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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002
Commission File Numbers: 333-72440
333-72440-01
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC
MEDIACOM BROADBAND CORPORATION*
(Exact names of Registrants as specified in their charters)
Delaware 06-1615412
Delaware 06-1630167
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Numbers)
100 Crystal Run Road
Middletown, New York 10941
(Address of principal executive offices)
(845) 695-2600
(Registrants' telephone number)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
None
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants (1) have 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
Registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of the Registrants' knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K: Not Applicable
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrants are accelerated filers (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [ ] No [X]
State the aggregate market value of the common equity held by
non-affiliates of the Registrants: Not Applicable
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of the Registrants' common stock:
Not Applicable
*Mediacom Broadband Corporation meets the conditions set forth in General
Instruction I (1) (a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is therefore filing this form
with the reduced disclosure format.
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC
2002 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Page
----
Item 1. Business.............................................................................. 4
Item 2. Properties............................................................................ 24
Item 3. Legal Proceedings..................................................................... 24
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders................................... 24
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrants' Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters................. 25
Item 6. Selected Financial Data............................................................... 26
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations................................................................ 30
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk............................ 44
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data........................................... 45
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure.................................................................. 74
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrants................................... 75
Item 11. Executive Compensation................................................................ 78
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters.............................................................................. 78
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions........................................ 78
Item 14. Controls and Procedures............................................................... 79
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K....................... 80
2
Mediacom Broadband LLC was organized as a Delaware limited liability
company in 2001 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mediacom Communications
Corporation, a Delaware corporation. Mediacom Broadband Corporation was
organized as a Delaware corporation in 2001 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Mediacom Broadband LLC. Mediacom Broadband Corporation was formed for the sole
purpose of acting as co-issuer with Mediacom Broadband LLC of debt securities
and does not conduct operations of its own.
References in this Annual Report to "we," "us," or "our" are to Mediacom
Broadband LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, unless the context
specifies or requires otherwise. References in this Annual Report to "MCC" are
to Mediacom Communications Corporation.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Statements
You should carefully review the information contained in this Annual Report
and in other reports or documents that we file from time to time with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). In this Annual Report, we state
our beliefs of future events and of our future financial performance. In some
cases, you can identify those so-called "forward-looking statements" by words
such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes,"
"estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue" or the negative of those
words and other comparable words. You should be aware that those statements are
only our predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially. In
evaluating those statements, you should specifically consider various factors,
including the risks discussed in this Annual Report and other reports or
documents that we file from time to time with the SEC. Those factors may cause
our actual results to differ materially from any of our forward-looking
statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or a person acting
on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary
statement.
3
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Our Manager
Mediacom Communications Corporation, our parent and manager, is currently
the nation's eighth largest cable television company based on customers served
and the leading cable operator focused on serving the smaller cities and towns
in the United States. Mediacom Communications provides its customers with a wide
array of broadband products and services, including traditional analog video
services, digital television, high-speed Internet access, video-on-demand and
high-definition television. As of December 31, 2002, our manager's cable
systems, which are owned and operated through the operating subsidiaries of
Mediacom Broadband LLC and Mediacom LLC, passed approximately 2.7 million homes
and served approximately 1.6 million basic subscribers in 23 states. A basic
subscriber is a customer that subscribes to a package of basic cable television
services. Our manager was founded in July 1995 by Rocco B. Commisso, its
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and its Class A common stock is traded on
The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol MCCC.
Mediacom Broadband Llc
We are a wholly-owned subsidiary of our manager. Prior to June 29, 2001, we
had no operations or significant assets. On June 29, 2001, we acquired from AT&T
Broadband, LLC cable systems serving approximately 94,000 basic subscribers in
the state of Missouri for a purchase price of approximately $300.0 million in
cash. On July 18, 2001, we acquired from AT&T Broadband cable systems serving
approximately 706,000 basic subscribers in the states of Georgia, Illinois and
Iowa for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1.76 billion in cash.
As of December 31, 2002, these cable systems passed approximately 1.5
million homes and served approximately 840,000 basic subscribers in Georgia,
Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. These cable systems are located in markets that are
contiguous with, or in close proximity to, cable systems owned and operated by
Mediacom LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of our manager. Except as separately
defined in historical combined financial statements appearing elsewhere in this
Annual Report as Mediacom Systems (Predecessor Company), these cable systems are
referred to in this report as our cable systems or the AT&T cable systems.
We believe that our high-speed, interactive broadband network is the
superior platform for the delivery of video, voice and data services to the
homes and businesses in the communities we serve. Available service offerings
depend on the bandwidth capacity of the broadband network. Bandwidth, expressed
in megahertz (MHz), is a measure of information-carrying capacity that can be
used to distribute telecommunication services. The greater the bandwidth, the
greater the capacity of the system to deliver service offerings. We are now in
the final stages of an aggressive network upgrade program that we expect to
substantially complete by June 30, 2003. As of December 31, 2002, approximately
95% of our cable network was upgraded with 550MHz to 870MHz bandwidth capacity
and about 87% of our homes passed were activated with two-way communications
capability.
As a result of our upgrade program, we have seen a significant increase in
our cable systems' network capacity, quality and reliability, facilitating the
widespread introduction of additional programming and other services, such as
digital video and high-speed Internet access, and the recent deployment of
video-on-demand and a limited high-definition television offering. We also
believe our network has the network capability for additional services such as
telephony. As of December 31, 2002, our digital cable service was available to
about 838,000 basic subscribers, or over 99% of our total basic subscribers, and
we served 238,000 digital customers. As of the same date, our high-speed
Internet access, or cable modem service, was marketed to approximately 1.2
million homes passed by our cable systems, or 83% of our total homes passed, and
we served 110,000 data customers.
4
Our manager's principal executive offices are located at 100 Crystal Run
Road, Middletown, New York 10941, and our manager's telephone number at that
address is (845) 695-2600. Our manager's website is located at
www.mediacomcc.com. We have made available free of charge through our manager's
website (follow the Corporate Info link to the Investor Relations tab to "Annual
Reports/SEC Filings") our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form
10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or
furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after such material was electronically
filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
information on our manager's website is not part of this Annual Report.
Description of Our Business
We offer our customers a full array of traditional analog video services,
also referred to as our core cable television services. In addition, we offer to
a significant portion of our customer base advanced broadband products and
services such as digital cable television and high-speed Internet access. We
launched video-on-demand service in certain cable systems in 2002 and recently
deployed a limited high-definition television service in certain cable systems.
We plan to expand the availability of these services during 2003. We are also
exploring other opportunities in interactive video, Internet protocol telephony,
or IP telephony, and other broadband services.
Traditional Analog Video Services
We receive the majority of our revenues from subscription services.
Subscribers typically pay us on a monthly basis and generally may discontinue
services at any time. Monthly subscription rates and related charges vary
according to the type of service selected and the type of equipment used by
subscribers.
We design both our basic channel line-up and our additional channel
offerings for each system according to demographics, programming preferences,
channel capacity, competition, price sensitivity and local regulation. Our core
cable television service offerings are presented in an analog format and include
the following in most of our cable systems:
Limited Basic Service. Our limited basic service includes, for a monthly
fee, local broadcast channels, network and independent stations, limited
satellite-delivered programming, and local public, government, home-shopping and
leased access channels.
Expanded Basic Service. Our expanded basic service includes, for an
additional monthly fee, various satellite-delivered channels such as CNN, MTV,
USA Network, ESPN, Lifetime, Nickelodeon and TNT.
Premium Service. Our premium services are satellite-delivered channels
consisting principally of feature films, original programming, live sports
events, concerts and other special entertainment features, usually presented
without commercial interruption. These services included HBO, Cinemax, Showtime,
The Movie Channel and Starz/Encore. Such premium programming services are
offered by our systems both on a per-channel basis and as part of premium
service packages designed to enhance customer value.
Pay-Per-View Service. Our pay-per-view services allow customers to pay to
view a single showing of a feature film, live sporting event, concert and other
special event, on an unedited, commercial-free basis. Such pay-per-view services
are offered by us on a per-viewing basis, with subscribers only paying for
programs which they select for viewing.
Digital Cable Services
Digital video technology has significantly enhanced and expanded the video
and other service offerings we provide to our customers. This technology has
enabled us to improve picture quality and reliability, and to greatly increase
our channel offerings through the use of compression, which converts one analog
channel into eight to 12 digital channels. We now offer up to 250 analog and
digital channels in many of our cable systems.
5
We currently offer our customers several digital cable programming packages
that include:
. up to 41 digital basic channels;
. up to 61 multichannel premium services;
. up to 60 pay-per-view movie and sports channels;
. up to 45 channels of digital music; and
. an interactive on-screen program guide to help them navigate their
viewing choices.
Subscribers typically pay us on a monthly basis for digital cable services
and generally may discontinue services at any time. Monthly rates vary generally
according to the level of service and the number of digital converters selected
by the subscriber.
As of December 31, 2002, our digital cable service was available to 838,000
basic subscribers, or over 99% of our total subscriber base, and we served
238,000 digital customers.
High-speed Internet Access
Our broadband cable network enables our high-speed Internet customers, also
referred to as cable modem customers, to transmit data up to 100 times faster
than traditional telephone modem technologies. Our cable modem customers can
receive and transmit large files over the Internet in a fraction of the time
required when using the traditional telephone modem. Our high-speed Internet
access service also allows much quicker response times when surfing the
Internet, providing a richer experience for the customer that capitalizes on the
significant capacity of our broadband cable network. In addition, cable modem
service eliminates the need to use a telephone line to access the Internet. It
is also always activated, and as a result, the customer does not need to dial
into an Internet service provider and await authorization.
Monthly subscription rates and related charges vary according to whether
the customer leases or owns the cable modem and whether the customer subscribes
to our video services.
We recently began providing commercial high-speed Internet access services
to small and medium-sized businesses. Our commercial data service offerings
allow businesses with multiple users to select faster data transmission speeds
than our residential service.
As of December 31, 2002, our cable modem service was marketed to
approximately 1.2 million homes passed by our cable systems, or 83% of our total
homes passed, and we served 110,000 cable modem customers.
Advertising
Our cable systems receive revenue from the sale of local advertising on
satellite-delivered channels such as CNN, MTV, USA Network, ESPN, Lifetime,
Nickelodeon and TNT. Our cable systems' advertising sales infrastructure
comprises several-in-house production facilities, production and administrative
employees and a sales workforce. Advertising sales accounted for 6.8% of our
revenues for the year ended December 31, 2002. We expect that the increasing
concentration of customers served by our master headend facilities as a result
of our headend consolidation program will enable us to increase our advertising
revenues.
Video-on-Demand
Video-on-demand is an interactive television service that provides access
to movies or special events on demand with the ability to fast forward, pause
and rewind selected programming. Customers can watch their selected feature
repeatedly during the viewing window, which typically runs up to 24 hours, or
stop the selection before it is completed and return to it at a later time
during the viewing window. Fees are typically charged on a per-selection basis,
although certain individual categories of programming are also available for a
flat monthly fee. The provision of video-on-demand services requires the use of
servers at the headend facility of our cable systems. We currently offer
video-on-demand service to approximately 25% of our digital customers.
6
High-Definition Television
High-definition television provides picture quality at a higher resolution
than standard television. A television set capable of receiving and displaying
high-definition signals is required to utilize this service. We are currently
offering limited high-definition television service in markets serving
approximately 39% of our basic subscribers. During 2003, we expect to expand the
number of channels broadcast in high-definition in the markets where we already
provide this service.
Telecommunications Services
We are exploring technologies using IP telephony as well as traditional
switching technologies that are currently available to transmit telephony
signals over our cable network. We are currently conducting a technical trial of
hybrid IP telephony service which combines the technology of IP telephony with
traditional phone technology. As part of our headend consolidation plans, we
have deployed over 2,500 route miles of fiber optic cable resulting in the
creation of large, high-capacity regional networks. We have constructed our
networks with excess fiber optic capacity, thereby affording us the flexibility
to pursue new data and telecommunications opportunities.
7
Description of Our Cable Systems
Overview
The following table provides an overview of selected operating and
technical statistics for our cable systems for the years ended:
2002 2001
---------- ----------
Operating Data:
Homes passed/(1)/................................ 1,463,000 1,430,000
Basic subscribers/(2)/........................... 840,000 824,000
Basic penetration/(3)/........................... 57.4% 57.6%
Average monthly revenues
per basic subscriber/(4)/....................... $ 52.93 $ 47.98
Digital Cable:
Digital-ready basic subscribers/(5)/............. 838,000 800,000
Digital customers................................ 238,000 233,000
Digital penetration/(6)/......................... 28.4% 29.1%
Data:
Data-ready homes passed/(7)/..................... 1,270,000 815,000
Data-ready homes marketed/(8)/................... 1,220,000 810,000
Data customers .................................. 110,000 77,000
Data penetration/(9)/............................ 9.0% 9.5%
Revenue Generating Units:/(10)/.................. 1,188,000 1,134,000
Customer Relationships:/(11)/.................... 851,000 833,000
Cable Network Data:
Miles of plant................................... 19,500 19,100
Density/(12)/.................................... 75 75
Percentage of cable network at
550MHz to 870MHz .......................... 95% 55%
- ----------
/(1)/ Represents the number of single residence homes, apartments and
condominium units passed by the cable distribution network in a cable
system's service area.
/(2)/ Represents a dwelling with one or more television sets that receives a
package of over-the-air broadcast stations, local access channels or
certain satellite-delivered cable television services. Accounts that are
billed on a bulk basis, which typically receive discounted rates, are
converted into full-price equivalent basic subscribers by dividing total
bulk billed basic revenues of a particular system by the applicable
combined limited and expanded cable rate charged to basic subscribers in
that system. Basic subscribers include connections to schools,
libraries, local government offices and employee households that may not
be charged for limited and expanded cable services, but may be charged
for premium units, pay-per-view events or high-speed Internet service.
Customers who exclusively purchase high-speed Internet service are not
counted as basic subscribers. Our methodology of calculating the number
of subscribers may not be identical to those used by other cable
companies.
/(3)/ Represents basic subscribers as a percentage of homes passed.
/(4)/ Represents average monthly revenues for the last three months of the
period divided by average basic subscribers for such period.
/(5)/ A subscriber is digital-ready if the subscriber is in a cable system
where digital cable services are available.
/(6)/ Represents digital customers as a percentage of digital-ready basic
subscribers.
/(7)/ A home passed is data-ready if it is in a cable system with two-way
communications capability.
/(8)/ Represents data-ready homes passed where cable modem service is
available.
/(9)/ Represents the number of data customers as a percentage of data-ready
homes marketed.
/(10)/ Represents the sum of basic subscribers, digital customers and data
customers.
/(11)/ Represents the total number of customers that receive at least one level
of service, encompassing video and data services, without regard to
which service(s) customers purchase.
/(12)/ Represents homes passed divided by miles of plant.
8
Technology Overview
As part of our commitment to maximize customer satisfaction, to improve our
competitive position and to introduce new and enhanced products and services to
our customers, we continue to make significant investments to upgrade our cable
network. The primary objectives of our upgrade program are to:
. increase the bandwidth capacity to 870MHz;
. activate two-way communications capability;
. consolidate our headend facilities, through the extensive deployment
of fiber optic networks; and
. allow us to provide digital cable television, high-speed Internet
access, interactive video and other telecommunications services.
We expect to substantially complete our cable network upgrade program by
June 30, 2003. The following table describes the technological state of our
cable network as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and the projected state of our
cable network as of June 30, 2003, based on our current upgrade plans:
PERCENTAGE OF CABLE NETWORK
------------------------------------
LESS THAN 550MHZ- TWO-WAY
550MHZ 870MHZ CAPABLE
----------- --------- ---------
December 31, 2001..................... 45% 55% 57%
December 31, 2002..................... 5% 95% 87%
June 30, 2003......................... 2% 98% 98%
A central feature of our upgrade program is the deployment of high
capacity, hybrid fiber-optic coaxial architecture. The hybrid fiber-optic
coaxial architecture combines the use of fiber optic cable, which can carry
hundreds of video, data and voice channels over extended distances, with coaxial
cable, which requires a more extensive signal amplification in order to obtain
the desired levels for delivering channels. We design our network to connect
fiber optic cable to individual nodes serving an average of 350 homes or
commercial buildings. A node is a single connection to a cable system's main,
high-capacity fiber optic cable that is shared by a number of customers. Coaxial
cable is then connected from each node to the individual homes or buildings. Our
network design generally provides for six strands of fiber to each node, with
two strands active and four strands reserved for future services. We believe
hybrid fiber-optic coaxial architecture provides higher capacity, superior
signal quality, greater network reliability, reduced operating costs and more
reserve capacity for the addition of future services than traditional coaxial
network design.
Two-way communications capability permits our customers to send and receive
signals over the cable network so that interactive services, such as
video-on-demand, are accessible and high-speed Internet access does not require
a separate telephone line. This capability also positions us to offer cable
telephony, using either IP telephony as it becomes commercially feasible, or the
traditional switching technologies that are currently available. Our plans for
two-way communications capability, together with hybrid fiber-optic coaxial
architecture, enhances our cable network's ability to provide advanced
telecommunications services.
As of December 31, 2002, our cable systems were operated from 34 headend
facilities. Fiber optics and advanced transmission technologies make it cost
effective to consolidate our headend facilities allowing us to realize operating
efficiencies and resulting in lower fixed capital costs on a per home basis as
we introduce new products and services. We plan to eliminate up to 12 headend
facilities by June 2003.
As part of our headend consolidation program, we have deployed over 2,500
route miles of fiber optic cable, creating large regional fiber optic networks
with the potential to provide advanced telecommunications services. We are
constructing our regional networks with excess fiber optic capacity to
accommodate new and expanded products and services in the future.
9
Sales and Marketing
We seek to be the premier provider of entertainment, information and
telecommunications services in the markets we serve. Our marketing programs and
campaigns offer a variety of cable services, creatively packaged and tailored to
appeal to each of our local markets and to segments within each market. We
routinely survey our customers to ensure that we are meeting their demands and
our customer surveys keep us abreast of our competition so that we can
effectively counter competitors' service offerings and promotional campaigns.
We use a coordinated array of marketing techniques to attract and retain
customers and to increase premium service penetration, including door-to-door
and direct mail solicitation, telemarketing, media advertising, local
promotional events, typically sponsored by programming services and
cross-channel promotion of new services and pay-per-view.
We build awareness of our brand through a variety of promotional campaigns.
As a result of our branding efforts, our emphasis on customer service and our
investments in the cable network, we believe we have developed a reputation for
quality, reliability and timely introduction of new products and services.
We invest a significant amount of time, effort and financial resources in
the training and evaluation of our marketing professionals and customer sales
representatives. Our customer sales representatives customize their sales
presentation to fit each of our customers' specific needs by conducting focused
consumer research and are given the incentive to use their frequent contact with
our customers as opportunities to sell our new products and services.
Programming Supply
Except as noted below, we have various contracts to obtain basic and
premium programming for our cable systems from program suppliers whose
compensation is typically based on a fixed monthly fee per customer. Our
programming contracts are generally for a fixed period of time.
We are a member of the National Cable Television Cooperative, Inc., a
programming cooperative consisting of small to medium-sized multiple system
operators serving, in the aggregate, over 12 million cable subscribers. The
cooperative may help create efficiencies in the areas of obtaining and
administering programming contracts, as well as securing, in some cases, more
favorable programming rates and contract terms for small to medium-sized cable
operators.
Following our acquisitions of the AT&T cable systems, substantially all
programming services carried on our cable systems were without contracts with
the respective program suppliers. Our manager has since completed agreements for
several of those programming services and is continuing to negotiate terms for
the remainder of the services. From time to time, the contracts covering the
programming services carried on our cable systems expire, and we generally
provide such services to our customers without written contracts with the
respective program suppliers as our manager negotiates contract renewals.
We expect our programming costs to rise in the future due to increased
costs to purchase programming, particularly sports programming, additional
programming being provided to our customers, and other factors affecting the
cable television industry. Although we are legally able to pass through expected
increases in our programming costs to customers, there can be no assurance that
competitive conditions or other factors in the marketplace will allow us to do
so.
We also have various retransmission consent arrangements with commercial
broadcast stations, which generally expire in December 2005. In some cases,
retransmission consents have been contingent upon our carriage of satellite
delivered cable programming offered by companies affiliated with the stations'
owners or the broadcast network carried by such stations.
10
Customer Service and Community Relations
System reliability and customer satisfaction represent a cornerstone of our
business strategy. We expect that ongoing investments in our cable network and
our regional calling centers will significantly strengthen customer service,
enhancing the reliability of our cable network and allowing us to introduce new
products and services to our customers. We maintain regional calling centers
which service virtually all of our customers. They are staffed with dedicated
personnel who provide service to our customers 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, on a toll-free basis. We believe our regional calling centers allow us to
coordinate more effectively installation appointments and reduce response time
to customer inquiries. We continue to invest in both personnel and equipment of
our regional calling centers to ensure that these operating units are
professionally managed and employ state-of-the-art technology.
In addition, we are dedicated to fostering strong community relations in
the communities served by our cable systems. We support local charities and
community causes in various ways, including staged events and promotional
campaigns to raise funds and supplies for persons in need and in-kind donations
that include production services and free airtime on cable networks. We
participate in the "Cable in the Classroom" program, which is a national effort
by cable companies to provide schools with free cable television service and,
where available, Internet access. We also install and provide free cable
television service to government buildings and not-for-profit hospitals in our
franchise areas. We believe that our relations with the communities in which our
cable systems operate are generally good.
Franchises
Cable systems are generally operated under non-exclusive franchises granted
by local governmental authorities. These franchises typically contain many
conditions, such as: time limitations on commencement and completion of
construction; conditions of service, including number of channels, types of
programming and the provision of free service to schools and other public
institutions; and the maintenance or posting of insurance or indemnity bonds by
the cable operator. Many of the provisions of local franchises are subject to
federal regulation under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
As of December 31, 2002, our cable systems were subject to 469 franchises.
These franchises, which are non-exclusive, provide for the payment of fees to
the issuing authority. In most of the cable systems, such franchise fees are
passed through directly to the customers. The Cable Communications Policy Act of
1984, or the 1984 Cable Act, prohibits franchising authorities from imposing
franchise fees in excess of 5% of gross revenues from cable services and also
permits the cable operator to seek renegotiation and modification of franchise
requirements if warranted by changed circumstances.
Substantially all of the basic subscribers of our cable systems are in
service areas that require a franchise. The table below groups the franchises of
our cable systems by year of expiration and presents the approximate number and
percentage of basic subscribers for each group as of December 31, 2002.
PERCENTAGE OF NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE OF
NUMBER OF TOTAL BASIC TOTAL BASIC
YEAR OF FRANCHISE EXPIRATION FRANCHISES FRANCHISES SUBSCRIBERS SUBSCRIBERS
---------------------------- ----------- ------------- ------------ ---------------
2003 through 2006.......................... 139 29.6% 244,800 29.1%
2007 and thereafter........................ 330 70.4 595,200 70.9
----------- ------------- ------------ ---------------
Total................................. 469 100.0% 840,000 100.0%
=========== ============= ============ ===============
The 1984 Cable Act provides, among other things, for an orderly franchise
renewal process in which franchise renewal will not be unreasonably withheld or,
if renewal is denied and the franchising authority acquires ownership of the
cable system or effects a transfer of the cable system to another person, the
cable operator generally is entitled to the fair market value for the cable
system covered by such franchise. In addition, the 1984 Cable Act established
comprehensive renewal procedures, which require that an incumbent franchisee's
renewal application be assessed on its own merits and not as part of a
comparative process with competing applications.
11
We believe that we generally have good relationships with our franchising
communities. We have never had a franchise revoked or failed to have a franchise
renewed. In addition, substantially all of our franchises eligible for renewal
have been renewed or extended prior to their stated expirations, and no
franchise community has refused to consent to a franchise transfer to us.
Competition
We, like most cable systems, compete on the basis of several factors,
including price and the quality and variety of products and services offered. We
face competition from various communications and entertainment providers, the
number and type of which we expect to increase as we expand the products and
services offered over our broadband network. In recent years, Congress has
passed legislation and the Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC") has
adopted policies authorizing new technologies and a more favorable operating
environment for certain existing technologies that provide, or may provide,
substantial additional competition for cable systems. The extent to which a
cable television service is competitive depends in significant part upon the
cable system's ability to provide a greater variety of programming, superior
technical performance and superior customer service than are available over the
air or through competitive alternative delivery sources. We believe our ability
to package multiple services, such as digital television, two-way, high-speed
Internet access and video-on-demand is an advantage in our competitive business
environment.
Providers of Broadcast Television and Other Entertainment
The extent to which a cable system competes with over-the-air broadcasting,
which provides signals that a viewer is able to receive directly, depends upon
the quality and quantity of the broadcast signals available by direct antenna
reception compared to the quality and quantity of such signals and alternative
services offered by a cable system. Cable systems also face competition from
other sources of entertainment such as live sporting events, movie theaters and
home video products, including videotape recorders and videodisc players.
Direct Broadcast Satellite Providers
Individuals can purchase home satellite dishes, which allow them to receive
satellite-delivered broadcast and non-broadcast program services, commonly known
as DBS, that formerly were available only to cable television subscribers.
According to recent industry reports, DBS providers currently sell video
programming services to over 20 million individual households, condominiums,
apartments and office complexes in the United States. Two companies, DIRECTV and
EchoStar, provide service to substantially all of these DBS customers.
DBS service can be received virtually anywhere in the continental United
States through the installation of a small roof top or side-mounted antenna. DBS
providers use video compression technology to increase channel capacity and
digital technology to improve the quality of the signals transmitted to their
customers, and typically offer more than 300 channels of programming. In
addition to the non-broadcast programming services we offer in our cable
systems, under legislation enacted in 1999, DBS providers also deliver local
broadcast signals in certain markets that we serve. This change in law
eliminated a significant competitive advantage which cable system operators had
over DBS providers, as previously DBS providers were not permitted to retransmit
local broadcast signals. We believe our digital cable service is competitive
with the services delivered to customers by DBS systems.
DBS providers are also developing ways to bring advanced communications
services to their customers. They are currently offering two alternatives of
satellite-delivered high-speed Internet access service. One alternative is a
one-way service that utilizes a telephone return path, in contrast to our
two-way, high-speed service, which does not require a telephone line. The other
alternative is a two-way, high-speed service, which requires additional
equipment purchases by the consumer and is offered at higher prices than our own
equivalent service.
Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Systems
Multichannel multipoint distribution systems deliver programming services
over microwave channels licensed by the FCC and received by subscribers with
special antennas. These wireless cable systems are less capital intensive and
subject to fewer regulatory requirements than cable systems, and are not
required to obtain local franchises or pay franchise fees. To date, the ability
of wireless cable services to compete with cable systems has been limited by a
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channel capacity of up to 35 channels and the need for unobstructed
line-of-sight over-the-air transmission. Although relatively few wireless cable
systems in the United States are currently in operation or under construction,
virtually all markets have been licensed or tentatively licensed. The use of
digital compression technology, and the FCC's recent amendment to its rules to
permit reverse path or two-way transmission over wireless facilities, may enable
multichannel multipoint distribution systems to deliver more channels and
additional services, including Internet related services. Digital compression
technology refers to the conversion of the standard video signal into a digital
signal and the compression of that signal to facilitate multiple channel
transmissions through a single channel's signal.
Private Cable Television Systems
Private cable television systems compete with conventional cable television
systems for the right to service condominiums, apartment complexes and other
multiple unit residential developments. The operators of these private systems,
known as satellite master antenna television (SMATV) systems, provide improved
reception of local television stations and several of the same
satellite-delivered programming services offered by franchised cable systems.
SMATV system operators often enter into exclusive agreements with apartment
building owners or homeowners' associations that preclude franchised cable
television operators from serving residents of such private complexes and
typically are not subject to regulation like local franchised cable operators.
However, the 1984 Cable Act gives franchised cable operators the right to use
existing compatible easements within their franchise areas on nondiscriminatory
terms and conditions. Accordingly, where there are preexisting compatible
easements, cable operators may not be unfairly denied access or discriminated
against with respect to access to the premises served by those easements.
Conflicting judicial decisions have been issued interpreting the scope of the
access right granted by the 1984 Cable Act, particularly with respect to
easements located entirely on private property. Under the Telecommunications Act
of 1996, satellite master antenna television systems can interconnect
non-commonly owned buildings without having to comply with local, state and
federal regulatory requirements that are imposed upon cable systems providing
similar services, as long as they do not use public rights of way. The FCC has
held that the latter provision is not violated so long as interconnection across
public rights of way is provided by a third party.
Traditional Overbuilds
Cable television systems are operated under non-exclusive franchises
granted by local authorities. More than one cable system may legally be built in
the same area by another cable operator, a municipal-owned utility or another
service provider. Some of these competitors may be granted franchises on more
favorable terms or conditions or enjoy other advantages such as exemptions from
taxes or regulatory requirements to which we are subject. Well financed
businesses from outside the cable industry, such as public utilities which
already possess or are developing fiber optic and other transmission facilities
in the areas they serve, may over time become competitors. We believe that
various entities are currently offering cable service to an estimated 11.5% of
the homes passed in the service areas of our franchises.
Internet Access
We offer high-speed Internet access in many of our cable systems. This kind
of service is sometimes called "cable modem service." Our cable systems compete
with a number of other companies, many of which have substantial resources, such
as existing Internet service providers, commonly known as ISPs, DBS providers,
and local and long distance telephone companies.
The deployment of digital subscriber line technology, known as DSL, allows
Internet access to subscribers at data transmission speeds equal to or greater
than that of standard telephone line modems, putting it in direct competition
with cable modem service. Numerous companies, including telephone companies,
have introduced DSL service and certain telecommunications companies are seeking
to provide high-speed broadband services, including interactive online services,
without regard to present service boundaries and other regulatory restrictions.
DBS providers currently offer satellite-delivered high-speed Internet access
with a telephone return path through a one-way service or a two-way interactive
high-speed service.
A number of ISP's have asked local authorities and the FCC to give them
rights of access to cable systems' broadband infrastructure so that they can
deliver their services directly to cable systems' customers. This kind of access
is often called "open access." Many local franchising authorities have examined
the issue of open access and a few have required cable operators to provide such
access. Several Federal courts have ruled that localities are not authorized to
require open access. The FCC is presently considering this issue. If we were
required to provide open
13
access to ISPs as a result of FCC action or court decisions, other companies
could use our cable system infrastructure to offer Internet services competitive
with our own.
Other Competition
Advances in communications technology, as well as changes in the
marketplace and the regulatory and legislative environment, are constantly
occurring. The FCC has authorized a new interactive television service which
permits non-video transmission of information between an individual's home and
entertainment and information service providers. This service, which can be used
by direct broadcast satellite systems, television stations and other video
programming distributors, including cable television systems, is an alternative
technology for the delivery of interactive video services. It does not appear at
the present time that this service will have a material impact on the operations
of cable television systems.
The FCC has allocated spectrum in the 28GHz range for a new multichannel
wireless service that can be used to provide video and telecommunications
services. The FCC completed the process of awarding licenses to use this
spectrum via a market-by-market auction. We do not know whether such a service
would have a material impact on the operations of cable television systems.
The 1996 Telecom Act directed the FCC to establish, and the FCC has
adopted, regulations and policies for the issuance of licenses for digital
television to incumbent television broadcast licensees. Digital television can
deliver high-definition television pictures and multiple digital-quality program
streams, as well as CD-quality audio programming and advanced digital services,
such as data transfer or subscription video. The FCC also has authorized
television broadcast stations to transmit text and graphic information that may
be useful to both consumers and businesses. The FCC also permits commercial and
non-commercial FM stations to use their subcarrier frequencies to provide
non-broadcast services, including data transmission.
Employees
As of December 31, 2002, we employed 1,878 full-time employees and 45
part-time employees. Approximately 3.4% of our employees were represented by a
labor union at that time. Such employees have since voted to decertify this
labor union. As of the filing date of this report, none of our employees were
represented by a labor union. We consider our relations with our employees to be
generally good.
14
Legislation and Regulation
General
A federal law known as the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Communications Act"), establishes a national policy to guide the regulation,
development and operation of cable communications systems.
The Communications Act allocates principal responsibility for enforcing the
federal policies among the FCC and state and local governmental authorities. The
FCC and state regulatory agencies regularly conduct administrative proceedings
to adopt or amend regulations implementing the statutory mandate of the
Communications Act. At various times, interested parties to these administrative
proceedings challenge the new or amended regulations and policies in the courts
with varying levels of success. We expect that further court actions and
regulatory proceedings will occur and will refine the rights and obligations of
various parties, including the government, under the Communications Act. The
results of these judicial and administrative proceedings may materially affect
the cable industry and our business and operations. In the following paragraphs,
we summarize the federal laws and regulations materially affecting the growth
and operation of the cable industry. We also provide a brief description of
certain state and local laws.
Federal Regulation
The Communications Act and the regulations and policies of the FCC affect
significant aspects of our cable system operations, including:
. subscriber rates;
. the content of the programming we offer to subscribers, as well as the
way we sell our program packages to subscribers;
. the use of our cable systems by the local franchising authorities, the
public and other unrelated companies;
. our franchise agreements with local governmental authorities;
. cable system ownership limitations and prohibitions; and
. our use of utility poles and conduit.
Subscriber Rates
The Communications Act and the FCC's regulations and policies limit the
ability of cable systems to raise rates for basic services and equipment. No
other rates can be regulated. Federal law exempts cable systems from rate
regulation of cable services and customer equipment in communities that are
subject to effective competition, as defined by federal law.
Where there is no effective competition to the cable operator's services,
federal law gives local franchising authorities the responsibility to regulate
the rates charged by the operator for:
. the lowest level of programming service offered by cable operator,
typically called basic service, which includes the local broadcast
channels and any public access or governmental channels that are
required by the operator's franchise;
. the installation of cable service and related service calls; and
. the installation, sale and lease of equipment used by subscribers to
receive basic service, such as converter boxes and remote control
units.
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Local franchising authorities who wish to regulate basic service rates and
related equipment rates must first obtain FCC certification to regulate by
following a simplified FCC certification process and agreeing to follow
established FCC rules and policies when regulating the cable operator's rates.
Several years ago, the FCC adopted detailed rate regulations, guidelines
and rate forms that a cable operator and the local franchising authority must
use in connection with the regulation of basic service and equipment rates. The
FCC adopted a benchmark methodology as the principal method of regulating rates.
However, if this methodology produces unacceptable rates, the operator may also
justify rates using a detailed cost-of-service methodology. The FCC's rules also
require franchising authorities to regulate equipment rates on the basis of
actual cost plus a reasonable profit, as defined by the FCC.
If the local franchising authority concludes that a cable operator's rates
are too high under the FCC's rate rules, the local franchising authority may
require the cable operator to reduce rates and to refund overcharges to
subscribers, with interest. The cable operator may appeal adverse local rate
decisions to the FCC.
The FCC's regulations allow a cable operator to modify regulated rates on a
quarterly or annual basis to account for changes in:
. the number of regulated channels;
. inflation; and
. certain external costs, such as franchise and other governmental fees,
copyright and retransmission consent fees, taxes, programming fees and
franchise-related obligations.
The Communications Act and the FCC's regulations also:
. require cable operators to charge uniform rates throughout each
franchise area that is not subject to effective competition;
. prohibit regulation of non-predatory bulk discount rates offered by
cable operators to subscribers in commercial and residential
developments; and
. permit regulated equipment rates to be computed by aggregating costs
of broad categories of equipment at the franchise, system, regional or
company level.
Content Requirements
The Communications Act and the FCC's regulations contain broadcast signal
carriage requirements that allow local commercial television broadcast stations:
. to elect once every three years to require a cable system to carry the
station, subject to certain exceptions; or
. to negotiate with us on the terms by which we carry the station on our
cable systems, commonly called retransmission consent.
The Communications Act requires a cable operator to devote up to one-third
of its activated channel capacity for the mandatory carriage of local commercial
television stations. The Communications Act also gives local non-commercial
television stations mandatory carriage rights; however, such stations are not
given the option to negotiate retransmission consent for the carriage of their
signals by cable systems. Additionally, cable systems must obtain retransmission
consent for:
. all distant commercial television stations, except for commercial
satellite-delivered independent superstations such as WGN;
. commercial radio stations; and
. certain low-power television stations.
16
The FCC has recently adopted regulations for mandatory carriage of digital
television signals offered by local television broadcasters. Under these
regulations, local television broadcast stations transmitting solely in a
digital format are entitled to request carriage in their choice of digital or
converted analog format. Stations transmitting in both digital and analog
formats, which is permitted during the current several-year transition period,
have no carriage rights for the digital format during the transition unless and
until they turn in their analog channel. We are unable to predict the impact of
these new carriage requirements on the operations of our cable systems.
The Communications Act requires our cable systems, other than those systems
which are subject to effective competition, to permit subscribers to purchase
video programming we offer on a per channel or a per program basis without the
necessity of subscribing to any tier of service other than the basic cable
service tier.
To increase competition between cable operators and other video program
distributors, the Communications Act and the FCC's regulations:
. preclude any satellite video programmer affiliated with a cable
company, or with a common carrier providing video programming directly
to its subscribers, from favoring an affiliated company over
competitors;
. require such programmers to sell their programming to other
unaffiliated video program distributors; and
. limit the ability of such programmers to offer exclusive programming
arrangements to their related parties.
The FCC actively regulates other aspects of our programming, involving such
areas as:
. our use of syndicated and network programs and local sports broadcast
programming;
. advertising in children's programming;
. political advertising;
. origination cablecasting;
. adult programming;
. sponsorship identification; and
. closed captioning of video programming.
Use of Our Cable Systems by the Government and Unrelated Third Parties
The Communications Act allows local franchising authorities and unrelated
third parties to have access to our cable systems' channel capacity for their
own use. For example, it:
. permits franchising authorities to require cable operators to set
aside channels for public, educational and governmental access
programming; and
. requires a cable system with 36 or more activated channels to
designate a significant portion of its channel capacity for commercial
leased access by third parties to provide programming that may compete
with services offered by the cable operator.
The FCC regulates various aspects of third party commercial use of channel
capacity on our cable systems, including:
. the maximum reasonable rate a cable operator may charge for third
party commercial use of the designated channel capacity;
. the terms and conditions for commercial use of such channels; and
. the procedures for the expedited resolution of disputes concerning
rates or commercial use of the designated channel capacity.
17
Franchise Matters
We have non-exclusive franchises in virtually every community in which we
operate that authorize us to construct, operate and maintain our cable systems.
Although franchising matters are normally regulated at the local level through a
franchise agreement or a local ordinance, the Communications Act provides
oversight and guidelines to govern our relationship with local franchising
authorities.
For example, the Communications Act:
. affirms the right of franchising authorities, which may be state or
local, depending on the practice in individual states, to award one or
more franchises within their jurisdictions;
. generally prohibits us from operating in communities without a
franchise;
. encourages competition with existing cable systems by:
. allowing municipalities to operate their own cable systems
without franchises, and
. preventing franchising authorities from granting exclusive
franchises or from unreasonably refusing to award additional
franchises covering an existing cable system's service area;
. permits local authorities, when granting or renewing our franchises,
to establish requirements for cable-related facilities and equipment,
but prohibits franchising authorities from establishing requirements
for specific video programming or information services other than in
broad categories;
. permits us to obtain modification of our franchise requirements from
the franchise authority or by judicial action if warranted by
commercial impracticability; and
. generally prohibits franchising authorities from:
. imposing requirements during the initial cable franchising
process or during franchise renewal that require, prohibit or
restrict us from providing telecommunications services,
. imposing franchise fees on revenues we derive from providing
telecommunications services over our cable systems,
. restricting our use of any type of subscriber equipment or
transmission technology, and
. limits our payment of franchise fees to the local franchising
authority to 5.0% of our gross revenues derived from providing cable
services over our cable system.
The Communications Act contains renewal procedures designed to protect us
against arbitrary denials of renewal of our franchises although, under certain
circumstances, the franchising authority could deny us a franchise renewal.
Moreover, even if our franchise is renewed, the franchising authority may seek
to impose upon us new and more onerous requirements, such as significant
upgrades in facilities and services or increased franchise fees as a condition
of renewal to the extent permitted by law. Similarly, if a franchising
authority's consent is required for the purchase or sale of our cable system or
franchise, the franchising authority may attempt to impose more burdensome or
onerous franchise requirements on the purchaser in connection with a request for
such consent. Historically, cable operators providing satisfactory services to
their subscribers and complying with the terms of their franchises have almost
always obtained franchise renewals. We believe that we have generally met the
terms of our franchises and have provided quality levels of service. We
anticipate that our future franchise renewal prospects generally will be
favorable.
18
Various courts have considered whether franchising authorities have the
legal right to limit the number of franchises awarded within a community and to
impose substantive franchise requirements. These decisions have been
inconsistent and, until the U.S. Supreme Court rules definitively on the scope
of cable operators' First Amendment protections, the legality of the franchising
process generally and of various specific franchise requirements is likely to be
in a state of flux.
Ownership Limitations
The Communications Act generally prohibits us from owning or operating a
satellite master antenna television system or multichannel multipoint
distribution system in any area where we provide franchised cable service and do
not have effective competition, as defined by federal law. We may, however,
acquire and operate a satellite master antenna television system in our existing
franchise service areas if the programming and other services provided to the
satellite master antenna television system subscribers are offered according to
the terms and conditions of our local franchise agreement.
The Communications Act also authorizes the FCC to adopt nationwide limits
on the number of subscribers under the control of a cable operator and to impose
limits on the number of channels which can be occupied on a cable system by a
video programmer in which a cable operator has an interest. The U.S. Court of
Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit overturned the FCC's rules
implementing these statutory provisions and remended the case to the FCC for
further proceedings.
The 1996 amendments to the Communications Act eliminated the statutory
prohibition on the common ownership, operation or control of a cable system and
a television broadcast station in the same service area. The identical FCC
regulation has been invalidated by a federal appellate court. The FCC has
eliminated its regulatory restriction on cross-ownership of cable systems and
national broadcasting networks.
The 1996 amendments to the Communications Act also made far-reaching
changes in the relationship between local telephone companies and cable service
providers. These amendments:
. eliminated federal legal barriers to competition in the local
telephone and cable communications businesses, including allowing
local telephone companies to offer video services in their local
telephone service areas;
. preempted legal barriers to telecommunications competition that
previously existed in state and local laws and regulations;
. set basic standards for relationships between telecommunications
providers; and
. generally limited acquisitions and prohibited joint ventures between
local telephone companies and cable operators in the same market.
Local telephone companies may provide service as traditional cable
operators with local franchises or they may opt to provide their programming
over open video systems, subject to certain conditions, including, but not
limited to, setting aside a portion of their channel capacity for use by
unaffiliated program distributors on a non-discriminatory basis. The decision as
to whether an operator of an open video system must obtain a local franchise is
left to each community.
Pole Attachment Regulation
The Communications Act requires the FCC to regulate the rates, terms and
conditions imposed by public utilities, other than municipally or
cooperatively-owned utilities for cable systems' use of utility pole and conduit
space unless state authorities have demonstrated to the FCC that they adequately
regulate pole attachment rates, as is the case in certain states in which we
operate. In the absence of state regulation, the FCC administers pole attachment
rates on a formula basis. The FCC adopted a new rate formula that became
effective in 2001 which governs the maximum rate certain utilities may charge
for attachments to their poles and conduit by companies providing
telecommunications services, including cable operators.
19
Increases in attachment rates due to the FCC's new rate formula are phased
in over a five-year period in equal annual increments, beginning in February
2001. A federal appellate court found that the provision of Internet access by a
cable system was neither a cable service or a telecommunications service, thus
the FCC lacked authority to regulate pole attachment rates for cable systems
which offer Internet access. The Supreme Court recently reversed the federal
appellate court decision and upheld the FCC's authority to regulate pole
attachment rates. We are unable to predict the ultimate impact of any revised
FCC rate formula or of any new pole attachment rate regulations on our business
and operations.
Other Regulatory Requirements of the Communications Act and the Fcc
The FCC has adopted cable inside wiring rules to provide a more specific
procedure for the disposition of residential home wiring and internal building
wiring that belongs to an incumbent cable operator that is forced by the
building owner to terminate its cable services in a building with multiple
dwelling units.
The Communications Act includes provisions, among others, regulating and
the FCC actively regulates other parts of our cable operations, involving such
areas as:
. equal employment opportunity;
. consumer protection and customer service;
. technical standards and testing of cable facilities;
. consumer electronics equipment compatibility;
. registration of cable systems;
. maintenance of various records and public inspection files;
. microwave frequency usage; and
. antenna structure notification, marking and lighting.
The FCC may enforce its regulations through the imposition of fines, the
issuance of cease and desist orders or the imposition of other administrative
sanctions, such as the revocation of FCC licenses needed to operate transmission
facilities often used in connection with cable operations. The FCC has ongoing
rulemaking proceedings that may change its existing rules or lead to new
regulations. We are unable to predict the impact that any further FCC rule
changes may have on our business and operations.
Copyright
Our cable systems typically include in their channel line-ups local and
distant television and radio broadcast signals, which are protected by the
copyright laws. We do not obtain a license to use this programming directly from
the owners of the programming, but instead comply with an alternative federal
compulsory copyright licensing process. In exchange for filing certain reports
and contributing a percentage of our revenues to a federal copyright royalty
pool, we obtain blanket permission to retransmit the copyrighted material
carried on these broadcast signals. The nature and amount of future copyright
payments for broadcast signal carriage cannot be predicted at this time.
In a report to Congress, the U.S. Copyright Office recommended that
Congress make major revisions to both the cable television and satellite
compulsory licenses. Congress recently modified the satellite compulsory license
in a manner that permits DBS providers to become more competitive with cable
operators. The possible simplification, modification or elimination of the cable
communications compulsory copyright license is the subject of continuing
legislative review. The elimination or substantial modification of the cable
compulsory license could adversely affect our ability to obtain suitable
programming and could substantially increase the cost of programming that
remains available for distribution to our subscribers. We are unable to predict
the outcome of this legislative activity.
20
Copyrighted material in programming supplied to cable television systems by
pay cable networks and basic cable networks is licensed by the networks through
private agreements with the copyright owners. These entities offer through
to-the-viewer licenses to the cable networks that cover the retransmission of
the cable networks' programming by cable television systems to their customers.
Our cable systems also utilize music in other programming and advertising
that we provide to subscribers. The rights to use this music are controlled by
various music performing rights organizations from which performance licenses
must be obtained. Cable industry representatives recently negotiated standard
license agreements with the three largest music performing rights organizations
covering locally originated programming, including advertising inserted by the
cable operator in programming produced by other parties. These standard
agreements require the payment of music license fees for earlier time periods,
but such license fees have not had a significant impact on our business and
operations.
Cable Modem Service
There are currently few laws or regulations which specifically regulate
communications or commerce over the Internet. Section 230 of the Communications
Act declares it to be the policy of the United States to promote the continued
development of the Internet and other interactive computer services and
interactive media, and to preserve the vibrant and competitive free market that
presently exists for the Internet and other interactive computer services,
unfettered by federal or state regulation. One area in which Congress did
attempt to regulate content over the Internet involved the dissemination of
obscene or indecent materials.
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act is intended to reduce the liability of
online service providers for listing or linking to third-party Websites that
include materials that infringe copyrights or other rights or if customers use
the service to publish or disseminate infringing materials. The Children's
Online Protection Act and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act are
intended to restrict the distribution of certain materials deemed harmful to
children and impose additional restrictions on the ability of online services to
collect user information from minors. In addition, the Protection of Children
From Sexual Predators Act of 1998 requires online service providers to report
evidence of violations of federal child pornography laws under certain
circumstances.
A number of ISP's have asked local authorities and the FCC to give them
rights of access to cable systems' broadband infrastructure so that they can
deliver their services directly to cable systems' customers. This kind of access
is often called "open access." Many local franchising authorities have examined
the issue of open access and a few have required cable operators to provide such
access. Several Federal courts have ruled that localities are not authorized to
require open access.
On March 14, 2002, the FCC announced that it was classifying Internet
access service provided through cable modems as an interstate information
service. At the same time, the FCC initiated a rulemaking proceeding designed to
address a number of issues resulting from this regulatory classification,
including the following:
. the FCC confirmed that there is no current legal requirement for cable
operators to grant open access now that cable modem service is
classified as an information service. The FCC is considering, however,
whether it has the authority to impose open access requirements and,
if so, whether it should do so, or whether to permit local authorities
to impose such a requirement.
. the FCC confirmed that because cable modem service is an information
service, not a cable service, local franchise authorities may not
collect franchise fees on cable modem service revenues under existing
law and regulations.
. the FCC concluded that federal law does not permit local franchise
authorities to impose additional franchise requirements on cable modem
service. It is considering, however, whether local franchise
authorities nonetheless have the authority to impose restrictions,
requirements or fees because cable modem service is delivered over
cable using public rights of way.
21
. the FCC is considering whether cable operators providing cable modem
service should be required to contribute to a "universal service fund"
designed to support making service available to all consumers,
including those in low income, rural and high-cost areas at rates that
are reasonably comparable to those charged in urban areas.
. the FCC is considering whether it should take steps to ensure that the
regulatory burdens on cable systems providing cable modem service are
comparable to those of other providers of Internet access service,
such as telephone companies. One method of achieving comparability
would be to make cable operators subject to some of the regulations
that do not now apply to them, but are applicable to telephone
companies.
Challenges to the FCC's classification of cable Internet access service
have been filed in federal courts. In previous actions over the regulatory
classification of cable modem service, the courts issued conflicting decisions.
These conflicting rulings and the new court proceedings increase the possibility
that the classification of cable Internet service could be decided by the
Supreme Court.
State and Local Regulation
Our cable systems use local streets and rights-of-way. Consequently, we
must comply with state and local regulation, which is typically imposed through
the franchising process. Our cable systems generally are operated in accordance
with non-exclusive franchises, permits or licenses granted by a municipality or
other state or local government entity. Our franchises generally are granted for
fixed terms and in many cases are terminable if we fail to comply with material
provisions. The terms and conditions of our franchises vary materially from
jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Each franchise generally contains provisions
governing:
. franchise fees;
. franchise term;
. system construction and maintenance obligations;
. system channel capacity;
. design and technical performance;
. customer service standards;
. sale or transfer of the franchise;
. territory of the franchise;
. indemnification of the franchising authority;
. use and occupancy of public streets; and
. types of cable services provided.
In the process of renewing franchises, a franchising authority may seek to
impose new and more onerous requirements, such as upgraded facilities, increased
channel capacity or enhanced services, although protections available under the
Communications Act require the municipality to take into account the cost of
meeting such requirements. The Communications Act also contains renewal
procedures and criteria designed to protect incumbent franchisees against
arbitrary denials of renewal.
22
A number of states subject cable systems to the jurisdiction of centralized
state governmental agencies, some of which impose regulation of a character
similar to that of a public utility. Attempts in other states to regulate cable
systems are continuing and can be expected to increase. To date, other than
Delaware, no state in which we operate has enacted such state-level regulation.
State and local franchising jurisdiction is not unlimited; it must be exercised
consistently with federal law. The Communications Act immunizes franchising
authorities from monetary damage awards arising from regulation of cable systems
or decisions made on franchise grants, renewals, transfers and amendments.
Other Regulation
Existing federal, state and local laws and regulations and state and local
franchise requirements are currently the subject of judicial proceedings,
legislative hearings and administrative proposals which could change, in varying
degrees, the manner in which cable systems operate. Neither the outcome of these
proceedings nor their impact upon the cable industry or our business or
operations can be predicted at this time.
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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our principal physical assets consist of cable television operating plant
and equipment, including signal receiving, encoding and decoding devices,
headend facilities and distribution systems and equipment at or near customers'
homes for each of the systems. The signal receiving apparatus typically includes
a tower, antenna, ancillary electronic equipment and earth stations for
reception of satellite signals. Headend facilities are located near the
receiving devices. Our distribution system consists primarily of coaxial and
fiber optic cables and related electronic equipment. Customer premise equipment
consists of decoding converters and cable modems.
Our cable television plant and related equipment generally are attached to
utility poles under pole rental agreements with local public utilities, although
in some areas the distribution cable is buried in underground ducts or trenches.
The physical components of the cable systems require maintenance and periodic
upgrading to improve system performance and capacity.
We own and lease the real property housing our regional call centers,
business offices and warehouses throughout our operating regions. Our headend
facilities, signal reception sites and microwave facilities are located on owned
and leased parcels of land, and we generally own the towers on which certain of
our equipment is located. We own most of our service vehicles. We believe that
our properties, both owned and leased, are in good condition and are suitable
and adequate for our operations.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are no material pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or
to which any of our properties are subject.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.
24
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS' COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
There is no public trading market for our equity, all of which is held by
MCC.
25
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
In the table below, we provide you with:
. selected historical financial data for the period from January 1, 1998
through February 28, 1999 ("Old Mediacom") and for the period March 1,
1999 through July 18, 2001 ("New Mediacom"), and balance sheet data as
of December 31, 1998 through 2000 and July 18, 2001, which are derived
from the audited financial statements of Mediacom Systems (Predecessor
Company). (See Note 1 to the Mediacom Systems (Predecessor Company)
combined financial statements); and
. selected historical consolidated financial and operating data for the
period from our inception on April 5, 2001 through December 31, 2002
and balance sheet data as of December 31, 2002, which are derived from
our audited consolidated financial statements.
See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations."
Mediacom Broadband LLC Mediacom Systems (Predecessor Company)
------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Inception Period From Period From Period From
(April 5, 2001) January 1 March 1 January 1
Year Ended Through Through Year Ended Through Through Year Ended
December 31, December 31, July 18, December 31, December 31, February 28, December 31,
2002 2001 2001 2000 1999 1999 1998
------------ --------------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
DATA:
Revenues $ 512,792 $ 215,900 $ 249,238 $ 439,541 $ 336,571 $ 63,335 $ 368,290
Costs and expenses:
Service costs (1) 207,053 89,006 117,205 223,530 168,582 31,500 165,519
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 105,407 42,442 42,449 39,892 35,466 5,586 29,953
Management fee expense(2) 6,967 2,875 18,625 22,267 13,440 1,927 12,778
Depreciation and
amortization 123,704 88,463 83,610 137,182 90,166 10,831 63,786
Restructuring charge(3) - - 570 - - - -
------------ --------------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Operating income (loss) 69,661 (6,886) (13,221) 16,670 28,917 13,491 96,254
Interest expense, net(4) 76,790 41,430 - - - - -
Loss on derivative
instruments, net 15,049 - - - - - -
Other expenses 5,066 2,270 - - - - -
Gain on disposition of
assets(5) - - 5,183 - - - -
------------ --------------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net income (loss) before
income taxes (27,244) (50,586) (8,038) 16,670 28,917 13,491 96,254
Provision (benefit) for
income taxes(6) - - (3,546) 6,646 11,620 5,440 38,905
------------ --------------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net income (loss) $ (27,244) $ (50,586) $ (4,492) $ 10,024 $ 17,297 $ 8,051 $ 57,349
============ =============== =========== ============ ============ ============ ============
BALANCE SHEET DATA
(END OF PERIOD):
Total assets $ 2,281,948 $ 2,234,091 $ 1,941,047 $ 2,307,354 $ 2,306,050 $ 937,792 $ 933,530
Total debt 1,298,000 1,200,000 - - - - -
Total member's equity 610,522 666,294 - - - - -
(continued on next page)
26
Mediacom Broadband LLC Mediacom Systems (Predecessor Company)
------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Inception Period From Period From Period From
(April 5, 2001) January 1 March 1 January 1
Year Ended Through Through Year Ended Through Through Year Ended
December 31, December 31, July 18, December 31, December 31, February 28, December 31,
2002 2001 2001 2000 1999 1999 1998
------------ --------------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
OTHER DATA:
System cash flow(7) $ 203,353 $ 87,363 $ 89,584 $ 176,119 $ 132,523 $ 26,249 $ 172,818
System cash flow margin(8) 39.7% 40.5% 35.9% 40.1% 39.4% 41.4% 46.9%
Operating cash flow(7) $ 196,386 $ 84,488 $ 70,959 $ 153,852 $ 119,083 $ 24,322 $ 160,040
Operating cash flow margin(9) 38.3% 39.1% 28.5% 35.0% 35.4% 38.4% 43.5%
Net cash flows provided by
(used in):
Operating activities $ 125,059 $ 161,651 $ (34,278) $ 119,756 $ 89,707 $ 10,607 $ 98,608
Investing activities (239,310) (2,151,583) (34,682) (131,177) (159,052) (16,028) (84,076)
Financing activities 68,980 2,045,510 47,806 14,493 77,695 (74) (11,158)
OPERATING DATA:
(END OF PERIOD, EXCEPT
AVERAGE):
Homes passed(10) 1,463,000 1,430,000
Basic subscribers(11) 840,000 824,000
Basic penetration(12) 57.4% 57.6%
Digital customers (13) 238,000 233,000
Data customers(14) 110,000 77,000
Average monthly revenues per
basic subscriber(15) $ 52.93 $ 47.98
- ----------
(1) Service costs for the year ended December 31, 2002 and for the period
from our inception on April 5, 2001 through December 31, 2001 include
$3.0 million and $2.9 million, respectively of non-recurring
incremental expenses related to the transition from Excite@Home to
Mediacom Online (SM).
(2) For all periods presented prior to our inception on April 5, 2001,
management fees were paid to AT&T Broadband, LLC. Upon our acquisition
of our cable systems, Mediacom Communications Corporation replaced
AT&T Broadband as manager and AT&T Broadband was no longer entitled to
receive management fees from our cable systems.
(3) As part of a cost reduction plan undertaken by our predecessor company
in 2001, approximately 63 employees were terminated, resulting in a
restructuring charge of approximately $570,000. The entire charge was
paid in cash by our predecessor company.
(4) For all periods presented prior to our inception on April 5, 2001, our
cable systems operated as fully integrated businesses of AT&T
Broadband and no debt or interest expense was allocated to these
operations.
(5) Represents the gain on disposition from the sale of the Missouri
systems to Mediacom Broadband LLC on June 29, 2001 for cash proceeds
of approximately $308.1 million, before final closing adjustments.
(6) Provision (benefit) for income taxes in Mediacom Systems (Predecessor
Company) combined financial statements were based upon the AT&T cable
systems' contribution to the overall tax liability or benefit of AT&T
Corp. and its affiliates. Under our ownership, these cable systems are
organized as limited liability companies and are subject to minimum
income taxes.
(7) Operating cash flow and system cash flow represent non-GAAP measures
and are included in this report because our management believes that
operating cash flow and system cash flow are meaningful measures of
performance commonly used in the cable television industry and by the
investment community to analyze and compare cable television
companies. Our definitions of operating cash flow and system cash flow
may not be identical to similarly titled measures reported by other
companies.
27
The following represents a reconciliation of operating income (loss) to
operating cash flow and system cash flow:
Mediacom Broadband LLC Mediacom Systems (Predecessor Company)
------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Inception Period From Period From Period From
(April 5, 2001) January 1 March 1 January 1
Year Ended Through Through Year Ended Through Through Year Ended
December 31, December 31, July 18, December 31, December 31, February 28, December 31,
2002 2001 2001 2000 1999 1999 1998
------------ --------------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
Operating income (loss) $ 69,661 $ 6,886 $ (13,221) $ 16,670 $ 28,917 $ 13,491 $ 96,254
Adjustments:
Depreciation and
amortization 123,704 88,463 83,610 137,182 90,166 10,831 63,786
Restructuring charge - - 570 - - - -
Non-recurring incremental
expenses 3,021 2,911 - - - - -
------------ --------------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Operating cash flow 196,386 84,488 70,959 153,852 119,083 24,322 160,040
Management fee expense 6,967 2,875 18,625 22,267 13,440 1,927 12,778
------------ --------------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
System cash flow 203,353 87,363 89,584 176,119 132,523 26,249 172,818
============ =============== =========== ============ ============ ============ ============
These measurements of operating cash flow and system cash flow are:
. 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;
. not intended to represent funds available for debt service,
dividends, reinvestment or other discretionary uses; and
. should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for
measures of performance prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles.
(8) Represents system cash flow as a percentage of revenue. This
measurement is used by us, and is commonly used in the cable
television industry, to analyze and compare cable television companies
on the basis of operating performance, for the reasons discussed in
note 7 above.
(9) Represents operating cash flow as a percentage of revenue. This
measurement is used by us, and is commonly used in the cable
television industry, to analyze and compare cable television companies
on the basis of operating performance, for the reasons discussed in
note 7 above.
(10) Represents the number of single residence homes, apartments and
condominium units passed by the cable distribution network in a cable
system's service area.
(11) Represents a dwelling with one or more television sets that receives a
package of over-the-air broadcast stations, local access channels or
certain satellite-delivered cable television services. Accounts that
are billed on a bulk basis, which typically receive discounted rates,
are converted into full-price equivalent basic subscribers by dividing
total bulk billed basic revenues of a particular system by the
applicable combined limited and expanded cable rate charged to basic
subscribers in that system. Basic subscribers include connections to
schools, libraries, local government offices and employee households
that may not be charged for limited and expanded cable services, but
may be charged for premium units, pay-per-view events or high-speed
Internet service. Customers who exclusively purchase high-speed
Internet service are not counted as basic subscribers. Our methodology
of calculating the number of basic subscribers may not be identical to
those used by other cable companies.
(12) Represents basic subscribers as a percentage of homes passed.
(13) Represents customers that receive digital cable services.
28
(14) Represents customers that access the Internet through cable modem
service.
(15) Represents average monthly revenues for the last three months of the
period divided by average basic subscribers for such period. This
measurement is commonly used in the cable television industry to
analyze and compare cable television companies on the basis of
operating performance.
29
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Reference is made to the "Risk Factors" below for a discussion of important
factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations and any of
our forward-looking statements contained herein. The following discussion should
be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements as of
December 31, 2002 and for the period from our inception (April 5, 2001) through
December 31, 2001.
Organization
We were organized as a Delaware limited liability company in April 2001 and
serve as a holding company for our operating subsidiaries. Mediacom Broadband
Corporation, our wholly-owned subsidiary, was organized as a Delaware
corporation in May 2001 for the sole purpose of acting as a co-issuer with us of
our 11% senior notes due 2013 and does not conduct operations of its own. Our
parent and manager, Mediacom Communications Corporation ("MCC"), was organized
as a Delaware corporation in November 1999. See Note 1 of our consolidated
financial statements.
Acquisitions
We commenced operations on June 29, 2001 with the acquisition from AT&T
Broadband, LLC of cable systems serving approximately 94,000 basic subscribers
in the state of Missouri. The purchase price for these cable systems was
approximately $300.0 million.
On July 18, 2001, we acquired from AT&T Broadband cable systems serving
approximately 706,000 basic subscribers in the states of Georgia, Illinois and
Iowa. The aggregate purchase price for these cable systems was approximately
$1.76 billion.
General
Approximately 84.4% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2002
are attributable to video revenues from monthly subscription fees charged to
customers for our core cable television services, including basic, expanded
basic and premium programming, digital cable television programming services,
wire maintenance, equipment rental and services to commercial establishments,
pay-per-view charges, installation and reconnection fees, late payment fees and
other ancillary revenues. Data revenues from cable modem service and advertising
revenues represent 8.8% and 6.8% of our revenues, respectively. Franchise fees
charged to customers are included in their corresponding revenue category.
Our operating expenses consist of service costs and selling, general and
administrative expenses directly attributable to our cable systems. Service
costs include fees paid to programming suppliers, expenses related to copyright
fees, wages and salaries of technical personnel, high-speed Internet access
costs and plant operating costs. Programming costs have historically increased
at rates in excess of inflation due to the introduction of new programming
services to our basic subscribers and to increases in the rates charges for
existing programming services. Under the Federal Communication Commission's
existing cable rate regulations, we are allowed to increase our rates for cable
television services to more than cover any increases in the programming and
copyright costs. However, competitive conditions or other factors in the
marketplace may limit our ability to increase our rates. Selling, general and
administrative expenses include wages and salaries for customer service and
administrative personnel, franchise fees and expenses related to billing,
marketing, bad debt, advertising and office administration. Management fee
expense reflects compensation of corporate employees and other corporate
overhead.
The high level of depreciation and amortization associated with our
acquisition activities and capital investment program, as well as the interest
expense related to our financing activities, have caused us to report net losses
in our limited operating history. We believe that such net losses are common for
cable television companies and anticipate that we will continue to incur net
losses for the foreseeable future.
30
Results of Operations
The following information includes the actual results of our operations
from the dates of our acquisitions of the AT&T cable systems, comprising the
Missouri systems acquired on June 29, 2001 and the Georgia, Illinois and Iowa
systems acquired on July 18, 2001. The information presented for the period
prior to our acquisitions of the AT&T cable systems, except for depreciation and
amortization, interest expense, net, and other expenses, is derived from the
audited financial statements of Mediacom Systems (Predecessor Company) and
reflects a reclassification from selling, general and administrative expenses to
service costs to conform to the presentation of our results of operations.
Depreciation and amortization, interest expense, net, and other expenses for the
period prior to our acquisitions of the AT&T cable systems have been adjusted as
if we owned them as of January 1, 2001. The information and the following
discussion and analysis are presented for comparative purposes only and are not
necessarily indicative of what our results of operations would have been had we
owned the AT&T cable systems as of January 1, 2001.
Year Ended December 31, 2002 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2001
Basic subscribers were 840,000 at December 31, 2002, as compared to 824,000
at December 31, 2001.
Digital customers were 238,000 at December 31, 2002, as compared to 233,000
at December 31, 2001.
Data customers were 110,000 at December 31, 2002, as compared to 77,000 at
December 31, 2001.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------
2002 2001
------------ -----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Revenues.................................................. $ 512,792 $ 465,138
Costs and expenses:
Service costs........................................... 207,053 191,214
Selling, general and administrative expenses............ 105,407 99,869
Management fee expense.................................. 6,967 21,500
Restructuring charge.................................... - 570
Depreciation and amortization........................... 123,704 182,341
------------ -----------
Operating income (loss)................................... 69,661 (30,356)
------------ -----------
Interest expense, net..................................... 76,790 88,056
Loss on derivative instruments, net....................... 15,049 -
Other expenses............................................ 5,066 4,798
Gain on disposition of assets............................. - 5,183
------------ -----------
Net loss before income taxes.............................. $ (27,244) $ (118,027)
Benefit for income taxes.................................. - (3,546)
------------ -----------
Net loss.................................................. $ (27,244) $ (114,481)
============ ===========
Revenues. Revenues increased 10.2% to $512.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 2002 as compared to $465.1 million for the year ended December 31,
2001. Revenues increased primarily due to rate increases in our video services
and to customer growth in our basic subscribers and digital and high-speed
Internet access customers.
Service costs. Service costs increased 8.3% to $207.1 million for the year
ended December 31, 2002, from $191.2 million for the year ended December 31,
2001. Service costs increased primarily as a result of higher programming
expenses, including rate increases by programming suppliers for existing
services and the cost of new channel additions, and greater technical employee
support and other operating costs directly related to customer growth in our
high-speed Internet access services. This increase was partially offset by
higher capitalized labor and overhead associated with the significant increase
in our cable network upgrade activities and the greater utilization of internal
labor to perform these upgrade activities and customer installations. As a
percentage of revenues, service costs were 40.4% for the year ended December 31,
2002, as compared with 41.1% for the year ended December 31, 2001.
31
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased 5.5% to $105.4 million for the year ended
December 31, 2002, from $99.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2001.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily as a result of
higher marketing and office expenses. As a percentage of revenues, selling,
general and administrative expenses were 20.6% for the year ended December 31,
2002 as compared with 21.5% for the year ended December 31, 2001.
Management fee expense. Management fee expense decreased to $7.0 million
for the year ended December 31, 2002, from $21.5 million for the year ended
December 31, 2001. The decrease in management fees was principally due to lower
management fees charged by MCC subsequent to our acquisitions of the AT&T cable
systems. As a percentage of revenues, management fee expense was 1.4% for the
year ended December 31, 2002 as compared with 4.6% for the year ended December
31, 2001.
Restructuring charge. Restructuring charge was $570,000 for the year ended
December 31, 2001. Restructuring charge was part of a cost reduction plan
undertaken by AT&T Broadband in 2001, whereby certain employees of the Georgia
systems were terminated resulting in a one-time charge.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization decreased to
$123.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, as compared to $182.3
million for the year ended December 31, 2001. The decrease was substantially due
to the adoption of SFAS 142, effective January 1, 2002, which eliminates
amortization of goodwill and indefinite-lived assets, partially offset by our
ongoing capital investments to upgrade our cable systems. The adoption of SFAS
142 reduced amortization expense by $99.9 million during the year ended December
31, 2002.
Interest expense, net. Interest expense, net, was $76.8 million for the
year ended December 31, 2002, as compared to $88.1 million for the year ended
December 31, 2001. This decrease principally reflects lower average interest
rates on our variable rate debt.
Loss on derivative instruments, net. Loss on derivative instruments, net,
was $15.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The loss reflects a
decline in market interest rates relative to the fixed interest rates we pay
under our interest rate exchange agreements.
Other expenses. Other expenses were $5.1 million for the year ended
December 31, 2002, as compared to $4.8 million for the year ended December 31,
2001. Other expenses primarily reflect fees on unused credit commitments under
our bank credit facility and amortization of deferred financing costs.
Gain on disposition of assets. The financial statements of Mediacom Systems
(Predecessor Company) for the year ended December 31, 2001 included a gain of
approximately $5.2 million on the sale to us of the Missouri systems. This gain
will not impact our future results.
Benefit for income taxes. Benefit for income taxes was $3.5 million for the
year ended December 31, 2001. Under our ownership, the AT&T cable systems are
organized as limited liability companies and are subject to minimum income
taxes. There was no provision or benefit for income taxes for Mediacom Broadband
in 2001.
Net loss. Due to the factors described above, net loss was $27.2 million
for the year ended December 31, 2002 as compared to $114.5 million for the year
ended December 31, 2001.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our business requires substantial capital for the upgrade, expansion and
maintenance of our cable network. In addition, we have pursued, and will
continue to pursue, a business strategy that includes selective acquisitions. We
have funded and will continue to fund our working capital requirements, capital
expenditures and acquisitions through a combination of internally generated
funds and long-term borrowings.
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operations for the year ended December 31, 2002 and the
period from inception (April 5, 2001) through December 31, 2001 was $125.1
million and $161.7 million, respectively. There were significant working capital
sources relating to our acquisitions of the AT&T cable systems in 2001 that did
not recur in 2002.
32
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2002 and
the period from inception (April 5, 2001) through December 31, 2001 was $239.3
million and $2.2 billion, respectively. In 2001, we completed the acquisitions
of the AT&T cable systems. In 2002, we did not complete any acquisitions of
cable systems.
Our capital expenditures were approximately $234.8 million and $38.1
million for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The higher
capital expenditures in 2002 reflect the significant investments we have made as
a result of our accelerated network upgrade program and our ownership of the
AT&T cable systems for the full year. As of December 31, 2002, as a result of
our cumulative capital investment in our network upgrade program, approximately
95% of our cable network was upgraded with 550MHz to 870MHz bandwidth capacity
and about 87% of our homes passed were activated with two-way communications
capability. At year end 2002, our digital cable service was available to 838,000
basic subscribers, and our cable modem service was marketed to about 1.2 million
homes passed by our cable systems.
We expect to complete our planned network upgrade program by June 2003, at
which time we anticipate that approximately 98% of our cable network will be
upgraded with 550MHz to 870MHz bandwidth capacity with two-way communications
capability. To achieve these targets and to fund other requirements, including
the infrastructure for our high-speed Internet service, cable modems, digital
converters, new plant construction, headend eliminations, regional fiber
interconnections and network replacement, we expect to invest between $130.0
million and $140.0 million in capital expenditures in 2003.
On June 29, 2001, we completed the acquisition of AT&T cable systems
serving approximately 94,000 basic subscribers in Missouri. The purchase price
for the Missouri systems was approximately $300.0 million.
On July 18, 2001, we completed the acquisitions of AT&T cable systems
serving approximately 706,000 basic subscribers in the states of Georgia,
Illinois and Iowa. The aggregate purchase price for these cable systems was
approximately $1.76 billion.
Financing Activities
Cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2002
and the period from inception (April 5, 2001) through December 31, 2001 was
$69.0 million and $2.0 billion, respectively. In 2001, cash provided by
financing activities funded our acquisitions of the AT&T cable systems.
To finance our prior acquisitions and our network upgrade program and to
provide liquidity for future capital needs we completed the undernoted financing
arrangements.
On June 29, 2001, we completed an offering of $400.0 million of 11% senior
notes due June 2013. Interest on the 11% senior notes is payable semi-annually
on January 15 and July 15 of each year, which commenced on January 15, 2002. The
net proceeds from this offering were used to fund a portion of the purchase
price for the acquisitions of the AT&T cable systems.
On June 29, 2001, MCC made a $336.4 million equity contribution to us. MCC
made an additional $388.6 million equity contribution to us on July 18, 2001.
The proceeds were used to fund a portion of the purchase price for the
acquisitions of the AT&T cable systems.
On July 18, 2001, we received a $150.0 million preferred equity investment
from subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC, a New York limited liability company
wholly-owned by MCC. The preferred equity investment has a 12% annual dividend,
payable quarterly in cash. During the year ended December 31, 2002, we paid in
aggregate $18.0 million in cash dividends on the preferred equity. The proceeds
from the preferred equity investment were used to fund a portion of the purchase
price for the acquisitions of the AT&T cable systems.
Our operating subsidiaries have a $1.4 billion credit facility expiring in
September 2010, of which $898.0 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2002.
We have entered into interest rate exchange agreements, which expire from June
2005 through March 2007, to hedge $500.0 million of floating rate debt,
including $100.0 million completed subsequent to December 31, 2002. Under the
terms of all of our interest rate exchange agreements, we are exposed to credit
loss in the event of nonperformance by the other parties of the interest rate
exchange agreements.
33
However, we do not anticipate their nonperformance. As of the date of this
report, about 68% of our outstanding indebtedness was at fixed interest rates or
subject to interest rate protection.
As of December 31, 2002, our total debt was $1.3 billion and we had unused
credit commitments of about $497.0 million under our bank credit facility and
our annualized cost of debt capital was approximately 6.4%. As of January 1,
2003, approximately $324.0 million could be borrowed and used for general
corporate purposes under the most restrictive covenants in our debt
arrangements.
For the three months ended December 31, 2002, our leverage ratio (defined
as total debt at period end divided by annualized operating cash flow) was 6.3
times. The interest coverage ratio (defined as operating cash flow divided by
total interest expense, net) for such period was 2.6 times. Operating cash flow
and interest expense for the three months ended December 31, 2002, were $51.5
million and $20.0 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2002, we were in
compliance with all debt covenants.
In July and October 2002, we paid cash dividends of $4.5 million and $6.0
million, respectively, to MCC.
Although we have not generated earnings sufficient to cover fixed charges,
we have generated cash and obtained financing sufficient to meet our short-term
requirements, including our debt service, working capital, capital expenditure
and acquisition requirements. We expect that we will continue to be able to
generate funds and obtain financing sufficient to meet our long-term business
plan, service our debt obligations and complete our future acquisitions.
However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain sufficient
financing, or, if we were able to do so, that the terms would be favorable to
us.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The table below summarizes our contractual obligations and commercial
commitments for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2002 and thereafter.
The amounts represent the maximum future contractual obligations.
LONG-TERM
DEBT OPERATING LEASES TOTAL
------------ ---------------- ------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
2003....................... $ - $ 1,414 $ 1,414
2004....................... 8,500 1,031 9,531
2005....................... 35,000 591 35,591
2006....................... 42,500 471 42,971
2007....................... 65,000 358 65,358
Thereafter................. 1,147,000 1,677 1,147,677
------------ ---------------- ------------
Total cash obligations..... $ 1,298,000 $ 5,542 $ 1,303,542
============ ================ ============
Critical Accounting Policies
The foregoing discussion and analysis of our financial condition and
results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which
have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us
to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets,
liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities. Periodically we evaluate our estimates, including those related
to doubtful accounts, long-lived assets, capitalized costs and accruals. We base
our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we
believe are reasonable. Actual results may differ from these estimates under
different assumptions or conditions.
We believe the following represent the most significant and subjective
estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. For
a detailed description of our significant accounting policies, please see Note 2
of our consolidated financial statements.
34
Property, Plant and Equipment
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 51,
"Financial Reporting by Cable Television Companies," we capitalize a portion of
direct and indirect costs related to the construction, replacement and
installation of property, plant and equipment, including certain costs related
to new video and new high-speed Internet subscriber installations. Capitalized
costs are recorded as additions to property, plant and equipment and depreciated
over the life of the related assets. We perform periodic evaluations of the
estimates used to determine the amount of costs that are capitalized.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
We follow the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
144 ("SFAS 144"), "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived
Assets" SFAS 144 addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment
or disposal of long-lived assets and provides guidance on classification and
accounting for such assets when held for sale or abandonment. Based on our
review, there has been no impairment of long-lived assets under SFAS 144.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Effective January 1, 2002, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 142 ("SFAS 142"), "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." The
provisions of SFAS 142 prohibit the amortization of goodwill and
indefinite-lived intangible assets and require such assets to be tested annually
for impairment, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. We have
determined that our cable franchise costs are indefinite-lived assets. Upon
adoption, we performed initial impairment tests and determined that there was no
impairment. We conducted our annual impairment tests as of September 30, 2002,
utilizing discounted cash flow analysis, and they did not result in any
impairment of goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets. The impact of
adopting SFAS 142 was to reduce amortization expense by $99.9 million for the
year ended December 31, 2002.
Inflation and Changing Prices
Our systems' costs and expenses are subject to inflation and price
fluctuations. Such changes in costs and expenses can generally be passed through
to subscribers. Programming costs have historically increased at rates in excess
of inflation and are expected to continue to do so. We believe that under the
Federal Communications Commission's existing cable rate regulations we may
increase rates for cable television services to more than cover any increases in
programming and copyright costs. However, competitive conditions and other
factors in the marketplace may limit our ability to increase our rates.
Risk Factors
We had no operating history prior to June 29, 2001. The financial information
included in this report may not be indicative of our results as an independent
company.
We began operations as a stand-alone company on June 29, 2001, the date we
acquired from AT&T Broadband cable systems serving about 94,000 basic
subscribers in the state of Missouri. On July 18, 2001 we acquired from AT&T
Broadband cable systems serving about 706,000 basic subscribers in the states of
Georgia, Illinois and Iowa. Accordingly, we have only a limited history of
operating those systems and can provide you with only limited information upon
which to evaluate our performance in managing them. Our historical financial
information included in this report for periods after the acquisitions may not
be indicative of the future results we can achieve with our cable systems.
Except as noted in the previous paragraph, for the periods during which
financial statements of the AT&T cable systems are presented in this annual
report, the AT&T cable systems operated as fully integrated businesses of AT&T
Broadband. The AT&T cable systems combined financial statements (referred to as
the Mediacom Systems (Predecessor Company) Combined Financial Statements) have
been derived from the financial statements and accounting records of AT&T
Broadband and reflect significant assumptions and allocations. This historical
financial
35
information presents the business of the AT&T cable systems as if they had been
a separate stand-alone enterprise. This information may not necessarily reflect
what the results of operations, financial position and cash flows would have
been during the periods presented if the businesses had been a separate,
stand-alone entity during the periods presented and may not be indicative of our
future results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
In particular, the costs during the periods presented were based on
internal cost allocation methods determined by AT&T Broadband. Much of the costs
are for services provided by AT&T Broadband and its affiliates. The AT&T cable
systems relied on AT&T Broadband and its related companies for providing certain
administrative, management and other services. These costs do not necessarily
represent what our actual costs would have been if we had operated the AT&T
cable systems as a stand-alone company and performed these services ourselves or
if we had purchased these services from independent parties. Further, these
costs may not be indicative of what our actual costs will be going forward. In
addition, the combined financial statements of the AT&T cable systems include
certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses that were not historically
recorded at the level of, but are associated with, the AT&T cable systems.
Moreover, the historical financial statements of the AT&T cable systems
reflect the results of operations, cash flows and financial condition of a
mature cable television business with no debt. We incurred significant amounts
of debt in order to fund the acquisitions of the AT&T cable systems. In
addition, a primary component of our business strategy is to make significant
capital expenditures, financed in part with additional debt, in order to upgrade
our network to allow us to offer advanced broadband products and services,
including digital cable and cable modem services, to substantially all of our
customers. Accordingly, the historical financial information of the AT&T cable
systems included in this annual report is not necessarily indicative of our
future results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
We expect to continue to incur net losses and we may not be profitable in the
future.
We reported a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2002 and for the
period from our inception on April 5, 2001 through December 31, 2001. We expect
to continue to incur net losses in the future. The principal reasons for such
expected net losses include the depreciation and amortization expenses
associated with acquisitions and the capital expenditures related to expanding
and upgrading our cable systems, as well as interest costs associated with
borrowed money.
We are a holding company with no operations and we depend on our operating
subsidiaries for cash to fund our obligations.
As a holding company, we do not have any operations or hold any assets
other than our investments in and our advances to our operating subsidiaries.
Consequently, our subsidiaries conduct all of our consolidated operations and
own substantially all of our consolidated assets. The only source of cash we
have to pay current interest on our 11% senior notes due 2013 and our other
obligations, and to repay the principal amount of these obligations, is the cash
that our subsidiaries generate from their operations and their borrowings. Our
subsidiaries are not obligated to make funds available to us. Our subsidiaries'
ability to make payments to us will depend upon their operating results and will
be subject to applicable laws and contractual restrictions, including the
agreements governing our subsidiary credit facility. Our subsidiary credit
facility permits our subsidiaries to distribute cash to us, but only so long as
there is no default under such credit facility. If there were a default under
our subsidiary credit facility, we would not have any cash to pay interest on
our obligations.
We have substantial existing debt and may incur substantial additional debt,
which could adversely affect our ability to obtain financing in the future and
require our operating subsidiaries to apply a substantial portion of their cash
flow to debt service.
Our total debt as of December 31, 2002 was approximately $1.3 billion. Our
interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2002 was $76.8 million. We
cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flows to
permit us, or our subsidiaries, to repay indebtedness or that refinancing of
that indebtedness will be possible on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
36
This high level of debt and our debt service obligations could have
material consequences, including that:
. our ability to access new sources of financing for working capital,
capital expenditures, acquisitions or other purposes may be limited;
. we may need to use a large portion of our revenues to pay interest on
borrowings under our subsidiary credit facility and our senior notes,
which will reduce the amount of money available to finance our
operations, capital expenditures and other activities;
. some of our debt has a variable rate of interest, which may expose us
to the risk of increased interest rates;
. we may be more vulnerable to economic downturns and adverse
developments in our business;
. we may be less flexible in responding to changing business and
economic conditions, including increased competition and demand for
new products and services;
. we may be at a disadvantage when compared to those of our competitors
that have less debt; and
. we may not be able to implement our strategy.
We anticipate incurring additional debt to fund the expansion, maintenance
and upgrade of our cable systems. If new debt is added to our current debt
levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify.
A default under our indenture or our subsidiary credit facility could result
in an acceleration of our indebtedness or a foreclosure on the membership
interests of our operating subsidiaries.
The agreements and instruments governing our own and our subsidiaries'
indebtedness contain numerous financial and operating covenants. The breach of
any of these covenants could cause a default, which could result in the
indebtedness becoming immediately due and payable. If this were to occur, we
would be unable to adequately finance our operations. In addition, a default
could result in a default or acceleration of our other indebtedness subject to
cross-default provisions. If this occurs, we may not be able to pay our debts or
borrow sufficient funds to refinance them. Even if new financing is available,
it may not be on terms that are acceptable to us. The membership interests of
our operating subsidiaries are pledged as security under our subsidiary credit
facility. A default under our subsidiary credit facility could result in a
foreclosure by the lenders on the membership interests pledged under that
facility. Because we are dependent upon our operating subsidiaries for all of
our revenues, a foreclosure would have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
The terms of our indebtedness could materially limit our financial and
operating flexibility.
Several of the covenants contained in the agreements and instruments
governing our own and our subsidiaries' indebtedness could materially limit our
financial and operating flexibility by restricting, among other things, our
ability and the ability of our operating subsidiaries to:
. incur additional indebtedness;
. create liens and other encumbrances;
. pay dividends and make other payments, investments, loans and
guarantees;
. enter into transactions with related parties;
. sell or otherwise dispose of assets and merge or consolidate with
another entity;
. repurchase or redeem equity interests or debt;
. pledge assets; and
. issue equity interests.
37
Complying with these covenants could cause us to take actions that we
otherwise would not take or cause us not to take actions that we otherwise would
take.
We may not be able to obtain additional capital to continue the development
of our business.
Our business has required substantial capital for the upgrade, expansion
and maintenance of our cable systems and the launch and expansion of new or
additional services. While we have substantially completed our planned system
upgrades, if there is accelerated growth in our digital cable or data customers,
or we decide to introduce new advanced services, or the cost to provide these
services increase, we may need to make unplanned additional capital
expenditures. We may not be able to obtain the funds necessary to finance our
capital improvement program or any additional capital requirements through
internally generated funds, additional borrowings or other sources. If we are
unable to obtain these funds, we would not be able to implement our business
strategy and our results of operations would be adversely affected.
If we are unable to keep pace with technological change, our business and
results of operations could be adversely affected.
The cable business is characterized by rapid technological change and the
introduction of new products and services. We cannot assure you that we will be
able to fund the capital expenditures necessary to keep pace with technological
developments. We also cannot assure you that we will successfully anticipate the
demand of our customers for products and services requiring new technology. This
type of rapid technological change could adversely affect our plans to upgrade
or expand our systems and respond to competitive pressures. Our inability to
upgrade, maintain and expand our systems and provide advanced services in a
timely manner, or to anticipate the demands of the market place, could adversely
affect our ability to compete. Consequently, our business and results of
operations could suffer materially.
If we are unable to successfully implement our business strategy, our
business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely
affected.
The implementation of our business strategy will place significant demands
on our and our manager's management and operational, financial and marketing
resources. We cannot assure you that our manager or we will be successful in
operating our cable systems. The successful implementation of our business
strategy involves the following principal risks that could materially adversely
affect our business, financial condition and results of operations:
. the operation of our cable systems places significant demands on our
manager's management team and may result in significant unexpected
operating difficulties, liabilities or contingencies;
. our manager may be unable to recruit additional qualified personnel
which may be required to integrate and manage our cable systems; and
. some of our manager's operational, financial and management systems
may be incompatible with or inadequate to effectively implement our
business strategy.
In addition, each of the above risks may apply to any future acquisition of
cable systems.
If we are unsuccessful implementing our growth strategy, our business and
results of operations could be adversely affected.
We expect that a substantial portion of our future growth in revenues will
come from the expansion of relatively new services, such as high-speed Internet
access service, digital cable services and video-on-demand, and acquisitions of
additional cable systems. We may not be able to successfully expand these
services, and it is possible that they will not generate significant revenue
growth. As of the filing date of this report, there were no material pending
acquisitions. We may not be successful in identifying attractive acquisition
targets or obtaining the financing necessary to complete future acquisitions.
Among other things, in recent years, the cable television industry has undergone
dramatic consolidation, which has reduced the number of future acquisition
prospects and may increase the purchase price for any acquisitions we pursue.
38
Our programming costs are increasing, and our business and results of
operations will be adversely affected if we cannot pass through a sufficient
part of the additional costs to subscribers.
Our programming costs have been, and are expected to continue to be, one of
our largest single expense items. In recent years, the cable and satellite video
industries have experienced a rapid increase in the cost of programming,
particularly sports programming. This increase in programming costs is expected
to continue, and we may not be able to pass programming cost increases on to our
customers. In addition, as we add programming to our basic and expanded basic
programming tiers, we may not be able pass all of our costs of the additional
programming on to our customers without the potential loss of basic subscribers.
To the extent that we are unable to pass increased or additional programming
costs through to subscribers, our business and results of operations will be
adversely affected.
We also expect to be subject to increasing financial and other demands by
broadcasters to obtain the required consents for the transmission of broadcast
programming to our subscribers. We cannot predict the impact of these
negotiations on our business and results of operations or the effect on our
subscribers should we be required to suspend the carriage of this programming.
Failure to negotiate or renew programming contracts for our cable systems
could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Following our acquisitions of the AT&T cable systems, substantially all
programming services carried on our cable systems were without written contracts
with the respective program suppliers. Our manager has completed agreements for
several of those programming services and continues to negotiate terms for the
remainder of the services. From time to time, the contracts covering the
programming services carried on our cable systems expire, and we generally
provide such services to our customers without written contracts with the
respective programming suppliers as our manager negotiates contract renewals.
While we could obtain access to most of these programming services through a
national programming purchasing cooperative or by relying on certain protective
provisions of the Communications Act, we are unable to guarantee that we will be
able to provide without interruption any programming service that is not covered
by a written contract. Prolonged loss of access to certain of these programming
services could result in our customers switching to our competitors or have
other material adverse effects on our business and results of operations.
We may not be able to compete effectively in the highly competitive media and
telecommunications industries.
The communications industry in which we operate is highly competitive and
is often subject to rapid and significant changes and developments in the
marketplace and in the regulatory and legislative environment. In some
instances, we compete against companies with fewer regulatory burdens, easier
access to financing, greater resources and operating capabilities, greater brand
name recognition and long-standing relationships with regulatory authorities.
Our traditional cable television business faces direct competition from other
cable companies, municipal-owned utilities, telephone companies, and, most
significantly, from direct broadcast satellite operators. Our high-speed
Internet access service is subject to competition from telephone companies using
digital subscriber line technology, direct broadcast satellite operators and
other Internet service providers. We also face competition from over-the-air
television and radio broadcasters and from other communications and
entertainment media such as movie theaters, live entertainment and sports
events, newspapers and home video products.
We anticipate that future advances in communications technology could lead
to the introduction of new competitors, products and services that may compete
with our businesses. We cannot assure you that upgrading our cable systems will
allow us to compete effectively. Additionally, if we expand and introduce new
and enhanced telecommunications services, we will be subject to competition from
new and established telecommunications providers. We cannot predict the extent
to which competition may affect our business and results of operations in the
future.
39
Continued growth of direct broadcast satellite operators could adversely
affect our business and results of operations.
Direct broadcast satellite operators have grown at a rate far exceeding the
cable television industry growth rate and have emerged as a significant
competitor to cable operators. Direct broadcast satellite service consists of
television programming transmitted via high-powered satellites to individual
homes, each served by a small satellite dish. Legislation permitting direct
broadcast satellite operators to transmit local broadcast signals was enacted on
November 29, 1999. This eliminated a significant competitive advantage that
cable system operators had over direct broadcast satellite operators. Direct
broadcast satellite operators deliver local broadcast signals in many markets
that we serve. These companies and others are also developing ways to bring
advanced communications services to their customers. They are currently offering
satellite-delivered high-speed Internet access services.
We may not be able to obtain critical items at a reasonable cost or when
required, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
We depend on third-party suppliers for equipment, software, services and
other items that are critical for the operation of our cable systems and the
provision of advanced services, including analog and digital set-top converter
boxes, servers and routers, fiber-optic cable, telephone circuits, software, the
"backbone" telecommunications network for our Internet access service and
construction services for expansion and upgrades of our cable systems. These
items are available from a limited number of suppliers. Demand for these items
has increased with the general growth in demand for Internet and
telecommunications services. We typically do not carry significant inventories
of equipment. Moreover, if there are no suppliers that are able to provide
set-top converter boxes that comply with evolving Internet and
telecommunications standards or that are compatible with other equipment and
software that we use, our business, financial condition and results of
operations could be materially adversely affected. If we are unable to obtain
critical equipment, software, services or other items on a timely basis and at
an acceptable cost, our ability to offer our products and services and roll out
advanced services may be impaired, and our business, financial condition and
results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
We depend on our manager for the provision of essential management functions.
We do not have separate senior management and are dependent on our manager
for the operation of our business. Our manager also manages Mediacom LLC's
operating subsidiaries. Following our acquisitions of the AT&T cable systems,
the number of customers served by the cable systems managed by our manager
increased significantly and our manager continues to devote a significant
portion of its personnel and other resources to the management of Mediacom LLC's
cable systems. As a result, the attention of our manager's senior executive
officers may be diverted from the management of our cable systems and the
allocation of resources between our cable systems and Mediacom LLC's cable
systems could give rise to conflicts of interest.
The successful execution of our business strategy depends on the ability of
our manager to efficiently manage our cable systems. If our manager were to
experience any material adverse change in its business, the risks described in
this risk factor could intensify and our business, financial condition and
results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In addition, we
are also dependent on our manager to operate Mediacom LLC's cable systems
effectively in order to enable us to achieve operating synergies, such as the
joint purchasing of programming. Mediacom LLC's operating subsidiaries have
substantial indebtedness that, among other things, could make our manager more
vulnerable to economic downturns and to adverse developments in its business.
Although our manager charged management fees to our operating subsidiaries in an
amount equal to 1.4% of our gross operating revenues for the year ended December
31, 2002, we cannot assure you that it will not exercise its right under its
management agreements with our operating subsidiaries to increase the management
fees, which under such agreements may not exceed 4.0% of each subsidiary's gross
operating revenues.
If our manager were to lose key personnel, our business could be adversely
affected.
If any of our manager's key personnel ceases to participate in our business
and operations, our profitability could suffer. Our success is substantially
dependent upon the retention of, and the continued performance by, our manager's
key personnel, including Rocco B. Commisso, the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of our manager. Our manager has not entered into an employment agreement
with Mr. Commisso. Neither our manager nor we currently maintains key man life
insurance on Mr. Commisso or other key personnel.
40
In addition, our subsidiary credit facility provides that a default will
result if any person or group, other than Mr. Commisso and certain of his
affiliates, becomes the beneficial owner of an amount of aggregate voting power
of our manager's common stock on a fully-diluted basis that equals or exceeds
the greater of: (i) 35% and (ii) the amount of aggregate voting power of our
manager's common stock on a fully diluted basis owned by Mr. Commisso and such
affiliates at the time.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of our manager has the ability to
control all major decisions, which could inhibit or prevent a change of control
or change in management. A sale of his stock in our manager could result in a
change of control that could have unpredictable effects.
Rocco B. Commisso, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of our manager,
beneficially owned common stock of our manager representing approximately 80.4%
of the combined voting power of all of its common stock as of December 31, 2002.
As a result, Mr. Commisso generally has the ability to control the outcome of
all matters requiring approval by stockholders of our manager, including the
election of its entire board of directors, and Mr. Commisso may be deemed to
control our company.
We cannot assure you that Mr. Commisso will maintain all or any portion of
his ownership in our manager or that he would continue as an officer or director
of our manager if he sold a significant part of his stock. The disposition by
Mr. Commisso of a sufficient number of his shares of our manager's stock could
result in a change in control of our manager and of us, and we cannot assure you
that a change of control would not adversely affect our business, financial
condition or results of operations. As noted above, it could also result in a
default under our bank credit facility.
Our cable television business is subject to extensive governmental regulation.
The cable television industry is subject to extensive legislation and
regulation at the federal and local levels, and, in some instances, at the state
level, and many aspects of such regulation are currently the subject of judicial
and administrative proceedings and legislative and administrative proposals. We
expect that court actions and regulatory proceedings will continue to refine our
rights and obligations under applicable federal, state and local laws. The
results of these judicial and administrative proceedings and legislative
activities may materially affect our business operations. Local authorities
grant us non-exclusive franchises that permit us to operate our cable systems.
We will have to renew or renegotiate these franchises from time to time. Local
franchising authorities may demand concessions, or other commitments, as a
condition to renewal, which concessions or other commitments could be costly to
obtain. The Communications Act contains renewal procedures and criteria designed
to protect incumbent franchisees against arbitrary denials of renewal, and
although such Act requires the local franchising authorities to take into
account the costs of meeting such concessions or commitments, there is no
assurance that we will not be required to meet their demands in order to obtain
renewals. We cannot predict whether any of the markets in which we operate will
expand the regulation of our cable systems in the future or the impact that any
such expanded regulation may have upon our business.
Similarly, due to the increasing popularity and use of commercial online
services and the Internet, it is possible that a number of laws and regulations
may be adopted with respect to commercial online services and the Internet,
including laws covering such issues as privacy, access to some types of content
by minors, pricing, bulk e-mail or "spam," encryption standards, consumer
protection, electronic commerce, taxation of e-commerce, copyright infringement
and other intellectual property matters. The adoption of such laws or
regulations in the future may decrease the growth of such services and the
Internet, which could in turn decrease the demand for our cable modem service,
increase our costs of providing such service or have other adverse effects on
our business, financial condition and results of operations.
41
Our franchises are non-exclusive and local franchising authorities may grant
competing franchises in our markets.
Our cable systems are operated under non-exclusive franchises granted by
local franchising authorities. As a result, competing operators of cable systems
and other potential competitors, such as municipal utility providers, may be
granted franchises and may build cable systems in markets where we hold
franchises. Any such competition could adversely affect our business. The
existence of multiple cable systems in the same geographic area is generally
referred to as an "overbuild." As of the filing date of this report,
approximately 11.5% of the homes passed by our cable systems were overbuilt by
other cable operators. We cannot assure you that competition will not develop in
other markets that we now serve or that we will serve after any future
acquisitions.
Pending FCC and court proceedings could adversely affect our Internet access
service.
The legal and regulatory status of providing high-speed Internet access
service by cable television companies is uncertain. The adoption of new rules by
the FCC or rulings in court proceedings could place additional costs and
regulatory burdens on us, reduce our anticipated revenues or increase our
anticipated costs for this service, complicate the franchise renewal process,
result in greater competition or otherwise adversely affect our business.
Although the FCC has issued a declaratory ruling that cable modem service, as it
is currently offered, is properly classified as an interstate information
service that is not subject to common carrier regulation, the FCC is still
considering whether to require cable companies to provide capacity on their
systems to other entities to deliver high-speed Internet directly to customers,
also known as "open access", whether certain other regulatory requirements do or
should apply to cable modem service, and whether and to what extent this service
may be subject to local franchise authorities' regulatory requirements or
franchise fees. There can be no assurance that regulatory authorities will not
impose "open access" or similar requirements on us as part of an industry-wide
requirement. Such requirements could have a negative impact on our business and
results of operations.
We may be subject to legal liability because of the acts of our Internet
service customers or because of our own negligence.
Our cable modem service enables individuals to access the Internet and to
exchange information, generate content, conduct business and engage in various
online activities on an international basis. The law relating to the liability
of providers of these online services for activities of their users is currently
unsettled both within the United States and abroad. Potentially, third parties
could seek to hold us liable for the actions and omissions of our cable modem
service customers, such as defamation, negligence, copyright or trademark
infringement, fraud or other theories based on the nature and content of
information that our customers use our service to post, download or distribute.
We also could be subject to similar claims based on the content of other
Websites to which we provide links or third-party products, services or content
that we may offer through our Internet service. Due to the global nature of the
Web, it is possible that the governments of other states and foreign countries
might attempt to regulate its transmissions or prosecute us for violations of
their laws.
It is also possible that, if any information provided directly by us will
contain errors or otherwise be negligently provided to users, resulting in third
parties making claims against us. For example, we offer Web-based email
services, which expose us to potential risks, such as liabilities or claims
resulting from unsolicited email, lost or misdirected messages, illegal or
fraudulent use of email, or interruptions or delays in email service.
To date, no one has filed a claim of any of these kinds against us, but
someone may file a claim of that type in the future in either domestic or
international jurisdictions, and may be successful in imposing liability on us.
Our defense of any such actions could be costly and involve significant
distraction of our management and other resources. If we are held or threatened
with significant liability, we may decide to take actions to reduce our exposure
to this type of liability. This may require us to spend significant amounts of
money for new equipment and may also require us to discontinue offering some
features or our cable modem service.
Since our manager launched its proprietary Mediacom OnlineSM Internet
service in February 2002, we from time to time receive notices of claimed
infringements by our cable modem service users. The owners of copyrights and
trademarks have been increasing active in seeking to prevent use of the Internet
to violate their rights. In many cases, their claims of infringement are based
on the acts of customers of an Internet service provider--for example, a
customer's use of an Internet service or the resources it provides to post,
download or disseminate copyrighted music or other content without the consent
of the copyright owner or to seek to profit from the use of the goodwill
associated
42
with another person's trademark. In some cases, copyright and trademark owners
have sought to recover damages from the Internet service provider, as well as or
instead of the customer. The law relating to the potential liability of Internet
service providers in these circumstances is unsettled. In 1996, Congress adopted
the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which is intended to grant ISPs protection
against certain claims of copyright infringement resulting from the actions of
customers, provided that the ISP complies with certain requirements. So far,
Congress has not adopted similar protections for trademark infringement claims.
If we offer telecommunications services, we may become subject to additional
regulatory burdens.
If we provide telecommunications services over our communications
facilities, we may be required to obtain additional federal, state and local
permits or other governmental authorizations to offer these services. This
process, together with accompanying regulation of these services, would place
additional costs and regulatory burdens on us.
43
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
In the normal course of business, we use interest rate exchange agreements
in order to fix the interest rate on our floating rate debt. As of December 31,
2002, we had interest rate exchange agreements with various banks pursuant to
which the interest rate on $400.0 million is fixed at a weighted average rate of
approximately 3.6%, plus the average applicable margin over the eurodollar rate
option under our bank credit agreements. Under the terms of the interest rate
exchange agreements, which expire from 2005 through 2007, we are exposed to
credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other parties. However, we do
not anticipate their nonperformance. At December 31, 2002, we would have paid
approximately $15.0 million if we terminated these agreements, inclusive of
accrued interest. The table below provides information on our long term debt.
See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements
EXPECTED MATURITY
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ALL DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 THEREAFTER TOTAL FAIR VALUE
-------- -------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- ------------
Fixed rate $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 400,000 $ 400,000 $ 421,000
Weighted average
interest rate 11.0% 11.0% 11.0% 11.0% 11.0% 11.0% 11.0%
Variable rate $ - $ 8,500 $ 35,000 $ 42,500 $ 65,000 $ 747,000 $ 898,000 $ 898,000
Weighted average
interest rate 4.8% 4.8% 4.8% 4.8% 4.8% 4.8% 4.8%
44
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PAGE
----
CONTENTS
Mediacom Broadband LLC
Report of Independent Accountants - PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.......................................... 46
Report of Independent Public Accountants - Arthur Andersen LLP.......................................... 48
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2002 and 2001............................................ 49
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2002 and Period from
Inception (April 5, 2001) through December 31, 2001.................................................... 50
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Member's Equity for the year ended December 31, 2002
and Period from Inception (April 5, 2001) through December 31, 2001.................................... 51
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for year ended December 31, 2002 and Period from
Inception (April 5, 2001) through December 31, 2001.................................................... 52
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.............................................................. 53
Financial Statement Schedule: Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.......................... 61
Mediacom Systems (Predecessor Company)
Report of Independent Accountants-"New Mediacom"........................................................ 62
Combined Statements of Operations and Parent's Investment for the Period from January 1 to July
18, 2001 and Year ended December 31, 2000.............................................................. 63
Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the Period from January 1 to July 18, 2001 and Year ended
December 31, 2000...................................................................................... 64
Notes to Combined Financial Statements.................................................................. 65
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts......................................................... 73
45
Report of Independent Accountants
To the Member of Mediacom Broadband LLC:
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31,
2002 and the related consolidated statements of operations, of changes in
stockholders' equity, and of cash flows present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Mediacom Broadband LLC and its subsidiaries
(the Company) at December 31, 2002, and the results of their operations and
their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audit. We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with
auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a
reasonable basis for our opinion. The Company's consolidated financial
statements as of December 31, 2001, and for the period from inception (April 5,
2001) through December 31, 2001, were audited by other independent accountants
who have ceased operations. Those independent accountants expressed an
unqualified opinion on those financial statements in their report dated February
13, 2002.
As discussed above, the Company's consolidated financial statements as of
December 31, 2001, and for the period from inception (April 5, 2001) through
December 31, 2001, were audited by other independent accountants who have ceased
operations. As described in Note 2, those financial statements have been revised
to include the transitional disclosures required by Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets", which was
adopted by the Company as of January 1, 2002. We audited the transitional
disclosures for 2001 and 2000 included in Note 2. In our opinion, the
transitional disclosures for 2001 and 2000 in Note 2 are appropriate. However,
we were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the 2001 or
2000 financial statements of the Company other than with respect to such
disclosures and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of
assurance on the 2001 or 2000 financial statements taken as a whole.
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company
changed its method of accounting for goodwill effective January 1, 2002.
/S/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
February 24, 2003
46
Report of Independent Accountants
On Financial Statement Schedule
To the Member of Mediacom Broadband LLC:
Our audit of the consolidated financial statements referred to in our report
dated February 24, 2003 appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K also
included an audit of the financial statement schedule [previously referred to as
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts by the predecessor auditor] for
the year ended December 31, 2002 listed in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. In our
opinion, the financial statement schedule for the year ended December 31, 2002
presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein
when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. The
financial statement schedule of Mediacom Broadband LLC and its subsidiaries for
the year ended December 31, 2001, was audited by other independent accountants
who have ceased operations. Those independent accountants expressed an
unqualified opinion on that financial statement schedule in their report dated
February 13, 2002.
/S/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
February 24, 2003
47
THE FOLLOWING REPORT IS A COPY OF A REPORT PREVIOUSLY ISSUED BY ARTHUR ANDERSEN
LLP AND HAS NOT BEEN REISSUED BY ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Member of Mediacom Broadband LLC:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Mediacom
Broadband LLC (a Delaware limited liability company) and subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2001, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
changes in member's equity and cash flows for the period from inception (April
5, 2001) through December 31, 2001. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Mediacom Broadband LLC and its
subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001 and the results of their operations and
their cash flows for the period from inception (April 5, 2001) through December
31, 2001 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States.
Our audit was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
consolidated financial statements taken as a whole. Schedule II--Valuation and
Qualifying Accounts is presented for purposes of complying with the Securities
and Exchange Commission's rules and is not part of the basic consolidated
financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing
procedures applied in the audit of the basic consolidated financial statements
and, in our opinion, fairly states in all material respects the financial data
required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic consolidated financial
statements taken as a whole.
/S/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
February 13, 2002
48
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(All dollar amounts in 000's)
December 31,
2002 2001
----------- -----------
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents......................................................... $ 10,307 $ 55,578
Subscriber accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,683
and $2,148, respectively......................................................... 35,449 25,928
Prepaid expenses and other assets................................................. 8,323 6,600
Investment in cable television systems:
Inventory, net.................................................................. 5,283 24,670
Property, plant and equipment, at cost.......................................... 853,593 594,366
Less: accumulated depreciation.................................................. (131,507) (34,799)
----------- -----------
Property, plant and equipment, net........................................... 722,086 559,567
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $49,907 and $51,879,
respectively................................................................... 1,481,972 1,541,464
----------- -----------
Total investment in cable television systems................................. 2,209,341 2,125,701
Other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $3,085 and $1,086, respectively.. 18,528 20,284
----------- -----------
Total assets................................................................. $ 2,281,948 $ 2,234,091
=========== ===========
Liabilities, Preferred Members' Interests
and Members' Equity
LIABILITIES
Debt............................................................................ $ 1,298,000 $ 1,200,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses........................................... 205,055 201,795
Deferred revenue................................................................ 18,371 16,002
----------- -----------
Total liabilities............................................................ 1,521,426 1,417,797
----------- -----------
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)
PREFERRED MEMBERS' INTERESTS 150,000 150,000
----------- -----------
MEMBER'S EQUITY
Capital contributions........................................................... 725,000 725,000
Accumulated deficit............................................................. (114,478) (58,706)
----------- -----------
Total member's equity........................................................ 610,522 666,294
----------- -----------
Total liabilities, preferred members' interests and member's equity.......... $ 2,281,948 $ 2,234,091
=========== ===========
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.
49
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(All amounts in 000's)
Inception
(April 5, 2001)
Year Ended Through
December 31, December 31,
2002 2001
------------ ----------------
Revenues.......................................................................... $ 512,792 $ 215,900
Costs and expenses:
Service costs................................................................ 207,053 89,006
Selling, general and administrative expenses................................. 105,407 42,442
Management fee expense....................................................... 6,967 2,875
Depreciation and amortization................................................ 123,704 88,463
------------ ----------------
Operating income (loss)........................................................... 69,661 (6,886)
Interest expense, net............................................................. 76,790 41,430
Loss on derivative instruments, net............................................... 15,049 -
Other expenses.................................................................... 5,066 2,270
------------ ----------------
Net loss.......................................................................... $ (27,244) $ (50,586)
============ ================
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.
50
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN
MEMBER'S EQUITY
(All dollar amounts in 000's)
Capital Accumulated
Contributions Deficit Total
------------- ----------- -----------
Balance, Inception (April 5, 2001) $ - $ - $ -
Net loss - (50,586) (50,586)
Equity contribution from MCC 725,000 - 725,000
Dividend payments on Preferred
Members' Interest - (8,120) (8,120)
------------- ----------- -----------
Balance, December 31, 2001 $ 725,000 $ (58,706) $ 666,294
Net loss - (27,244) (27,244)
Dividend payments on Preferred
Members' Interests - (18,000) (18,000)
Dividend payments to MCC - (10,528) (10,528)
------------- ----------- -----------
Balance, December 31, 2002 $ 725,000 $ (114,478) $ 610,522
============= =========== ===========
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.
51
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(All dollar amounts in 000's)
Inception
(April 5, 2001)
Year Ended Through
December 31, December 31,
2002 2001
------------ ---------------
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss......................................................................... $ (27,244) $ (50,586)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization................................................. 123,704 88,463
Loss on derivative instruments, net........................................... 15,049 -
Amortization of deferred financing costs...................................... 2,248 1,086
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Subscriber accounts receivable, net......................................... (9,521) (11,746)
Prepaid expenses and other assets........................................... (1,723) (63,600)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses....................................... 20,177 161,361
Deferred revenue............................................................ 2,369 36,673
------------ ---------------
Net cash flows provided by operating activities........................... 125,059 161,651
------------ ---------------
CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures............................................................. (234,832) (38,102)
Acquisitions of cable television systems......................................... - (2,113,336)
Other investing activities....................................................... (4,478) (145)
------------ ---------------
Net cash flows used in investing activities............................... (239,310) (2,151,583)
------------ ---------------
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
New borrowings................................................................... 183,000 1,282,000
Repayment of debt................................................................ (85,000) (82,000)
Sale of preferred member's interests............................................. - 150,000
Dividend payment on preferred members' interests................................. (18,000) (8,120)
Dividend payment to parent....................................................... (10,528) -
Capital contributions............................................................ - 725,000
Financing costs.................................................................. (492) (21,370)
------------ ---------------
Net cash flows provided by financing activities........................... 68,980 2,045,510
------------ ---------------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents...................... (45,271) 55,578
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period..................................... 55,578 -
------------ ---------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period........................................... $ 10,307 $ 55,578
============ ===============
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the year for interest........................................... $ 85,071 $ 13,091
============ ===============
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.
52
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) Limited Liability Company
Organization
Mediacom Broadband LLC ("Mediacom Broadband," and collectively with its
subsidiaries, the "Company"), a Delaware limited liability company, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Mediacom Communications Corporation ("MCC") was
formed in April 2001 for the purpose of acquiring cable systems from AT&T
Broadband, LLC ("AT&T Broadband"). Through these cable systems (the "AT&T cable
systems"), the Company provides entertainment, information and
telecommunications services to its subscribers. As of December 31, 2002, the
Company was operating cable systems in the states of Georgia, Illinois, Iowa and
Missouri.
Mediacom Broadband relies on its parent, MCC, for various services such as
corporate and administrative support. The financial position, results of
operations and cashflows of Mediacom Broadband could differ from those that
would have resulted had Mediacom Broadband operated autonomously or as an entity
independent of MCC. See Notes 7, 8 and 9.
Mediacom Broadband Corporation, a Delaware corporation wholly-owned by
Mediacom Broadband, was organized in May 2001 for the sole purpose of acting as
co-issuer with Mediacom Broadband of $400.0 million aggregate principal amount
of the 11% senior notes due July 15, 2013. Mediacom Broadband Corporation does
not conduct operations of its own.
Capitalization
The Company was initially capitalized on June 29, 2001 with an equity
contribution of $336.4 million from the Company's parent and manager, MCC, a
Delaware corporation. On July 18, 2001, the Company received an additional
equity contribution of $388.6 million from MCC and a $150.0 million preferred
equity investment from Mediacom LLC, a New York limited liability company
wholly-owned by MCC.
(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Mediacom
Broadband and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and
balances have been eliminated. The preparation of the consolidated financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues include amounts billed to customers for services provided,
installations, advertising and other services. Revenues from basic, premium,
pay-per-view and data services are recognized when the services are provided to
the customers. Installation revenues are recognized to the extent of direct
installation costs incurred. Advertising sales are recognized in the period that
the advertisements are exhibited. Franchise fees are collected on a monthly
basis and are periodically remitted to local franchise authorities. Franchise
fees collected and paid are reported as revenues and expenses.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original
maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
53
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company's accounts receivable are comprised of amounts due from
subscribers in varying regions throughout the United States. Concentration of
credit risk with respect to these receivables is limited due to the large number
of customers comprising the Company's customer base and their geographic
dispersion. The Company invests its cash with high quality financial
institutions.
Inventory
Inventory consists primarily of fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable,
electronics, hardware and miscellaneous tools and are stated at the lower of
cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in first-out (FIFO) method.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. The Company capitalizes
a portion of direct and indirect costs related to the construction, replacement
and installation of property, plant and equipment, including certain costs
related to new video and new high-speed Internet subscriber installations. The
Company also capitalized interest in connection with cable system construction
of approximately $4.1 million and $0.3 million for the year ended December 31,
2002 and period ended December 31, 2001. Capitalized costs are charged to
property, plant and equipment and depreciated over the life of the related
assets. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the estimates used to
determine the amount of costs that are capitalized.
Amounts incurred for repairs and maintenance are charged to operations in
the period incurred.
Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the following
useful lives:
Buildings...................................... 40 years
Leasehold improvements......................... Life of respective lease
Cable systems and equipment.................... 5 to 10 years
Subscriber devices............................. 5 years
Vehicles....................................... 5 years
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment....... 5 to 10 years
Definite-lived Intangible Assets
Definite-lived intangible assets include subscriber lists and covenants not
to compete. Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets is calculated on a
straight-line basis over the following lives:
Subscriber lists............................... 5 to 10 years
Covenants not to compete....................... 3 to 7 years
As of December 31, 2002, these amortizable definite-lived intangible assets
had a gross value of $33.7 million, with accumulated amortization of $11.2
million. The Company's estimated aggregate amortization expense for the year of
2003 through 2007 and beyond is $2.6 million, $2.6 million, $2.6 million, $2.6
million, $2.6 million and $9.5 million, respectively.
54
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
Indefinite-lived intangible assets include franchise costs and goodwill.
The Company has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141
("SFAS 141") "Business Combinations" and No. 142 ("SFAS 142") "Goodwill and
Other Intangible Assets". SFAS 141 requires all business combinations initiated
after June 30, 2001 to be accounted for using the purchase method. Adoption of
SFAS 141 had no effect on the Company's results of operations or financial
position as the Company accounts for all acquisitions under the purchase method.
The provisions of SFAS 142, which were adopted by the Company on January 1,
2002, prohibit the amortization of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible
assets and require such assets to be tested annually for impairment, or more
frequently if impairment indicators arise. The Company has determined that its
cable franchise costs are indefinite-lived assets. Upon adoption, the Company
performed initial impairment tests and determined that there was no impairment.
The Company conducted its annual impairment tests as of September 30, 2002,
utilizing discounted cash flow analysis, and they did not result in any
impairment of goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets. The impact of
adopting SFAS 142 was to reduce amortization expense by $99.9 million for the
year ended December 31, 2002.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the pro forma results of
operations for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 to the pro forma net
loss that would have been reported had franchise cost and goodwill amortization
not been recorded as of January 1, 2000, assuming the purchase of the AT&T cable
systems had been consummated as of January 1, 2000:
2001 2000
---------- ----------
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
Pro forma net loss (See note 3)............ $ (114,481) $ (145,659)
Add back: franchise cost amortization... 86,225 86,225
Add back: goodwill amortization......... 13,654 13,654
---------- ----------
Adjusted pro forma net income (loss)....... $ (14,602) $ (45,780)
========== ==========
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
The Company follows the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 144 ("SFAS 144"), "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of
Long-Lived Assets" SFAS 144 addresses financial accounting and reporting for the
impairment or disposal of long-lived assets and provides guidance on
classification and accounting for such assets when held for sale or abandonment.
There has been no impairment of long-lived assets of the Company under SFAS 144.
The Company adopted SFAS 144 as of January 1, 2002.
Other Assets
Other assets include debt financing costs of approximately $18.5 million
and $20.3 million as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Financing
costs incurred to raise debt are deferred and amortized over the expected term
of such financings and are included in other expense.
Accounting for Derivative Instruments
The Company accounts for derivative instruments in accordance with
Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 133 ("SFAS 133"), "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities." Changes in fair value of derivative instruments that do not
qualify for hedge relationship designation are recognized in earnings. The
Company uses interest rate exchange agreements in order to fix the interest rate
for the duration of the contract to hedge against interest rate volatility.
55
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comprehensive Loss
The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130
("SFAS 130"), "Reporting Comprehensive Income," which establishes standards for
reporting and displaying comprehensive loss and its components in the
consolidated financial statements. In accordance with SFAS 130, the Company
records temporary unrealized gains and losses on investments, if any, as a
component of accumulated comprehensive loss.
Income Taxes
Since the Company is a limited liability company, it is not subject to
federal or state income taxes and no provision for income taxes relating to its
operations has been reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements. Income or loss of the limited liability company is reported in MCC's
income tax returns.
Segment Reporting
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131,
"Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," segments
have been identified based upon management responsibility. Management has
identified cable services as the Company's one reportable segment.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year's amounts to conform
to the current year's presentation.
(3) Acquisitions
The acquisitions discussed below were made to establish the Company's
initial operations. These acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase
method of accounting, and accordingly, the purchase price of these acquisitions
has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their
estimated fair values at their respective dates of acquisition. The results of
operations of the acquisitions have been included with those of the Company
since the dates of acquisition.
On June 29, 2001, the Company acquired cable systems serving approximately
94,000 basic subscribers in the state of Missouri from affiliates of AT&T
Broadband for a purchase price of approximately $300.0 million. The acquisition
was financed with a portion of MCC's $336.4 million equity contribution on June
29, 2001.
On July 18, 2001, the Company acquired cable systems serving approximately
706,000 basic subscribers in the states of Georgia, Illinois and Iowa from
affiliates of AT&T Broadband for an aggregate purchase price of approximately
$1.76 billion. These acquisitions were financed with a portion of MCC's $388.6
million equity contribution on July 18, 2001, and the $150.0 million preferred
equity investment by subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC, the net proceeds from the
Company's private offering of 11% senior notes due 2013 and borrowings under the
Company's bank credit facility.
The opening unaudited balance sheet for the acquisitions was (dollars in
thousands):
Accounts receivable................................. $ 7,744
Property, plant and equipment....................... 579,185
Intangible assets................................... 1,477,406
Accrued expenses.................................... (6,256)
------------
Total........................................... $ 2,058,079
============
56
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Summarized below are the pro forma unaudited results of operations for the
year ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, assuming the purchase of the AT&T cable
systems had been consummated as of January 1, 2000. Adjustments have been made
to: (i) depreciation and amortization reflecting the fair value of the assets
acquired; and (ii) interest expense reflecting the debt incurred to finance the
acquisitions. The pro forma results may not be indicative of the results that
would have occurred if the acquisitions had been completed on the date indicated
or which may be obtained in the future.
2001 2000
----------------------------
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
Revenues........................... $ 465,138 $ 439,541
Operating loss..................... $ (30,356) $ (27,382)
Net loss........................... $ (114,481) $ (145,659)
(4) Property, Plant and Equipment
As of December 31, 2002 and 2001, property, plant and equipment consisted
of:
2002 2001
---------- ------------
(Dollars in Thousands)
Land and land improvements...................... $ 4,487 $ 14
Buildings and leasehold improvements............ 20,948 598
Cable systems, equipment and subscriber devices. 804,553 591,561
Vehicles........................................ 17,211 462
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment........ 6,394 1,731
---------- ------------
853,593 594,366
Accumulated depreciation........................ (131,507) (34,799)
---------- ------------
Property, plant and equipment, net.............. $ 722,086 $ 559,567
========== ============
Property, plant and equipment as of December 31, 2002 reflects the
valuation of assets from an independent appraisal completed in 2002.
Depreciation expense for the period ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 was
approximately $117.5 million and $36.4 million, respectively.
(5) Intangible Assets
The following table summarizes the net asset value for each intangible
asset category as of December 31, 2002 and 2001(dollars in thousands):
2002 Gross Asset Accumulated Net Asset
---- Value Amortization Value
----------- ------------ -----------
Franchise costs............................................ $ 1,293,379 $ 38,752 $ 1,254,627
Goodwill.................................................. 204,805 - 204,805
Subscriber lists.......................................... 33,695 11,155 22,540
----------- ------------ -----------
$ 1,531,879 $ 49,907 $ 1,481,972
=========== ============ ===========
57
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2001 Gross Asset Accumulated Net Asset
---- Value Amortization Value
----------- ------------ -----------
Franchise costs............................................ $ 1,592,396 $ 51,767 $ 1,540,629
Goodwill.................................................. - - -
Subscriber lists.......................................... 947 112 835
----------- ------------ -----------
$ 1,593,343 $ 51,879 $ 1,541,464
=========== ============ ===========
Intangible assets as of December 31, 2002 reflects the valuation of assets
from an independent appraisal completed in 2002. Amortization expense for the
period ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 was approximately $6.2 million and $51.9
million, respectively.
(6) Debt
As of December 31, 2002 and 2001, debt consisted of:
2002 2001
----------- ------------
(Dollars in Thousands)
Bank credit facility..................... 898,000 $ 800,000
11% senior notes......................... 400,000 400,000
----------- ------------
1,298,000 $ 1,200,000
----------- ------------
Bank Credit Facility
On July 18, 2001, the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom Broadband entered
into a $1.4 billion senior secured credit facility, consisting of a $600.0
million revolving credit facility, a $300.0 million tranche A term loan and a
$500.0 million tranche B term loan (the "Broadband Credit Agreement"). The
revolving credit facility expires on March 31, 2010, and commitments under the
revolving credit facility are subject to quarterly reductions beginning on
December 31, 2004, ranging from 2.00% to 8.00% of the original commitment
amount. As of December 31, 2002, $98.0 million was outstanding under the
revolving credit facility. The tranche A term loan matures on March 31, 2010 and
the tranche B term loan matures on September 30, 2010. The term loans are
payable in quarterly installments beginning on September 30, 2004. The Mediacom
Broadband Credit Agreement requires mandatory reductions of the revolving credit
facility from excess cash flow, as defined therein, beginning December 31, 2004.
The Mediacom Broadband Credit Agreement provides for interest at varying rates
based upon various borrowing options and the attainment of certain financial
ratios, and for commitment fees of 3/8% to 5/8% per annum on the unused portion
of available credit under the revolving credit facility. Interest on outstanding
revolving loans and the tranche A term loan is payable at either the eurodollar
rate plus a floating percentage ranging from 1.00% to 2.50% or the base rate
plus a floating percentage ranging from 0.25% to 1.50%. Interest on the tranche
B term loan is payable at either the eurodollar rate plus a floating percentage
ranging from 2.50% to 2.75% or the base rate plus a floating percentage ranging
from 1.50% to 1.75%.
The Broadband Credit Agreement requires compliance with certain financial
covenants including, but not limited to, leverage, interest coverage and debt
service coverage ratios, as defined therein. The Broadband Credit Agreement also
requires compliance with other covenants including, but not limited to,
limitations on mergers and acquisitions, consolidations and sales of certain
assets, liens, the incurrence of additional indebtedness, certain restricted
payments, and certain transactions with affiliates. The Company was in
compliance with all covenants of the Broadband Credit Agreement as of December
31, 2002.
58
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Broadband Credit Agreement is collateralized by Mediacom Broadband's
pledge of all its ownership interests in its operating subsidiaries and is
guaranteed by Mediacom Broadband on a limited recourse basis to the extent of
such ownership interests.
The average interest rate on debt outstanding under the Broadband Credit
Agreement was 4.8% and 5.4% for the year ended December 31, 2002 and 2001,
respectively, before giving effect to the interest rate exchange agreements
discussed below. As of December 31, 2002, the Company had approximately $497.0
million of unused bank commitments under the Broadband Credit Agreement.
The Company uses interest rate exchange agreements in order to fix the
interest rate for the duration of the contract to hedge against interest rate
volatility. As of December 31, 2002, the Company had interest rate exchange
agreements with various banks pursuant to which the interest rate on $400.0
million is fixed at a weighted average rate of approximately 3.6%, plus the
average applicable margin over the eurodollar rate option under the bank credit
agreements. Under the terms of the interest rate exchange agreements, which
expire from 2005 through 2007, the Company is exposed to credit loss in the
event of nonperformance by the other parties. However, the Company does not
anticipate their nonperformance.
The fair value of the interest rate exchange agreements is the estimated
amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate such agreements,
taking into account current interest rates and the current creditworthiness of
the Company's counterparties. At December 31, 2002, the Company would have paid
approximately $15.0 million if these agreements were terminated, inclusive of
accrued interest.
Senior Notes
On June 29, 2001, Mediacom Broadband and Mediacom Broadband Corporation
(the "Issuers") jointly issued $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 11%
senior notes due June 2013 (the "11% Senior Notes"). The 11% Senior Notes are
unsecured obligations of the Issuers, and the indenture for the 11% Senior Notes
stipulates, among other things, restrictions on incurrence of indebtedness,
distributions, mergers and asset sales and has cross-default provisions related
to other debt of the Issuers. Interest accrues at 11% per annum, beginning from
the date of issuance and is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of
each year, which commenced on January 15, 2002. The Issuers were in compliance
with the indenture governing the 11% Senior Notes as of December 31, 2002.
Fair Value and Debt Maturities
The fair value of the Company's bank credit facility approximates the
carrying value. The fair value at December 31, 2002 and 2001 of the 11% Senior
Notes was approximately $421.0 million and $436.0 million, respectively.
The stated maturities of all debt outstanding as of December 31, 2002 are
as follows (dollars in thousands):
2003...................................... $ -
2004...................................... 8,500
2005...................................... 35,000
2006...................................... 42,500
2007...................................... 65,000
Thereafter ............................... 1,147,000
-----------
$ 1,298,000
===========
(7) Preferred Members' Interests
On July 18, 2001, the Company received a $150.0 million preferred equity
investment from Mediacom LLC. The preferred equity investment has a 12% annual
dividend, payable quarterly in cash. During the year ended December 31, 2002,
the Company paid in aggregate $18.0 million in cash dividends on the preferred
equity.
59
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(8) Member's Equity
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCC, the Company's business affairs,
including its financing decisions, are directed by MCC.
In July and October 2002, the Company paid cash dividends of $4.5 million
and $6.0 million, respectively, to MCC, as permitted under the Company's debt
arrangements.
(9) Related Party Transactions
MCC manages the Company pursuant to a management agreement with each
operating subsidiary. Under the management agreements, MCC has full and
exclusive authority to manage the day to day operations and conduct the business
of the Company. The Company remains responsible for all expenses and liabilities
relating to construction, development, operation, maintenance, repair, and
ownership of its systems.
As compensation for the performance of its services, subject to certain
restrictions, MCC is entitled under each management agreement to receive
management fees in an amount not to exceed 4.0% of the annual gross operating
revenues of each of the operating subsidiaries. MCC is also entitled to the
reimbursement of all expenses necessarily incurred in its capacity as manager.
(10) Employee Benefit Plans
Substantially all employees of the Company are eligible to participate in a
defined contribution plan pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k)
(the "Plan"). Under such Plan, eligible employees may contribute up to 15% of
their current pre-tax compensation. The Plan permits, but does not require,
matching contributions and non-matching (profit sharing) contributions to be
made by the Company up to a maximum dollar amount or maximum percentage of
participant contributions, as determined annually by the Company. The Company
presently matches 50% on the first 6% of employee contributions. The Company's
contributions under the Plan totaled approximately $1.1 million and $0.4 million
for the period ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
(11) Commitments and Contingencies
Under various lease and rental agreements for offices, warehouses and
computer terminals, the Company had rental expense of approximately $2.2 million
and $1.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
Future minimum annual rental payments are as follows (dollars in thousands):
2003................................. $ 1,414
2004................................. 1,031
2005................................. 591
2006................................. 471
2007................................. 358
Thereafter........................... 1,677
In addition, the Company rents utility poles in its operations generally
under short-term arrangements, but the Company expects these arrangements to
recur. Total rental expense for utility poles was approximately $2.9 million and
$1.3 million for the period ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
As of December 31, 2002, approximately $4.5 million of letters of credit
were issued in favor of various parties to secure the Company's performance
relating to franchise and lease requirements.
Legal Proceedings
There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company is a
party or to which any of the Company's properties are subject.
60
SCHEDULE II
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(All dollar amounts in 000's)
Additions Deductions
---------------------------- ---------------------------
Balance At Charged to Charged to Charged to Charged to
Beginning of Costs Other Costs and Other Balance At
Period and Expenses Accounts /(1)/ Expenses Accounts /(1)/ End of Period
------------ ------------ ------------- ------------ ----------- -------------
December 31, 2001
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Current receivables........... $ - $ 3,477 $ 2,557 $ 3,886 $ - $ 2,148
Acquisition reserves/(1)/
Accrued expenses.............. $ - $ - $ 42,156 $ 5,577 $ - $ 36,579
December 31, 2002
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Current receivables........... $ 2,148 $ 6,909 $ - $ 6,374 $ - $ 2,683
Acquisition reserves/(1)/
Accrued expenses.............. $ 36,579 $ - $ - $ 4,613 $ 31,966 $ -
- ----------
/(1)/ Were charged in connection with purchase accounting.
61
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To Mediacom Broadband LLC:
In our opinion, the accompanying combined statements of operations and parent's
investment and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, Mediacom
Systems ("New Mediacom") (a combination of certain assets and liabilities as
defined in Note 1 to the combined financial statements) for the period from
January 1, 2001 to July 18, 2001 and the year ended December 31, 2000, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companies'
management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these statements in
accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of
America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
As discussed in Note 1, on March 9, 1999 (effective March 1, 1999 for financial
reporting purposes), AT&T Corp., the parent company of New Mediacom, acquired
Tele-Communications, Inc., parent company of Old Mediacom, in a business
combination accounted for as a purchase. As a result of the acquisition, the
combined financial statements for the periods after the acquisition reflects
AT&T Corp.'s basis in the business.
As discussed in Note 1, effective June 29, 2001 and July 18, 2001, the Mediacom
Systems were sold to Mediacom Communications Corporation.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Denver, Colorado
March 8, 2002
62
MEDIACOM SYSTEMS (PREDECESSOR COMPANY)
(A COMBINATION OF CERTAIN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, AS DEFINED IN NOTE 1)
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND PARENT'S INVESTMENT
(in thousands)
New Mediacom
-------------------------------
Period From
January 1
to Year Ended
July 18, December 31,
2001 2000
------------- -------------
Revenue $ 249,238 $ 439,541
Costs and expenses:
Operating (note 4) 117,205 192,543
Selling, general and administrative 42,449 70,879
Management fees (note 4) 18,625 22,267
Restructuring charge (note 5) 570 -
Depreciation 48,327 72,615
Amortization 35,283 64,567
------------- -------------
Operating income (loss) before income taxes (13,221) 16,670
Gain on disposition of assets 5,183 -
------------- -------------
Net income (loss) before taxes (8,038) 16,670
Provision for income taxes (benefit) (3,546) 6,646
------------- -------------
Net income (loss) (4,492) 10,024
Parent's investment:
Beginning of period 1,493,084 1,468,567
Change in transfers from parent, net (note 4) 47,806 14,493
Disposed cable systems (294,559) -
------------- -------------
End of period $ 1,241,839 $ 1,493,084
============= =============
63
MEDIACOM SYSTEMS (PREDECESSOR COMPANY)
(A COMBINATION OF CERTAIN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, AS DEFINED IN NOTE 1)
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
New Mediacom
-----------------------------
Period From
January 1 Year
to Ended
July 18, December 31,
2001 2000
----------- ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss) $ (4,492) $ 10,024
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities:
Gain on disposition of assets (5,183) -
Depreciation and amortization 83,610 137,182
Deferred tax benefit (114,635) (24,781)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in trade and other receivables 3,185 (2,801)
Decrease (increase) in other assets 813 57
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable (360) (761)
Increase in accrued liabilities 2,784 836
----------- ------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (34,278) 119,756
----------- ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures for property and equipment (34,490) (131,177)
Other (192) -
----------- ------------
Net cash used in investing activities (34,682) (131,177)
----------- ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Change in transfers from parent, net 47,806 14,493
----------- ------------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents (21,154) 3,072
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 21,154 18,082
----------- ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ - $ 21,154
=========== ============
64
MEDIACOM SYSTEMS (PREDECESSOR COMPANY)
(A COMBINATION OF CERTAIN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, AS DEFINED IN NOTE 1)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Effective upon the end of business on June 29, 2001, subsidiaries of AT&T
Corp. ("AT&T") sold to Mediacom Communications Corporation ("Mediacom") certain
cable television systems serving approximately 94,000 customers located
primarily in Missouri, and wholly owned by various cable subsidiaries and
partnerships of AT&T (the "Missouri Mediacom Systems") for net cash proceeds of
approximately $300 million. AT&T recognized an estimated gain on the sale of the
Missouri Mediacom Systems of approximately $5 million. The results of operations
and cash flows of the Missouri Mediacom Systems are included in the combined
financial statements through June 29, 2001.
Effective upon the end of business on July 18, 2001, subsidiaries of AT&T
sold to Mediacom certain cable television systems serving approximately 706,000
customers located primarily in Iowa, Georgia and Southern Illinois, and wholly
owned by various cable subsidiaries and partnerships of AT&T for net cash
proceeds of approximately $1.76 billion. AT&T recognized an estimated loss on
this sale of approximately $93 million. These cable systems combined with the
Missouri Mediacom Systems are collectively referred to herein as the "Mediacom
Systems" or the "Systems."
The accompanying combined financial statements include the specific
accounts directly related to the activities of the Mediacom Systems. All
significant inter-system accounts and transactions have been eliminated in
combination. The combined net assets of the Mediacom Systems are referred to as
"Parent's Investment."
On March 9, 1999, AT&T acquired AT&T Broadband, LLC ("AT&T Broadband,"
formerly known as Tele-Communications, Inc.) in a merger (the "AT&T Merger"). In
the AT&T Merger, AT&T Broadband became a subsidiary of AT&T. For financial
reporting purposes, the AT&T Merger was deemed to have occurred on March 1,
1999. The combined financial statements of Mediacom Systems for periods prior to
March 1, 1999 are referred to herein as "Old Mediacom." The combined financial
statements of Mediacom Systems for periods subsequent to February 28, 1999 are
referred to herein as "New Mediacom." Due to the application of purchase
accounting in connection with the AT&T Merger, the predecessor combined
financial statements of Old Mediacom are not comparable to the successor
combined financial statements of New Mediacom.
Certain costs of AT&T Broadband are charged to the Systems based primarily
on Mediacom Systems' number of customers (see note 4). Although such allocations
are not necessarily indicative of the costs that would have been incurred by the
Mediacom Systems on a stand alone basis, management believes that the resulting
allocated amounts are reasonable.
The net assets of the Systems are held by various wholly-owned subsidiaries
and partnerships of AT&T Broadband. Accordingly, the combined financial
statements of the Mediacom Systems do not reflect all of the assets,
liabilities, revenues and expenses that would be indicative of a stand-alone
business. The financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
Mediacom Systems could differ from reported results had the Mediacom Systems
operated autonomously or as an entity independent of AT&T. In particular, no
interest expense incurred by AT&T and its subsidiaries on their debt obligations
has been allocated to the Mediacom Systems.
The Mediacom Systems are included in the consolidated federal income tax
return of AT&T and its affiliates for the period from January 1 to July 18, 2001
and the year ended December 31, 2000. Combined income tax provisions or
benefits, related to tax payments or refunds, and deferred tax balances of AT&T
and its affiliates or TCI and its affiliates, as applicable, have been allocated
to the Mediacom Systems based principally on the taxable income and tax credits
directly attributable to the Mediacom Systems, essentially a stand alone
presentation. These allocations reflect the Mediacom Systems' contribution to
AT&T's or TCI's consolidated taxable income and consolidated tax liability and
tax credit position, as applicable.
65
MEDIACOM SYSTEMS (PREDECESSOR COMPANY)
(A COMBINATION OF CERTAIN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, AS DEFINED IN NOTE 1)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of deposits with banks and financial
institutions that are unrestricted as to withdrawal or use and have maturities
of less than 90 days.
AT&T performs cash management functions on behalf of AT&T Broadband,
including the Mediacom Systems. Substantially all of the Systems' cash balances
are swept to AT&T on a daily basis, where they are managed and invested by AT&T.
Transfers of cash to and from AT&T are reflected as a component of Parent's
investment, with no interest income or expense reflected. Net transfers to or
from AT&T are assumed to be settled in cash. AT&T's capital contributions for
purchase business combinations to the Systems have been treated as non-cash
transactions. In addition, proceeds from the sale of the Missouri Mediacom
Systems have been treated as a non-cash transaction with AT&T.
Effective on the date of sale of the respective Mediacom Systems, all cash
was swept by AT&T through Parent's investment.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost, including acquisition costs
allocated to tangible assets acquired. Construction costs, labor and applicable
overhead related to installations are capitalized. Interest capitalized was not
significant for any periods presented.
Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis using estimated useful
lives of 3 to 15 years for distribution systems and 3 to 40 years for support
equipment and buildings.
Repairs and maintenance are charged to operations, and renewals and
additions are capitalized. At the time of ordinary retirements, sales or other
dispositions of property, the original cost and cost of removal of such property
are charged to accumulated depreciation, and salvage, if any, is credited
thereto. Gains or losses are only recognized in connection with the sale of
properties in their entirety.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist primarily of franchise costs and intangibles for
customer relationships. Franchise costs represent the difference between AT&T
Broadband's allocated historical cost of acquired assets of the Mediacom Systems
and amounts allocated to the tangible assets. Franchise costs and customer
relationships are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over 25 to 40 and
10 years, respectively. Costs incurred by the Mediacom Systems in negotiating
and renewing franchise agreements are amortized on a straight-line basis over
the average lives of the franchise, generally 10 to 20 years.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
Management of the Systems periodically reviews the carrying amounts of
property and equipment and its identifiable intangible assets to determine
whether current events or circumstances warrant adjustments to such carrying
amounts. If an impairment adjustment is deemed necessary, based on an analysis
of undiscounted cash flows, such loss is measured by the amount that the
carrying value of such assets exceeds the fair value. Considerable management
judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of assets, accordingly, actual
results could vary significantly from such estimates.
66
MEDIACOM SYSTEMS (PREDECESSOR COMPANY)
(A COMBINATION OF CERTAIN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, AS DEFINED IN NOTE 1)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Income Taxes
Mediacom Systems is not a separate taxable entity for federal and state
income tax purposes and its results of operations are included in the
consolidated federal and state income tax returns of AT&T and its affiliates or
TCI and its affiliates, as applicable. Mediacom Systems' provision or benefit
for income taxes is based upon its contribution to the overall income tax
liability or benefit of AT&T and its affiliates or TCI and its affiliates, as
applicable.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue for customer fees, equipment rental, advertising, pay-per-view
programming and revenue sharing agreements is recognized in the period that
services are delivered. Installation revenue is recognized in the period the
installation services are provided to the extent of direct selling costs. Any
remaining amount is deferred and recognized over the estimated average period
that customers are expected to remain connected to the cable distribution
system.
Statement of Cash Flows
Transactions effected through the intercompany account due to (from) parent
have been considered constructive cash receipts and payments for purposes of the
combined statement of cash flows.
Stock-based Compensation
Stock-based compensation is accounted for in accordance with Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees"
("APB 25") and related interpretations. The Systems follow the disclosure-only
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123").
Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain prior periods amounts have been reclassified to conform to the
current period presentation.
Recent Pronouncements
In 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, "Business Combinations"
("SFAS 141") and No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142").
SFAS 141 requires all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001 to be
accounted for using the purchase method. Under SFAS 142, goodwill and intangible
assets with indefinite lives will no longer be amortized, but rather will be
tested for impairment upon adoption and at least annually thereafter. Separable
intangible assets that are not deemed to have indefinite lives will continue to
be amortized over their useful lives. The amortization provisions of SFAS 142
apply immediately to goodwill and intangible assets acquired after June 30,
2001. With respect to goodwill and intangible assets acquired prior to July 1,
2001, the provisions of SFAS 142 are effective January 1, 2002. Management is
currently evaluating the effect that SFAS 141 and SFAS 142 will have on the
results of operations, financial position or cash flows of the Systems.
67
MEDIACOM SYSTEMS (PREDECESSOR COMPANY)
(A COMBINATION OF CERTAIN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, AS DEFINED IN NOTE 1)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligations" ("SFAS 143"). This standard requires that obligations associated
with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets be recorded as liabilities
when those obligations are incurred, with the amount of the liability initially
measured at fair value. Upon initially recognizing a liability for an asset
retirement obligation, an entity must capitalize the cost by recognizing an
increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Over time, this
liability is accreted to its present value, and the capitalized cost is
depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the
liability, an entity either settles the obligation for its recorded amount or
incurs a gain or loss upon settlement. SFAS 143 is effective for financial
statements issued for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. Management of
the Systems does not expect that the adoption of this statement will have a
material impact on the Systems' results of operations, financial position or
cash flows.
In 2001, the FASB issued Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No.
144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" ("SFAS
144"). This statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for the
impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. SFAS 144 supersedes Statement of
Financial Accounting standards No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of", and provides
guidance on classification and accounting for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2001. Management of the Systems does not expect that the adoption
of SFAS 144 will have a material impact on the Systems' financial position,
results of operations or cash flows.
(2) Intangibles
Intangible assets are summarized as follows (amounts in thousands):
JULY 18, DECEMBER 31,
2001 2000
------------ -----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Franchising costs....................... $ 1,560,198 $ 1,802,251
Other intangible assets................. 78,124 87,791
------------ -----------
1,638,322 1,890,042
Less accumulated amortization........... 130,008 111,101
------------ -----------
Intangible assets, net.................. $ 1,508,314 $ 1,778,941
============ ===========
Amortization expense on franchise costs was $30.5 million and $55.3 million
for the period from January 1 to July 18, 2001 and the year ended December 31,
2000, respectively. Amortization expense for other intangible assets was $4.8
million and $9.3 million for the period from January 1 to July 18, 2001 and the
year ended December 31, 2000, respectively.
(3) Parent's Investment
Parent's investment in the Mediacom Systems is summarized as follows
(amounts in thousands):
JULY 18, DECEMBER 31,
2001 2000
------------ -----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Transfers from parent, net............... $ 1,219,010 $ 1,465,763
Cumulative net income since March 1, 1999 22,829 27,321
------------ -----------
$ 1,241,839 $ 1,493,084
============ ===========
68
MEDIACOM SYSTEMS (PREDECESSOR COMPANY)
(A COMBINATION OF CERTAIN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, AS DEFINED IN NOTE 1)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The non-interest bearing transfers from parent include AT&T Broadband's
equity in acquired systems, programming charges, management fees and advances
for operations, acquisitions and construction costs, as well as the amounts
charged as a result of the allocation of certain costs from AT&T.
As a result of AT&T's 100% ownership of the Mediacom Systems, the transfers
from parent amounts have been classified as a component of Parent's investment
in the accompanying combined balance sheets.
The Mediacom Systems purchase, at AT&T Broadband's cost, certain pay
television and other programming through a certain indirect subsidiary of AT&T
Broadband. Charges for such programming are included in operating expenses in
the accompanying combined financial statements.
Certain subsidiaries of AT&T Broadband provide administrative services to
the Mediacom Systems and have assumed managerial responsibility of the Mediacom
Systems' cable television system operations and construction. As compensation
for these services, the Mediacom Systems pay a monthly management fee calculated
on a per-subscriber basis.
The parent transfers and expense allocation activity consist of the
following (amounts in thousands):
NEW MEDIACOM
----------------------------
PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 1 YEAR
TO ENDED
JULY 18, DECEMBER 31,
2001 2000
------------- -----------
Beginning of period $ 1,465,763 $ 1,451,270
Programming charges 77,287 123,993
Management fees 18,625 22,267
Cash transfers (48,106) (131,767)
Disposal of cable systems (294,559) -
Acquisition of cable systems - -
------------- -----------
End of period $ 1,219,010 $ 1,465,763
============= ===========
(4) Restructuring Charge
As part of a cost reduction plan undertaken by AT&T Broadband in 2001,
approximately 63 employees of the Systems were terminated, resulting in a
restructuring charge of approximately $570,000 during the first quarter of 2001.
Terminated employees primarily performed customer service and field operations
functions. The restructuring charge consists of severance and other employee
benefits. As of July 18, 2001, all of the charge has been paid in cash.
(5) Employee Benefit and Stock-based Compensation Plans
AT&T sponsors savings plans for the majority of its employees. Prior to the
AT&T Merger, TCI also sponsored savings plans for the majority of its employees.
The plans allow employees to contribute a portion of their pre-tax and/or
after-tax income in accordance with specified guidelines. Employee contributions
are matched up to certain limits. AT&T and TCI contributions, as applicable, for
employees of the Mediacom Systems amounted to $1,082,000 and $2,947,000 for the
period from January 1 to July 18, 2001 and the year ended December 31, 2000,
respectively.
Under AT&T's 1997 Long-term Incentive Program (the "Program"), which was
amended March 14, 2000, AT&T grants stock options, performance shares,
restricted stock and other awards on AT&T common stock as well as stock options
on the AT&T Wireless Group tracking stock. Employees of the Mediacom Systems
were eligible to receive stock options under this program effective with the
AT&T Merger (see note 1).
69
MEDIACOM SYSTEMS (PREDECESSOR COMPANY)
(A COMBINATION OF CERTAIN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, AS DEFINED IN NOTE 1)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Under the Program, there were 150 million shares of AT&T common stock
available for grant with a maximum of 22.5 million common shares that could be
used for awards other than stock options. Beginning with January 1, 2000, the
remaining shares available for grant at December 31 of the prior year, plus
1.75% of the shares of AT&T common stock outstanding on January 1 of each year,
become available for grant. There is a maximum of 37.5 million shares that may
be used for awards other than stock options. The exercise price of any stock
option is equal to the stock price when the option is granted. Generally, the
options vest over three or four years and are exercisable up to 10 years from
the date of grant.
Under the AT&T 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan"), which was
effective July 1, 1996, AT&T is authorized to sell up to 75 million shares of
AT&T common stock to its eligible employees. Under the terms of the Plan,
employees may have up to 10% of their earnings withheld to purchase AT&T's
common stock. The purchase price of the stock on the date of exercise is 85% of
the average high and low sale prices of shares on the New York Stock Exchange
for that day.
The Systems apply APB 25, and related interpretations in accounting for its
plans. Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized for stock-based
compensation plans for the Mediacom Systems.
The Systems have adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS 123. If the
Systems had elected to recognize compensation costs based on the fair value at
the date of grant for AT&T awards granted to Systems' employees in 2000,
consistent with the provisions of SFAS 123, Mediacom Systems' net income (loss)
would have been adjusted to reflect additional compensation expense resulting in
pro forma net income (loss) of $(5,996,000) and $9,339,000 for the period from
January 1, 2001 to July 18, 2001 and the year ended December 31, 2000,
respectively. There were no AT&T awards granted to systems' employees in 1999 or
2001.
The stock option information included herein has not been adjusted for the
July 2001 split-off of the AT&T Wireless Group from AT&T. AT&T granted
approximately 259,800 and 86,600 stock options to the Mediacom Systems'
employees during 2000 for AT&T stock options and AT&T Wireless Group tracking
stock, respectively. At the date of grant, the exercise price for AT&T options
and AT&T Wireless Group tracking stock options granted to AT&T Broadband
employees during 2000 was $33.81 and $27.56, respectively. The fair value at
date of grant for AT&T options and AT&T Wireless Group tracking stock options
granted to AT&T Broadband employees during 2000 was $10.59 and $11.74,
respectively, and was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.
The following assumptions were applied for 2000 for the AT&T options and the
AT&T Wireless Group tracking stock options: (i) expected dividend yield of 1.7%
and 0%, respectively, (ii) expected volatility rate of 34% and 55%,
respectively, (iii) risk-free interest rate of 6.24% and 6.2%, respectively, and
(iv) expected life of 3 years.
70
MEDIACOM SYSTEMS (PREDECESSOR COMPANY)
(A COMBINATION OF CERTAIN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, AS DEFINED IN NOTE 1)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(6) Income Taxes
The Mediacom Systems is not a separate taxable entity for federal and state
income tax purposes and its results of operations are included in the
consolidated federal and state income tax returns of AT&T and its affiliates or
TCI and its affiliates, as applicable (see note 1).
The following table shows the principal reasons for the difference between
the effective income tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate
(dollar amounts in thousands):
NEW MEDIACOM
-----------------------------
PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 1 YEAR
TO ENDED
JULY 18, DECEMBER 31,
2001 2000
----------- ------------
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate 35.0% 35.0%
Federal income tax at statutory rate $ (2,813) $ 5,834
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax effect (733) 812
----------- ------------
Provision (benefit) for income taxes $ (3,546) $ 6,646
=========== ============
Effective income tax rate 44.1% 39.9%
The components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes are presented in
this table (amounts in thousands):
NEW MEDIACOM
-----------------------------
PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 1 YEAR
TO ENDED
JULY 18, DECEMBER 31,
2001 2000
----------- ------------
Current:
Federal $ 103,860 $ 25,053
State and local 7,229 6,374
Deferred:
Federal (106,278) (19,655)
State and local (8,357) (5,126)
----------- ------------
Provision (benefit) for income taxes $ (3,546) $ 6,646
=========== ============
Deferred income tax liabilities are income taxes Mediacom Systems expects
to incur in future periods. Similarly, deferred income tax assets are recorded
for expected reductions in income taxes payable in future periods. Deferred
income taxes arise because of differences in the book and tax basis of certain
assets and liabilities.
71
Deferred income tax liabilities consist of the following (amounts in
thousands):
MEDIACOM SYSTEMS (PREDECESSOR COMPANY)
(A COMBINATION OF CERTAIN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, AS DEFINED IN NOTE 1)
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JULY 18, DECEMBER 31,
2001 2000
----------- -----------
Long-term deferred income tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment $ 62,130 $ 72,417
Franchise costs 590,563 690,070
Other 22,936 27,777
----------- -----------
Total long-term deferred income tax liabilities $ 675,629 $ 790,264
=========== ===========
(7) Commitments
The Mediacom Systems lease business offices, have entered into pole rental
agreements and use certain equipment under lease arrangements. Rental expense
for such arrangements amounted to $2,179,000 and $2,680,000 for the period from
January 1 to July 18, 2001 and the year ended December 31, 2000.
Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases for each
of the next five years are summarized as follows (amounts in thousands):
2002....................................... $ 1,226
2003....................................... 1,210
2004....................................... 1,187
2005....................................... 1,132
2006....................................... 919
It is expected that, in the normal course of business, expiring leases will
be renewed or replaced by leases on other properties.
72
Schedule II
MEDIACOM SYSTEMS (PREDECESSOR COMPANY)
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(All dollar amounts in 000's)
Balance At Charged to
Beginning of Costs Balance At
Period and Expenses Deductions End of Period
------------ ------------ ---------- --------------
December 31, 2000
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Current receivables........... $ 1,292 $ 7,222 $ 6,865 $ 1,649
January 1 to July 18, 2001
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Current receivables........... $ 1,649 $ 6,136 $ 6,987 $ 798
73
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
We have previously reported in a current report on Form 8-K, dated April
19, 2002, that we terminated our engagement of Arthur Andersen LLP.
74
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANTS
MCC is our sole voting member and manager. MCC serves as manager of our
operating subsidiaries. The executive officers of Mediacom Broadband LLC and the
directors and executive officers of MCC and Mediacom Broadband Corporation are:
Name Age Position
---- --- --------
Rocco B. Commisso...................................... 53 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Mediacom Broadband LLC and MCC and
President and Chief Executive Officer and
Director of Mediacom Broadband Corporation
Mark E. Stephan........................................ 46 Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer of Mediacom
Broadband LLC and MCC, Director of MCC,
and Treasurer and Secretary of Mediacom
Broadband Corporation
James M. Carey......................................... 51 Senior Vice President, Operations of MCC
John G. Pascarelli..................................... 41 Senior Vice President, Marketing and
Consumer Services of MCC
Joseph Van Loan........................................ 61 Senior Vice President, Technology of MCC
Italia Commisso Weinand................................ 49 Senior Vice President, Programming and
Human Resources of MCC
Charles J. Bartolotta.................................. 48 Senior Vice President, Customer Operations
of MCC
Calvin G. Craib........................................ 48 Senior Vice President, Business
Development of MCC
William I. Lees, Jr. .................................. 44 Senior Vice President, Corporate
Controller of MCC
Joseph E. Young........................................ 54 Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary of MCC
Craig S. Mitchell...................................... 44 Director of MCC
William S. Morris III.................................. 68 Director of MCC
Thomas V. Reifenheiser................................. 67 Director of MCC
Natale S. Ricciardi.................................... 54 Director of MCC
Robert L. Winikoff..................................... 56 Director of MCC
Rocco B. Commisso has 25 years of experience with the cable television
industry and has served as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since our
inception in April 2001 and our manager's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
since founding its predecessor company in July 1995. Mr. Commisso has served as
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Mediacom Broadband
Corporation since its inception in May 2001. From 1986 to 1995, he served as
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and a director of Cablevision
Industries Corporation. Prior to that time, Mr. Commisso served as Senior Vice
President of Royal Bank of Canada's affiliate in the United States from 1981,
where he founded and directed a specialized lending group to media and
communications companies. Mr. Commisso began his association with the cable
industry in 1978 at The Chase Manhattan Bank, where he managed the bank's
lending activities to communications firms including the cable industry. He
serves on the board of directors of the National Cable Television Association,
Cable Television Laboratories, Inc and C-SPAN. Mr. Commisso holds a Bachelor of
Science in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from
Columbia University.
75
Mark E. Stephan has 16 years of experience with the cable television
industry and has served as our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer since our inception in April 2001 and our manager's Senior Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since the commencement of its
operations in March 1996. Mr. Stephan has served as Director of our manager
since its incorporation in November 1999 and as Treasurer and Secretary of
Mediacom Broadband since its inception in May 2001. From 1993 to February 1996,
Mr. Stephan served as Vice President of Finance for Cablevision Industries.
Prior to that time, Mr. Stephan served as Manager of the telecommunications and
media lending group of Royal Bank of Canada from 1987 to 1992.
James M. Carey has 21 years of experience in the cable television industry.
Before joining our manager in September 1997, Mr. Carey was founder and
President of Infinet Results, a telecommunications consulting firm, from
December 1996. Mr. Carey served as Executive Vice President, Operations at
MediaOne Group from August 1995 to November 1996, where he was responsible for
MediaOne's Atlanta cable operations. Prior to that time, he served as Regional
Vice President of Cablevision Industries' Southern region. Mr. Carey is a member
of the board of directors of the American Cable Association and the Cable
Television Association of Georgia.
John G. Pascarelli has 22 years of experience in the cable television
industry. Before joining our manager in March 1998, Mr. Pascarelli served as
Vice President, Marketing for Helicon from January 1996 to February 1998 and as
Corporate Director of Marketing for Cablevision Industries from 1988 to 1995.
Prior to that time, Mr. Pascarelli served in various marketing and system
management capacities for Continental Cablevision, Cablevision Systems and
Storer Communications. Mr. Pascarelli is a member of the board of directors of
the Cable and Telecommunications Association for Marketing.
Joseph Van Loan has 30 years of experience in the cable television
industry. Before joining our manager in November 1996, Mr. Van Loan served as
Senior Vice President, Engineering for Cablevision Industries from 1990. Prior
to that time, he managed a private telecommunications consulting practice
specializing in domestic and international cable television and broadcasting and
served as Vice President, Engineering for Viacom Cable. Mr. Van Loan received
the 1986 Vanguard Award for Science and Technology from the National Cable
Television Association.
Italia Commisso Weinand has 26 years of experience in the cable television
industry. Before joining our manager in April 1996, Ms. Weinand served as
Regional Manager for Comcast Corporation from July 1985. Prior to that time, Ms.
Weinand held various management positions with Tele-Communications, Times Mirror
Cable and Time Warner. Ms. Weinand is the sister of Mr. Commisso.
Charles J. Bartolotta has 20 years of experience in the cable television
industry. Before joining our manager in October 2000, Mr. Bartolotta served as
Division President for AT&T Broadband, LLC from July 1998, where he was
responsible for managing an operating division serving nearly three million
customers. Prior to that time, he served as Regional Vice President of
Telecommunications, Inc. from January 1997 and as Vice President and General
Manager for TKR Cable Company from 1989. Prior to that time, Mr. Bartolotta held
various management positions with Cablevision Systems Corporation.
Calvin G. Craib has 21 years of experience in the cable television
industry. Before joining our manager in April 1999 as Vice President, Business
Development, Mr. Craib served as Vice President, Finance and Administration for
Interactive Marketing Group from June 1997 to December 1998 and as Senior Vice
President, Operations, and Chief Financial Officer for Douglas Communications
from January 1990 to May 1997. Prior to that time, Mr. Craib served in various
financial management capacities at Warner Amex Cable and Tribune Cable.
William I. Lees, Jr. joined our manager in October 2001 as Senior Vice
President, Corporate Controller. Previously, Mr. Lees served as Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer for Regus Business Centre Corp., a
multinational real estate services company, from July 1999 to September 2001.
Prior to that time, he served as Corporate Controller and Director for Formica
Corporation from September 1998 to July 1999, and as Chief Financial Officer for
Imperial Schrade Corporation from September 1993 to September 1998. He was
previously employed for 13 years by Ernst & Young.
76
Joseph E. Young has 18 years of experience with the cable television
industry. Before joining our manager in November 2001 as Senior Vice President
and General Counsel, Mr. Young served as Executive Vice President, Legal and
Business Affairs, for LinkShare Corporation, an Internet-based provider of
marketing services, from September 1999 to October 2001. Prior to that time, he
practiced corporate law with Baker & Botts, LLP from January 1995 to September
1999. Previously, Mr. Young was a partner with the Law Offices of Jerome H. Kern
and a partner with Shea & Gould.
Craig S. Mitchell has held various management positions with Morris
Communications Company LLC for more than the past five years. He currently
serves as its Vice President of Finance and Treasurer and is also a member of
its board of directors.
William S. Morris III has served as the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Morris Communications for more than the past five years. He was the
Chairman of the board of directors of the Newspapers Association of America for
1999-2000.
Thomas V. Reifenheiser served for more than five years as a Managing
Director and Group Executive of the Global Media and Telecom Group of Chase
Securities Inc. until his retirement in September 2000. He joined Chase in 1963
and had been the Global Media and Telecom Group Executive since 1977. He also
had been a director of the Management Committee of The Chase Manhattan Bank. Mr.
Reifenheiser is a member of the board of directors of Cablevision Systems
Corporation and Lamar Advertising Company, a leading owner and operator of
outdoor advertising and logo sign displays.
Natale S. Ricciardi has held various management positions with Pfizer Inc.
for more than the past five years. Mr. Ricciardi joined Pfizer in 1972 and
currently serves as its Vice President, U.S. Manufacturing, with responsibility
for all of Pfizer's U.S. manufacturing facilities.
Robert L. Winikoff has been a partner of the law firm of Sonnenschein Nath
& Rosenthal since August 2000. Prior thereto, he was a partner of the law firm
of Cooperman Levitt Winikoff Lester & Newman, P.C. for more than five years.
Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal currently serves as MCC's outside general counsel
and prior to such representation Cooperman Levitt Winikoff Lester & Newman, P.C.
served as MCC's outside general counsel since 1995.
77
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The executive officers and directors of MCC are compensated exclusively by
MCC and do not receive any separate compensation from Mediacom Broadband LLC or
Mediacom Broadband Corporation. MCC acts as our manager and in return receives a
management fee.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Mediacom Broadband Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mediacom
Broadband LLC. MCC is the sole voting member of Mediacom Broadband. The address
of MCC is 100 Crystal Run Road, Middletown, New York 10941.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS
Pursuant to management agreements between MCC and our operating
subsidiaries, which commenced on the respective dates of the acquisitions of the
AT&T cable systems, MCC is entitled to receive annual management fees in amounts
not to exceed 4.0% of our gross operating revenues. For the year ended December
31, 2002, MCC received $6.4 million of such management fees.
Other Relationships
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation,
Salomon Smith Barney Inc., BNY Capital Markets, Inc. and other investment
banking firms or their affiliates have in the past engaged in transactions with
and performed services for us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of
business, including commercial banking, financial advisory and investment
banking services. Furthermore, these companies or their affiliates may perform
similar services for us and our affiliates in the future. Affiliates of certain
of these companies are agents and lenders under our subsidiary credit facility.
The Bank of New York, an affiliate of BNY Capital Markets, Inc., acts as trustee
for our senior notes.
On June 29, 2001, we received a $336.4 million equity contribution from
MCC. We received an additional $388.6 million equity contribution from MCC on
July 18, 2001.
On July 18, 2001, we received a $150.0 million preferred equity investment
from Mediacom LLC. The preferred equity investment has a 12% annual dividend,
payable quarterly in cash. During the year ended December 31, 2002, we paid in
aggregate $18.0 million in cash dividends on the preferred equity.
In July and October 2002, we paid cash dividends of $4.5 million and $6.0
million, respectively, to MCC.
78
ITEM 14. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Mediacom Broadband LLC
Within the 90 days prior to the filing date of this report, Mediacom
Broadband LLC ("Mediacom Broadband") carried out an evaluation, under the
supervision and with the participation of Mediacom Broadband's management,
including Mediacom Broadband's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Mediacom
Broadband's disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-14 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Mediacom Broadband's
disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to
material information relating to Mediacom Broadband (including Mediacom
Broadband's consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in Mediacom
Broadband's periodic SEC filings.
There have been no significant changes in Mediacom Broadband's internal
controls or in other factors which could significantly affect internal controls
subsequent to the date Mediacom Broadband carried out its evaluation.
Mediacom Broadband Corporation
Within the 90 days prior to the filing date of this report, Mediacom
Broadband Corporation carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with
the participation of Mediacom Broadband Corporation's management, including
Mediacom Broadband Corporation's Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial
Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Mediacom Broadband
Corporation's disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-14 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief
Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that Mediacom
Broadband Corporation's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in
timely alerting them to material information relating to Mediacom Broadband
Corporation required to be included in Mediacom Broadband Corporation's periodic
SEC filings.
There have been no significant changes in Mediacom Broadband Corporation's
internal controls or in other factors which could significantly affect internal
controls subsequent to the date Mediacom Broadband Corporation carried out its
evaluation.
79
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Financial Statements
Our financial statements as set forth in the Index to Consolidated
Financial Statements under Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K are hereby
incorporated by reference.
Exhibits
(b) The following exhibits, which are numbered in accordance with Item 601 of
Regulation S-K, are filed herewith or, as noted, incorporated by reference
herein:
Exhibit
Number Exhibit Description
- --------- -------------------
2.1 Asset Purchase Agreement, dated February 26, 2001 among Mediacom
Communications Corporation and the AT&T Broadband Parties (Central
Missouri) /(1)/
2.2 Asset Purchase Agreement, dated February 26, 2001 among Mediacom
Communications Corporation and the AT&T Broadband Parties (Georgia)
/(1)/
2.3 Asset Purchase Agreement, dated February 26, 2001 among Mediacom
Communications Corporation and the AT&T Broadband Parties
(Iowa/Illinois) /(1)/
2.4 Asset Purchase Agreement, dated February 26, 2001 among Mediacom
Communications Corporation and the AT&T Broadband Parties (Southern
Illinois) /(1)/
3.1 Certificate of Formation of Mediacom Broadband LLC /(2)/
3.2 Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of
Mediacom Broadband LLC /(2)/
3.3 Certificate of Incorporation of Mediacom Broadband Corporation /(2)/
3.4 By-Laws of Mediacom Broadband Corporation /(2)/
4.1 Indenture relating to 11% senior notes due 2013 of Mediacom Broadband
LLC and Mediacom Broadband Corporation /(2)/
4.2 Indenture Supplement No. 1, dated as of August 6, 2002, to the
Indenture relating to 11% senior notes due 2013 of Mediacom Broadband
LLC and Mediacom Broadband Corporation./(3)/
10.1 Credit Agreement dated as of July 18, 2001 for the Mediacom Broadband
Subsidiary Credit Facility. /(2)/
10.2 Amendment No. 1 dated September 12, 2002 between MCC Iowa LLC, MCC
Illinois LLC, MCC Georgia LLC, MCC Missouri LLC and JPMorgan Chase
Bank, as administrative agent for the lenders. /(4)/
21.1 Subsidiaries of Mediacom Broadband LLC /(2)/
23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
23.2 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
23.3 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP /(5)/
80
(c) Financial Statement Schedule
None.
(d) Reports On Form 8-K
The Company filed the following report on Form 8-K during the three months
ended December 31, 2002:
Date of Report Date Report Filed With Sec Item Reported
-------------- -------------------------- -------------
November 13, 2002 November 13, 2002 Item 9 - Regulation FD Disclosure
- ----------
/(1)/ Filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2000 of Mediacom Communications Corporation and
incorporated herein by reference.
/(2)/ Filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File
No. 333-72440) of Mediacom Broadband LLC and Mediacom Broadband Corporation and
incorporated herein by reference.
/(3)/ Filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 30, 2002 of Mediacom Communications Corporation and
incorporated herein by reference.
/(4)/ Filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2002 of Mediacom Communications Corporation and
incorporated herein by reference.
/(5)/ The consolidated financial statements of Mediacom Broadband LLC and
Mediacom Broadband Corporation (the "Registrants") as of December 31, 2001 and
2000 and for the years then ended included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
which are incorporated by reference into the Registrants' Registration Statement
on Form S-3/A (File Nos. 333-82124-02 and 333-82124-03), have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants ("AA"). However, after
reasonable efforts, the Registrants have been unable to obtain the written
consent of AA with respect to the incorporation by reference of such financial
statements in the Registration Statement. Therefore, the Registrants have
dispensed with the requirement to file the written consent of AA in reliance
upon Rule 437a of the Securities Act of 1933. As a result, you may not be able
to recover damages from AA under Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, for
any untrue statements of material fact or any omissions to state a material
fact, if any, contained in the aforementioned financial statements of the
Registrants which are incorporated in the Registration Statement by reference.
81
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.
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC
March 31, 2003 BY: /s/ Rocco B. Commisso
---------------------------
Rocco B. Commisso
Manager, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
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.
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
/s/ Rocco B. Commisso Manager, Chairman and March 31, 2003
- ------------------------------ Chief Executive Officer (principal
Rocco B. Commisso executive officer)
/s/ Mark E. Stephan Senior Vice President, March 31, 2003
- ------------------------------ Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Mark E. Stephan (principal financial officer and principal
accounting officer)
82
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.
MEDIACOM BROADBAND CORPORATION
March 31, 2003 By: /s/ Rocco B. Commisso
---------------------------
Rocco B. Commisso
President, Chief Executive
Officer and Director
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.
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
/s/ Rocco B. Commisso President, Chief Executive Officer March 31, 2003
- ------------------------------ and Director (principal executive officer)
Rocco B. Commisso
/s/ Mark E. Stephan Treasurer and Secretary March 31, 2003
- ------------------------------ (principal financial officer
Mark E. Stephan and principal accounting officer)
83
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Rocco B. Commisso, certify that:
(1) I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Mediacom Broadband LLC;
(2) Based on my knowledge, this annual 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 annual report;
(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this annual 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 annual 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 annual 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 annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c) presented in this annual 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 the audit
committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the
equivalent function):
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 weaknesses 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
annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal
controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal
controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including
any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material
weaknesses.
March 31, 2003 BY: /s/ Rocco B. Commisso
---------------------------
Rocco B. Commisso
Chief Executive Officer
84
I, Rocco B. Commisso, certify that:
(1) I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Mediacom Broadband
Corporation;
(2) Based on my knowledge, this annual 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 annual report;
(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this annual 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 annual 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 annual 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 annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c) presented in this annual 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 the audit
committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the
equivalent function):
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 weaknesses 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
annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal
controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal
controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including
any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material
weaknesses.
March 31, 2003 BY: /s/ Rocco B. Commisso
---------------------------
Rocco B. Commisso
Chief Executive Officer
85
I, Mark E. Stephan, certify that:
(1) I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Mediacom Broadband LLC;
(2) Based on my knowledge, this annual 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 annual report;
(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this annual 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 annual 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 annual 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 annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c) presented in this annual 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 the audit
committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the
equivalent function):
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 weaknesses 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
annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal
controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal
controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including
any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material
weaknesses.
March 31, 2003 BY: /s/ Mark E. Stephan
---------------------------
Mark E. Stephan
Chief Financial Officer
86
I, Mark E. Stephan, certify that:
(1) I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Mediacom Broadband
Corporation;
(2) Based on my knowledge, this annual 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 annual report;
(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this annual 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 annual 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 annual 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 annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c) presented in this annual 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 the audit
committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the
equivalent function):
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 weaknesses 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
annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal
controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal
controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including
any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material
weaknesses.
March 31, 2003 BY: /s/ Mark E. Stephan
---------------------------
Mark E. Stephan
Principal Financial Officer
87