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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
[x] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ................... to ....................
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-6813
Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 36-4249478
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)
680 NORTH LAKE SHORE DRIVE, CHICAGO, IL 60611
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (312) 751-8000
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:
Name of each exchange
Title of each class on which registered
------------------- ----------------------
Class A Common Stock, par value
$0.01 per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New York Stock Exchange
Pacific Exchange
Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share . . . . New York Stock Exchange
Pacific Exchange
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT: NONE
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has 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 registrant's 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. ___
The aggregate market value of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
share, held by nonaffiliates (based upon the closing sale price on the New York
Stock Exchange) on February 28, 1999 was $33,216,081. The aggregate market value
of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, held by nonaffiliates (based
upon the closing sale price on the New York Stock Exchange) on February 28, 1999
was $210,690,624. These amounts do not reflect the effect of the acquisition of
Spice Entertainment Companies, Inc. on March 15, 1999.
As of February 28, 1999, there were 4,748,954 shares of Class A Common Stock,
par value $0.01 per share, and 15,878,188 shares of Class B Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share, outstanding. These amounts do not reflect an additional
approximately 2,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock issued in connection with
the acquisition of Spice Entertainment Companies, Inc. on March 15, 1999.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Documents Form 10-K Reference
- - --------- -------------------
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Part III, Items 10-13, to
Statement (to be filed) relating to the Annual the extent described
Meeting of Stockholders to be held in May 1999 therein
PLAYBOY ENTERPRISES, INC.
1998 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
---
PART I
Item 1. Business............................................................................. 3
Item 2. Properties........................................................................... 21
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.................................................................... 22
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.................................. 23
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters................. 24
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.............................................................. 24
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 26
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk........................... 39
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.......................................... 40
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. 64
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant................................... 64
Item 11. Executive Compensation............................................................... 64
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management....................... 64
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions....................................... 64
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K..................... 64
2
PART I
Item 1. Business
- - ----------------
The term "Company" means Playboy Enterprises, Inc., together with its
subsidiaries and predecessors, unless the context otherwise requires. The
Company was organized in 1953 to publish Playboy magazine. Since its inception,
the Company has expanded its publishing operations and has engaged in
entertainment businesses that are related to the content and style of Playboy
magazine. Additionally, the Company licenses its trademarks for use on various
consumer products, operates direct marketing and online businesses and is
reentering the casino gaming business.
The Company's businesses are classified into six reportable segments:
Publishing, Entertainment, Product Marketing, Catalog, Casino Gaming and Playboy
Online. Beginning in fiscal year 1998, Playboy Online results, which were
previously reported in the Publishing and Catalog Groups, are reported as a
separate operating group. The net revenues, income (loss) before income taxes
and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, identifiable assets and
depreciation and amortization of each reportable segment are set forth in Note R
of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company's trademarks are vital to the success and future growth of all of
the Company's businesses. The trademarks, which are renewable periodically and
which can be renewed indefinitely, include Playboy, Playmate, Rabbit Head
Design, Sarah Coventry, Critics' Choice Video, Collectors' Choice Music and
AdulTVision.
On November 6, 1997, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board")
approved a change in the Company's fiscal year end from June 30 to December 31,
which better aligns the Company's businesses with its customers and partners who
also operate and plan on a calendar-year basis. This change resulted in a six-
month transition period from July 1, 1997 through December 31, 1997 (the
"transition period"). The fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 represents the
first full calendar year subsequent to this change.
PUBLISHING GROUP
The Company's Publishing Group operations include the publication of Playboy
magazine, other domestic publishing businesses (including newsstand specials,
calendars and books) and the licensing of international editions of Playboy
magazine.
The revenues and operating income of the Publishing Group were as follows for
the periods indicated in the following table (in millions):
Fiscal Year Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended
12/31/98 12/31/97* 6/30/97* 6/30/96*
----------- ----------- ---------- -----------
REVENUES
Playboy magazine........... $ 108.3 $ 50.8 $ 104.9 $ 105.3
Other domestic publishing.. 18.7 10.2 20.8 20.3
International publishing... 11.0 5.3 10.0 6.2
--------- ---------- --------- ---------
Total Revenues............. $ 138.0 $ 66.3 $ 135.7 $ 131.8
========= ========== ========= =========
OPERATING INCOME........... $ 6.3 $ 3.9 $ 8.7 $ 9.0
========= ========== ========= =========
* Certain reclassifications have been made to conform to the current
presentation.
PLAYBOY MAGAZINE
Founded by Hugh M. Hefner in 1953, Playboy magazine is the best-selling men's
monthly magazine in the world. Worldwide monthly circulation, which includes
international editions, is approximately 4.5 million copies. Approximately 3.2
million copies of the U.S. edition are sold monthly. International sales of the
U.S. edition of Playboy magazine and 17 licensed international editions extend
the magazine's reach to approximately 50 countries worldwide. According to Fall
1998 data published by Mediamark Research, Inc. ("MRI"), the U.S. edition of
Playboy magazine is read by approximately one in every eight men in the United
States aged 18 to 34.
3
Playboy magazine is a general-interest magazine for men and offers a balanced
variety of features. It has gained a loyal customer base and a reputation for
excellence by providing quality entertainment and informative articles on
current issues and trends. Each issue of Playboy magazine includes an in-depth,
candid interview with a well-known, thought-provoking personality. Over the
magazine's 45-year history, exclusive interviews have included prominent public
figures (e.g., Martin Luther King, Jr., Jimmy Carter, Fidel Castro, Mike
Wallace, Rush Limbaugh and James Carville), business leaders (e.g., Bill Gates,
David Geffen, Tommy Hilfiger and Ted Turner), entertainers (e.g., Steve Martin,
Jerry Seinfeld, David Letterman, Jay Leno, Mel Gibson, Bruce Willis and John
Travolta), authors (e.g., Salman Rushdie, Anne Rice, Ray Bradbury, Alex Haley
and James Michener) and sports figures (e.g., Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali and
Brett Favre). The magazine also regularly publishes the works of leading
journalists, authors and other prominent individuals. For example, Playboy
magazine has published fiction by Scott Turow, Jay McInerney, John Updike and
Margaret Atwood, articles by Michael Crichton, Bill Maher and William F.
Buckley, and book adaptations by Tony Horwitz (Middle East correspondent for The
Wall Street Journal) and Pulitzer Prize winning author William Kennedy. It has
long been known for its graphic excellence and features and publishes the work
of top artists and photographers. Playboy magazine also features lifestyle
articles on consumer products, fashion, automobiles and consumer electronics and
covers the worlds of sports and entertainment. It is also renowned for its
pictorials of beautiful women and frequently features celebrities on its cover
and in exclusive pictorials (among them Farrah Fawcett, Pamela Anderson, Elle
Macpherson, Jenny McCarthy, Cindy Crawford, Sharon Stone, Madonna and Katarina
Witt).
The net circulation revenues of the U.S. edition of Playboy magazine for
fiscal year 1998, the transition period and fiscal years 1997 and 1996 were
$75.4 million, $37.2 million, $74.8 million and $76.2 million, respectively. Net
circulation revenues are gross revenues less provisions for newsstand returns
and unpaid subscriptions, and commissions. Circulation revenue comparisons may
be materially impacted with respect to any period which includes one or more
issues of unusually high public interest.
According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations ("ABC"), an independent audit
agency, Playboy magazine's circulation rate base (the total newsstand and
subscription circulation guaranteed to advertisers) at December 31, 1998 was
larger than each of Newsweek and Cosmopolitan, and also greater than the
combined circulation rate bases of Rolling Stone, Esquire and GQ, which have
substantial adult male audiences. Playboy magazine's rate base compares to that
of other selected publications as noted in the following table:
Selected U.S. Consumer Publications Rate Base (1) Ranking (2)
----------------------------------- ------------ ----------
Reader's Digest.................................................... 15.00 1
TV Guide........................................................... 11.80 2
National Geographic................................................ 8.50 3
Time............................................................... 4.00 10
People............................................................. 3.25 11
PLAYBOY............................................................ 3.15 12
Sports Illustrated................................................. 3.15 12
Newsweek........................................................... 3.10 14
Cosmopolitan....................................................... 2.30 18
Rolling Stone...................................................... 1.25 46
Business Week...................................................... 0.88 85
Esquire............................................................ 0.65 109
GQ................................................................. 0.65 109
______________________
(1) Represents rate base at December 31, 1998 (in millions) as reported by
ABC.
(2) Based on rate base at December 31, 1998 as reported by ABC.
Effective with the January 1996 issue, the Company reduced the rate base 7%
from 3.40 million to 3.15 million in order to enable the Company to manage
circulation more profitably, while maintaining the magazine's circulation
leadership as the best-selling men's monthly magazine. Management anticipates a
further reduction in the rate base to reflect the growing inefficiencies and
costs of maintaining a high-quality, large circulation, single title publishing
operation in an environment of decreasing results from sweepstakes marketing
efforts and consolidation among magazine wholesalers and distributors.
4
Playboy magazine has historically generated over two-thirds of its revenues
from subscription and newsstand circulation, with the remainder primarily from
advertising. Subscription copies as a percentage of total copies sold were
approximately 80% for fiscal year 1998. The Company believes that managing
Playboy's circulation to be primarily subscription driven, like most major
magazines, provides a stable and desirable circulation base, which is also
attractive to advertisers. According to the MRI data previously mentioned, the
median age of male Playboy readers is 32, with a median annual household income
of approximately $43,000. The Company also derives meaningful income from the
rental of Playboy magazine's subscriber list, which consists of the subscriber's
name, address and other information maintained by the Company.
The price of a one-year subscription ranges from $14.98 to $29.88, depending
on the source of the subscription and the length of time the subscription has
been held. The Company continually tests a variety of subscription pricing
strategies. The Company attracts new subscribers to the magazine through its own
direct mail advertising campaigns, subscription agent campaigns and the
Internet. The Company recognizes revenues from magazine subscriptions over the
terms of the subscriptions.
Subscription copies of the magazine are delivered through the U.S. Postal
Service as second class mail. The Company attempts to contain these costs
through presorting and other methods. The Publishing Group will be adversely
impacted by a general postal rate increase of approximately 4% effective January
1999.
Playboy magazine is one of the highest priced magazines in the United States.
The basic U.S. newsstand cover price has been $4.95 ($5.95 for holiday issues)
since fiscal year 1993. The Company increased the Canadian cover price to C$5.95
(C$6.95 for holiday issues) in fiscal year 1995. There were no newsstand price
increases in fiscal year 1998 for copies sold in the United States or Canada,
except for the October 1998 issue featuring Cindy Crawford. No newsstand price
increases are currently planned for fiscal year 1999.
Distribution of the magazine to newsstands and other retail outlets is
accomplished through Warner Publisher Services ("Warner"), a national
distributor that maintains a network of approximately 200 wholesale
distributors. Copies of the magazine are shipped in bulk to the wholesalers,
which are responsible for local retail distribution. The Company receives a
substantial cash advance from Warner at the time each issue goes on sale. The
Company recognizes revenues from newsstand sales based on estimated copy sales
at the time each issue goes on sale, and adjusts for actual sales upon
settlement with Warner. These revenue adjustments are not material on an annual
basis. Retailers return unsold copies to the wholesalers who count and then
shred the returned magazines and report the returns via affidavit. The Company
then settles with Warner based on the number of magazines actually sold. The
number of issues sold on newsstands varies from month to month, depending in
part on the cover, the pictorials and the editorial features.
Playboy magazine targets a wide range of advertisers. Advertising by
category, as a percent of total ad pages, was as follows:
Fiscal Year Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended
Advertising Category 12/31/98 12/31/97 6/30/97 6/30/96
-------------------- ----------- ---------- ----------- -----------
Tobacco....................................... 25% 23% 21% 24%
Retail/Direct Mail............................ 23 21 23 25
Beer/Wine/Liquor.............................. 22 22 24 19
Home Electronics.............................. 6 9 4 1
Toiletries/Cosmetics.......................... 6 4 7 9
Jewelry/Optical/Photo......................... 5 4 4 3
Drugs/Remedies................................ 4 5 3 3
Entertainment................................. 3 3 3 2
Automotives................................... 2 3 4 8
Apparel/Footwear/Accessories.................. 2 3 4 3
All Other..................................... 2 3 3 3
-------- -------- ------- -------
100% 100% 100% 100%
======== ======== ======= =======
5
The Company continues to focus on securing new advertisers from
underdeveloped categories. The Company has been utilizing a national trade
campaign, Growing Up, I never thought I'd be in Playboy, which features top
executives from top advertisers talking about the power and appeal of the
magazine and the Playboy brand. The thrust of the campaign is to reinforce the
mainstream, upscale nature of the publication and its readership to the
advertising community, specifically targeting the fashion, fragrance and
consumer electronics categories. The magazine includes approximately 550-600
advertising pages per year. The Company implemented 7% and 6% cost per thousand
("CPM") increases in advertising rates effective with the January 1999 and 1998
issues, respectively.
The Company publishes the U.S. edition of Playboy magazine in 15 advertising
editions: one upper income zip-coded, eight regional, two state and four metro.
All contain the same editorial material but provide targeting opportunities for
advertisers. The net advertising revenues of the U.S. edition of Playboy
magazine for fiscal year 1998, the transition period and fiscal years 1997 and
1996 were $30.8 million, $13.7 million, $28.4 million and $27.4 million,
respectively. Net advertising revenues are gross revenues less advertising
agency commissions, frequency and cash discounts and rebates. Levels of
advertising revenues may be affected by, among other things, general economic
activity and governmental regulation of advertising content.
The Playboy Jazz Festival provides advertisers sponsorship and advertising
opportunities through the festival at the Hollywood Bowl, the published Jazz
Festival program, free community concerts, and a national public radio
broadcast. The Company has produced this music event on an annual basis in Los
Angeles at the Hollywood Bowl since June 1979.
Playboy magazine and newsstand specials are printed at Quad/Graphics, Inc.,
located in Wisconsin, which then ships the product to subscribers and Warner.
The actual print run varies each month and is determined with input from Warner.
Paper is the principal raw material used in the production of Playboy magazine.
The Company uses a variety of types of high-quality coated paper that is
purchased from a number of suppliers. The market for paper has historically been
cyclical, resulting in volatility in paper prices. The Publishing Group expects
an approximate 8% decrease in paper prices effective with the May 1999 issue.
Members of the magazine publishing industry, including the Company, receive a
significant portion of their advertising revenues from companies selling tobacco
products. Significant legislative or regulatory limitations on the ability of
those companies to advertise in magazines could materially adversely affect the
Company's operating performance. The Company does not believe that it will be
impacted by the Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA") regulation announced in
August 1996 which prohibits the publication of tobacco advertisements containing
drawings, colors or pictures. The regulation does not apply to a magazine which
is demonstrated to be an "adult publication," which means a publication (a)
whose readers younger than 18 years of age constitute no more than 15% of total
readership and (b) is read by fewer than two million persons younger than 18
years of age, in each case, as measured by competent and reliable survey
evidence. Based on information available to the Company on its readership, the
Company believes that Playboy magazine qualifies as an "adult publication" and
that the regulation is not applicable to the magazine. If, however, Playboy
magazine were not deemed to be an "adult publication," compliance with the
regulation could have a material adverse effect on the Company. On April 25,
1997, the Federal District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina ruled
that the FDA has no authority under existing law to restrict the advertising and
promotion of tobacco products and ordered the FDA not to implement any of the
advertising and promotion restrictions contained in the regulation. The
Government appealed this ruling. On August 14, 1998, a three-judge panel of the
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals (the "Fourth Circuit Court") invalidated the
FDA's authority to issue regulations restricting tobacco advertising. The
Government has appealed this decision to the Fourth Circuit Court.
From time to time, Playboy magazine, and certain of its distribution outlets
and advertisers, have been the target of certain groups who seek to limit its
availability because of its content. In its 45-year history, the Company has
never sold a product that has been judged to be obscene or illegal in any U.S.
jurisdiction.
The National Defense Authorization Act of 1997 was signed into law in
September 1996. One section of that legislation that began as the Military Honor
and Decency Act (the "Military Act") bans the sale or rental of "sexually
explicit material" on property under the jurisdiction of the Department of
Defense. A federal district court found the Military Act to be unconstitutional
and permanently enjoined its enforcement. The district court's decision also
prohibited the Department of Defense from modifying its acquisition and stocking
practices as a result of the Military Act. The government appealed the district
court's decision, and the decision was stayed during this appeal. On
6
November 21, 1997, the United States Court of Appeals (the "Court of Appeals")
vacated the district court's decision and ordered the district court to hold the
Military Act constitutional. The Court of Appeals' decision was stayed pending
appeal to the United States Supreme Court (the "Supreme Court"). On June 27,
1998, the Supreme Court, without comment, refused to hear the appeal, and the
Court of Appeals' stay was lifted. On September 21, 1998, the Department of
Defense issued a directive that the Military Act was not applicable to the
Company's publications and that the sale of Playboy magazine, newsstand specials
and most of the Company's videos would not be prohibited at commissaries, PX's
and ship stores.
Magazine publishing companies face intense competition for both readers and
advertising. Magazines primarily aimed at men are Playboy magazine's principal
competitors. In addition, other types of media that carry advertising, such as
newspapers, radio, television and Internet sites, compete for advertising
revenues with Playboy magazine.
OTHER DOMESTIC PUBLISHING
The Publishing Group has also created media extensions, taking advantage of
the magazine's reputation for quality and its libraries of art, photography and
editorial text. These products include newsstand specials and calendars, which
are primarily sold in newsstand outlets and use both original photographs and
photographs from the Company's library. The group expects to publish 24
newsstand specials in fiscal year 1999. In fiscal year 1998, the transition
period and fiscal years 1997 and 1996, the group published 23, 11, 22 and 21
newsstand specials, respectively. The last increase in the newsstand cover price
(to $6.95) for newsstand specials was implemented in fiscal year 1996.
The Publishing Group also generates revenues from related businesses,
including books. In conjunction with an unaffiliated third party, the Company
released Inside the Playboy Mansion late in fiscal year 1998, featuring a
private glimpse, in photographs and text, into the innersanctums of the
legendary Playboy Mansions in both Chicago and Los Angeles. In conjunction with
this same third party, the Company also published The Playmate Book: Five
Decades of Centerfolds in fiscal year 1997, which featured photographs and
capsule biographies of 514 Playmates.
INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING
The Company licenses the right to publish 17 international editions of
Playboy magazine in the following countries: Australia, Brazil, Croatia, the
Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and Taiwan. The Company's equity
interest in the Polish edition was increased from 45% to a majority interest in
March 1996 and its results are consolidated in the Company's financial
statements accordingly. Combined average circulation of the international
editions is approximately 1.3 million copies monthly.
Local publishing licensees tailor their international editions by mixing the
work of their national writers and artists with editorial and pictorial material
from the U.S. edition. The Company monitors the content of the international
editions so that they retain the distinctive style, look and quality of the U.S.
edition, while meeting the needs of their respective markets. The terms of the
license agreements for Playboy magazine's international editions vary, but in
general are for terms of three or five years and carry a guaranteed minimum
royalty as well as a formula for computing earned royalties in excess of the
minimum. Royalty computations are generally based on both circulation and
advertising revenues. In fiscal year 1998, two editions, Brazil and Germany,
accounted for approximately 55% of the total licensing revenues from
international editions.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
The Company owned a 20% interest and had an option to acquire the remaining
80% interest in duPont Publishing, Inc. ("duPont") at a price based on fair
market value as of December 31, 1999. duPont is the publisher of three duPont
Registry magazines: A Buyers Gallery of Fine Automobiles, A Buyers Gallery of
Fine Homes and A Buyers Gallery of Fine Boats. On December 31, 1998, the Company
sold back to duPont the shares of duPont's common stock owned by the Company.
7
ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
The Company's Entertainment Group operations include the production and
marketing of programming through domestic Playboy TV, other domestic pay
television, international television and worldwide home video businesses as well
as the worldwide distribution of programming through AdulTVision and the
production or co-production and distribution of feature films.
On March 15, 1999, the Company completed its acquisition of Spice
Entertainment Companies, Inc. ("Spice"), a leading provider of adult television
entertainment. For each share of Spice common stock, stockholders of Spice
received $3.60 in cash and 0.1133 shares of the Company's Class B common stock.
The total transaction value, including assumption of debt, was approximately
$105 million. Spice stockholders also retained ownership of Directrix, Inc., a
former subsidiary of Spice that owns Spice's digital operations center, an
option to acquire Emerald Media, Inc. and certain rights to Spice's library of
adult films.
The revenues and operating income of the Entertainment Group were as follows
for the periods indicated in the following table (in millions):
Fiscal Year Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended
12/31/98 12/31/97 6/30/97 6/30/96
----------- ---------- ---------- ------------
REVENUES
Playboy TV
Cable.......................................... $ 21.3 $ 9.6 $ 21.2 $ 21.2
Satellite direct-to-home....................... 33.9 14.0 23.1 16.4
Off-network productions and other.............. 2.0 1.3 3.0 1.7
--------- --------- -------- --------
Total Playboy TV................................ 57.2 24.9 47.3 39.3
Domestic home video............................. 11.1 3.3 8.5 9.4
International TV and home video................. 14.7 4.7 12.2 11.9
--------- --------- -------- --------
Total Playboy Businesses........................ 83.0 32.9 68.0 60.6
AdulTVision..................................... 5.8 2.3 4.5 1.9
Movies and other................................ 2.2 2.1 2.2 2.3
--------- --------- -------- --------
Total Revenues.................................. $ 91.0 $ 37.3 $ 74.7 $ 64.8
========= ========= ======== ========
OPERATING INCOME
Profit contribution before programming expense.. $ 51.3 $ 19.2 $ 39.7 $ 30.5
Programming expense (a)......................... (25.1) (11.2) (21.4) (21.3)
--------- --------- -------- --------
Total Operating Income.......................... $ 26.2 $ 8.0 $ 18.3 $ 9.2
========= ========= ======== ========
(a) Includes amortization expense for all businesses listed above, including
AdulTVision and movies.
PROGRAMMING
The Entertainment Group develops, produces and distributes programming for
domestic Playboy TV, other domestic pay television, domestic home video and
international television and home video markets. Its productions have included
feature films, magazine-format shows, dramatic series, documentaries, live
events, anthologies of sexy short stories and celebrity and Playmate features.
The Company's programming is designed to be adapted easily into a number of
formats, enabling the Company to spread its relatively fixed programming costs
over multiple product lines. It features stylized eroticism in a variety of
entertaining formats for men and women, with an emphasis on programming for
couples. The programming does not contain depictions of explicit sex or scenes
that link sexuality with violence, and is consistent with the level of taste and
quality established by Playboy magazine.
The Company's Playboy-branded programming is available in the United States
and Canada through the domestic Playboy TV network, and internationally through
Playboy TV networks and, on a tier or program-by-program basis, through foreign
broadcasters. Domestic Playboy TV is offered on cable and through the satellite
direct-to-home ("DTH") market on a pay-per-view and monthly subscription basis.
There are currently international Playboy TV networks in the United Kingdom,
Japan, Latin America and Iberia, as well as an AdulTVision network in Latin
America. The Company plans to launch a Playboy TV network in Germany and
Scandinavia during fiscal
8
year 1999. The Company also distributes its programming on videocassettes,
laserdiscs and digital video discs ("DVDs"), which are sold through retail
outlets, the Company's Internet sites and direct mail, including two of the
Company's catalogs.
In December 1998, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement
with an affiliate of the Cisneros Group of Companies ("Cisneros"), one of Latin
America's most prominent conglomerates and broadcasters. The agreement is
subject to due diligence and definitive agreements being executed. The agreement
would create a joint venture that would facilitate a more rapid expansion of
Playboy TV and Spice into international markets as well as provide substantial
capital inflows to the Company for the international rights to the Company's
existing library and brands and for the licensing of new programming. As part of
the agreement, the joint venture would obtain the Company's interests in its
existing international networks. In addition, the joint venture would have the
right to create and distribute a Spanish-language network in the United States.
The Company invests in Playboy-style, original quality programming to support
its expanding businesses. The Company invested $24.6 million, $14.4 million,
$30.7 million and $25.5 million in entertainment programming in fiscal year
1998, the transition period and fiscal years 1997 and 1996, respectively. These
amounts, which include expenditures for Playboy-branded programming, AdulTVision
and feature films, resulted in the production of 136, 96, 166 and 120 hours of
original programming in fiscal year 1998, the transition period and fiscal years
1997 and 1996, respectively. At December 31, 1998, the Company's library of
primarily exclusive, Playboy-branded original programming totaled approximately
1,300 hours. In fiscal year 1999, the Company expects to invest approximately
$37.0 million in Company-produced and licensed programming, which would result
in the production of approximately 180 hours of original programming. These
amounts could vary based on the timing of completion of productions.
The following tables list movies produced or co-produced by the Company and
the series still in distribution, and certain information related to each:
MOVIES NUMBER OF RELEASES
------ ------------------
Playboy Films
Fiscal year 1998.............................Two
Transition period............................Two
Fiscal year 1997.............................Three
Fiscal year 1996.............................Four
The Eros Collection
Fiscal year 1998.............................Eleven
Transition period............................Two
Fiscal year 1997.............................Seventeen
Fiscal year 1996.............................Twelve
TITLE OF SERIES GENRE
--------------- -----
Beverly Hills Bordello.........................Anthology
Red Shoe Diaries...............................Anthology
Women: Stories of Passion......................Anthology
Erotic Fantasies...............................Anthology
Playboy's Love & Sex Test......................Game show
Playboy's Secret Confessions and Fantasies.....Hosted series
Eden...........................................Dramatic series
Inside Out.....................................Anthology
Playboy Late Night.............................Magazine-format
9
The Company releases feature films in the $1 million to $2 million range
under the Playboy Films label. These films are generally completed under co-
production and distribution agreements with, among others, the Motion Picture
Corporation of America ("MPCA"). These agreements are structured to jointly fund
the cost of a production and to share in the revenue streams. The Company is
responsible for distributing the film and shares the revenues, less associated
costs, with the other party. In fiscal year 1997, the Company signed a co-
production agreement with Zalman King Entertainment, Inc. ("Zalman King"). The
agreement provided for the Company and Zalman King to co-produce feature films,
three of which have been produced and released to date. In fiscal year 1998, the
Company also released a film that it produced exclusively. In addition to MPCA
and Zalman King, the Company has deals with two smaller production companies,
Royal Oaks Entertainment, Inc. and MRG Entertainment, Inc. ("MRG"). All of the
Playboy Films have also aired or will air on domestic Playboy TV.
The Company created and markets The Eros Collection, a line of small-budget,
non-Playboy-branded movies. These movies are released worldwide through
television and home video. In fiscal year 1997, seven of the films under the
Eros label were co-produced.
The Company and Orion Home Video ("Orion") signed an agreement in fiscal year
1996 to release a total of 18 Playboy Films and 24 Eros Collection films in the
domestic home video market. In July 1997, Orion was purchased by a division of
MGM/UA Home Entertainment ("MGM"). During the transition period, the Company
reached a cash settlement with MGM, relieving MGM of contract obligations
regarding distribution of the last nine Playboy Films in the original agreement.
The Company is currently in the process of selecting a new domestic distributor
for Playboy Films. In fiscal year 1998, the Company began distributing films
under the Eros label domestically through Universal Music & Video Distribution,
Inc. ("Uni"), its regular distributor of domestic home video product.
The Company's series air on domestic and international Playboy TV networks
and are marketed to distributors internationally. Additionally, some episodes
have been released as Playboy Home Video titles and/or have been licensed to
other networks. In fiscal year 1996, the Company began production of Women:
Stories of Passion ("Women"), a series of 30-minute erotic anthologies written,
produced and directed by women. The Company has licensed 39 episodes of the
Women series to Showtime Networks Inc. ("Showtime"). Broadcast initially by
Showtime, the series is then distributed worldwide by the Company.
As part of the co-production agreement with Zalman King discussed above, the
Company and Zalman King have also co-produced 18 new episodes of the popular
cable television series Red Shoe Diaries, all of which have been completed and
released. The production of these episodes was co-financed by the Company and
Showtime. The agreement grants the Company international distribution rights to
the new episodes of Red Shoe Diaries, plus 48 episodes previously aired on
Showtime. During fiscal year 1998, the Company continued to distribute the Women
and Red Shoe Diaries series, although no further episodes have been produced.
The Company also has an agreement with MRG related to Beverly Hills Bordello, a
new series of 30-minute erotic anthologies. The series consists of 27 episodes,
of which the Company has only international distribution rights for the first 13
episodes. The last 14 episodes were licensed by the Company to Showtime in
fiscal year 1998, are being distributed in the international TV market and will
air on domestic Playboy TV.
Seeking to leverage the Company's production experience, the Company created
Alta Loma Entertainment, Inc. in fiscal year 1998 to produce non-Playboy-branded
programming for broadcast by other networks. The first series is currently in
production and 13 episodes have been sold to HBO, with an option for additional
episodes.
PLAYBOY TV
When the Company introduced its domestic pay cable network, Playboy TV, in
1982, it was available only through monthly subscriptions. In December 1989, the
Company began to focus on the then-emerging pay-per-view market by promoting the
pay-per-view option in addition to the monthly subscription option. Pay-per-view
television enables a subscriber with an addressable set-top decoder or satellite
receiver to purchase a block of programming, an individual movie or an event for
a set fee. Pay-per-view also permits customers to purchase only as much of the
Company's programming as they wish and only when they desire to watch the
programming. Pay-per-view also permits customers to control the viewing of the
programming within their households. In addition, the relatively low price of an
evening of pay-per-view programming competes well with many other forms of
10
entertainment. Pay-per-view programming can be delivered through any number of
delivery methods, including: (a) cable television; (b) DTH to households with
large satellite dishes receiving a C-band low power analog or digital signal or
with small dishes receiving a Ku-band medium or high power digital signal (such
as those currently offered by DirecTV, PrimeStar and EchoStar); (c) wireless
cable systems; and (d) new technologies such as cable modem and the Internet. In
recent years, Playboy TV has added a significant number of viewers through the
DTH market, which is the fastest-growing segment of the pay television business.
Cable
The Company expanded Playboy TV from a 10-hour per night schedule to 24-hour
availability in May 1994. This change enabled the Company to increase revenues
through maximum utilization of its transponder on Hughes Communications' Galaxy
V satellite by offering more buying opportunities to the consumer. At December
31, 1998, Playboy TV was available to approximately 11.7 million cable
addressable households, a 1% increase compared to December 31, 1997.
The following table illustrates certain information regarding cable
households in general, and Playboy TV (in thousands):
Total Cable Total Playboy TV
Total Cable Addressable Cable Addressable
Households (a) Households (a) (b) Households (c)
-------------- ------------------ ------------------
June 30, 1996 62,850 26,400 11,300
June 30, 1997 64,000 29,350 11,200
December 31, 1997 64,500 30,700 11,600
December 31, 1998 65,900 33,200 11,700
Compound Annual Growth
Rate (June 30, 1996 -
December 31, 1998) 1.9% 9.6% 1.4%
________________________
(a) Source: Information reported by Paul Kagan Associates, Inc. ("Kagan")
for December 31 of each respective year. June 30 numbers were estimated
by the Company based on the December 31 information. Kagan projects
approximately 1% and 6% average annual increases in total cable
households and total cable addressable households, respectively,
through calendar year 2001.
(b) Represents the approximate number of cable addressable households to
which pay-per-view was available as of the end of the period.
(c) Represents the approximate number of cable addressable households to
which Playboy TV was available as of the end of the period.
Most cable service in the United States is distributed through large multiple
system operators ("MSOs"). At December 31, 1998, the Company had arrangements
with 19 of the nation's 20 largest MSOs. These 19 MSOs, through affiliated cable
systems ("Cable Affiliates"), controlled access to approximately 55.9 million,
or 85%, of the 65.9 million total cable households. Once arrangements are made
with an MSO, the Company is able to negotiate channel space for Playboy TV with
the Cable Affiliates controlled by that MSO, and acceptance by Cable Affiliates
provides the basis for expanding the Company's access to individual cable
households. Four of these 19 MSOs served approximately 9.6 million, or 82%, of
the approximately 11.7 million cable addressable households to which Playboy TV
was available at December 31, 1998. Consistent with industry practice, the
Company's agreements with Cable Affiliates are generally cancelable upon 60 or
90 days' notice by either party.
The performance of Playboy TV in individual cable systems varies based
principally on the pay-per-view ordering technology and the quantity and quality
of marketing done by the Cable Affiliates. Individual Cable Affiliates determine
the retail price of the pay-per-view service and prices average approximately
$5.70 for a block of Playboy TV programming. Individual Cable Affiliates also
determine the retail price of the monthly subscription service, where prices
average approximately $9.35, largely dependent on the number of premium services
to which a household subscribes.
In February 1996, the Company filed suit challenging Section 505 of the
Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the "Telecommunications Act"), which, among
other things, regulates the cable transmission of adult
11
programming, such as the Company's domestic pay television programs. Enforcement
of Section 505 of the Telecommunications Act ("Section 505") commenced May 18,
1997. The Company's full case on the merits was heard by the United States
District Court in Wilmington, Delaware (the "Delaware District Court") in March
1998. In December 1998, the Delaware District Court unanimously declared Section
505 unconstitutional. Even though the defendants have appealed this judgment,
the ruling gives cable systems the right to resume 24-hour broadcast of adult
services so long as cable systems comply with, and consumers are made aware of,
the "blocking on request" requirement of Section 504 of the Telecommunications
Act ("Section 504"). Management believes that the effect of Section 505 on the
Company's financial performance may continue until the case is finally decided.
See Part I. Item 3. "Legal Proceedings."
Additionally, management believes that the growth in cable access for the
Company's domestic pay television businesses has slowed in recent years due to
the effects of cable reregulation by the Federal Communications Commission
("FCC"), including the "going-forward rules" which provide cable operators with
incentives to add basic services. As cable operators have utilized available
channel space to comply with "must-carry" provisions, mandated retransmission
consent agreements and "leased access" provisions, competition for channel space
has increased. Further, the delay of new technology, primarily digital set-top
converters which would dramatically increase channel capacity, has contributed
to the slowdown. The major reason for this delay has been the unexpected
engineering problems and expenses associated with developing an affordable
digital set-top converter. Management believes that growth will continue to be
slow in the next two to three years as the cable television industry responds to
the FCC's rules and subsequent modifications, and develops new technology. Cable
operators have begun to introduce digital technology in order to upgrade their
cable systems and to counteract competition from DTH operators. Digital cable
television has several advantages over analog cable television, including more
channels, better audio and video quality and advanced set-top boxes that are
addressable, provide a secure fully scrambled signal and have integrated program
guides and advanced ordering technology. As digital technology, which is
unaffected by the relevant sections of the Telecommunications Act, becomes more
available, however, the Company believes that ultimately its pay television
networks will be available to the majority of cable households on a 24-hour
basis.
Additionally, from time to time, certain groups have sought to exclude the
Company's programming from local pay television distribution because of the
adult-oriented content of the programming. Management does not believe that any
such attempts will materially affect the Company's access to cable systems, but
the nature and impact of any such limitations in the future cannot be
determined.
Growth in the pay-per-view market is expected to result in part from cable
systems upgrades, utilizing fiber-optic, compression technologies or other
bandwidth expansion methods that provide cable operators additional channel
capacity. When implemented, compression technology, where employed, will
dramatically increase channel capacity. Industry analysts expect a large
percentage of this additional channel capacity to be dedicated to pay-per-view
programming. The timing and extent of these developments and their impact on the
Company cannot yet be determined.
Playboy TV's cable programming is delivered primarily through a
communications satellite transponder. The Company's current transponder lease,
effective January 1, 1993, contains protections typical in the industry against
transponder failure, including access to spare transponders. Access to the
transponder may be denied if: (a) the Company or the satellite owner is indicted
or otherwise charged as a defendant in a criminal proceeding; (b) the FCC issues
an order initiating a proceeding to revoke the satellite owner's authorization
to operate the satellite; (c) the satellite owner is ordered by a court or
governmental authority to deny the Company access to the transponder; or (d) it
becomes illegal to operate, transmit, distribute or sell the Company's
television services in the United States. The Company has the right, however, to
challenge any such denial and believes that the transponder will continue to be
available to it through the end of the expected life of the satellite (currently
estimated to be 2004). The Company's current lease term expires October 30, 2001
and can be renewed for an additional three years. Material limitations on the
Company's access to cable systems or satellite transponder capacity could
materially adversely affect the Company's operating performance. There have been
no instances in which the Company has been denied access to the transponder it
leases.
Competition among providers of cable services for channel space and viewer
spending is intense. The Company competes in this segment of its business
primarily on the basis of its brand name and its original unique quality
programming. Playboy TV's competition varies in the type and quality of
programming offered and includes adult movie services that offer primarily third
party programming. As the Company's agreements with cable operators have come up
for renewal or renegotiation, the Company has experienced significant
competition from these competitors with respect to the revenue split between the
cable operator and the Company. The Company
12
believes that a majority of its current fee arrangements with its Cable
Affiliates with respect to Playboy TV are generally more favorable to the
Company as a service provider than fee arrangements offered by its adult movie
service competitors, and less favorable to the Company as a service provider
than fee arrangements offered by general interest movie service competitors,
like HBO. While there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
maintain its current fee structures in the face of price competition, the
Company believes that strong Playboy brand recognition, the quality of its
programming and its resulting ability to appeal more effectively to a broader
range of adult audiences are critical factors which will continue to
differentiate Playboy TV from its competitors. In fiscal year 1996, in part as a
response to such price competition, the Company launched a flanker network,
AdulTVision, to provide a lower-cost product that, in combination with Playboy
TV, can result in a more attractive overall fee arrangement for cable operators.
With the acquisition of Spice (the "Spice Acquisition"), the Company expects
that the overall package available to cable operators will improve, thereby
strengthening the Company's performance in the cable industry.
DTH
In addition to cable, the Company provides Playboy TV via encrypted signal,
on both a pay-per-view and monthly subscription basis, to home satellite dish
viewers. The DTH market, which is not impacted by Section 505, is the fastest-
growing segment of Playboy TV, with DTH revenues exceeding cable revenues
beginning in fiscal year 1997. Playboy TV was available on a pay-per-view and/or
monthly subscription basis to the following number of DTH households (in
thousands):
Dec. 31, Dec. 31, June 30, June 30,
1998 1997 1997 1996
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------
DTH Households 9,800 6,800 6,300 4,900
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Playboy TV was one of the first networks to be launched on DirecTV, the first
commercial digital broadcast satellite ("DBS") service. This service provides
exceptional improvements in program delivery and consumer interface to
households equipped with digital satellite system receiving units, consisting of
an 18-inch satellite antenna, a digital receiver box and a remote control.
Playboy TV was added to a second DBS service, PrimeStar, and is available on
both DirecTV and PrimeStar 24 hours a day on a pay-per-view as well as a
subscription basis. Playboy TV is now also available on EchoStar in the United
States, and on ExpressVu and Star Choice in Canada, making it the only adult
service to be available on all five DBS services in the United States and
Canada. The significant growth in the DBS market has provided the Company with
an expanded customer base via a digital transmission which has historically
produced higher buy rates than analog cable markets.
DOMESTIC HOME VIDEO
The Company also distributes its original programming domestically via
videocassettes, laserdiscs and DVDs that are sold in video and music stores and
other retail outlets, the Company's Internet sites and through direct mail,
including two of the Company's catalogs. Playboy Home Video is one of the
largest-selling brands of non-theatrically released, special-interest videos in
the United States. Playboy Home Video was named one of Billboard magazine's "Top
Video Sales Labels" for calendar years 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995. The format of
Playboy Home Video is consistent with the style, quality and focus of Playboy
magazine. The Company also releases home video titles under the Eros Collection
label.
The Company plans to release 15 Playboy Home Video titles in fiscal year
1999. In fiscal year 1998, the Company released 16 new Playboy Home Video
titles, 14 of which had entered the top 15 on Billboard magazine's weekly Top
Video Sales Chart (the "Sales Chart") by the end of fiscal year 1998. During
the transition period, the Company released eight new Playboy Home Video titles,
all of which entered the top 20 on the Sales Chart during the transition period.
Farrah Fawcett: All of Me was released in August 1997 and became the third
Playboy title to reach the number one position on the Sales Chart where it
remained for two weeks. The Company released 14 new Playboy Home Video titles
in fiscal year 1997, all of which entered the top 20 on the Sales Chart during
the fiscal year, with 11 of the 14 also reaching the top 10. In fiscal year
1996, the Company released 14 new Playboy Home Video titles, including The Best
of Anna Nicole Smith which reached the number two spot on the Sales Chart. Eight
of the 14 new titles entered the top five on the Sales Chart in fiscal year
1996. The Best of Jenny McCarthy was released in June 1996
13
and became the second Playboy title to reach the number one spot on the Sales
Chart, a position it held for five weeks in the summer of 1996. Due to its
outstanding performance throughout the year, this title held the number four
position in Billboard magazine's 1996 Year in Video Chart.
In addition to retail sales, the Company also sells its videos through
direct-marketing channels, including Playboy magazine, the Playboy catalog, the
Critics' Choice Video catalog and the Company's Internet sites. The Company has
also entered into various direct-marketing alliances for the sales of its
continuity series, which entails selling a series of videos through direct mail
efforts. Each month the customer receives a new video of a Playmate. In fiscal
year 1997, the Company introduced a second continuity series featuring new
products with Sony Music Direct. Through the Sony agreement, monthly centerfold
videos are sold to existing and new customers. As of June 1997, Sony Music
Direct also took over from Time Life Inc. the marketing and distribution of the
first continuity series representing the core retail product line to new direct
response customers.
The Company's Playboy Home Video products are distributed in the United
States and Canada by Uni. With respect to new release titles, the Company is
responsible for manufacturing the video product and for certain marketing and
sales functions. The Company's home video titles are generally released once a
month. Wholesalers and retailers order units of a title through Uni's sales
force for sell through to the customer. Uni ships the orders, warehouses the
inventory, invoices the wholesalers and retailers and collects monies due. Uni
receives a distribution fee on sales of these new releases and remits a net
amount to the Company. The Company and Uni have a different distribution
agreement, which was extended in fiscal year 1998, related to backlist titles
(titles in release for longer than a year) that shifts manufacturing and
marketing responsibilities to Uni. The Company receives annual guarantees for
the backlist titles, and monies earned on these titles are offset against the
guarantee.
The Company also distributes its video programming via laserdiscs and,
beginning in fiscal year 1997, the new DVD format, through agreements with Image
Entertainment, Inc.
INTERNATIONAL TV AND HOME VIDEO
Internationally, Playboy-branded programming is available in approximately
150 countries and territories, either on a tier or program-by-program basis or,
in the United Kingdom, Japan, Iberia and approximately 45 Latin America
countries and territories, through a local Playboy TV network in which the
Company owns an equity interest and from which it receives fees for programming
and the use of the Playboy brand name.
The Company markets its programming to foreign broadcasters and pay
television services. As appropriate, the licensees typically customize, dub or
subtitle the programming to meet the needs of individual markets. In countries
that can support a Playboy programming tier, the Company has expanded its
relationships with foreign broadcasters by entering into exclusive multi-year,
multi-product output agreements with international pay television distributors.
These agreements enable the Company to have an ongoing branded presence in
international markets and generate higher and more consistent revenues than
selling programs on a show-by-show basis.
In December 1998, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement
with an affiliate of Cisneros. The agreement is subject to due diligence and
definitive agreements being executed. The agreement would create a joint
venture that would facilitate a more rapid expansion of Playboy TV and Spice
into international markets. As part of the agreement, the joint venture would
obtain the Company's interests in its existing international networks. See
"ENTERTAINMENT GROUP - Programming."
In March 1997, the Company announced that it would launch a Playboy TV
network in South Korea through a partnership with Daewoo Corporation. The launch
has been delayed, however, due to the poor economic conditions in that country.
A Playboy TV network and an international AdulTVision network were launched
in Latin America in the fall of 1996. The venture is with an affiliate of
Cisneros. The Company holds a 19% interest in the venture, with an option to
acquire up to 49.9% of all equity interests. The Company also receives licensing
fees for its programming and royalty payments for use of its brand name. The two
Latin American networks are available on cable as well as Galaxy Latin America,
a DTH service majority-owned by Hughes Electronics, which owns DirecTV in the
United States. The
14
Company's partnership with Cisneros has been expanded to encompass a Playboy TV
network in Iberia, which launched in fiscal year 1998, with plans for a Playboy
TV network in Germany and Scandinavia to launch in fiscal year 1999.
Another international Playboy TV network, in which the Company owns less than
a 20% interest, was launched in Japan during fiscal year 1996 in partnership
with Tohokushinsha Film Corp. Under the terms of a long-term program supply
agreement, the Company will provide 700 hours of programming over the first five
years of the venture and receives a royalty for use of its brand name. During
fiscal year 1997, the venture was granted a license to distribute to the DTH
market in Japan.
The Company launched an international Playboy TV network in the United
Kingdom in fiscal year 1995 in a joint-venture agreement with Flextech plc and
British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. ("BSKyB"). The Company owns 19% of the network,
with an option to acquire an additional 10% equity interest, and receives
license fees for programming and the use of the Playboy brand name. In December
1998, the Company announced that Home Video Channel Ltd. ("HVC"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Spice, is acquiring the other 81% interest in the network in the
United Kingdom currently held by Flextech and BSKyB. This transaction is
expected to close in fiscal year 1999. The venture plans to offer Playboy TV and
an adult movie service in fiscal year 1999. The economies of scale that the
Spice Acquisition offers, combined with the ability to market attractive options
to consumers, should improve the Company's growth and profitability potential in
the United Kingdom.
As the Company's international networks grow, the ventures intend to produce
programming specifically targeted to the local markets in order to maximize the
appeal of Playboy TV among the Company's new customers. For example, the U.S.
popularity of Night Calls, the Company's live call-in talk show, prompted the
creation of Night Calls U.K. in fiscal year 1997.
The Company also distributes, through separate distribution agreements, its
U.S. home video products to approximately 60 countries and territories in North
and South America, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa. These products are based
on the videos produced for the U.S. market, with dubbing or subtitling into the
local language where necessary.
ADULTVISION
In July 1995, the Company launched a second pay television network,
AdulTVision, as a flanker network to Playboy TV. AdulTVision is principally
offered on a pay-per-view basis and is sold primarily in combination with
Playboy TV through cable operators and to the DTH market. At December 31, 1998,
the network was available domestically to approximately 9.8 million cable
addressable and DTH households, a 66% increase from December 31, 1997. As
previously discussed, the Company launched the network internationally in Latin
America in the fall of 1996. AdulTVision will be merged with the Spice network
subsequent to the Spice Acquisition.
AdulTVision's programming is available domestically through a full-service
distribution agreement with a third-party provider. Under the terms of this
agreement, uplink, encoding, access to a transponder and other services are
provided.
PRODUCT MARKETING GROUP
The Product Marketing Group licenses the Playboy name, Rabbit Head Design and
other trademarks and artwork owned by the Company for the worldwide manufacture,
sale and distribution of a variety of consumer products.
15
The revenues and operating income of the Product Marketing Group were as
follows for the periods indicated in the following table (in millions):
Fiscal Year Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended
12/31/98 12/31/97 6/30/97 6/30/96
--------- --------- --------- ---------
REVENUES.......... $ 7.1 $ 4.2 $ 8.0 $ 7.1
========= ========= ======== ========
OPERATING INCOME.. $ 0.4 $ 1.6 $ 3.5 $ 3.7
========= ========= ======== ========
The Product Marketing Group works with licensees to develop, market and
distribute high-quality, branded merchandise. The Company's licensed product
lines include men's and women's clothing, accessories, watches, jewelry,
fragrances, small leather goods, stationery, eyewear and home fashions. The
Company plans to launch several new products in fiscal year 1999, including new
apparel lines, Zippo lighters featuring the Playboy brand name and Rabbit Head
Design and Special Editions, Ltd. ("SEL") prints, Franklin Mint pocket knives
featuring archival magazine covers and a 45th Anniversary Playboy Club Bunny
collectible figurine. Products are marketed globally, primarily through retail
outlets, including department and specialty stores. One of the Company's apparel
licensees operates over 450 Playboy stores and boutiques within department
stores in China.
Playboy by Don Diego, the Company's first cigar line, is manufactured by
Consolidated Cigar Corporation and was launched in fiscal year 1997. It has
developed a loyal following as a premium cigar among smokers. The Company
launched a second Playboy cigar line, the limited-edition LeRoy Neiman
Selection, in fiscal year 1997. Neiman, whose artwork has been featured in
Playboy magazine for more than 40 years, created an original work of art for the
cigar box and his image appears on the cigar band. Continuing its alliance with
Consolidated Cigar Corporation, a new product of tubed individual cigars was
launched in fiscal year 1998. These cigars are distributed through wine and
spirit channels to nightclubs, cocktail lounges, country clubs and restaurants,
for on-site sale. On-site sales of individual cigars are viewed as a new growth
area for the cigar industry.
The Company maintains control of the design and quality specifications of its
licensed products to ensure that products are consistent with the quality of the
Playboy image. To project a consistent image for Playboy-branded products
throughout the world, a global advertising campaign and brand strategy was
created to integrate all of the marketing efforts of the product licensees and
to control the brand more effectively. The Company continues to make investments
in brand marketing and product design to further promote a cohesive brand image.
In order to capitalize on its international name recognition, the Company
continues to increase its international product marketing activities, targeting
growth for its licensing business in South America and Europe as well as
supporting and expanding its significant presence throughout Asia. The Company
plans to promote business in particular countries by capitalizing on the
presence of other Playboy products, such as international editions of Playboy
magazine and Playboy TV networks.
SEL primarily licenses art-related products based on the Company's extensive
collection of artwork, many of which were commissioned as illustrations for
Playboy magazine and for use in the Company's other businesses. These include
posters, limited-edition prints, art watches, art ties and collectibles.
Prominent artists represented have included Salvador Dali, Keith Haring, LeRoy
Neiman, Patrick Nagel, Alberto Vargas, Ed Paschke, Andy Warhol, Bas Van Reek,
Karl Wirsum and Roger Brown.
Additionally, the Company owns all of the trademarks and service marks of
Sarah Coventry, Inc., which it licenses primarily domestically through such mass
market distribution leaders as AAI.Fostergrant and M.Z. Berger & Company, Inc.
Costume jewelry and watches are the principal product lines distributed by Sarah
Coventry licensees.
In general, royalties are based on a fixed or variable percentage of the
licensee's total net sales, in many cases against a guaranteed minimum. During
fiscal year 1998, approximately 65% of the royalties earned from licensing the
Company's trademarks were derived from licensees in Asia, 25% from the United
States and 10% from Europe.
16
In order to protect the success and potential future growth of the Company's
product marketing and other businesses, the Company actively defends its
trademarks throughout the world and monitors the marketplace for counterfeit
products. Consequently, it initiates legal proceedings from time to time to
prevent unauthorized use of the trademarks. The Company uses a hologram on
Playboy packaging as a mark of authenticity. While the trademarks differentiate
the Company's products, the marketing of apparel, jewelry and cigars is an
intensely competitive business that is extremely sensitive to economic
conditions, shifts in consumer buying habits or fashion trends, as well as
changes in the retail sales environment.
CATALOG GROUP
The Company's Catalog Group operations include the direct marketing of
products through the Critics' Choice Video catalog, including The Big Book of
Movies (the "Big Book"); the Collectors' Choice Music catalog; the Playboy
catalog; and the Spice catalog.
The revenues and operating income of the Catalog Group were as follows for
the periods indicated in the following table (in millions):
Fiscal Year Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended
12/31/98 12/31/97* 6/30/97* 6/30/96*
----------- ---------- --------- ---------
REVENUES.......... $ 74.4 $ 39.4 $ 75.4 $ 71.6
=========== ========== ========= =========
OPERATING INCOME.. $ 4.1 $ 1.9 $ 4.6 $ 5.2
=========== ========== ========= =========
* Certain reclassifications have been made to conform to the current
presentation.
The Critics' Choice Video catalog, one of the largest-circulation catalogs of
classic, popular and hard-to-find movies, is published quarterly and features
approximately 2,000 of the 22,000 in-stock movies from all of the major film
studios. The catalog has expanded through alternative distribution methods such
as package inserts, solo mailings and ads in specialty publications. In October
1997, Critics' Choice Video launched the first Big Book, a 324-page, perfect-
bound oversize catalog featuring 10,000 videos, of which over 2,000 were offered
at a 25% discount. Sales from this catalog exceeded expectations, which resulted
in a second printing in early fiscal year 1998. In October 1998, the second Big
Book, containing 372 pages, was released and is performing strongly. Planning is
in progress for the Big Book for the year 2000, which will contain over 400
pages and has a projected circulation of one million. This edition is scheduled
for release in September 1999.
The Collectors' Choice Music catalog currently contains more than 2,000
titles from a selection of over 8,000 titles available in stock. It carries
titles from all music genres on CDs and cassettes and is a leading music catalog
of imports and hard-to-find reissues. The Collectors' Choice Music catalog is
published three times annually. In order to maximize profitability and better
serve its customers, the Company plans to continue to lower circulation of the
catalog for fiscal year 1999 due to a reduction in prospecting, while increasing
the size of the catalog from 100 pages to 124 pages.
The Company continues to release exclusive titles produced under the Critics'
Choice Video and Collectors' Choice Music labels. As a result, in fiscal year
1998, approximately 20 and 55 new exclusive titles were released through the
Critics' Choice Video and Collectors' Choice Music catalogs, respectively. Both
catalogs plan to continue to expand their exclusive offerings in fiscal year
1999.
Playboy catalog products include Playboy-branded fashions, cigars and gifts,
Playboy Home Video titles, Playboy collectibles, such as calendars, back issues
of Playboy magazine and newsstand specials, and CD-ROM products. The Playboy
catalog is published three times annually. Beginning in fiscal year 1999, the
Playboy catalog will focus on offering more Playboy-branded and licensed product
offerings that appeal to 18-34 year old customers. The catalog, with a new
contemporary look, will be designed to showcase new upscale lines.
In July 1998, the Company tested the Spice catalog under license from Spice.
Due to the success of the test, the catalog will be published three times
annually, and currently features 88 pages. The Spice catalog offers over 1,700
17
videos in the late night category, sexy lingerie and sensuous life products. The
late night video category includes videos of a sexual nature that appeal to
adults 18 and over. The first mailing was approximately one million, with
resulting sales meeting expectations. Significant financial and circulation
growth of the Spice catalog is planned for fiscal year 1999.
Paper is the principal raw material used in publishing the Company's
catalogs. The market for paper has historically been cyclical, resulting in
volatility in paper prices. The Catalog Group will be adversely impacted by a
postal rate increase of approximately 7% effective January 1999. In response to
changes in paper and postage prices, the Company continues to evaluate different
grades of paper and review circulation plans to operate the business most cost-
effectively.
In the summer of 1997, the catalog operations moved to a larger facility to
meet additional space requirements. This constituted the group's second
expansion in five years. The leased facility features an automated inventory
management system and houses the group's merchandising, marketing, circulation,
customer service and order fulfillment divisions. The Company is initially
occupying 106,000 square feet of space and has an option to lease an additional
23,000 square feet commencing in December 2002. In fiscal year 1999, the Company
expects to provide order fulfillment services for others, in order to utilize
excess capacity.
The catalog business is subject to competition from other catalogs and
distributors and retail outlets selling similar merchandise, including Internet
sites. In order to stem the natural decline in the print catalog business, the
Company is focusing on expanding its e-commerce offerings in concert with
Playboy Online. In fiscal year 1997, the Company purchased, from the trustee in
bankruptcy, selected assets of the Time Warner Viewer's Edge videocassette
catalog.
CASINO GAMING GROUP
The Company decided to reenter the casino gaming business to further leverage
its brand image. The Company will obtain licensing fees, brand royalties and/or
management fees for operating the gaming establishments, and will consider
making minority investments.
The Company will receive annual licensing payments from The Playboy Casino at
Hotel des Roses (the "Rhodes Casino") on the Greek island of Rhodes, which is
scheduled to open in fiscal year 1999. The Company is exploring opportunities to
develop additional venues in a range of locations with a strategy to form joint
ventures with strong partners. Operating losses of $1.1 million and $0.6 million
were reported for fiscal year 1998 and the transition period, respectively.
PLAYBOY ONLINE GROUP
Beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 1998, Playboy Online results,
which were previously reported in the Publishing and Catalog Groups, are
reported as a separate operating group. The group's results include advertising
revenues from Playboy.com, the Company's free site on the Internet; subscription
revenues to Playboy Cyber Club, the Company's pay site on the Internet; and e-
commerce revenues, currently from online versions of the Critics' Choice Video,
Collectors' Choice Music and Playboy catalogs.
The revenues and operating income (loss) of the Playboy Online Group were as
follows for the periods indicated in the following table (in millions):
Fiscal Year Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended
12/31/98 12/31/97 6/30/97 6/30/96
----------- ---------- ----------- -----------
REVENUES................. $ 7.1 $ 2.3 $ 2.8 $ 1.2
=========== ========== =========== ===========
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS).. $ (6.5) $ (0.9) $ (0.1) $ 0.2
=========== ========== =========== ===========
18
The Company was one of the first national magazines to launch a free site on
the Internet in fiscal year 1995 at www.playboy.com. Playboy.com is one of the
Internet's most visited destination sites, averaging over 1.8 million daily page
impressions and over 57 million monthly page impressions served during December
1998, according to audited information from Audit Bureau of Verification
Services, Inc. A "page impression" is recorded each time an Internet page is
seen by a user, regardless of the number of files contained on the page.
According to estimated information from Media Metrix, approximately 1.2 million
unique visitors accessed Playboy.com in December 1998. "Unique visitors"
represent the estimated number of different individuals within a designated
demographic that access a site among the total number of projected individuals
using the Internet during the month.
Taking full advantage of the technological capabilities of the medium,
Playboy.com features over 3,000 pages containing popular editorial features from
Playboy magazine, such as excerpts of Playboy Interviews, articles and Playboy
Advisor columns, and select photos from Playmate pictorials. One of
Playboy.com's many new content areas is Pop, which covers arts and
entertainment, books, movies and music. Along with standing features and
dispatches from correspondents, e-commerce opportunities are woven throughout
Pop and the other content areas. Two of the most popular real-time events
offered in fiscal year 1998 were online chats with supermodel Cindy Crawford and
Olympic gold medal figure skater Katarina Witt, which coincided with the women's
cover pictorials in Playboy magazine. The site, which also offers a Spanish
translation, promotes Playboy TV's monthly programming schedule and sells
Playboy magazine subscriptions. The Company plans to continue to increase the
original content on Playboy.com, including through alliances.
The Company began generating revenues from the sale of advertising on
Playboy.com in fiscal year 1996. Playboy.com's advertising base is distinct from
that of Playboy magazine, as it is anchored by Internet-related advertisers from
the technology, telecommunications and entertainment industries. The Company
plans to more aggressively cross-promote the magazine and Playboy.com and
package advertising opportunities on both. The Company continues to add new
advertisers to the site. Advertising on Playboy.com is priced on a CPM basis
determined by page impressions and is primarily sold by the Company. In fiscal
year 1998, advertising revenues increased over 20% compared to the twelve months
ended December 31, 1997. The Company expects to see continued growth in
advertising revenues in fiscal year 1999.
The group has a significant e-commerce business from online versions of the
Playboy, Critics' Choice Video and Collectors' Choice Music catalogs. In April
1996, an online version of the Playboy catalog, called the Playboy Store, was
launched and can be accessed at www.playboystore.com. The Playboy Store offers
the same products as the print version of the Playboy catalog, but features a
wider selection of items. The Playboy Store was redesigned in fiscal year 1998
to make it more visually appealing and to provide the customer with easier
access to different departments within the store, which features almost 1,000
items. Fiscal year 1999 plans include adding "Express Click" ordering, which
will allow the customer to place an order with just one click, and significantly
expanding the branded product offering from the Company's licensees.
Based on the performance of the Playboy Store and consumer interest in
purchasing music and videos online, CCMusic, an online version of the
Collectors' Choice Music catalog, was launched in the summer of 1997 at
www.ccmusic.com. CCMusic offers titles in every musical genre, including
exclusive releases and titles not found on any other Internet site. Encouraged
by its success in fiscal year 1998, the Company invested in a database late in
fiscal year 1998 that added over 200,000 selections to the CCMusic site,
bringing the total to approximately 250,000. The site also underwent a complete
redesign late in fiscal year 1998, adding new features on the home page such as
highlighted new releases, imports, exclusives and artists.
CCVideo, an online version of the Critics' Choice Video catalog, was launched
in the fall of 1997 at www.ccvideo.com. CCVideo offers a database of over 50,000
videos, with over 22,000 in stock for immediate shipment, including many not
easily found in local retail outlets or other Internet sites. Improvements to
the site for fiscal year 1999 include adding new content from publisher Video
Hound, implementing "Express Click" ordering capability and other customer
service upgrades as well as installing customer profiling and preference
software. CCVideo also operates the Sundance Channel Filmstore at
www.sundancefilmstore.com in partnership with New Video and the Sundance
Channel, which offers an array of independent films screened annually at the
Sundance Film Festival.
19
An online version of the Spice catalog is scheduled to launch in fiscal year
1999 and will feature over 2,000 late night video products, lingerie and
sensuous life products.
The Company has commission or bounty arrangements with third parties,
including Amazon.com, K-Tel International, Inc. and Mindspring Enterprises, Inc.
The Company is considering additional marketing alliances with other sites in
order to increase its e-commerce revenues.
The Company launched a pay site on the Internet in July 1997 at
www.cyber.playboy.com. with content that is distinct from, and significantly
greater in scope than, that found on Playboy.com. Playboy Cyber Club, which is
currently offered on a subscription basis for $60 per year, had over 28,000
subscribers as of December 31, 1998, an over 30% increase compared to December
31, 1997. Designed as an online Playboy fan club, Playboy Cyber Club allows
members to peruse approximately 43,000 pages on the site. Major attractions
include individual home pages for every Playboy Playmate; every Playboy
Interview published in the magazine; Playboy Advisor columns; video clips of
Playboy home videos and Playboy TV shows; the Playboy photo library, which
includes never-before-published images from Playboy magazine's nine-million-
image photo library; and the Playboy Sports Page, which includes real-time
sports scores and sports-related features. Playboy Cyber Club also features
eight chat rooms. In fiscal year 1998, Playboy Cyber Club held its second annual
live webcast of the New Year's Eve bash at the Playboy Mansion, allowing members
to attend an event inside the Playboy Mansion via their computer.
The free and pay sites combined will offer the Company multiple sources of
revenue, including advertising, e-commerce and subscription revenues.
SEASONALITY
The Company's businesses are generally not seasonal in nature. Revenues and
operating income for the quarters ending December 31, however, are typically
impacted by higher newsstand cover prices of holiday issues. These higher
prices, coupled with typically higher sales of subscriptions of Playboy magazine
during those quarters, also results in an increase in accounts receivable.
PROMOTIONAL AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
The Company believes that its sales of products and services are enhanced by
the public recognition of Playboy as a lifestyle. In order to establish public
recognition, the Company, among other activities, acquired in 1971 a mansion in
Holmby Hills, California (the "Mansion"), where the Company's founder, Hugh M.
Hefner, lives. The Mansion is used for various corporate activities, including
serving as a valuable location for video production and magazine photography,
business meetings, enhancing the Company's image, charitable functions and a
wide variety of promotional and marketing purposes. The Mansion generates
substantial publicity and recognition which increase public awareness of the
Company and its products and services. As indicated in Part III. Item 13.
"Certain Relationships and Related Transactions," Mr. Hefner pays rent to the
Company for that portion of the Mansion used exclusively for his and his
family's residence as well as the value of meals and other benefits received by
him, his family and personal guests. The Mansion is included in the Company's
financial statements as of December 31, 1998 at a cost, including all
improvements and after accumulated depreciation, of approximately $2,540,000.
The operating expenses of the Mansion, including depreciation, taxes and
security charges, net of rent received from Mr. Hefner, were approximately
$4,285,000, $1,615,000, $3,635,000 and $3,615,000 for fiscal year 1998, the
transition period and fiscal years 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Through the Playboy Foundation, the Company supports not-for-profit
organizations and projects concerned with issues historically of importance to
Playboy magazine and its readers, including anti-censorship efforts, civil
rights, AIDS education, prevention and research, and reproductive freedom. The
Playboy Foundation provides financial support to many organizations and also
donates public service advertising space in Playboy magazine and in-kind
printing and design services.
EMPLOYEES
At February 28, 1999, the Company employed 773 full-time employees compared
to 713 at February 28, 1998. No employees are represented by collective
bargaining agreements. The Company believes it maintains a satisfactory
relationship with its employees.
20
Item 2. Properties
- - ------------------
The Company leases office space at the following locations:
The Company was lessee under an initial 15-year lease effective September
1989 of approximately 100,000 square feet of corporate headquarters space
located at 680 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois. In August 1996, the
Company renegotiated this lease on more favorable terms, including a lower base
rent which results in savings of approximately $2.0 million over the original
term of the lease, combined with the Company obtaining certain expansion options
in the building. Further, the lease term was extended three years to August
2007, with a renewal option for an additional five years. Subsequent to the
renegotiation of the lease, average annual base rental expense is approximately
$985,000. The Company was granted a rent abatement for the first two years of
the initial lease; however, rent expense is being charged to operations on a
straight-line basis over the extended term of the lease. Additionally, the lease
requires the Company to pay its proportionate share of the building's real
estate taxes and operating expenses. The majority of this space is used by all
of the Company's operating groups, primarily Publishing, and for executive and
administrative personnel. In July 1998, the Company exercised the previously
mentioned expansion options in addition to two rights of first refusals,
primarily to house its growing Playboy Online Group. The Company is leasing
approximately 30,000 additional square feet of contiguous space in the building
at an average annual base rental expense of approximately $430,000.
The Company's Publishing Group headquarters in New York City consist of
approximately 50,000 square feet of space in the Crown Building, 730 Fifth
Avenue, Manhattan. The Crown Building lease expires in August 2004, has an
average annual base rental expense of approximately $1,380,000, and is subject
to periodic increases to reflect rising real estate taxes and operating
expenses. The Company was granted a rent abatement under this lease; however,
rent expense is being charged to operations on a straight-line basis over the
term of the lease. A limited amount of this space is utilized by the
Entertainment, Product Marketing and Playboy Online Groups and executive and
administrative personnel.
The Company's principal Entertainment Group offices are located at 9242
Beverly Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California. The Company holds a lease for
approximately 40,000 square feet in the building through March 2002, with an
average annual base rental expense of approximately $1,550,000, which is subject
to annual increases calculated on a formula involving tax and operating expense
increases. The Company was granted a partial rent abatement for the first two
years of the lease; however, rent expense is being charged to operations on a
straight-line basis over the term of the lease. A limited amount of this space
is utilized by the Publishing Group and executive and administrative personnel.
As a result of the Spice Acquisition, the Company is now the tenant of
Spice's previous office space under leases with terms expiring May 31, 2003 for
space at 536 Broadway in Manhattan, New York City. The space currently has an
annual base rental expense of approximately $175,000. Additionally, the terms of
the leases require that the Company pay its pro rata share of real estate taxes
and operating expenses. The leases are terminable after June 30, 1999 on a 30-
day notice by the landlord.
The Company leases space for its operations facilities at the following
locations:
Beginning June 1997, the Company entered into a 10 1/2 year lease, with a
renewal option for an additional five years, for a warehouse facility in Itasca,
Illinois. The purpose of this catalog operations facility is to provide order
fulfillment and related activities, and also house a portion of the Company's
data processing operations and serve as a storage facility for the entire
Company. The Company currently utilizes 106,000 square feet of space in the
facility and has an option to lease an additional 23,000 square feet commencing
December 2002. The average annual base rental expense under the lease is
approximately $780,000. Additionally, the terms of the lease require the Company
to pay real estate taxes and operating expenses.
The Company's West Coast photography studio is located in Santa Monica,
California, under terms of a 10-year lease, which commenced January 1994. The
lease is for approximately 9,800 square feet of space, with an average annual
base rental expense of approximately $180,000. The Company was granted a rent
abatement under this lease; however, rent expense is being charged to operations
on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Additionally, the lease
requires the Company to pay its proportionate share of the building's real
estate taxes and operating expenses.
21
Effective January 1999, the Company began leasing approximately 21,000 square
feet of space at 5055 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, for purposes
of general business and film editing. The lease, which expires February 28,
2002, has an average annual base rental expense of approximately $435,000.
In June 1995, the Company entered into a two-year lease effective July 1995
for a motion picture production facility located in Los Angeles, California to
be used by its Entertainment Group. The lease has been extended through June
1999. The lease is for 11,600 square feet and currently has an annual base
rental expense of approximately $110,000.
The Company owns a Holmby Hills, California mansion property comprised of 5 1/2
acres. See "PROMOTIONAL AND OTHER ACTIVITIES" under Part I. Item 1. "Business."
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
- - -------------------------
The Company is from time to time a defendant in suits for defamation and
violation of rights of privacy, many of which allege substantial or unspecified
damages, which are vigorously defended by the Company. The Company is currently
engaged in other litigation, most of which is generally incidental to the normal
conduct of its business. Management believes that its reserves are adequate and
that no such action will have a material adverse impact on the Company's
financial condition. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company's
ultimate liability will not exceed its reserves. See Note M of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.
In February 1996, the Telecommunications Act was enacted. Certain provisions
of the Telecommunications Act are directed exclusively at cable programming in
general and adult cable programming in particular. In some cable systems, audio
or momentary bits of video of premium or pay-per-view channels may accidentally
become available to nonsubscribing cable customers. This is called "bleeding."
The practical effect of Section 505 is to require many existing cable systems to
employ additional blocking technology in every household in every cable system
that offers adult programming to prevent any possibility of bleeding, or to
restrict the period during which adult programming is transmitted from 10:00
p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Penalties for violation of the Telecommunications Act are
significant and include fines and imprisonment.
On February 26, 1996, one of the Company's subsidiaries filed a civil suit in
the Delaware District Court challenging Section 505 on constitutional grounds.
The suit names as defendants The United States of America, The United States
Department of Justice, Attorney General Janet Reno and the FCC. On March 7,
1996, the Company was granted a Temporary Restraining Order ("TRO") staying the
implementation and enforcement of Section 505. In granting the TRO, the Delaware
District Court found that the Company had demonstrated it was likely to succeed
on the merits of its claim that Section 505 is unconstitutional. On November 8,
1996, eight months after the TRO was granted, a three-judge panel in the
Delaware District Court denied the Company's request for preliminary injunction
against enforcement of Section 505 and, in so denying, found that the Company
was not likely to succeed on the merits of its claim. The Company appealed the
Delaware District Court's decision to the Supreme Court and enforcement of
Section 505 was stayed pending that appeal. On March 24, 1997, without opinion,
the Supreme Court summarily affirmed the Delaware District Court's denial of the
Company's request for a preliminary injunction. Enforcement of Section 505
commenced May 18, 1997. On July 22, 1997, the Company filed a motion for summary
judgment on the ground that Section 505 is unconstitutionally vague based on a
Supreme Court decision on June 26, 1997 that certain provisions of the
Telecommunications Act regulating speech on the Internet were invalid for
numerous reasons, including vagueness. On October 31, 1997, the Delaware
District Court denied the motion on the grounds that further discovery in the
case was necessary to assist it in resolving the issues posed in the motion.
The Company's full case on the merits was heard by the Delaware District
Court in March 1998. On December 28, 1998, the Delaware District Court
unanimously declared Section 505 unconstitutional. Even though the defendants
have appealed this judgment, the ruling gives cable systems the right to resume
24-hour broadcast of adult services so long as cable systems comply with, and
consumers are made aware of, the "blocking on request" requirement of Section
504. Management believes that the effect of Section 505 on the Company's
financial performance may continue until the case is finally decided.
22
On December 18, 1995, BrandsElite International Corporation ("BrandsElite),
an Ontario, Canada corporation, filed a complaint against the Company in the
Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois (the "Illinois Circuit Court"). In the
complaint, BrandsElite, an international distributor of premium merchandise,
including liquor, perfume, cosmetics and luxury gifts, principally to duty-free
retailers, alleged that the Company breached a product license agreement,
shortly after its execution by the Company in October 1995. The agreement
provided for the appointment of BrandsElite as the exclusive, worldwide licensee
of the Playboy trademark and tradename with respect to the sale of cognac and
possibly some deluxe whiskeys. The Company had advised BrandsElite that it had
determined not to proceed with the transaction and disputed strongly
BrandsElite's allegation that as a result of the Company's breach, BrandsElite
suffered millions of dollars of damages in future lost profits and diminished
value of its stock. BrandsElite also sought to recoup out-of-pocket expenses,
fees and costs incurred in bringing the action. The license agreement provided
for recovery by a party in any judgment entered in its favor of attorneys' fees
and litigation expenses, together with such court costs and damages as are
provided by law. On October 22, 1997, the Company filed a motion for partial
summary judgment challenging BrandsElite's claims for future lost profits and
stock market valuation damages. On March 4, 1998, the Illinois Circuit Court
granted the portion of the Company's motion relating to stock market valuation
damages but denied the portion of the motion relating to future lost profits.
BrandsElite's expert reports on damages asserted future lost profits damages
ranging from $3.5 million to $12.5 million. The case was dismissed with
prejudice on October 16, 1998 in exchange for a $1.4 million settlement by the
Company.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
- - -----------------------------------------------------------
There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the
fourth quarter of fiscal year 1998.
23
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The stock price information, as reported in the New York Stock Exchange
Composite Listing, is set forth in Note U of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements. The registrant's securities are traded on the exchanges listed on
the cover page of this Form 10-K Annual Report. As of February 28, 1999, there
were 7,684 and 8,500 holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock,
respectively. These numbers do not reflect an additional approximately 1,200
holders of Class B common stock in connection with the Spice Acquisition on
March 15, 1999. There were no cash dividends declared during fiscal year 1998,
the transition period or fiscal year 1997. The Company's new $150.0 million
credit agreement and former $40.0 million revolving credit agreement prohibit
the payment of cash dividends.
Item 6. Selected Financial and Operating Data (1)
- - -------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended
(in thousands) 12/31/98 12/31/97* 6/30/97* 6/30/96*
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET REVENUES
Publishing
Playboy magazine
Subscription $ 53,012 $ 25,808 $ 52,892 $ 51,836
Newsstand 22,424 11,345 21,972 24,408
Advertising 30,761 13,718 28,414 27,431
Other 2,126 (44) 1,651 1,653
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Playboy magazine 108,323 50,827 104,929 105,328
Other domestic publishing 18,693 10,197 20,830 20,300
International publishing 10,981 5,305 9,951 6,172
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Publishing 137,997 66,329 135,710 131,800
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entertainment
Playboy TV
Cable 21,314 9,560 21,165 21,149
Satellite direct-to-home 33,861 14,047 23,065 16,457
Off-network productions and other 2,058 1,331 3,052 1,672
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Playboy TV 57,233 24,938 47,282 39,278
Domestic home video 11,106 3,247 8,515 9,370
International TV and home video 14,644 4,728 12,218 11,955
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Playboy Businesses 82,983 32,913 68,015 60,603
AdulTVision 5,802 2,305 4,487 1,907
Movies and other 2,264 2,138 2,214 2,316
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Entertainment 91,049 37,356 74,716 64,826
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product Marketing 7,081 4,199 7,968 7,125
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catalog 74,393 39,340 75,391 71,634
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Casino Gaming - - - -
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Playboy Online 7,098 2,317 2,838 1,202
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Net Revenues $ 317,618 $ 149,541 $296,623 $ 276,587
==============================================================================================
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
Publishing $ 6,332 $ 3,898 $ 8,665 $ 9,041
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entertainment
Before programming expense 51,274 19,144 39,609 30,467
Programming expense (25,109) (11,153) (21,355) (21,263)
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Entertainment 26,165 7,991 18,254 9,204
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product Marketing 365 1,614 3,512 3,692
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catalog 4,100 1,835 4,630 5,231
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Casino Gaming (1,108) (541) - -
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Playboy Online (6,528) (943) (113) 207
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate Administration and Promotion (24,358) (9,395) (19,203) (17,882)
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Operating Income $ 4,968 $ 4,459 $ 15,745 $ 9,493
==============================================================================================
*Certain reclassifications have been made to conform to the current
presentation.
24
Selected Financial and Operating Data (continued)
- - -------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
(in thousands, except per share amounts, Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended
number of employees and ad pages) 12/31/98 12/31/97 6/30/97 6/30/96 6/30/95 6/30/94
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Net revenues $ 317,618 $ 149,541 $296,623 $276,587 $247,249 $218,987
Interest expense, net (1,424) (239) (354) (592) (569) (779)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before
cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle 4,320 2,142 21,394 4,252 629 (16,364)
Net income (loss) 4,320 1,065 21,394 4,252 629 (9,484)
Basic income (loss) per common share
Income (loss) from continuing operations before
cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle 0.21 0.10 1.05 0.21 0.03 (0.83)
Net income (loss) 0.21 0.05 1.05 0.21 0.03 (0.48)
Diluted income (loss) per common share
Income (loss) from continuing operations before
cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle 0.21 0.10 1.03 0.21 0.03 (0.83)
Net income (loss) 0.21 0.05 1.03 0.21 0.03 (0.48)
Cash dividends declared per common share - - - - - -
EBITDA (2) 37,588 17,584 41,651 35,470 27,624 7,852
Adjusted EBITDA (2) 12,987 3,225 10,904 9,921 6,311 (9,333)
Cash flows from operating activities (15,044) (3,853) 1,539 4,541 3,180 (4,368)
Cash flows from investing activities (6,361) (1,874) (2,450) (4,168) (315) (2,277)
Cash flows from financing activities $ 20,799 $ 5,371 $ (224) $ 594 $ (2,652) $ 6,000
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AT PERIOD END
Total assets $ 212,107 $ 185,947 $175,542 $150,869 $137,835 $131,921
Long-term financing obligations $ - $ - $ - $ 347 $ 687 $ 1,020
Shareholders' equity $ 84,202 $ 78,683 $ 76,133 $ 52,283 $ 47,090 $ 46,311
Long-term financing obligations as a
percentage of total capitalization -% -% -% 0.7% 1.4% 2.2%
Number of common shares outstanding
Class A voting 4,749 4,749 4,749 4,749 4,714 4,709
Class B nonvoting 15,868 15,775 15,636 15,437 15,276 15,255
Number of full-time employees 758 684 666 621 600 578
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECTED OPERATING DATA
Playboy magazine ad pages 601 273 558 569 595 595
Cash investments in Company-produced and
licensed entertainment programming $ 24,601 $ 14,359 $ 30,747 $ 25,549 $ 21,313 $ 17,185
Amortization of investments in Company-produced
and licensed entertainment programming $ 25,109 $ 11,153 $ 21,355 $ 21,263 $ 20,130 $ 18,174
Domestic Playboy TV (at period end)
Cable addressable households 11,700 11,600 11,200 11,300 10,600 9,600
Satellite direct-to-home households 9,800 6,800 6,300 4,900 3,300 1,900
Percentage of total U.S. cable addressable
households with access to Playboy TV (3) 35.2% 37.8% 38.2% 42.8% 45.2% 43.2%
AdulTVision domestic cable addressable
households (at period end) (4) 6,200 3,800 3,100 2,200 - -
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For a more detailed description of the Company's financial position, results of
operations and accounting policies, please refer to Part II. Item 7.
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" ("MD&A") and Part II. Item 8. "Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data."
(1) Relevant financial data for the pro forma calendar year ended December 31,
1997 and the six months ended December 31, 1996 are presented under Part
II. Item 7. "MD&A."
(2) EBITDA represents earnings before income taxes and cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle plus interest expense, depreciation and
amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA less cash investments in
programming.
(3) Based on projections by Kagan.
(4) Network launched in fiscal year 1996.
25
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
of Operations
- - -------------
On November 6, 1997, the Board approved a change in the Company's fiscal year
end from June 30 to December 31, which better aligns the Company's businesses
with its customers and partners who also operate and plan on a calendar-year
basis. In order to provide the reader with a clearer understanding of the
Company's results of operations, financial data for the pro forma calendar year
ended December 31, 1997 and the six months ended December 31, 1996 are included
below for comparative purposes.
Pro Forma Six-Month
Fiscal Year Calendar Year Transition Six Months
Ended Ended Period Ended Ended
(in millions, except per share amounts) 12/31/98 12/31/97 12/31/97* 12/31/96*
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET REVENUES
Publishing
Playboy magazine $ 108.3 $ 104.0 $ 50.8 $ 51.7
Other domestic publishing 18.7 20.6 10.2 10.5
International publishing 11.0 10.0 5.3 5.2
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Publishing 138.0 134.6 66.3 67.4
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entertainment
Playboy TV
Cable 21.3 20.4 9.6 10.4
Satellite direct-to-home 33.9 27.1 14.0 9.9
Off-network productions and other 2.0 2.4 1.3 2.0
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Playboy TV 57.2 49.9 24.9 22.3
Domestic home video 11.1 7.9 3.3 3.9
International TV and home video 14.7 12.6 4.7 4.3
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Playboy Businesses 83.0 70.4 32.9 30.5
AdulTVision 5.8 4.4 2.3 2.4
Movies and other 2.2 3.4 2.1 1.0
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Entertainment 91.0 78.2 37.3 33.9
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product Marketing 7.1 7.9 4.2 4.3
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catalog 74.4 75.6 39.4 39.1
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Casino Gaming - - - -
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Playboy Online 7.1 3.9 2.3 1.3
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Net Revenues $ 317.6 $ 300.2 $ 149.5 $ 146.0
=========================================================================================================
NET INCOME
Publishing $ 6.3 $ 8.9 $ 3.9 $ 3.7
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entertainment
Before Playboy Businesses programming expense 49.4 40.3 18.6 16.7
Playboy Businesses programming expense (23.2) (21.7) (10.6) (9.0)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Entertainment 26.2 18.6 8.0 7.7
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product Marketing 0.4 2.9 1.6 2.3
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catalog 4.1 3.6 1.9 2.8
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Casino Gaming (1.1) (0.6) (0.6) -
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Playboy Online (6.5) (1.2) (0.9) 0.1
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate Administration and Promotion (24.4) (19.7) (9.4) (8.9)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Income 5.0 12.5 4.5 7.7
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonoperating income (expense)
Investment income 0.1 0.1 - -
Interest expense (1.6) (0.4) (0.3) (0.3)
Gain on sale of investment 4.3 - - -
Other, net (0.8) (0.5) 0.1 (0.1)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total nonoperating income (expense) 2.0 (0.8) (0.2) (0.4)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes and cumulative
effect of change in accounting principle 7.0 11.7 4.3 7.3
Income tax benefit (expense) (2.7) 8.0 (2.1) (3.4)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle 4.3 19.7 2.2 3.9
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle (net of tax benefit) - (1.1) (1.1) -
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income $ 4.3 $ 18.6 $ 1.1 $ 3.9
=========================================================================================================
26
Pro Forma Six-Month
Fiscal Year Calendar Year Transition Six Months
Ended Ended Period Ended Ended
12/31/98 12/31/97 12/31/97* 12/31/96*
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BASIC INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
Income before cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle $ 0.21 $ 0.96 $ 0.10 $ 0.19
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle (net of tax benefit) - (0.05) (0.05) -
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income $ 0.21 $ 0.91 $ 0.05 $ 0.19
=========================================================================================================
DILUTED INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
Income before cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle $ 0.21 $ 0.94 $ 0.10 $ 0.19
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle (net of tax benefit) - (0.05) (0.05) -
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income $ 0.21 $ 0.89 $ 0.05 $ 0.19
=========================================================================================================
* Certain reclassifications have been made to conform to the current
presentation.
Beginning in fiscal year 1998, Playboy Online results, which were previously
reported in the Publishing and Catalog Groups, are reported as a separate
operating group.
Several of the Company's businesses can experience variations in quarterly
performance. As a result, the Company's performance in any quarterly period is
not necessarily reflective of full-year or longer-term trends. For example,
Playboy magazine newsstand revenues vary from issue to issue, with revenues
generally higher for holiday issues and any issues including editorial or
pictorial features that generate unusual public interest. Advertising revenues
also vary from quarter to quarter, depending on product introductions by
advertising customers, changes in advertising buying patterns and economic
conditions. In addition, Entertainment Group revenues vary with the timing of
international sales.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 COMPARED TO PRO FORMA CALENDAR YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997
The Company's revenues were $317.6 million for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1998, a 6% increase over revenues of $300.2 million for the calendar year
ended December 31, 1997 primarily due to higher revenues from the Entertainment
Group. Also contributing to the increase were higher Playboy magazine and
Playboy Online Group revenues.
The Company reported operating income of $5.0 million for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998 compared to $12.5 million for the calendar year ended
December 31, 1997. This decrease reflected an increase in operating income for
the Entertainment Group, which was more than offset by an increase in planned
investments in the Playboy Online Group, higher Corporate Administration and
Promotion expenses and lower operating income for the Publishing and Product
Marketing Groups. The lower operating income for the Product Marketing Group was
due in part to a settlement of litigation in the current year. The higher
Corporate Administration and Promotion expenses were due in part to increased
investments in systems technology, including Year 2000 expenses.
Net income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 was $4.3 million,
resulting in earnings per share ("EPS") of $0.21 (basic and diluted), compared
to net income of $18.6 million, or basic EPS of $0.91 and diluted EPS of $0.89,
for the calendar year ended December 31, 1997. Net income for fiscal year 1998
included a $4.3 million gain on the sale of the Company's 20% equity investment
in duPont. Net income for calendar year 1997 included a federal income tax
benefit of $13.5 million related to net operating loss and tax credit
carryforwards and a charge of $1.1 million, primarily related to development
costs of casino gaming ventures, that resulted from the Company's early adoption
of Statement of Position 98-5, Reporting on the Costs of Start-Up Activities
("SOP 98-5"). Excluding the impact of the $13.5 million federal income tax
benefit and the $1.1 million cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle, net income for calendar year 1997 was $6.2 million, or basic and
diluted EPS of $0.30.
27
PUBLISHING GROUP
Publishing Group revenues were $138.0 million for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998, a 3% increase over revenues of $134.6 million for the
calendar year ended December 31, 1997, primarily due to higher revenues from
Playboy magazine.
Playboy magazine revenues increased $4.3 million, or 4%, for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998 compared to the prior calendar year. Circulation
revenues increased $1.9 million primarily due to a $1.4 million, or 7%, increase
in newsstand revenues principally due to extraordinary sales of the October 1998
issue featuring Cindy Crawford and the December 1998 issue featuring Katarina
Witt, both of which also carried a $5.95 cover price. In general, newsstand
revenues have been, and are expected to continue to be, adversely affected by
the consolidation taking place nationally in the single-copy magazine
distribution system. Additionally, subscription revenues increased $0.5 million,
or 1%. Advertising revenues increased $1.8 million, or 6%, primarily due to 6%
more ad pages. Advertising sales for the fiscal year 1999 first quarter issues
of the magazine are closed and the Company expects to report 11% more ad pages
and 10% higher ad revenues compared to the quarter ended March 31, 1998.
Revenues from other domestic publishing businesses decreased $1.9 million, or
9%, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 compared to the prior year
primarily due to fewer newsstand specials copies sold.
International publishing revenues increased $1.0 million, or 10%, for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, compared to the prior year. The increase
primarily reflected higher revenues from the Polish edition of Playboy magazine,
in which the Company owns a majority interest.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, Publishing Group operating
income declined $2.6 million, or 29%, primarily due to lower subscription
profitability, the lower revenues from newsstand specials, higher average paper
prices and expenses in the current year related to the search for the Playmate
2000. Partially offsetting were the higher Playboy magazine advertising and
newsstand revenues combined with lower performance-related variable compensation
expense and the vacancy of the division president position in the current year.
The Publishing Group expects an approximate 8% decrease in paper prices
effective with the May 1999 issue.
ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
Fiscal year 1998 Entertainment Group revenues of $91.0 million increased
$12.8 million, or 16%, compared to calendar year 1997. Operating income of $26.2
million increased $7.6 million, or 41%, compared to calendar year 1997 operating
income of $18.6 million. Both of these increases were largely attributable to
improved performance of Playboy TV.
The following discussion focuses on the profit contribution of each Playboy
business before Playboy businesses programming expense ("profit contribution").
PLAYBOY TV
Revenues of $57.2 million from the Company's domestic pay television service,
Playboy TV, were $7.3 million, or 15%, higher for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1998 compared to the calendar year ended December 31, 1997.
Cable revenues increased $0.9 million, or 5%, for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998, primarily due to higher retail rates, partially offset by
fewer monthly subscribers and some system drops, due in part to the
implementation of Section 505 of the Telecommunications Act. At December 31,
1998, Playboy TV was available to approximately 11.7 million cable addressable
households, a 1% increase compared to December 31, 1997.
In February 1996, the Company filed suit challenging Section 505, which,
among other things, regulates the cable transmission of adult programming, such
as the Company's domestic pay television programs. Enforcement of Section 505
commenced May 18, 1997. The Company's full case on the merits was heard by the
Delaware District Court in March 1998. In December 1998, the Delaware District
Court unanimously declared Section 505 unconstitutional. Even though the
defendants have appealed this judgment, the ruling gives cable systems the right
to resume 24-hour broadcast of adult services so long as cable systems comply
with, and consumers are made aware of, the "blocking on request" requirement of
Section 504. Management believes that the effect of Section 505 on the Company's
financial performance may continue until the case is finally decided. See Part
I. Item 3. "Legal Proceedings."
28
Additionally, management believes that the growth in cable access for the
Company's domestic pay television businesses has slowed in recent years due to
the effects of cable reregulation by the FCC, including the "going-forward
rules" which provide cable operators with incentives to add basic services. As
cable operators have utilized available channel space to comply with "must-
carry" provisions, mandated retransmission consent agreements and "leased
access" provisions, competition for channel space has increased. Further, the
delay of new technology, primarily digital set-top converters which would
dramatically increase channel capacity, has contributed to the slowdown. The
major reason for this delay has been the unexpected engineering problems and
expenses associated with developing an affordable digital set-top converter.
Management believes that growth will continue to be slow in the next two to
three years as the cable television industry responds to the FCC's rules and
subsequent modifications, and develops new technology. Cable operators have
begun to introduce digital technology in order to upgrade their cable systems
and to counteract competition from DTH operators. Digital cable television has
several advantages over analog cable television, including more channels, better
audio and video quality and advanced set-top boxes that are addressable, provide
a secure fully scrambled signal and have integrated program guides and advanced
ordering technology. As digital technology, which is unaffected by the relevant
sections of the Telecommunications Act, becomes more available, however, the
Company believes that ultimately its pay television networks will be available
to the majority of cable households on a 24-hour basis.
DTH revenues increased $6.8 million, or 25%, for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998. This improvement was primarily due to significant increases
in addressable universes for DirecTV and PrimeStar, combined with revenues in
the current year as a result of fiscal year 1998 launches on EchoStar and two
Canadian DTH services, ExpressVu and Star Choice. Unlike cable, DTH is
unaffected by Section 505. Revenues from TVRO, or the big-dish market, continued
to decline, as expected, due to the maturity of this platform. Playboy TV was
available to approximately 9.8 million DTH households at December 31, 1998, an
increase of 44% compared to December 31, 1997.
Revenues from off-network productions and other decreased $0.4 million, or
14%, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, primarily due to higher
revenues in the prior year from licensing episodes of the Company's series to
Showtime.
Profit contribution for Playboy TV increased $6.4 million for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998 compared to the prior calendar year, primarily due to
the net increase in revenues previously discussed combined with lower legal fees
in the current year related to the Section 505 lawsuit and expenses in the prior
year related to a pay-per-view special featuring Farrah Fawcett. Partially
offsetting were higher marketing expenses in the current year and the effects in
the prior year of favorable music licensing settlements and a large favorable
adjustment to bad debt expense.
DOMESTIC HOME VIDEO
Domestic home video revenues and profit contribution increased $3.2 million
and $3.0 million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998
compared to the prior year. These increases were primarily due to sales of The
Eros Collection of movies and higher revenues from the sale of DVDs in the
current year.
INTERNATIONAL TV AND HOME VIDEO
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, revenues and profit contribution
from the international business increased $2.1 million and $1.6 million,
respectively, primarily due to higher international network sales and
contractual revenues, partially offset by lower international home video sales.
Variances in quarterly performance are caused in part by revenues and profit
contribution from tier sales being recognized depending upon the timing of
program delivery, license periods and other factors.
PLAYBOY BUSINESSES PROGRAMMING EXPENSE
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, programming amortization expense
associated with the Entertainment Group's Playboy businesses discussed above
increased $1.5 million compared to the prior year. The increase was primarily
due to higher amortization related to regular programming on the domestic
Playboy TV network.
29
ADULTVISION
AdulTVision revenues increased $1.4 million, or 31%, for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998 compared to the prior year. This increase was primarily
due to higher revenues from the domestic network principally as a result of a
significant increase in the addressable universe. At December 31, 1998, the
network was available domestically to approximately 9.8 million cable
addressable and DTH households, a 66% increase from December 31, 1997. Operating
income increased $0.7 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998,
primarily due to the increase in revenues, partially offset by higher
distribution and contractual marketing costs. AdulTVision will be merged with
the Spice network subsequent to the Spice Acquisition.
MOVIES AND OTHER
Revenues and operating income from movies and other businesses decreased $1.2
million and $1.6 million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998, primarily due to a favorable settlement from a distributor of feature
films in the prior year. The Entertainment Group's administrative expenses
increased $1.1 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 compared to
the prior year largely to support the growth in the Entertainment Group.
PRODUCT MARKETING GROUP
Product Marketing Group revenues of $7.1 million for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998 decreased $0.8 million, or 10%, compared to the prior calendar
year. The current year reflects lower international product licensing royalties,
principally from Asia, largely attributable to unfavorable economic conditions.
Higher revenues from SEL, as a result of a barter agreement related to the sale
of prints and posters from the Company's art publishing inventory, partially
offset the decline.
The Product Marketing Group reported operating income of $0.4 million for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, a decrease of $2.5 million, or 87%,
compared to the prior calendar year due in part to a $1.4 million settlement of
litigation related to BrandsElite. See Part I. Item 3. "Legal Proceedings." The
lower Asian royalties previously discussed also unfavorably impacted the current
year. The higher SEL revenues were mostly offset by higher associated costs.
CATALOG GROUP
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, revenues of $74.4 million
decreased $1.2 million, or 2%, compared to the prior calendar year due in part
to the timing of sales cut-offs resulting in an additional week of sales
recorded in the prior year for all of the catalogs. Sales volume for the Playboy
catalog was also lower primarily as a result of a lower response rate to the
fall catalog. Partially offsetting these decreases were revenues in the current
year from the new Spice catalog, containing adult video tapes, which was tested
in July 1998 under license from Spice.
Operating income of $4.1 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998
increased $0.5 million, or 14%, compared to the prior calendar year as a result
of lower expenses, primarily related to overall lower circulation of the
catalogs, combined with expenses in the prior year related to the group's move
to a new facility.
CASINO GAMING GROUP
On November 13, 1998, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its 12%
equity interest in the Rhodes Casino, which is expected to result in a
nonoperating gain of more than $1.0 million in fiscal year 1999. As part of the
agreement, the Company negotiated a guarantee against its licensing agreement
for the Rhodes Casino and will begin generating revenues when it opens in fiscal
year 1999.
The Company is also continuing to explore additional casino gaming
opportunities. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, the Casino Gaming
Group incurred an operating loss of $1.1 million compared to an operating loss
of $0.6 million for the calendar year ended December 31, 1997. The current year
reflected a full year of expenses whereas, in the prior year, expenses incurred
during the first six months were capitalized and subsequently written off as
"Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle" in accordance with SOP 98-
5.
30
PLAYBOY ONLINE GROUP
The Playboy Online Group's results include advertising revenues from
Playboy.com, subscription revenues to Playboy Cyber Club and e-commerce
revenues.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, Playboy Online Group revenues of
$7.1 million increased $3.2 million, or 83%, compared to the prior calendar
year. This increase was across the board coming from higher e-commerce revenues
from CCVideo and CCMusic, online versions of the Critics' Choice Video and
Collectors' Choice Music catalogs, and higher subscription and advertising
revenues.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, the Playboy Online Group
reported an operating loss of $6.5 million compared to an operating loss of $1.2
million in the prior calendar year. The current year included higher planned
investments related to the group's continued growth and development.
CORPORATE ADMINISTRATION AND PROMOTION
Corporate Administration and Promotion expense of $24.4 million for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 increased $4.7 million, or 24%, compared to
the calendar year ended December 31, 1997. This increase was largely due to
increased investments in systems technology, including Year 2000 expenses,
combined with increased investment spending on corporate marketing and promotion
and strategic consulting expenses in the current year.
SIX-MONTH TRANSITION PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996
The Company's revenues were $149.5 million for the transition period, a 2%
increase over revenues of $146.0 million for the six months ended December 31,
1996. This increase was principally due to higher revenues from the
Entertainment Group, primarily driven by an increase from Playboy TV.
The Company reported operating income of $4.5 million for the transition
period compared to $7.7 million for the six months ended December 31, 1996. This
decrease was primarily due to lower operating income for the Catalog and Product
Marketing Groups combined with an increase in planned investments in the Playboy
Online Group.
Net income for the transition period was $1.1 million, resulting in EPS of
$0.05 (basic and diluted), compared to net income of $3.9 million, or basic and
diluted EPS of $0.19, for the six months ended December 31, 1996. Net income for
the transition period included the charge of $1.1 million that resulted from the
Company's early adoption of SOP 98-5. Excluding the impact of this $1.1 million
cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net income for the
transition period was $2.2 million, or basic and diluted EPS of $0.10.
PUBLISHING GROUP
Publishing Group revenues of $66.3 million for the transition period
decreased $1.1 million, or 2%, compared to the six months ended December 31,
1996 primarily due to lower revenues from Playboy magazine.
Playboy magazine revenues decreased $0.9 million, or 2%, for the transition
period compared to the prior year six-month period. Circulation revenues
decreased $1.4 million, or 4%, compared to the prior year six-month period,
primarily due to lower newsstand revenues principally as the result of 9% fewer
U.S. and Canadian newsstand copies sold in the transition period. Subscription
revenues decreased slightly by 2%. Playboy magazine advertising revenues
increased $0.5 million, or 4%, for the transition period, primarily due to 4%
more ad pages.
Revenues from other domestic publishing businesses decreased $0.3 million, or
3%, for the transition period compared to the prior year period due to lower
revenues from other businesses. Partially offsetting the decrease were higher
revenues from newsstand specials, primarily due to the publication of an
additional issue in the transition period combined with the mix of titles sold,
offset in part by lower average copies sold per issue in the United States and
Canada.
International publishing revenues increased $0.1 million, or 1%, for the
transition period compared to the prior year six-month period.
31
Publishing Group operating income increased $0.2 million, or 6%, for the
transition period compared to the prior year period. The increase was primarily
due to lower manufacturing costs, principally due to lower average paper prices,
combined with the higher Playboy magazine advertising revenues. Partially
offsetting the above were the lower Playboy magazine newsstand revenues, higher
editorial costs and expenses associated with the early termination of an
executive contract.
ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
Entertainment Group revenues for the transition period of $37.3 million
increased $3.4 million, or 10%, compared to the six months ended December 31,
1996, primarily due to higher revenues from Playboy TV. Operating income of $8.0
million increased $0.3 million, or 4%, from the prior year six-month period.
The following discussion focuses on the profit contribution of each Playboy
business before Playboy businesses programming expense.
PLAYBOY TV
For the transition period, Playboy TV revenues of $24.9 million were $2.6
million, or 12%, higher compared to the six months ended December 31, 1996.
Cable revenues were $0.8 million, or 8%, lower compared to the prior year
period, primarily due to the estimated negative effect of the enforcement of
Section 505 combined with a decline in the average number of subscribing
households due to some system drops, partially offset by higher retail rates. At
December 31, 1997, Playboy TV was available to approximately 11.6 million cable
addressable households, a 4% increase compared to both December 31, 1996 and
June 30, 1997, respectively.
More than offsetting the cable decline were higher DTH revenues, which were
$4.1 million, or 41%, higher for the transition period compared to the prior
year period primarily due to significant increases in addressable universes for
PrimeStar and DirecTV and, beginning in March 1997, the availability of monthly
subscriptions through PrimeStar. As expected, revenues from TVRO continued to
decline. Playboy TV was available to approximately 6.8 million DTH households at
December 31, 1997, an increase of 21% and 8% compared to December 31, 1996 and
June 30, 1997, respectively.
For the transition period, revenues from off-network productions and other
decreased $0.7 million, or 33%, compared to the prior year period primarily due
to licensing fewer episodes of Women to Showtime.
Profit contribution for Playboy TV increased $2.2 million for the transition
period, primarily due to the net increase in revenues.
DOMESTIC HOME VIDEO
Domestic home video revenues for the transition period decreased $0.6
million, or 16%, compared to the prior year six-month period, primarily due to
lower revenues related to the Company's direct-response continuity series
combined with overall lower net sales of new releases, partially offset by
significant sales in the transition period of Farrah Fawcett: All of Me. Profit
contribution decreased $1.0 million, primarily due to the decrease in revenues
combined with higher marketing and promotion costs.
INTERNATIONAL TV AND HOME VIDEO
For the transition period, revenues from the international business increased
$0.4 million, or 9%, compared to the prior year six-month period. The higher
revenues were due to international TV, primarily as the result of higher net
revenues from Playboy TV networks and Germany, partially offset by lower
revenues from Taiwan. International home video revenues were lower principally
due to revenues from South Korea in the prior year period. There were no
revenues from South Korea in the transition period primarily due to the poor
economic conditions in that country. Profit contribution remained stable as a
decline in international home video, due to the lower revenues, was offset by
higher profit contribution from international TV, which resulted from the higher
revenues, partially offset by higher related costs. Variances in quarterly
performance are caused in part by revenues and profit contribution from tier
sales being recognized depending upon the timing of program delivery, license
periods and other factors.
32
PLAYBOY BUSINESSES PROGRAMMING EXPENSE
Programming amortization expense associated with the Entertainment Group's
Playboy businesses discussed above increased $1.6 million for the transition
period compared to the prior year six-month period, primarily related to the
higher revenues from international TV, higher production costs of live events on
domestic Playboy TV and costs related to the home video featuring Farrah
Fawcett. Partially offsetting the above was lower amortization related to the
lower revenues from off-network productions.
ADULTVISION
AdulTVision revenues for the transition period decreased $0.1 million, or 3%,
compared to the prior year six-month period, while operating income remained
stable. At December 31, 1997, the network was available domestically to
approximately 5.9 million cable addressable and DTH households, a 20% and 11%
increase from December 31, 1996 and June 30, 1997, respectively.
MOVIES AND OTHER
Revenues and operating income from movies and other businesses increased $1.1
million and $1.2 million, respectively, for the transition period primarily due
to a favorable settlement from a distributor of feature films. The Entertainment
Group's administrative expenses for the transition period increased $0.6 million
compared to the prior year six-month period, largely due to higher overall
salary and related expenses, including net higher performance-related variable
compensation expense.
PRODUCT MARKETING GROUP
Product Marketing Group revenues of $4.2 million for the transition period
decreased $0.1 million, or 2%, compared to the six months ended December 31,
1996, largely due to favorable adjustments in the prior year period for
international product licensing royalties. Partially offsetting these lower
revenues were higher royalties in the transition period related to increased
domestic and international distribution of the Company's line of cigars.
Operating income decreased $0.7 million, or 28%, compared to the prior year
period, primarily due to the net decrease in revenues combined with higher
expenses principally due to bad debt related to licensees in certain Asian
countries, legal and increased investments in brand marketing.
CATALOG GROUP
Catalog Group revenues of $39.4 million for the transition period increased
$0.3 million, or 1%, compared to the six months ended December 31, 1996, due to
higher revenues for the Collectors' Choice Music and Critics' Choice Video
catalogs, partially offset by lower revenues from the Playboy catalog. For the
transition period, all of the catalogs were favorably impacted by an extended
sales cut-off as a result of changing the Company's fiscal year end from June 30
to December 31. Sales volume for the Collectors' Choice Music catalog was also
slightly higher, primarily as a result of significantly higher circulation
mostly offset by lower revenues from promotions. Critics' Choice Video was
favorably impacted by sales in the transition period from the first Big Book
available in October 1997, but they were more than offset by lower circulation
and lower response rates from prospective customers of the catalog. Revenues
from the Playboy catalog were also impacted by lower response rates from
prospective customers. The Company believes lower response rates were due in
part to the negative impact of the United Parcel Service strike in August 1997.
For the transition period, Catalog Group operating income decreased $0.9
million, or 36%, compared to the prior year six-month period. This decline was
primarily due to lower operating income from the Critics' Choice Video and
Collectors' Choice Music catalogs as the higher revenues were not sufficient to
offset higher costs. Additionally, administrative expenses were higher for the
group, principally due to higher salary and related expenses.
CASINO GAMING GROUP
As a result of the Company's early adoption of SOP 98-5, as previously
discussed, expenses of $0.6 million were incurred during the transition period
related to development costs for the Rhodes Casino and other potential casino
gaming ventures.
33
PLAYBOY ONLINE GROUP
For the transition period, Playboy Online Group revenues of $2.3 million
increased $1.0 million, or 81%, compared to the prior year six-month period.
This increase was primarily due to subscription revenues generated from Playboy
Cyber Club combined with higher e-commerce revenues.
For the transition period, the Playboy Online Group reported an operating
loss of $0.9 million compared to operating income of $0.1 million in the prior
year six-month period. The transition period included higher planned investments
related to the group's continued growth and development.
CORPORATE ADMINISTRATION AND PROMOTION
Corporate administration and promotion expense of $9.4 million for the
transition period increased $0.5 million, or 6%, compared to the six months
ended December 31, 1996, partly due to filling the chief marketing officer
position in October 1996 and higher investment spending on corporate marketing,
combined with filling the chief financial officer position in May 1997.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
The Company's revenues were $296.6 million for the fiscal year ended June 30,
1997, a 7% increase over revenues of $276.6 million for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1996. This increase was due to higher revenues from all of the
Company's Groups, largely the Entertainment Group, primarily driven by an
increase in revenues from Playboy TV. Higher revenues from the international
publishing business and the Catalog and Playboy Online Groups also contributed
meaningfully to the increase in revenues.
The Company reported operating income of $15.7 million for the year ended
June 30, 1997 compared to $9.5 million for the year ended June 30, 1996. This
increase was due to significant growth in operating income of Playboy TV.
Net income for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997 was $21.4 million,
resulting in basic EPS of $1.05 and diluted EPS of $1.03. This compared to net
income of $4.3 million, or basic and diluted EPS of $0.21, for the year ended
June 30, 1996. Net income for fiscal year 1997 included a federal income tax
benefit of $13.5 million related to net operating loss and tax credit
carryforwards. Excluding the impact of the $13.5 million federal income tax
benefit, net income for the year ended June 30, 1997 was $7.9 million, or basic
EPS of $0.39 and diluted EPS of $0.38.
PUBLISHING GROUP
Fiscal year 1997 Publishing Group revenues of $135.7 million increased $3.9
million, or 3%, compared to fiscal year 1996, primarily due to higher revenues
from international publishing.
Playboy magazine revenues for fiscal year 1997 were basically flat compared
to fiscal year 1996. Circulation revenues decreased $1.4 million, or 2%, due to
10% lower newsstand revenues principally as the result of 13% more U.S. and
Canadian newsstand copies sold in fiscal year 1996, when two exceptionally
strong-selling issues featuring celebrities were published. Subscription
revenues increased 2%, primarily due to an increase in the number of
subscriptions served, partially offset by lower revenues from the rental of
Playboy's subscriber list. Playboy magazine advertising revenues increased 4%
compared to fiscal year 1996 due to higher average net revenue per page
principally due to the mix of pages sold combined with rate increases effective
with the January 1997 and 1996 issues, partially offset by 2% fewer ad pages in
fiscal year 1997.
Revenues from other domestic publishing businesses increased $0.5 million, or
3%, for the year ended June 30, 1997 compared to the prior year due to higher
revenues from other businesses.
International publishing revenues increased principally due to higher
revenues in fiscal year 1997 related to the purchase of additional equity in
March 1996 in VIPress Poland Sp. z o.o. ("VIPress"), publisher of the Polish
edition of Playboy magazine, which resulted in its consolidation.
For the year ended June 30, 1997, Publishing Group operating income decreased
$0.4 million, or 4%, compared to the prior year. The decrease was primarily due
to the lower newsstand revenues and higher editorial costs related to the
magazine. Partially offsetting the above were the higher Playboy magazine
advertising revenues
34
combined with lower manufacturing costs, primarily due to lower average paper
prices which were partially offset by an increase in the magazine's average book
size, and higher operating income related to the consolidation of VIPress.
ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
Fiscal year 1997 Entertainment Group revenues of $74.7 million increased $9.8
million, or 15%, compared to fiscal year 1996. Operating income of $18.2 million
increased $9.0 million, almost double fiscal year 1996 operating income of $9.2
million. Both of these increases were primarily attributable to Playboy TV.
The following discussion focuses on the profit contribution of each Playboy
business before Playboy businesses programming expense.
PLAYBOY TV
For the year ended June 30, 1997, revenues of $47.3 million from Playboy TV
were $8.0 million, or 20%, higher compared to the prior year.
Cable revenues remained stable compared to fiscal year 1996 as a 9% increase
in pay-per-view revenues was offset by a 19% decline in monthly subscription
revenues, principally due to some system drops, which resulted in a decline in
the average number of subscribing households. The increase in pay-per-view
revenues was primarily due to higher average buy rates combined with larger
favorable adjustments, as reported by cable systems, in fiscal year 1997. At
June 30, 1997, Playboy TV was available to approximately 11.2 million cable
addressable households, a 1% decrease compared to June 30, 1996.
DTH revenues were $6.7 million, or 40%, higher for the year ended June 30,
1997 compared to the prior year. The increase was primarily due to higher
DirecTV and PrimeStar revenues, principally as a result of significant increases
in their addressable universes, slightly offset by lower revenues, as expected,
from TVRO. Playboy TV was available to approximately 6.3 million DTH households
at June 30, 1997, an increase of 29% compared to June 30, 1996.
For the year ended June 30, 1997, revenues from off-network productions and
other increased $1.3 million, or 83%, compared to the prior year, primarily due
to licensing more episodes of Women to Showtime.
Profit contribution for Playboy TV increased $11.4 million compared to fiscal
year 1996, primarily due to the significant increase in revenues combined with
no royalty expense related to the Company's former distributor of its pay
television service in fiscal year 1997. Royalty payments were discontinued on
April 30, 1996, when the agreement terminated. Lower marketing costs and bad
debt expense combined with favorable music licensing settlements in fiscal year
1997 also contributed to the increase in profit contribution.
DOMESTIC HOME VIDEO
Domestic home video revenues decreased $0.9 million, or 9%, for the year
ended June 30, 1997 compared to the prior year largely due to lower revenues
related to the Company's direct-response continuity series, the second of which
was launched during fiscal year 1997, combined with lower net sales of new
releases, due in part to extraordinary sales of The Best of Pamela Anderson in
fiscal year 1996. Partially offsetting the above were higher net revenues from a
three-year distribution agreement with Uni related to backlist titles. Fiscal
year 1997 included revenues related to the third year of the guarantee, which
were higher than net revenues in fiscal year 1996 related to the guarantees for
the first two years. Profit contribution decreased $0.8 million for the year
ended June 30, 1997 compared to the prior year, principally due to the net
decrease in revenues combined with the timing of promotion costs.
INTERNATIONAL TV AND HOME VIDEO
For the year ended June 30, 1997, revenues and profit contribution from the
international business increased $0.3 million and decreased $1.7 million,
respectively, compared to the prior year. The decline in profit contribution was
due to international home video, principally due to lower revenues resulting
primarily from the need to slow down shipments in countries where the
distribution pipeline was full. Higher international TV revenues in fiscal year
1997, largely from Playboy TV networks, were offset by higher costs. Variances
in quarterly performance are caused in part by revenues and profit contribution
from tier sales being recognized depending upon the timing of
35
program delivery, license periods and other factors. To allow greater
flexibility, the Company modified how it programs its international networks
effective with the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1996, the effect of which was
not material. This modification results in the revenues from these networks now
being recorded on a quarterly basis, which has the effect of smoothing out the
fluctuations caused by recording a year's worth of programming sales in one
quarter. Previously, the Company scheduled programming for a full year in the
quarter during which the network was launched or an agreement was renewed, and
recognized the full year of revenues in that quarter.
PLAYBOY BUSINESSES PROGRAMMING EXPENSE
For the year ended June 30, 1997, programming amortization expense associated
with the Entertainment Group's Playboy businesses discussed above remained
relatively stable compared to the prior year. Fiscal year 1997 included lower
amortization related to the lower international home video revenues and regular
programming on the domestic Playboy TV network. Offsetting these decreases were
higher amortization related to an increase in the number of live events on
domestic Playboy TV combined with costs related to the pay-per-view special
event and home video featuring Farrah Fawcett.
ADULTVISION
AdulTVision revenues increased $2.6 million, or 135%, for the year ended June
30, 1997 compared to the prior year, primarily due to revenues related to the
September 1996 launch of a network in Latin America. Also contributing to the
increase were higher revenues from the domestic network as a result of an
increase in its addressable universe and higher buys. At June 30, 1997, the
network was available domestically to approximately 5.3 million cable
addressable and DTH households, an 18% increase from June 30, 1996.
For the year ended June 30, 1997, AdulTVision was profitable, resulting in an
increase in operating performance of $1.7 million. The increase was primarily
due to the higher revenues, partially offset by higher distribution costs due to
the launch in Latin America and an increase in domestic fees in fiscal year 1997
related to transferring to a different transponder.
MOVIES AND OTHER
For the year ended June 30, 1997, revenues and operating income from movies
and other businesses both decreased $0.2 million compared to the prior year. The
Entertainment Group's administrative expenses increased $1.3 million compared to
fiscal year 1996 largely due to higher performance-related variable compensation
expense and higher expense related to new business development in fiscal year
1997.
PRODUCT MARKETING GROUP
Product Marketing Group revenues of $8.0 million increased $0.9 million, or
12%, for the year ended June 30, 1997 compared to the prior year. The increase
was primarily due to higher international product licensing royalties,
principally from Asia, combined with royalties in fiscal year 1997 related to
the Company's second line of cigars distributed domestically. Operating income
of $3.5 million decreased $0.2 million, or 5%, for the year ended June 30, 1997
compared to the prior year due to higher expenses, principally reflecting
increased investments in brand marketing, promotion and product design as well
as severance, search fees associated with a new division executive and higher
legal expenses.
CATALOG GROUP
Catalog Group revenues of $75.4 million increased $3.8 million, or 5%, for
the year ended June 30, 1997 compared to the prior year, primarily as a result
of higher sales volume from the Critics' Choice Video and Collectors' Choice
Music catalogs, primarily attributable to increased circulation of the catalogs.
For the year ended June 30, 1997, Catalog Group operating income of $4.6
million decreased $0.6 million, or 11%, compared to the prior year, primarily as
a result of lower-than-anticipated response rates from prospective customers.
The increase in revenues plus lower paper prices generally were not sufficient
to offset higher related costs, due in part to prospecting. Additionally,
administrative expenses were higher for the group, primarily due to higher
salary and related expenses combined with expenses in fiscal year 1997 related
to the group's move to a new facility. At the end of fiscal year 1997, the
catalog operation began moving from its former facility to a larger facility,
under terms of a built-to-suit lease, to meet additional space requirements. The
new facility is located in the same Chicago suburb.
36
PLAYBOY ONLINE GROUP
For the year ended June 30, 1997, Playboy Online Group revenues more than
doubled to $2.8 million from $1.2 million in the prior year. This increase was
primarily due to higher advertising revenues combined with higher e-commerce
revenues from the Playboy Store, a version of the Playboy catalog that launched
in the spring of 1996.
For the year ended June 30, 1997, the Playboy Online Group reported an
operating loss of $0.1 million compared to operating income of $0.2 million in
the prior year. The current year included planned investments largely related to
developing Playboy Cyber Club.
CORPORATE ADMINISTRATION AND PROMOTION
Corporate Administration and Promotion expense of $19.2 million for the year
ended June 30, 1997 increased $1.3 million, or 7%, compared to the prior year,
largely due to investment spending on corporate marketing.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
At December 31, 1998, the Company had $0.3 million in cash and cash
equivalents and $29.8 million in short-term borrowings, compared to $0.9 million
in cash and cash equivalents and $10.0 million in short-term borrowings at
December 31, 1997. The Company expects to meet its short- and long-term cash
requirements through a new credit agreement of up to $150.0 million as described
in Note W of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net cash used for operating activities was $15.0 million for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998, primarily due to increases in receivables of $10.7
million and other noncurrent assets of $4.3 million. The increase in receivables
was primarily attributable to international TV sales, international networks and
off-network productions combined with the timing of cash receipts from the DTH
market. Also contributing to the increase in receivables were higher revenues
from the December 1998 issue of Playboy magazine featuring Katarina Witt. The
increase in other noncurrent assets was primarily due to deferred costs related
to the Spice Acquisition. The Company invested $24.6 million in Company-produced
and licensed entertainment programming during fiscal year 1998.
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net cash used for investing activities was $6.4 million for fiscal year 1998.
Investments in international ventures of $5.2 million primarily related to
additional funding for the Playboy TV network in the United Kingdom and the
Playboy TV and AdulTVision networks in Latin America. On December 31, 1998, the
Company sold back to duPont the shares of duPont's common stock owned by the
Company. Sale proceeds were $5.0 million, which consisted of $0.5 million in
cash and a $4.5 million promissory note, which was paid on January 4, 1999.
Capital expenditures for fiscal year 1998 were $1.1 million. The Company also
entered into leases of furniture and equipment totaling $5.3 million, largely
attributable to growth in the Playboy Online Group.
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net cash provided by financing activities was $20.8 million for fiscal year
1998, principally due to a $19.8 million increase in short-term borrowings under
the Company's revolving line of credit.
INCOME TAXES
At June 30, 1997, the Company evaluated its net operating loss carryforwards
("NOLs") and other deferred tax assets and liabilities in relation to the
Company's recent earnings history and its projected future earnings. As a result
of this review, the Company reduced the valuation allowance balance by $13.5
million as a result of reevaluating the realizability of the deferred tax assets
in future years. In fiscal year 1998, the Company realized $0.1 million of the
net deferred tax asset recorded at December 31, 1997.
Based on current tax law, the Company will need to generate approximately
$39.7 million of future taxable income prior to the expiration of the Company's
NOLs for full realization of the $13.9 million net deferred tax asset recorded
at December 31, 1998. At December 31, 1998, the Company had NOLs of $14.2
million for tax purposes, with $11.7 million expiring in 2009 and $2.5 million
expiring in 2012.
37
Management believes that it is more likely than not that the required
amount of such taxable income will be generated in years subsequent to December
31, 1998 and prior to the expiration of the Company's NOLs to realize the $13.9
million net deferred tax asset at December 31, 1998. Following is a summary of
the bases for management's belief that a valuation allowance of $15.4 million at
December 31, 1998 is adequate, and that it is more likely than not that the net
deferred tax asset of $13.9 million will be realized:
. In establishing the net deferred tax asset, management reviewed the
components of the Company's NOLs and determined that they primarily
resulted from several nonrecurring events, which were not indicative of the
Company's ability to generate future earnings.
. Several of the Company's operating groups continue to generate meaningful
earnings, particularly the Entertainment Group, and the Company's
substantial investments in the Entertainment and Playboy Online Groups are
anticipated to lead to increased earnings in future years.
. The Company has opportunities to accelerate taxable income into the NOL
carryforward period. Tax planning strategies would include the
capitalization and amortization versus immediate deduction of circulation
expenditures, the immediate inclusion versus deferred recognition of
prepaid subscription income, the revision of depreciation and amortization
methods for tax purposes and the sale-leaseback of certain property that
would generate taxable income in future years.
OTHER
In January 1993, the Company received a General Notice from the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") as a "potentially responsible
party" ("PRP") in connection with a site identified as the Southern Lakes Trap &
Skeet Club, located at the Resort-Hotel in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin (the
"Resort"), formerly owned by a subsidiary of the Company. The Resort was sold by
the Company's subsidiary to LG Americana-GKP Joint Venture in 1982. Two other
entities were also identified as PRPs in the notice. The notice related to
actions that may be ordered taken by the EPA to sample for and remove
contamination in soils and sediments, purportedly caused by skeet shooting
activities at the Resort property. On September 10, 1998, the Company entered
into a consent decree settling this matter, which was entered by the United
States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin (the "Wisconsin
District Court") on November 25, 1998. The Company had established adequate
reserves to cover its $0.5 million share of the cost (based on an agreement with
one of the other PRPs) of the agreed upon remediation, which was paid in
December 1998.
On December 18, 1995, BrandsElite, an Ontario, Canada corporation, filed a
complaint against the Company in the Illinois Circuit Court. In the complaint,
BrandsElite, an international distributor of premium merchandise, including
liquor, perfume, cosmetics and luxury gifts, principally to duty-free retailers,
alleged that the Company breached a product license agreement, shortly after its
execution by the Company in October 1995. The agreement provided for the
appointment of BrandsElite as the exclusive, worldwide licensee of the Playboy
trademark and tradename with respect to the sale of cognac and possibly some
deluxe whiskeys. The Company had advised BrandsElite that it had determined not
to proceed with the transaction and disputed strongly BrandsElite's allegation
that as a result of the Company's breach, BrandsElite suffered millions of
dollars of damages in future lost profits and diminished value of its stock.
BrandsElite also sought to recoup out-of-pocket expenses, fees and costs
incurred in bringing the action. The license agreement provided for recovery by
a party in any judgment entered in its favor of attorneys' fees and litigation
expenses, together with such court costs and damages as are provided by law. On
October 22, 1997, the Company filed a motion for partial summary judgment
challenging BrandsElite's claims for future lost profits and stock market
valuation damages. On March 4, 1998, the Illinois Circuit Court granted the
portion of the Company's motion relating to stock market valuation damages but
denied the portion of the motion relating to future lost profits. BrandsElite's
expert reports on damages asserted future lost profits damages ranging from $3.5
million to $12.5 million. The case was dismissed with prejudice on October 16,
1998 in exchange for a $1.4 million settlement by the Company.
The Company will adopt the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
("Statement 133"), for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning
after June 15, 1999. Statement 133 provides a comprehensive and consistent
standard for the recognition and measurement of derivatives and hedging
activities. Management is evaluating the effect that adoption of Statement 133
will have on the Company's financial statements.
38
In response to the Year 2000 problem, the Company has identified and is
implementing changes to its existing computerized business systems. The Company
is addressing the issue through a combination of modifications to existing
programs and conversions to Year 2000 compliant software. In addition, the
Company has communicated with its vendors and other service providers to ensure
that their products and business systems are or will be Year 2000 compliant. If
modifications and conversions by the Company and those it conducts business with
are not made in a timely manner, the Year 2000 problem could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations. All major systems of the Company have either been identified as Year
2000 compliant, or remediation has been completed to ensure Year 2000
compliance. These major systems include financial applications, and key
operating systems for the Entertainment, Catalog and Playboy Online Groups. The
Company is currently evaluating less critical systems, such as desktop
applications, with plans for all systems to be in compliance by the third
quarter of fiscal year 1999. The Company is also reviewing its non-information
technology systems to determine the extent of any modifications and believes
that there will be minimal changes necessary for compliance. Although the
Company is still quantifying the impact, the current estimate of the total costs
associated with the required modifications and conversions are expected to be
slightly in excess of $1.0 million, of which approximately $0.7 million was
expensed in fiscal year 1998. These costs are being expensed as incurred.
The Company believes its technology systems will be ready for the Year 2000
and, therefore, has not developed a comprehensive contingency plan. High-risk
vendors, however, will be examined throughout the year with contingency plans
developed on a case-by-case basis where needed. Additionally, the Company is
aware that it may experience other isolated incidences of non-compliance and
plans to allocate internal resources and retain dedicated consultants and vendor
representatives to be ready to take action if necessary. Although the Company
values its established relationships with key vendors and other service
providers, if certain vendors are unable to perform on a timely basis due to
their own Year 2000 issues, the Company believes that substitute products or
services are available from other vendors. The Company also recognizes that it,
like all other businesses, is at risk if other key suppliers in utilities,
communications, transportation, banking and government are not ready for the
Year 2000.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Form 10-K Annual Report contains "forward-looking statements," including
statements in "MD&A," as to expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives and future
financial performance, and assumptions underlying or concerning the foregoing.
These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could
cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in
the forward-looking statements. The following are some of the important factors
that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those
discussed in the forward-looking statements: (a) government actions or
initiatives, including (i) attempts to limit or otherwise regulate the sale of
adult-oriented materials, including print, video and online materials or
businesses such as casino gaming, (ii) regulation of the advertisement of
tobacco products, or (iii) substantive changes in postal regulations or rates;
(b) increases in paper prices; (c) changes in distribution technology and/or
unforeseen delays in the implementation of that technology by the cable and
satellite industries, which might affect the Company's plans and assumptions
regarding carriage of its program services; (d) increased competition for
advertisers from other publications and media or any significant decrease in
spending by advertisers generally, or with respect to the adult male market; (e)
increased competition for transponders and channel space, and any decline in the
Company's access to, and acceptance by, cable and DTH systems; (f) effects of
the consolidation taking place nationally in the single-copy magazine
distribution system; (g) new competition in the cable television market; (h)
uncertainty of market acceptance of the Internet as a medium for information,
entertainment, e-commerce and advertising, an increasingly competitive
environment for advertising sales, the impact of competition from other content
and merchandise providers, as well as the Company's reliance on third parties
for technology and distribution for its online business; and (i) potential
adverse effects of unresolved Year 2000 problems, including those experienced by
external key suppliers.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company uses derivatives for managing risk, not for trading purposes. The
Company's primary financial market risks relate to foreign currency exchange
rates. The Company utilizes foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge the risk
that future licensing royalties owed to the Company, primarily from its Japanese
and German licensees, may be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency
exchange rates.
Based on the Company's sensitivity analysis at December 31, 1998,
fluctuations in currency exchange rates in the near term would not have a
material effect on the Company's consolidated operating results, financial
position or cash flows. This sensitivity analysis measured the impact on
earnings of a 10% devaluation of the U.S. dollar relative to the foreign
currencies to which it had exposure. Management believes that its hedging
activities have been effective in reducing its limited risks related to currency
exchange rate fluctuations.
39
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
- - ---------------------------------------------------
The following consolidated financial statements of the registrant and report
of independent accountants are set forth in this Form 10-K Annual Report as
follows:
Page
----
Consolidated Statements of Operations - Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1998,
Six-Month Transition Period Ended December 31, 1997 and Fiscal Years Ended
June 30, 1997 and 1996 41
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 1998 and 1997 42
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 1998, Six-Month Transition Period Ended December 31, 1997
and Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996 43
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1998,
Six-Month Transition Period Ended December 31, 1997 and Fiscal Years Ended
June 30, 1997 and 1996 44
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 45-61
Report of Independent Accountants 62
The supplementary data regarding quarterly results of operations are set
forth in Note U of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
40
PLAYBOY ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Fiscal Year Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended
(in thousands, except per share amounts) 12/31/98 12/31/97 6/30/97 6/30/96
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET REVENUES $ 317,618 $ 149,541 $ 296,623 $ 276,587
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs and expenses
Cost of sales (269,478) (126,658) (245,023) (234,247)
Selling and administrative expenses (43,172) (18,424) (35,855) (32,847)
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total costs and expenses (312,650) (145,082) (280,878) (267,094)
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 4,968 4,459 15,745 9,493
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonoperating income (expense)
Investment income 127 50 73 88
Interest expense (1,551) (289) (427) (680)
Gain on sale of investment 4,272 - - -
Other, net (791) 70 (640) (452)
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total nonoperating income (expense) 2,057 (169) (994) (1,044)
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes and cumulative
effect of change in accounting principle 7,025 4,290 14,751 8,449
Income tax benefit (expense) (2,705) (2,148) 6,643 (4,197)
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle 4,320 2,142 21,394 4,252
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle (net of tax benefit) - (1,077) - -
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME 4,320 1,065 21,394 4,252
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other comprehensive loss (net of tax benefit)
Foreign currency translation adjustment (4) (37) (37) (11)
Unrealized loss on marketable securities (21) - - -
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total other comprehensive loss (25) (37) (37) (11)
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $ 4,295 $ 1,028 $ 21,357 $ 4,241
=====================================================================================================
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF
COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic 20,548 20,487 20,318 20,014
=====================================================================================================
Diluted 21,036 20,818 20,694 20,261
=====================================================================================================
BASIC EPS
Income before cumulative effect of change
in accounting principle $ 0.21 $ 0.10 $ 1.05 $ 0.21
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle (net of tax benefit) - (0.05) - -
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 0.21 $ 0.05 $ 1.05 $ 0.21
=====================================================================================================
DILUTED EPS
Income before cumulative effect of change
in accounting principle $ 0.21 $ 0.10 $ 1.03 $ 0.21
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle (net of tax benefit) - (0.05) - -
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 0.21 $ 0.05 $ 1.03 $ 0.21
=====================================================================================================
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part
of these statements.
41
PLAYBOY ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Dec. 31, Dec. 31,
(in thousands, except share data) 1998 1997
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 341 $ 947
Marketable securities 505 -
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful
accounts of $6,349 and $4,467 49,879 33,324
Inventories 25,685 25,376
Programming costs 43,342 41,504
Deferred subscription acquisition costs 11,570 12,143
Other current assets 21,097 11,910
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets 152,419 125,204
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property and equipment
Land 292 292
Buildings and improvements 8,412 8,386
Furniture and equipment 22,068 21,030
Leasehold improvements 8,270 8,237
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total property and equipment 39,042 37,945
Accumulated depreciation (29,885) (27,892)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property and equipment, net 9,157 10,053
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Programming costs--noncurrent 5,983 8,329
Trademarks 17,294 14,978
Net deferred tax assets 6,525 13,688
Other noncurrent assets 20,729 13,695
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $212,107 $185,947
=====================================================================================
LIABILITIES
Short-term borrowings $ 29,750 $ 10,000
Accounts payable 30,834 32,258
Accrued salaries, wages and employee benefits 6,024 4,499
Reserves for losses on disposals of discontinued operations 68 610
Income taxes payable 819 627
Deferred revenues 41,647 43,216
Other liabilities and accrued expenses 9,851 7,706
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 118,993 98,916
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noncurrent liabilities 8,912 8,348
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities 127,905 107,264
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments and contingencies
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $0.01 par value
Class A voting--7,500,000 shares authorized; 5,042,381 issued 50 50
Class B nonvoting--30,000,000 shares authorized;
17,149,691 and 17,076,518 issued 171 171
Capital in excess of par value 44,860 43,539
Retained earnings 49,577 45,257
Foreign currency translation adjustment (137) (131)
Unearned compensation restricted stock (3,716) (3,511)
Unrealized loss on marketable securities (32) -
Less cost of 293,427 Class A common shares and 951,041 and
974,227 Class B common shares in treasury (6,571) (6,692)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total shareholders' equity 84,202 78,683
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $212,107 $185,947
=====================================================================================
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part
of these statements.
42
PLAYBOY ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Unearned
Class A Class B Capital in Comp.
Common Common Excess of Retained Restricted Treasury
(in thousands of dollars) Stock Stock Par Value Earnings Other Stock Stock Total
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 1995 $ 50 $ 170 $41,233 $ 18,546 $ - $(4,840) $ (8,069) $47,090
Net income - - - 4,252 - - - 4,252
Exercise of 35,000 Class A and
159,750 Class B stock options - - (81) - - - 1,025 944
Issuance of 1,499 Class B shares
as service awards - - 6 - - - 8 14
Issuance of 20,000 Class B shares
as restricted stock awards - - 177 - - (177) - -
Forfeiture of 50,000 Class B shares
related to restricted stock awards - - (468) - - 468 - -
Foreign currency translation
adjustment - - - - (17) - - (17)
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 1996 50 170 40,867 22,798 (17) (4,549) (7,036) 52,283
Net income - - - 21,394 - - - 21,394
Exercise of 57,500 Class B stock
options - - 264 - - - 170 434
Issuance of 1,147 Class B shares
as service awards - - 9 - - - 6 15
Issuance of 68,750 Class B shares
as restricted stock awards - - 940 - - (940) - -
Forfeiture of 28,125 Class B shares
related to restricted stock awards - - (263) - - 263 - -
Issuance of 19,057 Class B shares
under employee stock purchase plan - - 93 - - - 99 192
Vesting of 121,564 Class B
restricted stock awards - - - - - 1,137 - 1,137
Foreign currency translation
adjustment - - - - (57) - - (57)
Income tax benefit related to
stock plans - - 735 - - - - 735
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 1997 50 170 42,645 44,192 (74) (4,089) (6,761) 76,133
Net income - - - 1,065 - - - 1,065
Exercise of 15,000 Class B stock
options - - 93 - - - 27 120
Issuance of 337 Class B shares
as service awards - - 4 - - - 2 6
Issuance of 37,500 Class B shares
as restricted stock awards - 1 526 - - (527) - -
Issuance of 7,777 Class B shares
under employee stock purchase plan - - 61 - - - 40 101
Vesting of 115,939 Class B
restricted stock awards - - - - - 1,105 - 1,105
Foreign currency translation
adjustment - - - - (57) - - (57)
Income tax benefit related to
stock plans - - 210 - - - - 210
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 50 171 43,539 45,257 (131) (3,511) (6,692) 78,683
Net income - - - 4,320 - - - 4,320
Exercise of 76,250 Class B stock
options - - 796 - - - 39 835
Issuance of 1,151 Class B shares
as service awards - - 13 - - - 6 19
Issuance of 46,250 Class B shares
as restricted stock awards - - 742 - - (742) - -
Forfeiture of 42,500 Class B shares
related to restricted stock awards - - (537) - - 537 - -
Issuance of 14,534 Class B shares
under employee stock purchase plan - - 138 - - - 76 214
Issuance of 673 Class B shares
under the 1997 Directors' Plan - - 11 - - - - 11
Foreign currency translation
adjustment - - - - (6) - - (6)
Unrealized loss on marketable
securities - - - - (32) - - (32)
Income tax benefit related to
stock plans - - 158 - - - - 158
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1998 $ 50 $ 171 $44,860 $ 49,577 $(169) $(3,716) $ (6,571) $84,202
===================================================================================================================================
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part
of these statements.
43
PLAYBOY ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Fiscal Year Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended
(in thousands) 12/31/98 12/31/97 6/30/97 6/30/96
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 4,320 $ 1,065 $ 21,394 $ 4,252
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by (used for)
operating activities
Depreciation of property and equipment 2,010 1,007 2,210 2,383
Amortization of intangible assets 1,893 845 1,893 1,783
Gain on sale of investment (4,272) - - -
Amortization of investments in
entertainment programming 25,109 11,153 21,355 21,263
Investments in entertainment programming (24,601) (14,359) (30,747) (25,549)
Changes in current assets and
liabilities
Receivables (10,674) (998) (3,286) (4,574)
Inventories (309) (2,072) 195 (2,061)
Deferred subscription acquisition costs 573 (3,066) 492 (393)
Other current assets (2,200) 367 (2,146) (426)
Accounts payable (1,434) 5,344 4,169 2,931
Accrued salaries, wages and employee benefits 1,525 (1,628) 1,428 2,853
Income taxes payable 208 (600) 284 27
Deferred revenues (1,569) 943 (2,105) 1,468
Other liabilities and accrued expenses 2,145 (231) (1,003) 224
-------- -------- --------- --------
Net change in current assets and liabilities (11,735) (1,941) (1,972) 49
--------- -------- --------- --------
Increase in trademarks (3,645) (1,767) (2,898) (1,766)
(Increase) decrease in net deferred tax assets 35 457 (9,954) 2,399
Increase in other noncurrent assets (4,344) (466) (519) (487)
Increase (decrease) in noncurrent liabilities 548 (3) 106 258
Net cash used for discontinued operations (542) (18) (79) (59)
Other, net 180 174 750 15
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities (15,044) (3,853) 1,539 4,541
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Sale of investment 500 - - -
Additions to property and equipment (1,144) (765) (671) (760)
Acquisitions and funding of equity
interests in international ventures (5,212) (1,109) (1,905) (3,619)
Purchase of marketable securities (537) - - -
Other, net 32 - 126 211
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used for investing activities (6,361) (1,874) (2,450) (4,168)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings 19,750 5,500 (500) -
Repayment of debt - (350) (350) (350)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 835 120 434 944
Proceeds from sales under employee stock purchase plan 214 101 192 -
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities 20,799 5,371 (224) 594
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (606) (356) (1,135) 967
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 947 1,303 2,438 1,471
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 341 $ 947 $ 1,303 $ 2,438
===========================================================================================================================
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part
of these statements.
44
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(A) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION: The consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of the Company and all majority-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany
accounts and transactions, which are immaterial, have been eliminated in
consolidation.
CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR: On November 6, 1997, the Board approved a change in the
Company's fiscal year end from June 30 to December 31, which better aligns the
Company's businesses with its customers and partners who also operate and plan
on a calendar-year basis. The Company's financial statements and accompanying
notes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 represent the first full
calendar year subsequent to this change.
REVENUE RECOGNITION: Revenues from the sale of magazine subscriptions are
recognized over the terms of the subscriptions. Sales of magazines and newsstand
specials (net of estimated returns), and revenues from the sale of
advertisements, are recorded when each issue goes on sale. Domestic pay
television revenues are recognized based on pay-per-view buys and monthly
subscriber counts reported each month by the system operators. Domestic home
video revenues are recognized based on unit sales reported for new releases each
month by the Company's distributor and a distribution agreement for backlist
titles. International television revenues are recognized either upon
identification of programming scheduled for networks, delivery of programming to
customers and/or upon the commencement of the license term. Revenues from the
direct marketing of catalog products are recognized when the items are shipped.
CASH EQUIVALENTS: Cash equivalents are temporary cash investments with an
original maturity of three months or less at date of purchase and are stated at
cost, which approximates market value.
MARKETABLE SECURITIES: Marketable securities are classified as available-for-
sale securities as defined by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. These
securities are stated at fair value and unrealized holding gains and losses are
reflected as a net amount as a separate component of shareholders' equity.
INVENTORIES: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (average cost and
specific cost) or market.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT: Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation
is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the
assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the
shorter of their estimated useful lives or the terms of the related leases.
Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred, and major betterments are
capitalized. Sales and retirements of depreciable property and equipment are
recorded by removing the related cost and accumulated depreciation from the
accounts. Gains or losses on sales and retirements of property and equipment are
included in nonoperating income or expense.
DEFERRED SUBSCRIPTION ACQUISITION COSTS: Costs associated with the promotion of
magazine subscriptions, which consist primarily of postage, costs to produce
direct-mail solicitation materials and other costs to attract and renew
subscribers, are deferred and amortized over the period during which the future
benefits are expected to be received. This is consistent with the provisions of
Statement of Position 93-7, Reporting on Advertising Costs. See Note J.
PROGRAMMING COSTS AND AMORTIZATION: Programming costs include original
programming and film acquisition costs, which are capitalized and amortized. The
portion of original programming costs assigned to the domestic pay television
market is principally amortized on the straight-line method over three years.
The portion of original programming costs assigned to each of the worldwide home
video and international television markets are amortized using the individual-
film-forecast-computation method. Film acquisition costs are assigned to
domestic and international markets as appropriate, and are amortized principally
on the straight-line method over the license term, generally three years, and
the premiere schedule, respectively. Management believes that these methods
provide a reasonable matching of expenses with total estimated revenues over the
periods that revenues associated with films and programs are expected to be
realized. Film and program amortization is adjusted periodically to reflect
changes in the estimates of amounts of related future revenues. Film and program
costs are stated at the lower of unamortized cost or estimated net realizable
value as determined on a specific identification basis. Based on management's
estimate of future total gross revenues as of December 31, 1998, substantially
all unamortized programming costs applicable to released programs are expected
to be amortized during the next three years. See Note I.
45
INTANGIBLE ASSETS: Trademark acquisition costs are capitalized and amortized on
the straight-line method over 40 years. Trademark and copyright defense,
registration and/or renewal costs are capitalized and amortized on the straight-
line method over 15 years. Other intangible assets are comprised substantially
of goodwill, which is amortized generally over 40 years. Accumulated
amortization of intangible assets was $14,546,000 and $12,800,000 at December
31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE: During the transition period, the Company
adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128,
Earnings per Share ("Statement 128"). Statement 128 simplifies the previous
standards for computing EPS and requires dual presentation of basic and diluted
EPS on the face of the income statement for all entities with complex capital
structures. See Note E.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE FORWARD CONTRACTS: The Company utilizes forward contracts to
minimize the impact of currency movements on royalties received and certain
payments denominated primarily in Japanese yen and German marks. The terms of
these contracts are generally one year or less. Gains and losses related to
these agreements are recorded in operating results as part of, and concurrent
with, the transaction. As of December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company had
approximately $2,155,000 and $1,025,000, respectively, in outstanding contracts.
At their respective balance sheet dates, the difference between these contracts'
values and the fair market value of these instruments in the aggregate was not
material.
MINORITY INTEREST: The Company owns a majority interest in VIPress, publisher of
the Polish edition of Playboy magazine. The financial statements of VIPress are
included in the Company's financial statements. The minority interest in the
results of operations is included in nonoperating income or expense in the
Consolidated Statements of Operations and the minority interest in the equity of
VIPress is included in "Noncurrent liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance
Sheets.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION: Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are
translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate existing at the balance sheet
date. The net exchange differences resulting from these translations are
recorded as a separate component of shareholders' equity. Revenues and expenses
are translated at average rates for the period.
USE OF ESTIMATES: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Although these estimates are based on management's knowledge
of current events and actions it may undertake in the future, they may
ultimately differ from actual results.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS: The Company will adopt the provisions of
Statement 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, for
financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 1999.
Statement 133 provides a comprehensive and consistent standard for the
recognition and measurement of derivatives and hedging activities. Management is
evaluating the effect that adoption of Statement 133 will have on the Company's
financial statements.
(B) GAIN ON SALE OF INVESTMENT
The Company owned a 20% interest and had an option to acquire the remaining 80%
interest in duPont Publishing, Inc. at a price based on fair market value as of
December 31, 1999.
On December 31, 1998, the Company sold back to duPont the shares of duPont's
common stock owned by the Company. Sale proceeds were $5,000,000, which
consisted of $500,000 of cash and a $4,500,000 promissory note bearing interest
at the prime rate, which was paid on January 4, 1999. The Company realized a
gain before and after income taxes of $4,272,000 on the sale. There was no
income tax effect related to this gain due to the application of a capital loss
carryforward.
46
(C) INCOME TAXES
The income tax provision (benefit) consisted of the following (in thousands):
Fiscal Year Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended
12/31/98 12/31/97 6/30/97 6/30/96
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current:
Federal $ 208 $ - $ 354 $ 241
State 557 180 501 67
Foreign 1,747 747 1,721 1,490
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current 2,512 927 2,576 1,798
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred:
Federal 35 457 (9,954) 2,399
State - - - -
Foreign - - - -
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred 35 457 (9,954) 2,399
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefit of stock compensation recorded
in capital in excess of par value 158 210 735 -
Benefit recorded as part of cumulative
effect of change in accounting principle - 554 - -
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total income tax provision (benefit) $ 2,705 $ 2,148 $ (6,643) $ 4,197
===============================================================================================
The income tax provision (benefit) differed from a provision computed at the
U.S. statutory tax rate as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Year Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended
12/31/98 12/31/97 6/30/97 6/30/96
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statutory rate tax provision $ 2,459 $ 1,459 $ 5,163 $ 2,871
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
Foreign withholding tax on licensing income 1,368 747 1,452 1,448
Foreign income tax in excess of statutory rates 127 - - -
State income taxes 557 180 501 67
Nondeductible expenses 399 180 342 129
Reduction in valuation allowance (1,543) - (13,486) -
Tax benefit of foreign taxes paid or accrued (465) (328) (538) (356)
Effect of rate increase (225) - - -
Other 28 (90) (77) 38
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total income tax provision (benefit) $ 2,705 $ 2,148 $ (6,643) $ 4,197
========================================================================================================
The U.S. statutory tax rate applicable to the Company for fiscal year 1998, the
transition period and fiscal years 1997 and 1996 was 35%, 34%, 35% and 34%,
respectively.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future
tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement and
tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply in
the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse.
At June 30, 1997, the Company evaluated its NOLs and other deferred tax
assets and liabilities in relation to the Company's recent earnings history and
its projected future earnings. As a result of this review, the Company reduced
the valuation allowance balance by $13.5 million as a result of reevaluating the
realizability of the deferred tax assets in future years.
47
The significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and deferred
tax liabilities as of December 31, 1997 and 1998 are presented below (in
thousands):
Dec. 31, Net Dec. 31,
1997 Change 1998
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards $ 7,901 $(2,929) $ 4,972
Capital loss carryforwards 10,512 (1,598) 8,914
Tax credit carryforwards 8,976 1,373 10,349
Other deductible temporary differences 11,244 1,779 13,023
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred tax assets 38,633 (1,375) 37,258
Valuation allowance (16,504) 1,066 (15,438)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax assets 22,129 (309) 21,820
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred subscription acquisition costs (4,514) 244 (4,270)
Other taxable temporary differences (3,646) 30 (3,616)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities (8,160) 274 (7,886)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax assets $ 13,969 $ (35) $ 13,934
=========================================================================
In the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 1997, $0.3 million of the
$14.0 million net deferred tax asset is included in "Other current assets" and
$13.7 million is segregated as "Net deferred tax assets." In the Consolidated
Balance Sheet at December 31, 1998, $7.4 million of the $13.9 million net
deferred tax asset is included in "Other current assets" and $6.5 million is
segregated as "Net deferred tax assets."
In addition to the federal tax benefits in the table above, the Company has
NOLs available in various states, none of which are reflected in the net
deferred tax assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1997 and
1998.
Realization of the net deferred tax asset is dependent upon the Company's
ability to generate taxable income in future years. The recognition of benefits
in the financial statements is based upon projections by management of future
operating income and the anticipated reversal of temporary differences that will
result in taxable income. Projections of future earnings were based on adjusted
historical earnings.
In order to fully realize the net deferred tax asset of $13.9 million at
December 31, 1998, the Company will need to generate future taxable income of
approximately $39.7 million prior to the expiration of the Company's NOLs.
Management believes that it is more likely than not that the required amount of
such taxable income will be realized. Management will periodically reconsider
the assumptions utilized in the projection of future earnings and, if warranted,
increase or decrease the amount of deferred tax assets through an adjustment to
the valuation allowance.
At December 31, 1998, the Company had NOLs of $14.2 million with $11.7
million expiring in 2009 and $2.5 million expiring in 2012. The Company had
capital loss carryforwards of $25.5 million expiring in 1999. In addition,
foreign tax credit carryforwards of $7.9 million, investment tax credit
carryforwards of $1.4 million and minimum tax credit carryforwards of $1.1
million are available to reduce future U.S. federal income taxes. The foreign
tax credit carryforwards expire in 1999 through 2003 and the investment tax
credit carryforwards expire in 1999 through 2001. The minimum tax credit
carryforwards have no expiration.
48
(D) CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE
A $1,077,000 charge, net of an income tax benefit of $554,000, was reported in
the transition period as "Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle"
as a result of the Company's change in accounting for certain start-up costs to
conform to the accounting required by SOP 98-5, Reporting on the Costs of Start-
Up Activities. This statement requires the expense recognition, as opposed to
capitalization, of costs related to start-up activities. The expenses were
primarily related to development costs of casino gaming ventures that had
previously been capitalized prior to July 1, 1997, the date of the Company's
early adoption. The impact of this change in accounting principle on operating
income in the transition period resulted in expenses of $576,000.
Pro forma amounts, assuming SOP 98-5 was applied beginning in fiscal year
1996, follow with comparisons to actual results (in thousands, except per share
amounts):
Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended Ended
12/31/97 6/30/97 6/30/96
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE
As reported $ 2,142 $ 21,394 $ 4,252
Pro forma 2,142 20,857 4,179
NET INCOME
As reported 1,065 21,394 4,252
Pro forma 2,142 20,857 4,179
INCOME PER COMMON SHARE BEFORE
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN
ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE
Basic, as reported 0.10 1.05 0.21
Basic, pro forma 0.10 1.03 0.21
Diluted, as reported 0.10 1.03 0.21
Diluted, pro forma 0.10 1.01 0.21
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
Basic, as reported 0.05 1.05 0.21
Basic, pro forma 0.10 1.03 0.21
Diluted, as reported 0.05 1.03 0.21
Diluted, pro forma $ 0.10 $ 1.01 $ 0.21
49
(E) INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS (in
thousands, except per share amounts):
Fiscal Year Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended
12/31/98 12/31/97 6/30/97 6/30/96
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMERATOR:
For basic and diluted EPS--income (loss)
available to common shareholders:
Income before cumulative effect of change
in accounting principle $ 4,320 $ 2,142 $ 21,394 $ 4,252
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle (net of tax benefit) - (1,077) - -
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 4,320 $ 1,065 $ 21,394 $ 4,252
====================================================================================================
DENOMINATOR:
Denominator for basic EPS--
weighted-average shares 20,548 20,487 20,318 20,014
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of dilutive potential common shares:
Stock options 488 331 315 217
Nonvested restricted stock awards - - 61 30
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dilutive potential common shares 488 331 376 247
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Denominator for diluted EPS--
adjusted weighted-average shares 21,036 20,818 20,694 20,261
====================================================================================================
BASIC EPS
Income before cumulative effect of change
in accounting principle $ 0.21 $ 0.10 $ 1.05 $ 0.21
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle (net of tax benefit) - (0.05) - -
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 0.21 $ 0.05 $ 1.05 $ 0.21
====================================================================================================
DILUTED EPS
Income before cumulative effect of change
in accounting principle $ 0.21 $ 0.10 $ 1.03 $ 0.21
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle (net of tax benefit) - (0.05) - -
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 0.21 $ 0.05 $ 1.03 $ 0.21
====================================================================================================
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, approximately 340,000 weighted-
average shares of Class B restricted stock awards outstanding were not included
in the computation of diluted EPS as the operating income objectives applicable
to these restricted awards were not met during that period. Additionally,
options to purchase approximately 115,000 weighted-average shares of Class B
common stock were outstanding during fiscal year 1998 but were not included in
the computation of diluted EPS as the options' exercise prices were greater than
the average market price of the Class B common stock, the effect of which was
antidilutive. For additional disclosure regarding the Company's stock plans, see
Note N.
(F) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
During fiscal year 1998, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income
("Statement 130"). Statement 130 requires that the Company disclose
comprehensive income in addition to net income. Comprehensive income is a more
inclusive financial reporting methodology that encompasses net income and all
other non-shareholder changes in equity (other comprehensive income or loss).
50
The following sets forth the components of other comprehensive loss, and the
related income tax benefit allocated to each item (in thousands):
Fiscal Year Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended
12/31/98 12/31/97 6/30/97 6/30/96
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign currency translation adjustment (1) $ (4) $ (37) $ (37) $ (11)
Unrealized loss on marketable securities (2) $ (21) $ - $ - $ -
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Net of a related tax benefit of $2,000, $20,000, $20,000 and $6,000 for
fiscal year 1998, the transition period and fiscal years 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
(2) Net of a related tax benefit of $11,000 for fiscal year 1998.
(G) MARKETABLE SECURITIES
Marketable securities, purchased in connection with the Company's Deferred
Compensation Plans, at December 31, 1998 consisted of the following (in
thousands):
Gross Gross
Unrealized Unrealized
Holding Holding Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity Securities $537 $ - $ 32 $ 505
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(H) INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):
Dec. 31, Dec. 31,
1998 1997
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paper $ 8,277 $ 7,573
Editorial and other prepublication costs 6,052 6,002
Merchandise finished goods 11,356 11,801
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total inventories $ 25,685 $ 25,376
====================================================================================================
(I) PROGRAMMING COSTS
Current programming costs consisted of the following (in thousands):
Dec. 31, Dec. 31,
1998 1997
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Released, less amortization $ 34,573 $ 32,601
Completed, not yet released 8,769 8,903
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current programming costs $ 43,342 $ 41,504
====================================================================================================
Noncurrent programming costs of $6.0 million and $8.3 million at December 31,
1998 and 1997, respectively, consisted of programs in the process of production.
(J) ADVERTISING COSTS
The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred, except for direct-response
advertising. Direct-response advertising consists primarily of costs associated
with the promotion of magazine subscriptions, principally the production of
direct-mail solicitation materials and postage, and the distribution of catalogs
for use in the Catalog Group. The capitalized direct-response advertising costs
are amortized over the period during which the future benefits are expected to
be received, principally six to 12 months.
At December 31, 1998 and 1997, advertising costs of $9.9 million and $9.1
million, respectively, were deferred and included in "Deferred subscription
acquisition costs" and "Other current assets" in the Consolidated Balance
Sheets. For fiscal year 1998, the transition period and fiscal years 1997 and
1996, the Company's advertising expense was $49.5 million, $23.9 million, $46.2
million and $44.3 million, respectively.
51
(K) FINANCING OBLIGATIONS
The final principal payment of long-term debt was paid in October 1997 in the
amount of $350,000.
At December 31, 1997, the Company had a $35.0 million revolving credit
agreement with two domestic banks, which expired in March 1999. In December
1998, the credit agreement was amended to increase the line to $40.0 million,
while all other terms and conditions remained the same. The credit agreement
provided for interest based on fixed spreads over specified index rates and for
commitment fees based on a combination of the unused portion of the total line
of credit and cash balances. The credit agreement, which covered short-term
borrowings and the issuance of letters of credit, was collateralized by
substantially all of the Company's assets and required the Company to maintain
financial covenants pertaining to net worth, leverage and cash flow.
Additionally, there were limitations on other indebtedness and investments, and
cash dividends were prohibited. The carrying value of these borrowings
approximated the fair market value of the debt. See Note W "Subsequent Events."
At December 31, 1998, short-term borrowings of $29.8 million and a letter
of credit of $0.2 million were outstanding compared to short-term borrowings and
a letter of credit outstanding at December 31, 1997 of $10.0 million and $0.4
million, respectively. The weighted average interest rates on the short-term
borrowings outstanding at December 31, 1998 and 1997 were 7.16% and 8.04%,
respectively.
(L) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
In the early 1980's, the Company discontinued its resort hotel operations, and
the related liabilities have been segregated in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
at December 31, 1998 and 1997 as "Reserves for losses on disposals of
discontinued operations." In January 1993, the Company received a General Notice
from the EPA as a PRP in connection with a site identified as the Southern Lakes
Trap & Skeet Club, located at the Resort, formerly owned by a subsidiary of the
Company. The Resort was sold by the Company's subsidiary to LG Americana-GKP
Joint Venture in 1982. Two other entities were also identified as PRPs in the
notice. The notice related to actions that may be ordered taken by the EPA to
sample for and remove contamination in soils and sediments, purportedly caused
by skeet shooting activities at the Resort property. On September 10, 1998, the
Company entered into a consent decree settling this matter, which was entered by
the Wisconsin District Court on November 25, 1998. The Company had established
adequate reserves to cover its $0.5 million share of the cost (based on an
agreement with one of the other PRPs) of the agreed upon remediation, which was
paid in December 1998.
(M) CONTINGENCIES
Playboy TV's cable programming is delivered primarily through a communications
satellite transponder. The Company's current transponder lease, effective
January 1, 1993, contains protections typical in the industry against
transponder failure, including access to spare transponders. Access to the
transponder may be denied under certain narrowly defined circumstances relating
to violations of law or threats to revoke the license of the satellite owner to
operate the satellite based on programming content. The Company has the right,
however, to challenge any such denial and believes that the transponder will
continue to be available to it through the end of the expected life of the
satellite (currently estimated to be 2004). The Company's current lease term
expires October 30, 2001 and can be renewed for an additional three years.
Material limitations on the Company's access to cable systems or satellite
transponder capacity could materially adversely affect the Company's operating
performance. There have been no instances in which the Company has been denied
access to the transponder it leases.
In February 1996, the Company filed suit challenging Section 505, which,
among other things, regulates the cable transmission of adult programming, such
as the Company's domestic pay television programs. Enforcement of Section 505
commenced May 18, 1997. The Company's full case on the merits was heard by the
Delaware District Court in March 1998. In December 1998, the Delaware District
Court unanimously declared Section 505 unconstitutional. Even though the
defendants have appealed this judgment, the ruling gives cable systems the right
to resume 24-hour broadcast of adult services so long as cable systems comply
with, and consumers are made aware of, the "blocking on request" requirement of
Section 504. Management believes that the effect of Section 505 on the Company's
financial performance may continue until the case is finally decided.
52
(N) STOCK PLANS
The Company presently has three plans under which stock options or shares may be
granted: the 1991 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors
(the "1991 Directors' Plan"), the Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Incentive Plan
for key employees (the "1995 Stock Incentive Plan") and the 1997 Equity Plan for
Non-Employee Directors of Playboy Enterprises, Inc., as Amended (the "1997
Directors' Plan"). Previously, stock options were also granted under the 1989
Stock Option Plan (the "1989 Option Plan"). There are no shares available for
future grant under this plan.
The 1989 Option Plan authorized the grant of nonqualified stock options to
key employees to purchase up to 342,500 shares of Class A common stock ("Class A
stock") and 1,027,500 shares of Class B common stock ("Class B stock") at a
price that was equal to the fair market value at date of grant. The remaining
103,000 Class B shares available for future grants under the 1989 Option Plan
were transferred into the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan and the remaining 175,100
Class A shares that were not yet granted were canceled.
The 1991 Directors' Plan provides for the grant of nonqualified stock
options to each nonemployee director to purchase shares of Class B stock at a
price that is equal to the fair market value at date of grant. Options to
purchase an aggregate of 80,000 shares of Class B stock may be granted under the
1991 Directors' Plan.
The 1995 Stock Incentive Plan provides for the grant of nonqualified and
incentive stock options, shares of restricted stock and deferred stock and other
performance-based equity awards. Non-Qualified Stock Option, Incentive Stock
Option and Restricted Stock Agreements are presently outstanding under the 1995
Stock Incentive Plan. At December 31, 1998, a total of 1,803,000 shares of Class
B stock were authorized under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan, which includes the
previously mentioned 103,000 shares that were transferred from the 1989 Option
Plan. The Non-Qualified and Incentive Stock Option Agreements authorize the
grant of options to key employees to purchase shares of Class B stock at a price
that is not less than the fair market value at date of grant. The Restricted
Stock Agreements provide for the issuance of Class B stock to key employees
subject to certain restrictions that lapse upon the Company meeting specified
operating income objectives pertaining to a fiscal year. Such operating income
objectives are set at $7.5 million, $10.0 million, $15.0 million and $20.0
million, after related expenses. However, vesting requirements for certain
restricted stock grants will lapse automatically for any remaining restricted
stock, generally 10 years from the date awarded. The first two operating income
objectives of $7.5 million and $10.0 million were met in fiscal years 1996 and
1997, respectively, and 121,564 and 115,939 shares of restricted stock vested in
August 1996 and 1997, respectively. The remaining two operating income
objectives of $15.0 million and $20.0 million have not been met as of December
31, 1998, and, as a result, no additional shares of restricted stock have vested
and thus no related compensation expense has been recognized. Compensation
expense recognized in fiscal years 1996 and 1997 in connection with the 1995
Stock Incentive Plan was $972,000 and $1,078,000, respectively.
In November 1996, the Board authorized the grant of nonqualified stock
options to purchase a total of 20,000 shares of the Company's Class B stock to
two nonemployee directors under no specific plan (the "Board Grant"). The
resolution provided for the grant of these options at a price equal to the fair
market value at date of grant.
The 1997 Directors' Plan authorizes the issuance of a total of 200,000
shares of Class B stock and (a) authorizes the grant of stock options, shares of
restricted stock and stock awards to nonemployee directors of the Company, (b)
provides for the receipt by such directors of all compensation (other than
deferred compensation) paid to them for attendance at Board and committee
meetings in the form of shares of Class B stock, and (c) authorizes such
directors to elect to receive up to 100% of their annual retainer in the form of
shares of Class B stock. The exercise price of options granted to nonemployee
directors under the 1997 Directors' Plan must equal or exceed the fair market
value at date of grant. As of December 31, 1998, Class B stock had been granted
as restricted stock awards and issued as payment to the members of the Board for
attendance at Board and committee meetings under the 1997 Directors' Plan. The
restricted stock awards are subject to certain restrictions that lapse upon the
Company meeting specified operating income objectives pertaining to a fiscal
year. Such operating income objectives are set at $15.0 million and $20.0
million, after related expenses, upon attainment of which the restrictions lapse
as to 30% and 70% of the shares of restricted stock, respectively. However,
vesting requirements for the restricted stock grants will lapse automatically
for any remaining restricted stock, generally 10 years from the date awarded. As
previously discussed, the operating income objectives of $15.0 million and $20.0
million have not been met as of December 31, 1998, and, as a result, no shares
of restricted stock have vested and thus no related compensation expense has
been recognized in connection with the 1997 Directors' Plan.
53
Stock options under all of the plans discussed above are generally for a
term of 10 years and are generally exercisable in cumulative annual installments
of 25% each year, beginning on the first anniversary of the date such options
were initially granted. At December 31, 1998, options to purchase 115,000 shares
of Class A stock and 637,750 shares of Class B stock were exercisable under the
1989 Option Plan, options to purchase 32,500 shares of Class B stock were
exercisable under the 1991 Directors' Plan, options to purchase 353,750 shares
of Class B stock were exercisable under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan and
options to purchase 10,000 shares of Class B stock were exercisable under the
Board Grant. The Board has reserved treasury shares for issuance upon exercise
of options under the 1989 Option Plan and the Board Grant. Shares issued upon
exercise of options granted or shares awarded under the 1991 Directors' Plan,
the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan and the 1997 Directors' Plan may be either
treasury shares or newly issued shares. At December 31, 1998, a total of 516,702
shares of Class B stock were available for future grants under the 1991
Directors' Plan, the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan and the 1997 Directors' Plan
combined. Stock option transactions are summarized as follows:
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Options Outstanding
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted Average
Shares Exercise Price
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Class B Class A Class B
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at June 30, 1995 150,000 1,308,750 6.29 7.59
Granted - 40,000 - 9.31
Exercised (35,000) (159,750) 4.88 4.84
Canceled - (42,500) - 9.13
- - -------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at June 30, 1996 115,000 1,146,500 6.72 7.97
Granted - 477,500 - 13.87
Exercised - (57,500) - 7.55
Canceled - (51,250) - 12.72
- - -------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at June 30, 1997 115,000 1,515,250 6.72 9.74
Granted - 70,000 - 15.03
Exercised - (15,000) - 7.96
Canceled - - - -
- - -------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at December 31, 1997 115,000 1,570,250 6.72 9.99
Granted - 167,500 - 16.15
Exercised - (76,250) - 10.96
Canceled - (140,000) - 13.60
- - -------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at December 31, 1998 115,000 1,521,500 6.72 10.29
==========================================================================
The weighted average exercise prices for Class A and Class B exercisable options
at June 30, 1996 were $6.72 and $7.36, respectively, and at June 30, 1997 were
$6.72 and $7.59, respectively. The weighted average exercise prices for Class A
and Class B exercisable options at December 31, 1997 were $6.72 and $8.00,
respectively. The following table summarizes information regarding stock options
at December 31, 1998:
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
------------------------------------- ------------------------
Weighted Weighted Weighted
Average Average Average
Range of Number Remaining Exercise Number Exercise
Exercise Prices Outstanding Life Price Exercisable Price
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A
$6.69-$7.38 115,000 1.15 6.72 115,000 6.72
Class B
$5.38-$9.38 960,165 3.50 7.82 877,373 7.67
$10.31-$13.31 116,335 5.56 11.36 56,627 10.95
$13.63-$17.69 445,000 8.40 15.33 100,000 14.79
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Class B 1,521,500 5.09 10.29 1,034,000 8.54
54
The following table summarizes transactions related to restricted stock awards:
Restricted Stock Awards Outstanding
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at June 30, 1995 516,250
Awarded 20,000
Vested -
Canceled (50,000)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at June 30, 1996 486,250
Awarded 68,750
Vested (121,564)
Canceled (28,125)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at June 30, 1997 405,311
Awarded 37,500
Vested (115,939)
Canceled -
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at December 31, 1997 326,872
Awarded 46,250
Vested -
Canceled (42,500)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at December 31, 1998 330,622
=================================================================================
Effective July 1, 1996, the Company established an Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(the "Purchase Plan") to provide substantially all regular full- and part-time
employees an opportunity to purchase shares of its Class B stock through payroll
deductions up to the lower of 10% of base salary, or $25,000 of fair market
value of Class B stock per calendar year (as required by the Internal Revenue
Service). The funds are withheld and then used to acquire stock on the last
trading day of each quarter, based on the closing price less a 15% discount.
Under the Purchase Plan, shares issued upon purchase may be either treasury
shares or newly issued shares. At December 31, 1998, an aggregate of 50,000
shares of Class B stock have been authorized under the Purchase Plan, of which a
total of approximately 41,500 have been sold to employees.
Stock options are accounted for under Accounting Principles Board Opinion
No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations.
Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized related to these
options. Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation ("Statement 123"), compensation expense is measured
at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over
the vesting period. The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of
Statement 123. Had compensation expense for these options been determined
consistent with Statement 123, the Company's net income and basic and diluted
EPS would have been reduced to the following pro forma amounts (in thousands,
except per share amounts):
Fiscal Year Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended
12/31/98 12/31/97* 6/30/97* 6/30/96*
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income
As reported $ 4,320 $ 1,065 $ 21,394 $ 4,252
Pro forma 3,194 658 21,008 4,227
BASIC EPS
As reported 0.21 0.05 1.05 0.21
Pro forma 0.16 0.03 1.03 0.21
DILUTED EPS
As reported 0.21 0.05 1.03 0.21
Pro forma $ 0.15 $ 0.03 $ 1.02 $ 0.21
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Certain reclassifications have been made to conform to the current
presentation.
55
The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average
assumptions:
Fiscal Year Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended
12/31/98 12/31/97 6/30/97 6/30/96
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risk-free interest rate 5.63% 6.14% 6.56% 5.98%
Expected stock price volatility 41.47% 40.07% 40.00% 40.00%
Expected dividend yield - - - -
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For fiscal years 1996 and 1997, the transition period and fiscal year 1998, an
expected life of six years was used for all of the stock options except one as
noted below, and the weighted average fair value of options granted was $4.55,
$6.87, $7.35 and $7.91, respectively. For one incentive stock option granted in
fiscal year 1997 with a shorter term, an expected life of five years was used,
and the weighted average fair value of that option was $6.17. For fiscal years
1996 and 1997, the transition period and fiscal year 1998, the weighted average
fair value of restricted stock awarded was $8.88, $13.67, $14.05 and $16.14,
respectively.
The pro forma effect on net income for fiscal years 1996 and 1997, the
transition period and fiscal year 1998 may not be representative of the pro
forma effect on net income in future years as the Statement 123 method of
accounting for pro forma compensation expense has not been applied to options
granted prior to July 1, 1995.
(O) ACQUISITIONS
On March 29, 1996, the Company acquired an additional 45% interest in VIPress,
publisher of the Polish edition of Playboy magazine, for approximately $315,000,
including approximately $85,000 in acquisition costs. Subsequent to this
purchase, the Company owned 90% of the capital stock of VIPress. The acquisition
was accounted for under the purchase method and, accordingly, the results of
VIPress since the date of acquisition have been included in the Company's
Consolidated Statements of Operations. Prior to acquiring the additional 45%
interest, the investment was accounted for under the equity method and, as such,
the Company's proportionate share of net income or loss from VIPress prior to
the acquisition was included in nonoperating income or expense. The acquisition
resulted in goodwill of approximately $106,000 which is being amortized over
five years. The Company's interest in VIPress may be reduced to a minimum of 80%
by the end of fiscal year 2000 as a result of shares that may be sold for a
nominal amount to two managing minority partners under an incentive plan that
requires certain performance objectives to be met. At December 31, 1998, the
Company's interest in VIPress was 84%. Pro forma results reflecting this
acquisition, assuming it had been made at the beginning of fiscal year 1996,
would not be materially different from the results reported.
(P) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Cash paid for interest and income taxes was as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Year Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended
12/31/98 12/31/97 6/30/97 6/30/96
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest $ 1,505 $ 268 $ 480 $ 610
Income taxes $ 2,367 $ 1,545 $ 2,293 $ 1,851
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, the Company had noncash
investing activities related to the sale of an investment. See Note B.
(Q) LEASE COMMITMENTS
The Company's principal lease commitments are for office space, a satellite
transponder used in its domestic pay television operations, and furniture and
equipment. The office leases provide for the Company's payment of its
proportionate share of operating expenses and real estate taxes in addition to
monthly base rent.
The Company's corporate headquarters located in Chicago were under terms of
a 15-year lease, which commenced September 1, 1989. In August 1996, the Company
renegotiated this lease on more favorable terms, including a lower base rent
which results in savings of approximately $2.0 million over the original term of
the lease, combined with the Company obtaining certain expansion options in the
building. Further, the lease term was
56
extended three years to 2007, with a renewal option for an additional five
years. The Company exercised its options to expand in July 1998 due to growth of
the Playboy Online Group. The Entertainment Group's Los Angeles principal office
is under terms of a 10-year lease, which commenced April 1, 1992. The Publishing
Group's New York office is under a lease with a term of approximately 11 years,
which commenced April 1, 1993. The Publishing Group's Los Angeles photography
studio is under terms of a 10-year lease, which commenced January 1, 1994. The
Catalog Group's suburban Chicago operations facility is under terms of a 10 1/2
year lease, which commenced June 1, 1997. These leases provide for base rent
abatements; however, rent expense is being charged to operations on a straight-
line basis over the terms of the leases.
The Company's lease for its current satellite transponder commenced January
1, 1993. This operating lease is for a term of approximately nine years and
includes an end-of-lease purchase option.
The Company leases certain furniture and equipment for use in its
operations. The leases are for terms of two to five years and generally include
end-of-lease purchase options.
Rent expense for fiscal year 1998, the transition period and fiscal years
1997 and 1996 was $11,250,000, $5,232,000 $9,611,000 and $9,177,000,
respectively. There was no contingent rent expense or sublease income in any of
these periods.
The minimum commitments at December 31, 1998, under operating leases with
noncancelable terms in excess of one year, were as follows (in thousands):
Operating
Fiscal year ending December 31 Leases
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 $11,564
2000 11,131
2001 9,812
2002 5,125
2003 4,488
Later years 11,056
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total minimum lease payments $53,176
========================================================================
(R) SEGMENT INFORMATION
During fiscal year 1998, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information ("Statement 131"). Statement 131, which is
based on the management approach to segment reporting, includes requirements to
report selected segment information quarterly, and annual entity-wide
disclosures related to products and services, geographic areas and major
customers. The adoption of Statement 131 did not affect results of operations or
financial position of the Company, but did affect the disclosure of segment
information.
The Company's six reportable segments are as follows: Publishing,
Entertainment, Product Marketing, Catalog, Casino Gaming and Playboy Online.
Publishing Group operations include the publication of Playboy magazine; other
domestic publishing businesses, comprising newsstand specials, calendars and
ancillary businesses; and the licensing of international editions of Playboy
magazine. Entertainment Group operations include the production and marketing of
programming through domestic Playboy TV, other domestic pay television,
international television and worldwide home video businesses as well as the
worldwide distribution of programming through AdulTVision and the production or
co-production and distribution of feature films. Product Marketing Group
operations include licensing the manufacture, sale and distribution of consumer
products carrying one or more of the Company's trademarks and the licensing of
artwork owned by the Company. Catalog Group operations include the direct
marketing of four catalogs: Critics' Choice Video, Collectors' Choice Music,
Playboy and Spice. Casino Gaming Group operations include the development of
casino gaming opportunities. Playboy Online Group operations include the
development and operation of the Company's Internet sites, including
Playboy.com, Playboy Cyber Club and e-commerce sites for the Company's catalogs.
57
These reportable segments are based on the nature of the products offered.
The chief operating decision maker of the Company evaluates performance and
allocates resources based on several factors, of which the primary financial
measure is segment operating results. The accounting policies of the reportable
segments are the same as those described in Note A. The following table
represents financial information by reportable segment:
Fiscal Year Six Months Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Ended Ended Ended Ended
(in thousands) 12/31/98 12/31/97* 6/30/97* 6/30/96*
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET REVENUES (1)
Publishing $ 137,997 $ 66,329 $135,710 $ 131,800
Entertainment 91,049 37,356 74,716 64,826
Product Marketing 7,081 4,199 7,968 7,125
Catalog 74,393 39,340 75,391 71,634
Casino Gaming - - - -
Playboy Online 7,098 2,317 2,838 1,202
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 317,618 $ 149,541 $296,623 $ 276,587
==============================================================================================
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
AND CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE
IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE
Publishing $ 6,332 $ 3,898 $ 8,665 $ 9,041
Entertainment 26,165 7,991 18,254 9,204
Product Marketing 365 1,614 3,512 3,692
Catalog 4,100 1,835 4,630 5,231
Casino Gaming (1,108) (541) - -
Playboy Online (6,528) (943) (113) 207
Corporate Administration and Promotion (24,358) (9,395) (19,203) (17,882)
Investment income 127 50 73 88
Interest expense (1,551) (289) (427) (680)
Gain on sale of investment 4,272 - - -
Other, net (791) 70 (640) (452)
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 7,025 $ 4,290 $ 14,751 $ 8,449
==============================================================================================
IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS (2) (3)
Publishing $ 50,400 $ 46,579 $ 37,974 $ 41,353
Entertainment 85,783 71,353 72,251 57,947
Product Marketing 5,764 6,589 6,404 5,196
Catalog 17,871 18,931 15,338 12,542
Casino Gaming 4,416 1,863 2,936 2,499
Playboy Online 1,282 636 704 432
Corporate Administration and Promotion 46,591 39,996 39,935 30,900
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 212,107 $ 185,947 $175,542 $ 150,869
==============================================================================================
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION (2) (4)
Publishing $ 641 $ 325 $ 1,046 $ 967
Entertainment 25,531 11,356 22,027 21,836
Product Marketing 155 78 176 217
Catalog 464 237 651 639
Casino Gaming - - - -
Playboy Online 28 - - -
Corporate Administration and Promotion 2,193 1,009 2,573 2,682
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 29,012 $ 13,005 $ 26,473 $ 26,341
==============================================================================================
* Certain reclassifications have been made to conform to the current
presentation.
(1) Net revenues include revenues attributable to foreign countries of $45,231,
$21,292, $42,956 and $35,932 in fiscal year 1998, the transition period and
fiscal years 1997 and 1996, respectively. Revenues from individual foreign
countries were not material. Revenues are attributed to countries based on
the location of customers, except Product Marketing royalties where
revenues are attributed based upon the location of licensees.
(2) Substantially all property and equipment and capital expenditures are
reflected in Corporate Administration and Promotion; depreciation, however,
is allocated to the reporting segments.
(3) Long-lived assets of the Company located in foreign countries were not
material.
(4) Amounts include depreciation of property and equipment, amortization of
intangible assets, expenses related to the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan and
amortization of investments in entertainment programming.
58
(S) BENEFIT PLANS
The Company's Employees Investment Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan
consisting of two components, a profit sharing plan and a 401(k) plan. The
profit sharing plan covers all employees who have completed 12 months of service
of at least 1,000 hours. The Company's discretionary contribution to the profit
sharing plan is distributed to each eligible employee's account in an amount
equal to the ratio of each eligible employee's compensation, subject to Internal
Revenue Service limitations, to the total compensation paid to all such
employees. Contributions for fiscal year 1998, the transition period and fiscal
years 1997 and 1996 were approximately $420,000, $275,000, $1,035,000 and
$620,000, respectively.
Eligibility for the 401(k) plan is either upon date of hire or after an
employee has completed 12 months of service of at least 1,000 hours, depending
on the employee's annual salary. The Company makes matching contributions to the
401(k) plan based on each participating employee's contributions and eligible
compensation. In fiscal year 1998, the transition period and fiscal year 1997,
the maximum matching contributions were 3 1/2%, and in fiscal year 1996 were 2
3/4%, of each employee's eligible compensation, subject to Internal Revenue
Service limitations. For fiscal year 1999, the maximum matching contribution
will continue to be 3 1/2% of such compensation. The Company's matching
contributions for fiscal year 1998, the transition period and fiscal years 1997
and 1996 related to this plan were approximately $1,015,000, $455,000, $920,000
and $630,000, respectively.
The Company has two non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plans, which permit
certain employees and nonemployee directors to annually elect to defer a portion
of their compensation. The Deferred Compensation Plan for employees is available
to approximately 80 of the Company's most highly compensated employees. The
Board's Deferred Compensation Plan is available to nonemployee directors.
Effective January 1, 1998, the Company amended both plans which, among other
things, increased the maximum deferral percentages, added new investment
alternatives, and added a Company match which applies to certain contributions
made by employees. Employee participants can defer between 6% and 25% (in 1%
increments) of salary, and up to 100% (in 10% increments) of payments due under
executive incentive compensation plans or sales commissions. Directors receive
annual retainers and meeting fees for their services. Directors may defer
between 25% and 100% (in 25% increments) of their annual retainers, or they may
be paid in cash, Class B stock, or in a combination thereof, at the director's
option. Directors' meeting fees are paid in Class B stock, and can be deferred
at the director's option. Amounts deferred under these plans are credited each
quarter with (a) interest at a rate equal to the preceding quarter's average
composite yield on corporate bonds as published by Moody's Investor's Service,
Inc. or (b) earnings equal to the performance of selected mutual funds,
depending on the participant's investment allocations. In addition, stock
deferrals by the directors track the performance of the Company's Class B stock.
A Company match is provided to employees who participate in the Deferred
Compensation Plan, at a certain specified minimum level, and whose annual
eligible earnings exceed the salary limitation contained in the 401(k) plan. All
amounts deferred and earnings credited are 100% vested immediately and are
general unsecured obligations of the Company. Such obligations totaled
$2,580,000 and $1,722,000 at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, and are
included in "Noncurrent liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(T) CABLE TELEVISION
Effective April 1, 1986, the Company assumed marketing and distribution
responsibilities for The Playboy Channel and other North American Playboy pay
television products (the "Service") from its former distributor, Rainbow
Programming Services Company ("Rainbow"). The termination agreement provided for
the assignment to the Company of all distribution contracts with cable system
operators and others that carried the Service.
Under the termination agreement, Rainbow was to receive a monthly royalty
of 5% of revenues received by the Company for the Service, subject to a minimum
royalty based on number of subscribers, as long as the Service is in operation.
These royalty payments were discontinued April 30, 1996, when the agreement
ended. The agreement provided for noncompetition in the North American
distribution and production of an adult-oriented pay television service by
Rainbow as long as royalty payments were being made.
59
(U) QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly results of operations for
fiscal year 1998, the transition period and fiscal year 1997 (in thousands,
except per share amounts):
Fiscal Year
Quarters Ended Ended
------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1998 Mar. 31 June 30 Sept. 30 Dec. 31 12/31/98
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net revenues $ 71,762 $ 77,820 $ 75,655 $ 92,381 $ 317,618
Gross profit 10,002 14,352 9,097 14,689 48,140
Operating income (loss) 1,244 3,991 (2,442) 2,175 4,968
Net income (loss) 60 2,079 (2,689) 4,870 4,320
Basic and diluted EPS 0.00 0.10 (0.13) 0.24 0.21
Common stock price
Class A high 16 11/16 18 3/8 17 20 1/4
Class A low 13 1/2 15 3/4 11 1/8 11
Class B high 17 13/16 19 11/16 18 3/4 22 7/16
Class B low $ 14 5/8 $ 17 $12 3/16 $ 11 7/8
Six Months
Quarters Ended Ended
--------------------
Six Months Ended December 31, 1997 Sept. 30 Dec. 31 12/31/97
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net revenues $ 68,214 $ 81,327 $ 149,541
Gross profit 11,121 11,762 22,883
Operating income 2,328 2,131 4,459
Income before cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle 1,095 1,047 2,142
Net income (loss) 1,095 (30) 1,065
Basic and diluted EPS
Income before cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle 0.05 0.05 0.10
Net income 0.05 0.00 0.05
Common stock price
Class A high 13 7/8 15 1/8
Class A low 10 3/8 12 3/16
Class B high 15 3/8 16 11/16
Class B low $ 10 3/4 $ 13 1/2
Fiscal Year
Quarters Ended Ended
-----------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1997 Sept. 30 Dec. 31 Mar. 31 June 30 6/30/97
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net revenues $ 66,224 $ 79,779 $ 73,247 $ 77,373 $ 296,623
Gross profit 9,963 13,978 14,394 13,265 51,600
Operating income 2,429 5,265 4,667 3,384 15,745
Net income 1,037 2,825 2,510 15,022 21,394
Basic EPS 0.05 0.14 0.12 0.74 1.05
Diluted EPS 0.05 0.14 0.12 0.72 1.03
Common stock price
Class A high 14 7/8 12 1/2 15 5/8 15
Class A low 12 1/4 9 5/8 9 1/2 10 7/8
Class B high 15 1/4 12 3/4 16 3/8 16
Class B low $ 12 1/8 $ 9 1/2 $ 9 3/8 $ 11 1/4
Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 1998 includes a gain on sale of
investment of $4,272. See Note B.
The net loss for the quarter ended December 31, 1997 includes a charge of $1,077
reported as "Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle" as a result of
the Company's early adoption of SOP 98-5. See Note D.
Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 1997 includes a federal income tax
benefit of $13,486 related to net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.
See Note C.
60
(V) RELATED PARTIES
The Company holds less than 20% interests in several investments in
international ventures. During fiscal year 1998, the transition period and
fiscal years 1997 and 1996, the Company sold approximately $7.0 million, $2.0
million, $3.0 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of entertainment
programming to these ventures. As of December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company had
net receivables from these ventures of $5.0 million and $1.5 million,
respectively.
(W) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On March 15, 1999, the Company completed its acquisition of Spice, a leading
provider of adult television entertainment. For each share of Spice common
stock, stockholders of Spice received $3.60 in cash and 0.1133 shares of the
Company's Class B stock. The total transaction value, including assumption of
debt, was approximately $105 million. Spice stockholders also retained ownership
of Directrix, Inc., a former subsidiary of Spice that owns Spice's digital
operations center, an option to acquire Emerald Media, Inc. and certain rights
to Spice's library of adult films.
In connection with the Company's acquisition of Spice, the Company entered
into a new credit agreement dated as of February 26, 1999 for borrowings of up
to $150.0 million. The new agreement provided financing (a) to purchase all of
the outstanding shares of Spice and to pay related acquisition costs, (b) to
repay the existing debt of the Company and Spice, and (c) to fund future general
working capital and investment needs.
The new agreement consists of three components: a $40.0 million revolving
credit facility with a $10.0 million letter of credit sublimit; a $35.0 million
tranche A term loan; and a $75.0 million tranche B term loan. The revolving
credit facility and tranche A term loan mature on March 15, 2004. The tranche B
term loan matures on March 15, 2006. Loans bear interest at a rate equal to
specified index rates plus margins that fluctuate based on the Company's ratio
of consolidated debt to consolidated adjusted EBITDA. The Company's obligations
under the agreement are unconditionally guaranteed by each of the Company's
existing and subsequently acquired domestic restricted subsidiaries (all
domestic subsidiaries except Playboy Online, Inc.). The agreement and related
guarantees are collateralized by substantially all of the Company's and domestic
restricted subsidiaries' assets.
The agreement contains financial covenants requiring the Company to
maintain certain leverage, cash flow, interest coverage and fixed charge
coverage ratios. Other covenants include limitations on other indebtedness,
investments, capital expenditures and dividends. The agreement also requires
mandatory prepayments with net cash proceeds resulting from excess cash flow,
asset sales and the issuance of certain debt obligations or equity securities,
with certain exceptions as described in the agreement.
61
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the
related consolidated statements of operations, of shareholders' equity and of
cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
Playboy Enterprises, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997,
and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998, the six-month transition period ended December 31,
1997, and the two fiscal years ended June 30, 1997 and 1996, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles. 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 audits. We conducted our
audits of these statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards 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
audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
As discussed in Note D to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the
Company changed its method of recognizing costs related to start-up activities
in the six-month transition period ended December 31, 1997.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 9, 1999, except for Note W which is dated March 15, 1999
62
REPORT OF MANAGEMENT
The consolidated financial statements and all related financial information
in this Form 10-K Annual Report are the responsibility of the Company. The
financial statements, which include amounts based on judgments, have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Other
financial information in this Form 10-K Annual Report is consistent with that in
the financial statements.
The Company maintains a system of internal controls that it believes
provides reasonable assurance that transactions are executed in accordance with
management's authorization and are properly recorded, that assets are
safeguarded and that accountability for assets is maintained. The system of
internal controls is characterized by a control-oriented environment within the
Company, which includes written policies and procedures, careful selection and
training of personnel, and internal audits.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, have audited and
reported on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Their audits were
performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, composed of three
nonmanagement directors, meets periodically with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
management representatives and the Company's internal auditor to review internal
accounting control and auditing and financial reporting matters. Both
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and the internal auditor have unrestricted access to
the Audit Committee and may meet with it without management representatives
being present.
Christie A. Hefner
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Linda G. Havard
Executive Vice President, Finance and Operations,
and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
63
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and
- - ------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Disclosure
--------------------
None
PART III
Information required by Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 is contained in the
registrant's Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement (to be
filed) relating to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in May 1999,
which will be filed within 120 days after the close of the registrant's fiscal
year ended December 31, 1998, and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K
- - ------- ----------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Certain Documents Filed as Part of the Form 10-K
Financial Statements of the registrant and report of independent
accountants following are as set forth under Item 8 of this Form 10-K
Annual Report:
Page
----
Consolidated Statements of Operations - Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1998,
Six-Month Transition Period Ended December 31, 1997 and Fiscal Years Ended
June 30, 1997 and 1996 41
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 1998
and 1997 42
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 1998, Six-Month Transition Period Ended December 31, 1997
and Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996 43
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1998,
Six-Month Transition Period Ended December 31, 1997 and Fiscal Years Ended
June 30, 1997 and 1996 44
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 45-61
Report of Independent Accountants 62
Report of Independent Accountants on Financial
Statement Schedule 78
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 79
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
During the quarter ended December 31, 1998, the Company filed a Form 8-K
Current Report dated December 22, 1998 under Item 5 of the report. The
purpose of this report was to announce that the Company had entered into an
agreement to create Playboy TV International, LLC, a joint venture with
Cisneros that will create television channels worldwide (outside of the
United States and Canadian territories).
During the quarter ended December 31, 1998, the Company filed a Form 8-K
Current Report dated December 23, 1998 under Item 5 of the report. The
purpose of this report was to announce that the Company has no present
plans for a public stock offering of its Internet business.
(c) Exhibits
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 29, 1998, by and among
Playboy Enterprises, Inc., New Playboy, Inc., Playboy Acquisition
Corp., Spice Acquisition Corp. and Spice Entertainment Companies, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 from the Company's
Registration Statement No. 333-68139 on Form S-4 dated December 1,
1998 (the "December 1, 1998 Form S-4"))
64
2.2 Amendment, dated as of November 16, 1998, to the Agreement and Plan of
Merger by and among Playboy Enterprises, Inc., New Playboy, Inc.,
Playboy Acquisition Corp., Spice Acquisition Corp. and Spice
Entertainment Companies, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
2.2 from the December 1, 1998 Form S-4)
2.3 Amendment, dated as of February 26, 1999, to the Agreement and Plan of
Merger by and among Playboy Enterprises, Inc., New Playboy, Inc.,
Playboy Acquisition Corp., Spice Acquisition Corp. and Spice
Entertainment Companies, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
2.1 from the Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 9, 1999 (the
"March 9, 1999 Form 8-K"))
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 from the Current Report on
Form 8-K dated March 15, 1999 (the "March 15, 1999 Form 8-K"))
3.2 Certificate of Amendment of the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company, dated March 15, 1999 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.2 from the March 15, 1999 Form 8-K)
3.3 Certificate of Amendment of the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company, dated March 15, 1999 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.3 from the March 15, 1999 Form 8-K)
3.4 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3.4 from the March 15, 1999 Form 8-K)
#10.1 Playboy Magazine Printing and Binding Agreement dated as of October
22, 1997 between Playboy Enterprises, Inc. and Quad/Graphics, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 from the Company's
transition period report on Form 10-K for the six months ended
December 31, 1997 (the "Transition Period Form 10-K"))
10.2 Playboy Magazine Distribution Agreement dated as of May 27, 1997
between Playboy Enterprises, Inc. and Warner Publisher Services, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 from the Company's annual
report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1997 (the "1997 Form
10-K"))
10.3 Playboy Magazine Subscription Fulfillment Agreement
a July 1, 1987 agreement between Communication Data Services, Inc.
and Playboy Enterprises, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.12(a) from the Company's annual report on Form 10-K
for the year ended June 30, 1992 (the "1992 Form 10-K"))
b Amendment dated as of June 1, 1988 to said Fulfillment Agreement
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12(b) from the Company's
annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1993 (the
"1993 Form 10-K"))
c Amendment dated as of July 1, 1990 to said Fulfillment Agreement
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12(c) from the Company's
annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1991 (the
"1991 Form 10-K"))
d Amendment dated as of July 1, 1996 to said Fulfillment Agreement
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5(d) from the Company's
annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1996 (the
"1996 Form 10-K"))
#e Amendment dated July 7, 1997 to said Fulfillment Agreement
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6(e) from the Transition
Period Form 10-K)
10.4 Transponder Lease Agreement dated as of December 31, 1992 between
Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc. and General Electric Capital
Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 from the
Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December
31, 1992 (the "December 31, 1992 Form 10-Q"))
10.5 Distribution License to Exploit Home Video Rights effective October 1,
1991 between Playboy Video Enterprises, Inc. and Uni Distribution
Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 from the 1991 Form
10-K)
10.6 Distribution Agreement between Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc. and
Universal Music & Video Distribution (formerly Uni Distribution Corp.)
regarding licensing and sale of domestic home video product
a Agreement dated as of March 24, 1995 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.8 from the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for
the year ended June 30, 1995 (the "1995 Form 10-K"))
b Amendment to March 24, 1995 agreement dated February 28, 1997
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 from the Company's
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
1997 (the "March 31, 1997 Form 10-Q"))
#c Agreement dated June 5, 1998 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 from the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 30, 1998 (the "June 30, 1998 Form 10-Q"))
65
10.7 Agreements effective November 1, 1995 between Playboy Entertainment
Group, Inc., Continental Shelf 16 Limited, Precis (1378) Limited and
Playboy TV/Benelux Limited regarding the establishment of a Playboy TV
pay television service in the United Kingdom (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.9 from the 1996 Form 10-K)
10.8 Agreements between Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc. and Tohokushinsha
Film Corporation regarding the establishment of a Playboy TV pay
television service in Japan
a Memorandum of Agreement and Amendment dated July 31, 1995
b Amendment to July 31, 1995 agreement dated March 26, 1996
(items (a) and (b) incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.10(a) and
(b), respectively, from the 1996 Form 10-K)
10.9 Agreements between Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc. and Bloomfield
Mercantile Inc. related to establishing international networks in
Latin America, Spain and Portugal
#a Agreement outline as of March 29, 1996
#b Letter agreement dated January 13, 1997
(items (a) and (b) incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.4(a) and
(b), respectively, from the March 31, 1997 Form 10-Q)
10.10 Letter Agreement, in reference to the Letter Agreement dated January
13, 1997, between Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc. and Bloomfield
Mercantile Inc. regarding Playboy Television programming in
Scandinavia dated as of July 31, 1997 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.4 from the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 1997 (the "September 30, 1997 Form 10-Q"))
#10.11 Letter Agreement dated October 20, 1997 between Playboy Entertainment
Group, Inc., Bloomfield Mercantile Inc. and White Oak Enterprises,
Ltd. related to establishing international networks in Germany and
Scandinavia (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 from the
Transition Period Form 10-K)
#10.12 Memorandum of Agreement as of July 29, 1997 between Playboy
Entertainment Group, Inc. and the Modern Times Group related to
broadcasting a pay television service known as Playboy TV/Scandinavia
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 from the September 30, 1997
Form 10-Q)
#10.13 Memorandum of Understanding as of February 26, 1997 between Playboy
Entertainment Group, Inc. and Daewoo Corporation related to
establishing international networks in South Korea (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.5 from the March 31, 1997 Form 10-Q)
10.14 Deal Memorandum dated June 22, 1995 between Playboy Networks Worldwide
and TVN regarding distribution and services related to the AdulTVision
pay television service (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11
from the 1996 Form 10-K)
10.15 Distribution Agreements between Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc.,
Orion Home Video and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. regarding the
distribution of certain home video programs and product
a Agreement dated June 27, 1996 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.12 from the 1996 Form 10-K)
b First Amendment to June 27, 1996 agreement dated July 29, 1996
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 from the March 31,
1997 Form 10-Q)
#c Second Amendment to June 27, 1996 agreement dated December 31,
1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18(c) from the
Transition Period Form 10-K)
10.16 Letter Agreement dated as of January 5, 1998 between Playboy
Entertainment Group, Inc. and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. in
reference to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. assuming full right,
power and authority over certain distribution and production
agreements on behalf of other parties (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.19 from the Transition Period Form 10-K)
10.17 Affiliation Agreement between Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc. and
DirecTV, Inc. regarding the satellite distribution of Playboy TV
a Agreement dated November 15, 1993
b First Amendment to November 15, 1993 agreement dated as of April
19, 1994
c Second Amendment to November 15, 1993 agreement dated as of July
26, 1995
(items (a), (b) and (c) incorporated by reference to Exhibits
10.13(a), (b) and (c), respectively, from the 1996 Form 10-K)
#d Third Amendment to November 15, 1993 agreement dated August 26,
1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 from the
September 30, 1997 Form 10-Q)
#10.18 DBS License Agreement dated April 1, 1997 between Playboy
Entertainment Group, Inc. and PrimeStar Partners, L.P. regarding the
satellite distribution of Playboy TV or any other service mark that
retains a Playboy Mark (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 from
the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 1998 (the "March 31, 1998 Form 10-Q"))
66
10.19 Product License Agreements between Playboy Enterprises, Inc. and
Chaifa Investment, Limited
a Agreement dated September 26, 1989 related to the Hong Kong
territory
b Agreement dated March 4, 1991 related to the People's Republic of
China territory
c Amendment dated July 21, 1992 related to the March 4, 1991
agreement
d Amendment dated August 17, 1993 related to the agreements dated
September 26, 1989 and March 4, 1991
e Amendment dated January 23, 1996 related to the agreements dated
September 26, 1989 and March 4, 1991
(items (a) through (e) incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.16(a)
through (e), respectively, from the 1996 Form 10-K)
f Amendment dated May 12, 1997 related to the agreements dated
September 26, 1989 and March 4, 1991 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.18(f) from the 1997 Form 10-K)
10.20 Warner Home Video/Critics' Choice Direct Marketing License Agreements
a Agreement dated February 22, 1994 regarding purchase of Turner
product
b Agreement dated February 22, 1994 regarding purchase of non-
Turner product
(items (a) and (b) incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.10 and
10.11, respectively, from the 1995 Form 10-K)
c Agreement dated June 28, 1996 regarding purchase of Turner and
non-Turner product (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15(c)
from the 1996 Form 10-K)
10.21 Credit Agreement
a Credit Agreement, dated as of February 26, 1999, among New
Playboy, Inc., PEI Holdings, Inc., the Lenders named in this
Credit Agreement, ING (U.S.) Capital LLC, as Syndication Agent,
and Credit Suisse First Boston, as Administrative Agent, as
Collateral Agent and as Issuing Bank
b Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, dated as of March 15, 1999, among
certain subsidiaries of Playboy Enterprises, Inc. and Credit
Suisse First Boston, as Collateral Agent
c Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement, dated as of
March 15, 1999, among Playboy Enterprises, Inc., PEI Holdings,
Inc., certain other subsidiaries of Playboy Enterprises, Inc.,
and Credit Suisse First Boston, as Collateral Agent
d Pledge Agreement, dated as of March 15, 1999, among Playboy
Enterprises, Inc., PEI Holdings, Inc., certain other subsidiaries
of Playboy Enterprises, Inc., and Credit Suisse First Boston, as
Collateral Agent
e Security Agreement, dated as of March 15, 1999, among Playboy
Enterprises, Inc., PEI Holdings, Inc., certain other subsidiaries
of Playboy Enterprises, Inc., and Credit Suisse First Boston, as
Collateral Agent
10.22 Revolving Line of Credit
a Credit Agreement dated as of February 10, 1995 by and among
Playboy Enterprises, Inc., Harris Trust and Savings Bank and
LaSalle National Bank
b First Amendment to February 10, 1995 Credit Agreement dated as of
March 31, 1995
(items (a) and (b) incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.12(a) and
(b), respectively, from the 1995 Form 10-K)
c Second Amendment to February 10, 1995 Credit Agreement dated as
of March 5, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17(c)
from the 1996 Form 10-K)
d Third Amendment to February 10, 1995 Credit Agreement dated as of
September 11, 1997 but effective as of July 8, 1997 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.19(d) from the 1997 Form 10-K)
e Fourth Amendment to February 10, 1995 Credit Agreement dated as
of November 5, 1998 but effective as of September 30, 1998
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 from the Company's
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
1998 (the "September 30, 1998 Form 10-Q"))
f Fifth Amendment to February 10, 1995 Credit Agreement dated as of
December 31, 1998
g Sixth Amendment to February 10, 1995 Credit Agreement dated as of
March 5, 1999
10.23 Playboy Mansion West Lease Agreement, as amended, between Playboy
Enterprises, Inc. and Hugh M. Hefner
a Letter of Interpretation of Lease
b Agreement of lease
(items (a) and (b) incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.3(a) and
(b), respectively, from the 1991 Form 10-K)
c Amendment to lease agreement dated as of January 12, 1998
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 from the March 31,
1998 Form 10-Q)
67
10.24 Los Angeles Offices Lease Documents
a Office lease dated as of July 25, 1991 between Playboy
Enterprises, Inc. and Beverly Mercedes Place, Ltd. (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.6(c) from the 1991 Form 10-K)
b Amendment to July 25, 1991 lease dated June 26, 1996
c Amendment to July 25, 1991 lease dated September 12, 1996
(items (b) and (c) incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.19(b) and
(c), respectively, from the 1996 Form 10-K)
d Office lease dated January 6, 1999 between 5055 Wilshire Limited
Partnership and Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
10.25 Chicago Office Lease Documents
a Office Lease dated April 7, 1988 by and between Playboy
Enterprises, Inc. and LaSalle National Bank as Trustee under
Trust No. 112912 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(a)
from the 1993 Form 10-K)
b First Amendment to April 7, 1988 lease dated October 26, 1989
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15(b) from the 1995 Form
10-K)
c Second Amendment to April 7, 1988 lease dated June 1, 1992
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 from the December 31,
1992 Form 10-Q)
d Third Amendment to April 7, 1988 lease dated August 30, 1993
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15(d) from the 1995 Form
10-K)
e Fourth Amendment to April 7, 1988 lease dated August 6, 1996
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20(e) from the 1996 Form
10-K)
f Fifth Amendment to April 7, 1988 lease dated March 19, 1998
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 from the March 31,
1998 Form 10-Q)
10.26 New York Office Lease Agreement dated August 11, 1992 between Playboy
Enterprises, Inc. and Lexington Building Co. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.9(b) from the 1992 Form 10-K)
10.27 Itasca Warehouse Lease Documents
a Agreement dated as of September 6, 1996 between Centerpoint
Properties Corporation and Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 from the 1996 Form
10-K)
b Amendment to September 6, 1996 lease dated June 1, 1997
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25(b) from the 1997 Form
10-K)
*10.28 Selected Company Remunerative Plans
a Executive Protection Program dated March 1, 1990 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.18(c) from the 1995 Form 10-K)
b Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Employees
effective January 1, 1998
c Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Board of
Directors' effective January 1, 1998
(items (b) and (c) incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.2(a) and
(b), respectively, from the June 30, 1998 Form 10-Q)
*10.29 1989 Option Plan
a Playboy Enterprises, Inc. 1989 Stock Option Plan, as amended, For
Key Employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4(mm) from
the 1991 Form 10-K)
b Playboy Enterprises, Inc. 1989 Stock Option Agreement
c Letter dated July 18, 1990 pursuant to the June 7, 1990
recapitalization regarding adjustment of options
(items (b) and (c) incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.19(c) and
(d), respectively, from the 1995 Form 10-K)
d Consent and Amendment regarding the 1989 Option Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4(aa) from the 1991 Form
10-K)
*10.30 1991 Directors' Plan
a Playboy Enterprises, Inc. 1991 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan
for Non-Employee Directors, as amended
b Playboy Enterprises, Inc. 1991 Non-Qualified Stock Option
Agreement for Non-Employee Directors
(items (a) and (b) incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.4(rr) and
(nn), respectively, from the 1991 Form 10-K)
*10.31 1995 Stock Incentive Plan
a Amended and Restated Playboy Enterprises, Inc. 1995 Stock
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 from
the March 31, 1997 Form 10-Q)
b Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Non-Qualified
Stock Options which may be granted under the Plan
68
c Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement for Incentive Stock
Options which may be granted under the Plan
d Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Restricted Stock issued
under the Plan
(items (b), (c) and (d) incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.3, 4.4
and 4.5, respectively, from the Company's Registration Statement No.
33-58145 on Form S-8 dated March 20, 1995 (the "March 20, 1995 Form S-
8"))
e Form of Section 162(m) Restricted Stock Agreement for Section
162(m) Restricted Stock issued under the Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1(e) from the 1997 Form 10-K)
*10.32 1997 Directors' Plan
a 1997 Equity Plan for Non-Employee Directors of Playboy
Enterprises, Inc., as amended (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.3(a) from the Transition Period Form 10-K)
b Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Restricted Stock issued
under the Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1(b) from
the September 30, 1997 Form 10-Q)
*10.33 Form of Nonqualified Option Agreement between Playboy Enterprises,
Inc. and each of Dennis S. Bookshester and Sol Rosenthal (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4.4 from the Company's Registration Statement
No. 333-30185 on Form S-8 dated November 13, 1996 (the "November 13,
1996 Form S-8"))
*10.34 Playboy Enterprises, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and
restated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 from the March 31,
1997 Form 10-Q)
*10.35 Selected Employment, Termination and Other Agreements
a Playboy Enterprises, Inc. Severance Agreement (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.4(vv) from the 1991 Form 10-K)
b Employment Agreement dated May 21, 1992 between Playboy
Enterprises, Inc. and Anthony J. Lynn (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.4(bbb) from the 1992 Form 10-K)
c Amendment dated August 15, 1996 regarding the Employment
Agreement dated May 21, 1992 between Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
and Anthony J. Lynn (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.25(i) from the 1996 Form 10-K)
d Agreement dated October 16, 1996 amending the Employment
Agreement dated May 21, 1992 between Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
and Anthony J. Lynn
e Playboy Enterprises, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan for Anthony
J. Lynn
(items (d) and (e) incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.3(a) and
(b), respectively, from the March 31, 1997 Form 10-Q)
f Letter Agreement dated September 4, 1997 regarding Anthony J.
Lynn's waiver of fiscal year ended June 30, 1998 base salary
increase (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27(s) from the
1997 Form 10-K)
g Memorandum dated October 11, 1996 regarding special compensation
plan for Herb Laney
h Playboy Enterprises, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan for Herbert
M. Laney
i Letter Agreement dated April 18, 1997 regarding employment of
Linda Havard
(items (g), (h) and (i) incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.3(c),
(d) and (f), respectively, from the March 31, 1997 Form 10-Q)
j Letter Agreement dated September 25, 1997 regarding employment of
Helen Isaacson
k Letter Agreement dated September 26, 1997 regarding employment of
Garry Saunders
(items (j) and (k) incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.5(a) and
(b), respectively, from the September 30, 1997 Form 10-Q)
#l Letter Agreements dated March 16, 1998 and July 20, 1998
regarding employment of Buford Smith (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.3(a) from the June 30, 1998 Form 10-Q)
21 Subsidiaries
23 Consent of Independent Public Accountants
27 Financial Data Schedule
________
* Indicates management compensation plan
# Certain information omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment
filed separately with and granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC")
(d) Financial Statement Schedules
See Item 14(a) above
69
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
PLAYBOY ENTERPRISES, INC.
March 22, 1999 By /s/ Linda Havard
--------------------------------
Linda G. Havard
Executive Vice President,
Finance and Operations,
and Chief Financial Officer
(Authorized 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.
/s/ Christie A. Hefner March 19, 1999
- - ---------------------------------------
Christie A. Hefner
Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Richard S. Rosenzweig March 22, 1999
- - ---------------------------------------
Richard S. Rosenzweig
Executive Vice President and Director
/s/ Dennis S. Bookshester March 22, 1999
- - ---------------------------------------
Dennis S. Bookshester
Director
/s/ David I. Chemerow March 22, 1999
- - ---------------------------------------
David I. Chemerow
Director
/s/ Donald G. Drapkin March 23, 1999
- - ---------------------------------------
Donald G. Drapkin
Director
/s/ Sol Rosenthal March 22, 1999
- - ---------------------------------------
Sol Rosenthal
Director
/s/ Sir Brian Wolfson March 23, 1999
- - ---------------------------------------
Sir Brian Wolfson
Director
/s/ Linda Havard March 22, 1999
- - ---------------------------------------
Linda G. Havard
Executive Vice President,
Finance and Operations,
and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
70
EXHIBIT INDEX
-------------
All agreements listed below may have additional exhibits which are not attached.
All such exhibits are available upon request, provided the requesting party
shall pay a fee for copies of such exhibits, which fee shall be limited to the
Company's reasonable expenses incurred in furnishing these documents.
Exhibit Sequentially
Number Description Numbered Page
- - ------ ----------- -------------
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 29, 1998,
by and among Playboy Enterprises, Inc., New Playboy,
Inc., Playboy Acquisition Corp., Spice Acquisition
Corp. and Spice Entertainment Companies, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 from the
December 1, 1998 Form S-4)
2.2 Amendment, dated as of November 16, 1998, to the
Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Playboy
Enterprises, Inc., New Playboy, Inc., Playboy
Acquisition Corp., Spice Acquisition Corp. and Spice
Entertainment Companies, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 2.2 from the December 1, 1998 Form
S-4)
2.3 Amendment, dated as of February 26, 1999, to the
Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Playboy
Enterprises, Inc., New Playboy, Inc., Playboy
Acquisition Corp., Spice Acquisition Corp. and Spice
Entertainment Companies, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 2.1 from the March 9, 1999 Form 8-
K)
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1
from the March 15, 1999 Form 8-K)
3.2 Certificate of Amendment of the Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, dated
March 15, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.2 from the March 15, 1999 Form 8-K)
3.3 Certificate of Amendment of the Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, dated
March 15, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.3 from the March 15, 1999 Form 8-K)
3.4 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 from the
March 15, 1999 Form 8-K)
#10.1 Playboy Magazine Printing and Binding Agreement dated
as of October 22, 1997 between Playboy Enterprises,
Inc. and Quad/Graphics, Inc. (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.4 from the Transition Period Form 10-K)
10.2 Playboy Magazine Distribution Agreement dated as of May
27, 1997 between Playboy Enterprises, Inc. and Warner
Publisher Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.4 from the 1997 Form 10-K)
10.3 Playboy Magazine Subscription Fulfillment Agreement
a July 1, 1987 agreement between Communication Data
Services, Inc. and Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12(a)
from the 1992 Form 10-K)
b Amendment dated as of June 1, 1988 to said
Fulfillment Agreement (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.12(b) from the 1993 Form 10-K)
71
c Amendment dated as of July 1, 1990 to said
Fulfillment Agreement (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.12(c) from the 1991 Form 10-K)
d Amendment dated as of July 1, 1996 to said
Fulfillment Agreement (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.5(d) from the 1996 Form 10-K)
#e Amendment dated July 7, 1997 to said Fulfillment
Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.6(e) from the Transition Period Form 10-K)
10.4 Transponder Lease Agreement dated as of December 31,
1992 between Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc. and
General Electric Capital Corporation (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.3 from the December 31, 1992
Form 10-Q)
10.5 Distribution License to Exploit Home Video Rights
effective October 1, 1991 between Playboy Video
Enterprises, Inc. and Uni Distribution Corp.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 from the
1991 Form 10-K)
10.6 Distribution Agreement between Playboy Entertainment
Group, Inc. and Universal Music & Video Distribution
(formerly Uni Distribution Corp.) regarding licensing
and sale of domestic home video product
a Agreement dated as of March 24, 1995 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.8 from the 1995 Form 10-
K)
b Amendment to March 24, 1995 agreement dated
February 28, 1997 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.6 from the March 31, 1997 Form 10-Q)
#c Agreement dated June 5, 1998 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 from the June 30, 1998
Form 10-Q)
10.7 Agreements effective November 1, 1995 between Playboy
Entertainment Group, Inc., Continental Shelf 16
Limited, Precis (1378) Limited and Playboy TV/Benelux
Limited regarding the establishment of a Playboy TV pay
television service in the United Kingdom (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.9 from the 1996 Form 10-K)
10.8 Agreements between Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc.
and Tohokushinsha Film Corporation regarding the
establishment of a Playboy TV pay television service in
Japan
a Memorandum of Agreement and Amendment dated July 31, 1995
b Amendment to July 31, 1995 agreement dated March
26, 1996
(items (a) and (b) incorporated by reference to Exhibits
10.10(a) and (b), respectively, from the 1996 Form 10-K)
10.9 Agreements between Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc.
and Bloomfield Mercantile Inc. related to establishing
international networks in Latin America, Spain and
Portugal
#a Agreement outline as of March 29, 1996
#b Letter agreement dated January 13, 1997
(items (a) and (b) incorporated by reference to Exhibits
10.4(a) and (b), respectively, from the March 31, 1997 Form 10-Q)
10.10 Letter Agreement, in reference to the Letter Agreement
dated January 13, 1997, between Playboy Entertainment
Group, Inc. and Bloomfield Mercantile Inc. regarding
Playboy Television programming in Scandinavia dated as
of July 31, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.4 from the September 30, 1997 Form 10-Q)
72
#10.11 Letter Agreement dated October 20, 1997 between Playboy
Entertainment Group, Inc., Bloomfield Mercantile Inc.
and White Oak Enterprises, Ltd. related to establishing
international networks in Germany and Scandinavia
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 from the
Transition Period Form 10-K)
#10.12 Memorandum of Agreement as of July 29, 1997 between
Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc. and the Modern Times
Group related to broadcasting a pay television service
known as Playboy TV/Scandinavia (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 from the September 30, 1997
Form 10-Q)
#10.13 Memorandum of Understanding as of February 26, 1997
between Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc. and Daewoo
Corporation related to establishing international
networks in South Korea (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.5 from the March 31, 1997 Form 10-Q)
10.14 Deal Memorandum dated June 22, 1995 between Playboy
Networks Worldwide and TVN regarding distribution and
services related to the AdulTVision pay television
service (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11
from the 1996 Form 10-K)
10.15 Distribution Agreements between Playboy Entertainment
Group, Inc., Orion Home Video and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Studios Inc. regarding the distribution of certain home
video programs and product
a Agreement dated June 27, 1996 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.12 from the 1996 Form 10-
K)
b First Amendment to June 27, 1996 agreement dated
July 29, 1996 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.7 from the March 31, 1997 Form 10-Q)
#c Second Amendment to June 27, 1996 agreement dated
December 31, 1997 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.18(c) from the Transition Period Form
10-K)
10.16 Letter Agreement dated as of January 5, 1998 between
Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc. and Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer Studios Inc. in reference to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Studios Inc. assuming full right, power and authority over
certain distribution and production agreements on
behalf of other parties (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.19 from the Transition Period Form 10-K)
10.17 Affiliation Agreement between Playboy Entertainment
Group, Inc. and DirecTV, Inc. regarding the satellite
distribution of Playboy TV
a Agreement dated November 15, 1993
b First Amendment to November 15, 1993 agreement
dated as of April 19, 1994
c Second Amendment to November 15, 1993 agreement
dated as of July 26, 1995
(items (a), (b) and (c) incorporated by reference to Exhibits
10.13(a), (b) and (c), respectively, from the 1996 Form 10-K)
#d Third Amendment to November 15, 1993 agreement
dated August 26, 1997 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.3 from the September 30, 1997 Form
10-Q)
#10.18 DBS License Agreement dated April 1, 1997 between
Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc. and PrimeStar
Partners, L.P. regarding the satellite distribution of
Playboy TV or any other service mark that retains a
Playboy Mark (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1
from the March 31, 1998 Form 10-Q)
73
10.19 Product License Agreements between Playboy Enterprises,
Inc. and Chaifa Investment, Limited
a Agreement dated September 26, 1989 related to the
Hong Kong territory
b Agreement dated March 4, 1991 related to the
People's Republic of China territory
c Amendment dated July 21, 1992 related to the March
4, 1991 agreement
d Amendment dated August 17, 1993 related to the
agreements dated September 26, 1989 and March 4,
1991
e Amendment dated January 23, 1996 related to the
agreements dated September 26, 1989 and March 4,
1991
(items (a) through (e) incorporated by reference to Exhibits
10.16(a) through (e), respectively, from the 1996 Form 10-K)
f Amendment dated May 12, 1997 related to the
agreements dated September 26, 1989 and March 4,
1991 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.18(f) from the 1997 Form 10-K)
10.20 Warner Home Video/Critics' Choice Direct Marketing
License Agreements
a Agreement dated February 22, 1994 regarding
purchase of Turner product
b Agreement dated February 22, 1994 regarding
purchase of non-Turner product
(items (a) and (b) incorporated by reference to Exhibits
10.10 and 10.11, respectively, from the 1995 Form 10-K)
c Agreement dated June 28, 1996 regarding purchase
of Turner and non-Turner product (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.15(c) from the 1996 Form
10-K)
@10.21 Credit Agreement
a Credit Agreement, dated as of February 26, 1999,
among New Playboy, Inc., PEI Holdings, Inc., the
Lenders named in this Credit Agreement, ING (U.S.)
Capital LLC, as Syndication Agent, and Credit
Suisse First Boston, as Administrative Agent, as
Collateral Agent and as Issuing Bank 80-196
b Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, dated as of March
15, 1999, among certain subsidiaries of
Playboy Enterprises, Inc. and Credit Suisse First
Boston, as Collateral Agent 197-210
c Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement,
dated as of March 15, 1999, among Playboy
Enterprises, Inc., PEI Holdings, Inc., certain
other subsidiaries of Playboy Enterprises, Inc.,
and Credit Suisse First Boston, as Collateral
Agent 211-222
d Pledge Agreement, dated as of March 15, 1999, among
Playboy Enterprises, Inc., PEI Holdings, Inc., certain
other subsidiaries of Playboy Enterprises, Inc., and
Credit Suisse First Boston, as Collateral Agent 223-242
e Security Agreement, dated as of March 15, 1999,
among Playboy Enterprises, Inc., PEI Holdings,
Inc., certain other subsidiaries of Playboy
Enterprises, Inc., and Credit Suisse First Boston,
as Collateral Agent 243-283
10.22 Revolving Line of Credit
a Credit Agreement dated as of February 10, 1995 by
and among Playboy Enterprises, Inc., Harris Trust
and Savings Bank and LaSalle National Bank
b First Amendment to February 10, 1995 Credit
Agreement dated as of March 31, 1995
(items (a) and (b) incorporated by reference to Exhibits
10.12(a) and (b), respectively, from the 1995 Form 10-K)
74
c Second Amendment to February 10, 1995 Credit
Agreement dated as of March 5, 1996 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.17(c) from the 1996
Form 10-K)
d Third Amendment to February 10, 1995 Credit
Agreement dated as of September 11, 1997 but
effective as of July 8, 1997 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.19(d) from the 1997 Form
10-K)
e Fourth Amendment to February 10, 1995 Credit
Agrement dated as of November 5, 1998 but
effective as of September 30, 1998 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.1 from the September
30, 1998 Form 10-Q)
@f Fifth Amendment to February 10, 1995 Credit
Agreement dated as of December 31, 1998 284-290
@g Sixth Amendment to February 10, 1995 Credit
Agreement dated as of March 5, 1999 291-294
10.23 Playboy Mansion West Lease Agreement, as amended,
between Playboy Enterprises, Inc. and Hugh M. Hefner
a Letter of Interpretation of Lease
b Agreement of lease
(items (a) and (b) incorporated by reference to Exhibits
10.3(a) and (b), respectively, from the 1991 Form 10-K)
c Amendment to lease agreement dated as of January
12, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.2 from the March 31, 1998 Form 10-Q)
10.24 Los Angeles Offices Lease Documents
a Office lease dated as of July 25, 1991 between
Playboy Enterprises, Inc. and Beverly Mercedes
Place, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.6(c) from the 1991 Form 10-K)
b Amendment to July 25, 1991 lease dated June 26,
1996
c Amendment to July 25, 1991 lease dated September
12, 1996
(items (b) and (c) incorporated by reference to Exhibits
10.19(b) and (c), respectively, from the 1996 Form 10-K)
@d Office lease dated January 6, 1999 between 5055
Wilshire Limited Partnership and Playboy 295-344
Enterprises, Inc.
10.25 Chicago Office Lease Documents
a Office Lease dated April 7, 1988 by and between
Playboy Enterprises, Inc. and LaSalle National
Bank as Trustee under Trust No. 112912
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(a) from
the 1993 Form 10-K)
b First Amendment to April 7, 1988 lease dated
October 26, 1989 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.15(b) from the 1995 Form 10-K)
c Second Amendment to April 7, 1988 lease dated June
1, 1992 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1
from the December 31, 1992 Form 10-Q)
d Third Amendment to April 7, 1988 lease dated
August 30, 1993 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.15(d) from the 1995 Form 10-K)
e Fourth Amendment to April 7, 1988 lease dated
August 6, 1996 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.20(e) from the 1996 Form 10-K)
f Fifth Amendment to April 7, 1988 lease dated March
19, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.3 from the March 31, 1998 Form 10-Q)
10.26 New York Office Lease Agreement dated August 11, 1992
between Playboy Enterprises, Inc. and Lexington
Building Co. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.9(b) from the 1992 Form 10-K)
75
10.27 Itasca Warehouse Lease Documents
a Agreement dated as of September 6, 1996 between
Centerpoint Properties Corporation and Playboy
Enterprises, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.23 from the 1996 Form 10-K)
b Amendment to September 6, 1996 lease dated June 1,
1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.25(b) from the 1997 Form 10-K)
*10.28 Selected Company Remunerative Plans
a Executive Protection Program dated March 1, 1990
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18(c)
from the 1995 Form 10-K)
b Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan
for Employees effective January 1, 1998
c Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan
for Board of Directors' effective January 1, 1998
(items (b) and (c) incorporated by reference to
Exhibits 10.2(a) and (b), respectively, from the June
30, 1998 Form 10-Q)
*10.29 1989 Option Plan
a Playboy Enterprises, Inc. 1989 Stock Option Plan,
as amended, For Key Employees (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.4(mm) from the 1991 Form
10-K)
b Playboy Enterprises, Inc. 1989 Stock Option
Agreement
c Letter dated July 18, 1990 pursuant to the June 7,
1990 recapitalization regarding adjustment of
options
(items (b) and (c) incorporated by reference to
Exhibits 10.19(c) and (d), respectively, from the 1995
Form 10-K)
d Consent and Amendment regarding the 1989 Option
Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.4(aa) from the 1991 Form 10-K)
*10.30 1991 Directors' Plan
a Playboy Enterprises, Inc. 1991 Non-Qualified Stock
Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended
b Playboy Enterprises, Inc. 1991 Non-Qualified Stock
Option Agreement for Non-Employee Directors
(items (a) and (b) incorporated by reference to
Exhibits 10.4(rr) and (nn), respectively, from the 1991
Form 10-K)
*10.31 1995 Stock Incentive Plan
a Amended and Restated Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
1995 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 from the March 31, 1997
Form 10-Q)
b Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for
Non-Qualified Stock Options which may be granted
under the Plan
c Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement for
Incentive Stock Options which may be granted under
the Plan
d Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Restricted
Stock issued under the Plan
(items (b), (c) and (d) incorporated by reference to
Exhibits 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5, respectively, from the March
20, 1995 Form S-8)
e Form of Section 162(m) Restricted Stock Agreement
for Section 162(m) Restricted Stock issued under
the Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.1(e) from the 1997 Form 10-K)
*10.32 1997 Directors' Plan
a 1997 Equity Plan for Non-Employee Directors of
Playboy Enterprises, Inc., as amended
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(a) from
the Transition Period Form 10-K)
76
b Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Restricted
Stock issued under the Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1(b) from the September
30, 1997 Form 10-Q)
*10.33 Form of Nonqualified Option Agreement between Playboy
Enterprises, Inc. and each of Dennis S. Bookshester and
Sol Rosenthal (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4
from the November 13, 1996 Form S-8)
*10.34 Playboy Enterprises, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan,
as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 from the March 31, 1997 Form 10-Q)
*10.35 Selected Employment, Termination and Other Agreements
a Playboy Enterprises, Inc. Severance Agreement
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4(vv)
from the 1991 Form 10-K)
b Employment Agreement dated May 21, 1992 between
Playboy Enterprises, Inc. and Anthony J. Lynn
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4(bbb)
from the 1992 Form 10-K)
c Amendment dated August 15, 1996 regarding the
Employment Agreement dated May 21, 1992 between
Playboy Enterprises, Inc. and Anthony J. Lynn
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25(i)
from the 1996 Form 10-K)
d Agreement dated October 16, 1996 amending the
Employment Agreement dated May 21, 1992 between
Playboy Enterprises, Inc. and Anthony J. Lynn
e Playboy Enterprises, Inc. Incentive Compensation
Plan for Anthony J. Lynn
(items (d) and (e) incorporated by reference to
Exhibits 10.3(a) and (b), respectively, from the March
31, 1997 Form 10-Q)
f Letter Agreement dated September 4, 1997 regarding
Anthony J. Lynn's waiver of fiscal year ended June
30, 1998 base salary increase (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.27(s) from the 1997 Form
10-K)
g Memorandum dated October 11, 1996 regarding
special compensation plan for Herb Laney
h Playboy Enterprises, Inc. Incentive Compensation
Plan for Herbert M. Laney
i Letter Agreement dated April 18, 1997 regarding
employment of Linda Havard
(items (g), (h) and (i) incorporated by reference to
Exhibits 10.3(c), (d) and (f), respectively, from the
March 31, 1997 Form 10-Q)
j Letter Agreement dated September 25, 1997
regarding employment of Helen Isaacson
k Letter Agreement dated September 26, 1997
regarding employment of Garry Saunders
(items (j) and (k) incorporated by reference to
Exhibits 10.5(a) and (b), respectively, from the
September 30, 1997 Form 10-Q)
#l Letter Agreements dated March 16, 1998 and July
20, 1998 regarding employment of Buford Smith
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(a) from
the June 30, 1998 Form 10-Q)
@21 Subsidiaries 345
@23 Consent of Independent Public Accountants 346
@27 Financial Data Schedule 347
___________
* Indicates management compensation plan
# Certain information omitted pursuant to a request for confidential
treatment filed separately with and granted by the SEC
@ Filed herewith
77
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
---------------------------------
ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
--------------------------------
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
Our report on the consolidated financial statements of Playboy Enterprises,
Inc. and its Subsidiaries is included on page 62 of this Form 10-K Annual
Report. In connection with our audits of such financial statements, we have also
audited the related financial statement schedule listed in the index on page 64
of this Form 10-K Annual Report.
In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when
considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly, in all material respects, the information required to be
included therein.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 9, 1999
78
PLAYBOY ENTERPRISES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(in thousands)
==================================================================================================================
COLUMN A COLUMN B COLUMN C COLUMN D COLUMN E
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additions
---------
Balance at Charged to Charged to Balance at
Beginning Costs and Other End
Description of Period Expenses Accounts Deductions of Period
- - ----------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Allowance deducted in the balance sheet
from the asset to which it applies:
Fiscal Year Ended December 31,1998
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 4,467 $ 2,371 $ 1,810(a) $ 2,299(b) $ 6,349
======= ========== ========== ========== =======
Allowance for returns $27,187 $ - $58,880(c) $64,423(d) $21,644
======= ========== ========== ========== =======
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance $16,504 $ - $ - $ 1,066(e) $15,438
======= ========== ========== ========== =======
Six-Month Transition Period
Ended December 31, 1997:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 3,882 $ 1,053 $ 702(a) $ 1,170(b) $ 4,467
======= ========== ========== ========== =======
Allowance for returns $22,747 $ - $32,774(c) $28,334(d) $27,187
======= ========== ========== ========== =======
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance $15,870 $ - $ 634(e) $ - $16,504
======= ========== ========== ========== =======
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1997:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 3,009 $ 1,241 $ 1,522(a) $ 1,890(b) $ 3,882
======= ========== ========== ========== =======
Allowance for returns $21,939 $ - $64,197(c) $63,389(d) $22,747
======= ========== ========== ========== =======
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance $27,971 $ - $ 1,385(e) $13,486(f) $15,870
======= ========== ========== ========== =======
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1996:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 4,837 $ 504 $ 1,632(a) $ 3,964(b) $ 3,009
======= ========== ========== ========== =======
Allowance for returns $20,952 $ - $59,718(c) $58,731(d) $21,939
======= ========== ========== ========== =======
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance $28,573 $ - $ - $ 602(e) $27,971
======= ========== ========== ========== =======
Notes:
(a) Represents primarily provisions for unpaid subscriptions charged to net
revenues. Also included in fiscal year 1996 amount was $98 related to the
consolidation of the VIPress balance at the acquisition date in March 1996.
(b) Represents uncollectible accounts less recoveries.
(c) Represents provisions charged to net revenues for estimated returns of
Playboy magazine, other domestic publishing products and domestic home
videos.
(d) Represents settlements on provisions previously recorded.
(e) Represents the unrealizable portion of the change in the gross deferred tax
asset during the period.
(f) Represents a federal income tax benefit resulting from a change in the
realizability of the gross deferred tax asset.
79