294        
Prepaid expenses
    82,143       36,799  
System sale receivable
          194,871  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $8,647,010 and $7,813,462, respectively
    2,890,227       3,258,932  
Franchise agreements, net of accumulated amortization of $2,047,659
    3,321,069       3,321,069  
Loan fees, net of accumulated amortization of $68,816 and $64,641, respectively
    17,414       21,589  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total assets
  $ 6,582,662     $ 7,410,618  
 
   
 
     
 
 
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
               
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  $ 344,843     $ 381,152  
Due to General Partner and affiliates
    2,561       78,703  
Deposits
    5,100       5,000  
Subscriber prepayments
    148,425       166,381  
Term loan
    3,687,718       4,457,696  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities
    4,188,647       5,088,932  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Partners’ capital:
               
General Partner:
               
Contributed capital, net
    1,000       1,000  
Accumulated deficit
    (57,279 )     (58,002 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
    (56,279 )     (57,002 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Limited Partners:
               
Contributed capital, net
    8,120,820       8,120,820  
Accumulated deficit
    (5,670,526 )     (5,742,132 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
    2,450,294       2,378,688  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total partners’ capital
    2,394,015       2,321,686  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities and partners’ capital
  $ 6,582,662     $ 7,410,618  
 
   
 
     
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 


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NORTHLAND CABLE PROPERTIES EIGHT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS — (UNAUDITED)

                 
    For the nine months ended September 30,
    2004
  2003
Service revenues
  $ 3,067,189     $ 3,049,038  
 
               
Expenses:
               
Operating (including $58,934 and $53,182, to affiliates in 2004 and 2003, respectively), excluding depreciation and amortization shown below
    309,578       322,029  
General and administrative (including $370,937 and $333,321 to affiliates in 2004 and 2003, respectively)
    797,205       746,970  
Programming (including $29,747 and $27,762 to affiliates in 2004 and 2003, respectively)
    944,837       895,401  
Depreciation and amortization
    833,548       805,341  
Loss on disposal of assets
    1,639       22,127  
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
    2,886,807       2,791,868  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Income from operations
    180,382       257,170  
Other income (expense):
               
Interest expense and amortization of loan fees
    (108,311 )     (164,170 )
Interest income and other, net
    258       1,967  
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
    (108,053 )     (162,203 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Income from continuing operations
    72,329       94,967  
Discontinued operations (Note 4)
               
Income from operations of La Conner system, net (including gain on sale of system of $1,363,609 in 2003)
          1,345,667  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 72,329     $ 1,440,634  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Allocation of net income:
               
General Partner
  $ 723     $ 14,406  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Limited Partners
  $ 71,606     $ 1,426,228  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net income from continuing operations per limited partnership unit (19,087 units)
  $ 4     $ 5  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net income from discontinued operations per limited partnership unit (19,087 units)
  $     $ 71  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net income per limited partnership unit (19,087 units)
  $ 4     $ 75  
 
   
 
     
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 


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NORTHLAND CABLE PROPERTIES EIGHT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS — (UNAUDITED)

                 
    For the three months ended September 30,
    2004
  2003
Service revenues
  $ 1,019,383     $ 1,010,742  
Expenses:
               
Operating (including $18,788 and $17,163, to affiliates in 2004 and 2003, respectively), excluding depreciation and amortization shown below
    109,210       107,267  
General and administrative (including $128,884 and $112,288 to affiliates in 2004 and 2003, respectively)
    263,462       258,044  
Programming (including $13,772 and $9,363 to affiliates in 2004 and 2003, respectively)
    319,584       298,218  
Depreciation and amortization
    281,252       268,114  
Loss on disposal of assets
    186       15,387  
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
    973,694       947,030  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Income from operations
    45,689       63,712  
Other income (expense):
               
Interest expense and amortization of loan fees
    (37,292 )     (54,269 )
Interest income and other, net
    107       935  
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
    (37,185 )     (53,334 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 8,504     $ 10,378  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Allocation of net income:
               
General Partner
  $ 85     $ 104  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Limited Partners
  $ 8,419     $ 10,274  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net income per limited partnership unit (19,087 units)
  $     $ 1  
 
   
 
     
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 


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NORTHLAND CABLE PROPERTIES EIGHT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS — (UNAUDITED)

                 
    For the nine months ended September 30,
    2004
  2003
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net income
  $ 72,329     $ 1,440,634  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    833,548       836,287  
Amortization of loan costs
    4,175       4,936  
Loss (gain) on sale of assets
    1,639       (1,341,482 )
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
               
Accounts receivable
    14,103       108,168  
Due from affiliates
    (16,294 )     27,563  
Prepaid expenses
    (45,344 )     (22,743 )
Decrease in operating liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (37,948 )     (10,269 )
Due to General Partner and affiliates
    (76,142 )     475  
Subscriber prepayments and deposits
    (17,856 )     (73,777 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    732,210       969,792  
 
   
 
     
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchase of property and equipment
    (464,843 )     (294,585 )
Proceeds from sale of system
    194,871       3,064,021  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (269,972 )     2,769,436  
 
   
 
     
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Principal payments on borrowings
    (769,978 )     (3,555,967 )
Loan fees
          (24,287 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash used in financing activities
    (769,978 )     (3,580,254 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH
    (307,740 )     158,974  
CASH, beginning of period
    493,469       374,112  
 
   
 
     
 
 
CASH, end of period
  $ 185,729     $ 533,086  
 
   
 
     
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
               
 
               
Cash paid during the period for interest
  $ 80,714     $ 196,395  
 
   
 
     
 
 

 


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NORTHLAND CABLE PROPERTIES EIGHT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED 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 full 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, these statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Partnership’s financial position at September 30, 2004, its statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, and its statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003. 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, 2003.

On March 11, 2003, the Partnership sold the operating assets and franchise rights of its cable system in and around La Conner, Washington, which served approximately 1,600 subscribers. This filing and the accompanying financial statements present the results of operations and sale of the La Conner System as discontinued operations.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

(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.

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 approximately as follows:

         
2004 (3 months)
    1,350  
2005
    5,350  
2006
    5,350  
2007
    5,350  
 
   
 
 
 
  $ 17,400  
 
   
 
 

 


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(3) Term Loan

In August 2003, the Partnership agreed to certain terms and conditions with its existing lender and amended its credit agreement. The terms of the amendment extend the maturity of the existing credit agreement to December 31, 2007 and modify the principal repayment schedule to require quarterly principal payments of $200,000 per quarter with the balance due upon maturity. Based on these terms, the Partnership is required to make principal payments during the remainder of 2004 through maturity according to the following schedule:

         
    Amended Principal
    Payments
2004 (3 months)
    200,000  
2005
    800,000  
2006
    800,000  
2007
    1,887,718  
 
   
 
 
Total
  $ 3,687,718  
 
   
 
 

In April of 2004, the escrow proceeds related to the sale of the La Conner system, which were released to the Partnership in March of 2004, were used to repay amounts outstanding under the Partnership’s term loan agreement. This prepayment effectively reduced the amounts due in 2007 to $1,887,718.

The agreement also requires the maintenance of certain financial covenants, including a Funded Debt to Cash Flow Ratio of no more than 3.75 to 1, a Cash Flow Coverage Ratio of no less than 1.10 to 1, and a limitation on the maximum amount of annual capital expenditures of $1,200,000, among other restrictions. As of September 30, 2004, the Partnership was in compliance with the terms of its amended credit agreement.

As of the date of this filing, the balance under the credit facility is $3,687,718, bearing interest at a LIBOR based rate of 4.00%. This interest rate expires during the fourth quarter of 2004, at which time a new rate will be established. This rate includes a margin paid to the lender based on overall leverage, and may increase or decrease as the Partnership’s leverage fluctuates.

(4) System Sale

On March 11, 2003, the Partnership sold the operating assets and franchise rights of its cable system in and around the community of La Conner, Washington (the “La Conner System”). The La Conner System served approximately 1,600 subscribers, and was sold at a price of approximately $3,200,000, of which the Partnership received approximately $3,000,000 at closing. Substantially all of the proceeds were used to pay down amounts outstanding under the Partnership’s term loan agreement. The sales price was adjusted at closing for the proration of certain revenues and expenses and approximately $200,000 was held in escrow and released to the Partnership in March of 2004. These proceeds were also used to pay down amounts outstanding under the Partnership’s term loan agreement in April of 2004.

 


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The revenue, expenses and other items attributable to the operations of the La Conner System for the period from January 1, 2003 to March 11, 2003 (the date of the sale of the La Conner System) have been reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying statements of operations, and include the following:

         
    For the nine months
    ended September 30,
    2003
Service revenues
  $ 185,282  
Expenses (income):
       
Operating (including $12,568 paid to affiliates)
    18,221  
General and administrative (including $20,277 paid to affiliates)
    49,685  
Programming (including $11,346 paid to affiliates)
    67,212  
Depreciation and amortization
    30,945  
 
       
Gain on sale of system
    (1,363,609 )
 
   
 
 
 
    (1,197,546 )
 
   
 
 
Income from operations
    1,382,828  
Other expense:
       
Interest expense
    (37,161 )
 
   
 
 
Income from operations of La Conner System, net
  $ 1,345,667  
 
   
 
 

In accordance with EITF 87-24, “Allocation of Interest to Discontinued Operations”, the Partnership allocated interest expense to discontinued operations using the historic weighted average interest rate applicable to the Partnership’s term loan and approximately $2,956,000 in principal payments, which were applied to the term loan as a result of the sale of the La Conner System.

 


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PART I (continued)

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

Results of Continuing Operations — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

Revenues attributable to continuing operations totaled $3,067,189 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, representing a slight increase over the same period in 2003. Of these revenues, $2,418,324 (79%) was derived from basic services, $175,159 (6%) from premium services, $171,997 (6%) from expanded basic services, $19,079 (1%) from digital services, $30,981 (1%) from high-speed Internet services, $74,304 (2%) from advertising, $82,321 (3%) from late fees and $95,024 (2%) from other sources. Such increase is primarily attributable to rate increases implemented during the first quarter of 2004 and increased penetration of the Partnership’s expanded basic and high-speed Internet services, offset by decreased basic and premium subscribers and decreased advertising revenue.

Cable system operating expenses attributable to continuing operations totaled $309,578 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, representing a decrease of $12,451, or approximately 4%, over the same period in 2003. Such decrease is primarily attributable to decreased operating salaries.

General and administrative expenses attributable to continuing operations totaled $797,205 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, representing an increase of $50,235, or approximately 7%, over the same period in 2003. This increase is primarily attributable to increases in marketing expenses, travel expenses and other general overhead costs.

Programming expenses attributable to continuing operations totaled $944,837 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, representing an increase of $49,436, or approximately 6%, over the same period in 2003. Such increase is primarily attributable to higher costs charged by various program suppliers and increased costs associated with high-speed Internet services, offset by decreased advertising costs.

Depreciation and amortization expense attributable to continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 increased $28,207, or approximately 4%, over the same period in 2003. Such increase is primarily attributable to depreciation of recent purchases related to the upgrade of plant and equipment, offset by certain assets becoming fully depreciated.

Interest expense and amortization of loan fees allocated to continuing operations decreased $55,859, or approximately 34%, from $164,170 to $108,311 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. This decrease is primarily attributable to lower average outstanding indebtedness as a result of required principal repayments and lower interest rates during 2004 as compared to 2003.

In accordance with EITF 87-24, “Allocation of Interest to Discontinued Operations”, the Partnership allocated interest expense to discontinued operations using the historic weighted average interest rate applicable to the Partnership’s term loan and approximately $2,956,000 in principal payments, which were applied to the term loan as a result of the sale of the La Conner System.

Results of Operations — Three Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

Revenues totaled $1,019,383 for the three months ended September 30, 2004, representing a slight increase over the same period in 2003. Of these revenues, $799,403 (78%) was derived from basic services, $55,728 (5%) from premium services, $57,774 (6%) from expanded basic services, $6,403 (1%) from digital services, $16,365 (2%) from high-speed Internet services, $28,623 (3%) from advertising, $28,460 (3%) from late fees and $26,627 (2%) from other sources. Such increase is primarily attributable to rate increases implemented during the first quarter of 2004 and increased penetration of the Partnership’s expanded basic and high-speed Internet services, offset by decreased basic and premium subscribers and decreased advertising revenue.

Cable system operating expenses totaled $109,210 for the three months ended September 30, 2004, representing an increase of $1,943, or approximately 2%, over the same period in 2003. Such increase is primarily attributable to increased operating salaries.

 


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General and administrative expenses totaled $263,462 for the three months ended September 30, 2004, representing an increase of $5,418, or approximately 2%, over the same period in 2003. This increase is primarily attributable to increased general overhead costs, offset by decreased property tax expenses.

Programming expenses totaled $319,584 for the three months ended September 30, 2004, representing an increase of $21,366, or approximately 7%, over the same period in 2003. Such increase is primarily attributable to higher costs charged by various program suppliers and increased costs associated with high-speed Internet services, offset by decreased advertising costs.

Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2004 increased $13,138, or approximately 5%, over the same period in 2003. Such increase is primarily attributable to depreciation of recent purchases related to the upgrade of plant and equipment, offset by certain assets becoming fully depreciated.

Interest expense and amortization of loan fees decreased $16,977, or approximately 31%, from $54,269 to $37,292 for the three months ended September 30, 2004. This decrease is primarily attributable to lower average outstanding indebtedness as a result of required principal repayments and lower interest rates during 2004 as compared to 2003.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Partnership’s primary source of liquidity is cash flow provided by operations. The Partnership generates cash through the monthly billing of subscribers for cable and Internet services. Losses from uncollectible accounts have not been material. Based on management’s analysis, the Partnership’s cash flow from operations and cash on hand will be sufficient to cover future operating costs, debt service, planned capital expenditures and working capital needs over the next twelve-month period.

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $732,210 for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Adjustments to the $72,329 net income for the period to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities consisted primarily of decreases in operating liabilities of $131,946 and increases in operating assets of $47,535, offset by depreciation and amortization of $833,548.

Net cash used in investing activities consisted of proceeds from the sale of the La Conner System of $194,871, offset by $464,843 in capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.

Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, consisted of $769,978 in principal payments on long-term debt.

Term Loan

In August 2003, the Partnership agreed to certain terms and conditions with its existing lender and amended its credit agreement. The terms of the amendment extend the maturity of the existing credit agreement to December 31, 2007 and modify the principal repayment schedule to require quarterly principal payments of $200,000 per quarter with the balance due upon maturity. Based on these terms, the Partnership is required to make principal payments during the remainder of 2004 through maturity according to the following schedule:

         
    Amended Principal
    Payments
2004 (3 months)
    200,000  
2005
    800,000  
2006
    800,000  
2007
    1,887,718  
 
   
 
 
Total
  $ 3,687,718  
 
   
 
 

In April of 2004, the escrow proceeds related to the sale of the La Conner System, which were released to the partnership in March of 2004, were used to repay amounts outstanding under the Partnership’s term loan agreement. This prepayment effectively reduced the amounts due in 2007 to $1,887,718.

 


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The agreement also requires the maintenance of certain financial covenants, including a Funded Debt to Cash Flow Ratio of no more than 3.75 to 1, a Cash Flow Coverage Ratio of no less than 1.10 to 1, and a limitation on the maximum amount of annual capital expenditures of $1,200,000, among other restrictions. As of September 30, 2004, the Partnership was in compliance with the terms of its amended credit agreement.

As of the date of this filing, the balance under the credit facility is $3,687,718, bearing interest at a LIBOR based rate of 4.00%. This interest rate expires during the fourth quarter of 2004, at which time a new rate will be established. This rate includes a margin paid to the lender based on overall leverage, and may increase or decrease as the Partnership’s leverage fluctuates

System Sale

On March 11, 2003, the Partnership sold the operating assets and franchise rights of its cable system in and around the community of La Conner, Washington (the “La Conner System”). The La Conner System served approximately 1,600 subscribers, and was sold at a price of approximately $3,200,000, of which the Partnership received approximately $3,000,000 at closing. Substantially all of the proceeds were used to pay down amounts outstanding under the Partnership’s term loan agreement. The sales price was adjusted at closing for the proration of certain revenues and expenses and approximately $200,000 was held in escrow and released to the Partnership in March of 2004. These proceeds were also used to pay down amounts outstanding under the Partnership’s term loan agreement in April of 2004.

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.

Obligations and Commitments

In addition to working capital needs for ongoing operations, the Partnership has capital requirements for (i) annual maturities related to the Term Loan and (ii) required minimum operating lease payments. The following table summarizes the Partnership’s contractual obligations as of September 30, 2004, and the anticipated effect of these obligations on the Partnership’s liquidity for the remainder of 2004 and in future years:

                                         
            Payments Due By Period
            Less than 1   1 — 3   3 — 5   More than
    Total
  year
  years
  years
  5 years
Term Loan
  $ 3,687,718     $ 800,000     $ 2,887,718     $     $  
Minimum operating lease payments
    39,500       1,775       11,025       26,700        
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 3,727,218     $ 801,775     $ 2,898,743     $ 26,700     $  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

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

Capital Expenditures

During the first nine months of 2004, the Partnership incurred approximately $465,000 in capital expenditures. These expenditures included the initial phase of a two-way plant upgrade which allowed high-speed Internet services to be launched in the Swainsboro, GA system and the ongoing system upgrade to 450MHz in the Aliceville, Alabama system. In addition, improvement of existing plant equipment for all systems, including cable line drops, is an ongoing capital expenditure.

 


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The Partnership does not anticipate spending a significant amount of cash on capital expenditures during the 4th quarter of 2004. Planned expenditures during 2005 include the continuation of a system upgrade to 450 MHz in the Aliceville, AL system, including construction of two-way plant to allow for the ongoing deployment of high-speed Internet services. Also, the continued deployment of new high-speed Internet services in the Swainsboro, GA system is anticipated for the remainder of 2004.

Solicitation of Interest from Potential Purchasers

In previous filings, the General Partner disclosed that they were working with Daniels and Associates to solicit offers from potential purchasers, to clarify the terms of certain offers received with the hope of being able to reach agreement with purchasers for the sale of the Partnership’s assets for fair value.

Despite ongoing efforts, the General Partner has been unable to secure a suitable agreement for the sale of the Partnership’s assets with a purchaser who could secure the financing necessary to close the transaction at this time. Management does not feel that the lack of viable purchase offers for the Partnership’s remaining cable systems reflect a lack of value in those systems or a concern over the operational capabilities of those systems. Instead, based on experience, many factors affect the market for cable television systems over time, including whether the various companies participating in the cable television industry are generally in an acquisition mode, the availability of financing through lenders or investors and the number of other systems that are either on the market or forecasted to soon be offered for sale.

It is Management’s experience, after many years in the cable television industry, that it is difficult to forecast the likelihood of receiving a solid purchase offer from a financially viable purchaser at any specific time. Notwithstanding, the General Partner will continue the current process of soliciting offers from potential purchasers with the goal of securing more than one viable offer for the partnership’s cable systems, however, we are unable at this time to forecast the ultimate outcome of these activities.

Critical Accounting Policies

This discussion and analysis of 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.

 


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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.

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 $37,000.

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

The Partnership 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) of the Managing General Partner 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 Partnership’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

     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
       
 
    31 (a).  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Northland Communications Corporation, the General Partner, dated November 12, 2004 pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
       
 
    31 (b).  
Certification of President (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of Northland Communications Corporation, the General Partner, dated November 12, 2004 pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
       
 
    32 (a).  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Northland Communications Corporation, the General Partner, dated November 12, 2004 pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
       
 
    32 (b).  
Certification of President (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of Northland Communications Corporation, the General Partner, dated November 12, 2004 pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
       
 
(b)   Reports on Form 8-K
       
 
    Form 8-K filed on September 15, 2004 disclosing letter to limited partners regarding mini-tender offer dated September 15, 2004.
       
 
    Form 8-K filed November 4, 2004 regarding solicitation of interest from potential purchasers.

 


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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 PROPERTIES EIGHT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

BY: Northland Communications Corporation,
General Partner

         
SIGNATURES
  CAPACITIES
  DATE
 
/s/ RICHARD I. CLARK
  Executive Vice President, Treasurer and   11-12-04

  Assistant Secretary    
Richard I. Clark
       
 
       
/s/ GARY S. JONES
  President   11-12-04

       
Gary S. Jones