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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 [FEE REQUIRED]
For the fiscal year ended: August 31, 1999
OR
|_| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]
For the transition period from _________ to __________
Commission file number: 0-18066
NETWORKS NORTH INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New York 11-2805051
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
14 Meteor Drive, Etobicoke, Ontario M9W 1A4
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (416) 675-6666
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, par
value US$0.0467
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes |X| No |_|
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. |X|
Aggregate market value (i.e., last price) of voting stock held by
non-affiliates of the Registrant, as of November 23, 1999 US$2,215,128
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant's
classes of common stock, as of November 23, 1999 2,856,641 shares of common
stock, par value US$.0467 per share
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
NONE
PART I
EXCHANGE RATES
The currency amounts in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the
financial statements, are, unless otherwise indicated, expressed in Canadian
dollars ("Cdn$"). This Form 10-K contains translations of certain amounts in
Canadian dollars into United States dollars ("US$") based upon the exchange rate
in effect at the end of the period to which the amount relates, or the exchange
rate on the date specified. For such purposes, the exchange rate means the noon
buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in Canadian dollars as
certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the
"Noon Buying Rate"). These translations should not be construed as
representations that the Canadian dollar amounts actually represent such U.S.
dollar amounts or that Canadian dollars could be converted into U.S. dollars at
the rate indicated or at any other rate. The Noon Buying Rate at the end of each
of the five years ended August 31, 1999, the average of the Noon Buying Rates on
the last day of each month during each of such fiscal years and the high and low
Noon Buying Rate for each of such fiscal years were as follows:
August 31,
----------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
At end of period.... Cdn$1.4965 Cdn$1.5722 Cdn$1.3885 Cdn$1.3685 Cdn$1.3432
Average for period.. 1.4949 1.4390 1.3676 1.3634 1.3742
High for period..... 1.5135 1.5770 1.3942 1.3815 1.4193
Low for period...... 1.4760 1.4100 1.3381 1.3401 1.3410
On November 19, 1999 the Noon Buying Rate was Cdn$1.4694.
Item 1. Business.
Formation
Networks North Inc. (the "Company") was originally incorporated under the
laws of the State of New York on May 12, 1986 under the name Triosearch Inc. On
June 9, 1988, Triosearch changed its name to NTN Canada, Inc. NTN Canada, Inc.
changed its name on March 16, 1998 to Networks North Inc. The Company presently
conducts its operations through a wholly-owned subsidiary, NTN Interactive
Network Inc. ("NTNIN"), which is the principal operating company of the entity.
On October 4, 1994, NetStar Enterprises Inc. ("NetStar") (successor in interest
to Labatt Communications Inc.), an integrated broadcasting and communications
enterprise, acquired approximately 35% of the Company's outstanding common stock
for Cdn$4,252,500.
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On October 2, 1996, NTNIN acquired, effective October 1, 1996, all of the
outstanding stock of Magic Lantern Communications Ltd. ("Magic"). Magic conducts
its operations directly and through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, 745695
Ontario Ltd. ("Custom Video"), B.C. Learning Connection Inc. ("BCLC"), 1113659
Ontario Ltd. ("Viewer Services") and its 75% ownership of the outstanding stock
of Sonoptic Technologies Inc. ("Sonoptic") (Magic, Custom Video, BCLC, Sonoptic
and Viewer Services are referred to as the "Magic Lantern Group").
On September 10, 1997 and effective September 1, 1997, NTNIN acquired 51%
of the outstanding stock of Interlynx Multimedia Inc. ("Interlynx"). On June 1,
1999 NTNIN acquired the remaining 49% of the outstanding stock of Interlynx.
Interlynx sold its 60% ownership of Universal Content Inc., effective June 1,
1999.
On April 20, 1998, the Company established and incorporated, under the
Canada Business Corporations Act, 3484751 Canada Inc. This corporation is
wholly-owned by the Company, and was established for the sole purpose of owning
and holding a property on behalf of the Company. On April 27, 1998, 3484751
Canada Inc. purchased this said property located at 10 Meteor Drive in
Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada ("10 Meteor Drive property"). The building was
purchased with the intention that the Magic Lantern Group would occupy the
premises. The Magic Lantern Group subsequently moved to the new premises in July
1998.
Recent Developments
Subsequent to the Company's 1999 year end, on September 13, 1999, pursuant
to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of the 10th day of September, 1999,
Networks North Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GalaVu Entertainment
Network Inc. ("GalaVu") acquired, effective as of September 13th, 1999,
substantially all of the property and assets (excluding accounts receivable) of
GalaVu Entertainment Inc. Reference is hereby made to the Company's current
report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
September 29, 1999, for further information with respect to the Company's
acquisition of GalaVu.
This document includes a description of the business conducted by GalaVu,
but does not include any operational information including numbers of employees
or physical premises.
Financial Information about Industry Segments
Reference is hereby made to the Business Sector Data for the years ended
August 31 1999, 1998 and 1997 in Exhibit 23 below.
General Description of Business
The Company, through NTNIN, currently provides its products and services
through eight business units or subsidiaries. Of these eight, two are considered
to be the traditional core of the Company's business, that is, directly related
to multi-player interactive entertainment programs. The two traditional core
business units are the Hospitality Group and the Corporate
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Events/Home Market Group.
Five units, collectively referred to as the "Magic Lantern Group," are (i)
NTNIN's wholly-owned subsidiary Magic, which is involved in the marketing and
distribution of educational video and media resources and software, (ii) Magic's
wholly-owned subsidiary Custom Video, which is involved in the manufacturing of
videotape copies, (iii) Custom Video's wholly-owned subsidiary BCLC, which is
involved in the marketing and fulfillment services of educational video titles,
(iv) Magic's 75%-owned subsidiary Sonoptic, which is involved in the conversion
of analog video to digital video formats, and (v) Magic's wholly-owned
subsidiary Viewer Services, which is involved in the inbound telemarketing and
fulfillment services for television broadcasters and others.
The eighth unit, Interlynx, designs and develops educational and corporate
multimedia, web-based training programs.
The Hospitality Group is engaged in the marketing and distribution of NTN
Entertainment Network services (the "Network") throughout Canada. These
activities are being conducted through an exclusive license covering Canada
granted to the Company by NTN Communications, Inc. of Carlsbad, California
("Communications"). The license grants NTNIN the right to market the products
and programs of Communications throughout Canada for a 25-year term ending
December 31, 2015. Communications does not have an equity position in the
Company or in NTNIN.
The Network is designed to capitalize on the growing trend for more
leisure activities through two-way interactive television ("IATV")
communications. Programming can be offered 24 hours a day and consists of
two-way interactive games. The Network features a wide variety of sports and
game programs permitting viewer interaction and participation for 16 hours each
day. It is currently available to approximately 3,100 subscriber sites across
North America, which are primarily hotels, restaurants, taverns, colleges,
military bases and other group viewing locations. Over 500 Group Subscribers are
located in Canada. Designed to be hardware independent, the Network is designed
to be transmitted through a variety of techniques: direct satellite, cable,
gateway service, FM sideband, Internet, TV vertical blanking interval, and
telephone. Currently the Company uses direct satellite transmission.
The Company's revenues have traditionally been primarily derived from the
delivery of Network programming to customer sites, typically by satellite, the
rental and sale of equipment used in the reception of broadcast services and
on-subscriber-site interactive participation in broadcasts over the Network,
maintenance services, ("network services") as well as event programming for
corporate clients. Revenue from network services was Cdn$6,607,915 for the
Company's fiscal year ended August 31, 1999 (the "1999 Fiscal Year").
The Corporate Events/Home Market Group is engaged in developing and
delivering interactive programs for corporate clients for use at sales and
training meetings, trade shows, and special events. Revenues from the Corporate
Events/Home Market Group's activities for the 1999 Fiscal Year were Cdn$527,740.
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The Magic Lantern Group is involved in marketing and distributing
Educational video and media resources and software, the manufacturing of
videotape copies, the marketing and fulfillment services of educational video
titles, the conversion of analog video to digital video formats and the inbound
telemarketing and fulfillment services for television broadcasters and others.
Revenues from the Magic Lantern Group for the 1999 Fiscal Year were
Cdn$5,182,378.
Revenues from Interlynx for the 1999 Fiscal Year were Cdn$596,951.
Research and Development
The Company's major contribution to the research and development efforts
involving the Network has been to provide market feedback and recommendations to
Communications on product and program developments which would improve marketing
efforts in Canada. There is little, if any, direct expense incurred in this
effort.
The Corporate Events/Home Market Group has continued business development
and liaison activities which are expected to lead to the development, marketing,
and delivery of interactive programs delivered to the home consumer market via
third-party providers, through the Internet and distribution systems being
developed by telephone and cable companies in Canada.
The NTN Entertainment Network
The products of Communications include hardware and software which enables
groups of people to interact with programming delivered to television monitors.
More than 3,100 restaurants, lounges, hotels, and other hospitality sites across
North America have installed systems capable of receiving Network broadcasts
("Subscriber Systems"). The Subscriber Systems receive satellite broadcasts
containing the Network interactive programs, such that thousands of patrons at
Subscriber locations can interact with the same programs simultaneously. NTNIN
markets the Network throughout Canada to the hospitality industry, installs the
systems, and provides technical and marketing support to Network sites.
The Network is owned and operated by Communications, a company based in
Carlsbad, California. The Network uses existing technology to broadcast two-way
interactive live events to Subscriber locations. The Network provides digital
data broadcast transmissions, which enable equipment and software at Subscriber
locations to display text and graphics programming and to interpret responses
from Network viewers. All programming is produced at and transmitted from the
NTN Broadcast Center in Carlsbad.
Each Subscriber receives a Subscriber System which includes a satellite
dish antenna, a signal decoder, a personal computer with fully integrated
proprietary software, a base station, and multiple hand-held wireless response
units ("Playmakers") used by customers for interactive play.
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The computer in each Subscriber System controls the TV monitor display
based upon instructions delivered to it over the Network. Viewer responses
entered on the Playmakers are ordinarily processed and displayed within the
Subscriber System without any need for communication to the Broadcast Center.
The Subscriber System can communicate with the Broadcast Center, however, via
modem when appropriate commands are sent over the Network.
In addition to tabulating local Playmaker responses and communicating with
the Broadcast Center, the Subscriber System computer can generate local text
inserts at the direction of the Subscriber, and can call up computer generated
colour graphics displays for various purposes, including advertisements sold for
broadcast on the Network, all as directed by the Broadcast Center.
Network Programming
The two-way interactive programming currently featured over the Network
includes a variety of interactive sports and trivia games. The broadcast
schedule includes 16 hours of interactive programs per day. All present Network
programming is structured to provide time for national, regional and local
advertisements, as well as for local inserts, which permit each subscriber to
display announcements of promotional prices or other events at its business
location. Communications holds licenses with major sports leagues, which enables
it to produce and deliver interactive games played in conjunction with live
broadcasts of sporting events. Licenses are in place with the National Football
League. The Company has license agreements in place with the Canadian Olympic
Association, the Canadian Football League (CFL), the Toronto Argonauts Football
team, the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club and the Hockey Hall of Fame.
NTN Play-Along Games are played in conjunction with live, televised
events. The best established of these is QB1, a game of football strategy. QB1
is designed to be played simultaneously with the broadcast of a live football
game. In a typical Subscriber environment, QB1 players watch the televised
football game and attempt to call the offensive play about to be played on the
field. A QB1 player may enter his or her play selection from among 20 possible
plays at any time up until the snap of the ball by pushing the appropriate keys
on his or her Playmaker.
As play unfolds on the field, a description of the play that actually
takes place is transmitted by the Broadcast Center. The computer in the
Subscriber System receives this information and compares it with the QB1
players' selections. Within seconds, it assigns a point value to each player's
selection depending on the accuracy of the player's prediction. A dedicated
local television monitor then displays that score, together with the names and
rankings of the other QB1 players at the Subscriber location. The scores and
rankings are updated after each play.
NTN Premium Trivia Games are promotion-oriented weekly game shows that
usually require an hour of participation. Prizes are awarded to the top
finishers. Games include the following:
6
o Showdown is designed for competition among all participating
Subscriber locations for major prizes. Not only do players compete
among themselves at each location, but the comparative scores of
different locations are also displayed to enhance competition.
Showdown is broadcast one night each week, 52 weeks a year. Each
hour-long show includes five separate competitive segments.
o Sports Trivia Challenge is currently broadcast on Thursday evenings
and follows a format similar to Showdown, but focussed on sports.
Players are invited to play 60 minutes of sports trivia, competing
with players in other establishments across the Network.
o Spotlight; broadcast on Friday evenings, quizzes players about the
world of show business and celebrities. This innovative game tests
players' knowledge of the entertainment world, and polls their
opinions on current media topics.
o Playback, broadcast on Saturday evenings, challenges players to
answer questions on music news, trivia, song titles, and topics from
a variety of musical genders from classical to hip hop.
o Sports IQ is a weekly sports trivia game featured on Monday
evenings.
Half-hour interactive trivia games comprise the majority of the Network's
programming. Countdown and Wipeout are designed for fast competitive play among
participants at each Subscriber location. The Network broadcasts Countdown and
Wipeout daily in half-hour segments. To play the game, players must answer a
series of questions using the Playmaker. The faster the questions are answered
correctly, the more points the player receives. After each question, the correct
answer is displayed on the monitors, together with each player's answer and
total score. In addition, the players' rankings are displayed. Each half-hour
segment is separate, so that the display of scores and names is reset before the
next segment begins. Other Network trivia games include:
o Hockey Hall of Fame Trivia is a specialty sports trivia program
developed by the Company for exclusive distribution in Canada.
Similarly, the Company in conjunction with the Toronto Blue Jays
Baseball Club, developed Toronto Blue Jays Trivia. These specialty
sports trivia games are sponsored and distributed exclusively on the
Canadian portion of the Network.
o NightSide is a variety show and trivia game dealing with adult
topics. It is broadcast one night each week, but may be repeated
several times a week. Played like other Network games, players use
Playmakers to answer a series of questions that are followed by
jokes, quotes and interesting information. NightSide focuses more on
entertainment than on competition and the content of the game is
designed to foster discussion among players.
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o Other trivia programs include Topix, half hour programs featuring
new themes each day; Glory Daze, featuring pop-culture trivia with
60s, 70s and 80s content; Football Trivia; Football Weekend Roundup,
a late evening football trivia game featured on Mondays; Fairway
Facts, a trivia game based upon the game of Golf.
Hospitality Market
The Hospitality market remained the Company's largest traditional core
business in the 1999 Fiscal Year. The Company positions the Network to prospects
and clients as a means of attracting patrons (to play the games), retaining
their patronage (as they return to play again), and increasing the length of
time patrons stay in their establishment. As the number of repeat customers and
their length of stay increases, the hospitality establishment has an increased
opportunity to sell additional food and beverage.
The Hospitality Group sales force targets the strongest Hospitality
outlets in Canada, including a number of chain accounts. Attractive rental
packages are in place to support the Company's sales efforts. The Company
promotes the Network as one of the best and technically advanced forms of
on-premises advertising to this market, offering long term repetitive exposure
to a captive, attentive, and enthusiastic audience. Some of the organizations
advertising exclusively on the Canadian portion of the Network include Headline
Sports, General Motors, Sony Music, Pennzoil and others.
Each hospitality end user receives the Subscriber System, including the
equipment and the proprietary software, from the Company. In most instances, the
customer rents the equipment from the Company. The Company, in turn, purchases
equipment from several suppliers. Following installation, each end user pays a
monthly fee to the Company for the network services.
The Network programming includes advertising, promotional spots (promoting
Network competitions and special events), and public service announcements. Ten
minutes each hour are available for advertising and promotional spots. Each spot
is designed to be fifteen seconds in length for a total of 40 spots per hour.
Communications, at the direction of the Company, can insert advertising messages
into its Network programming for any number or combination of Canadian
Subscriber locations. In addition, messages can be broadcast over the entire
Network, or custom-tailored for any specific location or for Canada only.
The advertising sales staff within the Hospitality Group sells advertising
in blocks of two-fifteen second ad spots per hour for a total of fourteen hours
per day. Selected program sponsorships are also sold; in which event the
Company's graphics artists incorporate advertisers' logos and messages within a
program's content. Such sponsorships provide advertisers with premium exposure
within a sponsored program.
Advertising and sponsorship revenues for the 1999 Fiscal Year were
Cdn$308,602. Canadian Network sponsors also contributed prizes for Network game
winners, with a total retail value in excess of Cdn$175,000.
8
Corporate Market
The Corporate Events/Home Market Group continues to market, develop, and
deliver a variety of corporate training, testing, and entertainment programs to
a blue chip clientele across Canada and abroad. The Company promotes its
products and services to this market through a direct sales staff, as well as
through event agencies whose sales forces sell NTNIN's services as part of their
full service offering. These agencies generated more than 480 events at sales
meetings, and conferences during the 1999 Fiscal Year. Agents, who sell or
resell these services, do not operate under contract to the Company or NTNIN,
and are compensated by marking up the NTNIN services to their end-clients. None
of these firms have "exclusive" arrangements with the Company or NTNIN.
Marketing continues to focus on attracting more extended and repeat
corporate events. The Corporate Events product targets the tourism,
pharmaceutical, automotive, financial and insurance industries. These industries
have diversified workforces spread throughout the country, requiring effective
and compelling communications tools, which Management believes the Company
provides.
The Company has permanent systems installed at several high profile
venues, including the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, GM Place in Vancouver, and
the Manitoba Children's Museum. These popular installations support the
Company's efforts to put its systems and programs into interesting, involving
and profitable use in a variety of Corporate and Retail venues.
Home Market
Corporate Events/Home Market Group has begun marketing its consumer
products, similar to those offered on the Network, to the home consumer market
via the Internet and enhanced distribution systems being launched and tested by
telephone companies, and cable system operators. The home market programs are
intended to provide simultaneous multi-player interactive games through home
computers and televisions with access to third party services such as gateway
services, corporate and commercial WWW sites and interactive cable systems.
The Company has a contract with NBTel, which contracts the Company to
provide its interactive entertainment products on both broadband and dial-up
delivery nodes. The Company is providing interactive game content for NBTel's
broadband internet services, called VIBE.
Communications has considerable experience in providing interactive
entertainment programming to the home market through its affiliation with GTE
Mainstreet, America OnLine, CompuServe and others. Communication's sizable
catalogue of interactive games, exclusive licenses for the delivery of all major
league interactive sports, its over twelve years of continuous development,
programming, content creation and broadcasting of IATV programs, leads the
Company to believe that, both Communications and the Company are well positioned
for the future in this market.
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Sales and Marketing
The marketing of the Network in Canada is conducted by the Company's
direct sales force and through a regional sublicensee. This sublicensee, in
turn, is expected to market the system to end-users, primarily Subscribers.
A sublicense agreement exists for the Province of British Columbia. The
sublicensee receives a commission based solely upon its ability to market the
Network within its exclusive territory. During the year ended August 31, 1999,
commissions of Cdn$194,308 were paid to the British Columbia sublicensee.
The sublicensee is responsible for marketing the Network to end-user
establishments in its assigned territory in a manner consistent with the
Company's policies and directives. The sublicense agreement expires on September
25, 2000 and provides for the payment of a one-time sublicense fee and for the
payment of commissions by the Company based upon Company Group Subscriber
revenues derived from the sublicensee's exclusive region. In areas where the
Company does not have an exclusive sublicensee, the Company markets the Network
directly.
Education
Communications has been active for several years in bringing interactive
systems and services to the education field. Through its subsidiary, LearnStar
Corp., Communications developed LearnStar, a system and curriculum software for
distance learning and in-class use. Communications sold its interest in
Learnstar Corp. during 1998, to a third party that continues to operate the
company. The LearnStar product was introduced to the US Education Market in
early 1995 and has been licensed to approximately 400 schools to date.
The LearnStar product is targeted at schools and teachers who are seeking
an educational tool to increase student interest in learning via interactive
competitions in the classroom. The System enables a school to evaluate the
academic proficiency of the students, while creating an enjoyable environment in
which students seem more apt to participate. Using similar technology to that
used by the Network, the LearnStar interactive learning system can conduct
academic competitions, collect data for surveys, provide local, regional and
national testing capabilities, as well as the ability to conduct teacher
training on new curriculum guidelines. LearnStar can be utilized within a single
classroom, at one distinct site, or at multiple schools throughout the country,
all with instantaneous feedback.
Dependency upon NTN Communications, Inc.
All programming for the Network is furnished by Communications and is
supplied through independent transmission companies. In addition, Communications
is the Company's sole supplier of selected components of Network subscriber
systems including Playmakers. The Company has no equity interest in
Communications and the long-term viability of the Company's Network business is
dependent upon the continued availability of program content services
originating at Communications' Broadcast Center. If Communications ceases
operations or
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terminates program content services, the Company believes, but cannot assure,
that services of the nature, quantity, and quality currently provided by
Communications would become available from others. Any interruption in program
content services would result in an interruption in those services normally
delivered to subscribers. Other Company services would continue, including the
availability of interactive programs and games, although the content of such
games would remain static. The Company has not formulated plans for action which
would be taken should Communications cease operations or alter the availability
or terms of continued availability of program content services.
Accordingly, the Company is substantially dependent upon the continued
existence of Communications. Based upon its Annual Report on Form 10-K for its
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, Communications reported net losses of
approximately US$2,551,000, US$12,457,000 and US$22,952,000 for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. According to its latest
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Communications reported a net loss of
approximately US$799,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1999, and
shareholders' equity of US$2,316,000 and working capital of US$1,755,000 at
September 30, 1999.
Competition
The Company currently operates in a number of markets. The traditional
core business focuses on the Hospitality industry, to which the Company markets
the Network as a revenue generating marketing tool; and the broader corporate
market, to which the Company offers its technology and programs as an effective
medium with which to deliver interactive training and testing programs, and as a
compelling information and entertainment medium for corporate events and trade
shows.
During the 1996 Fiscal Year, the Hospitality Group became aware of a new
entertainment system attempting to enter the Hospitality market. Called Sports
Active, this system offers only two programs, a football game and a trivia game.
The football game, for which players are charged a per game fee, can be played
by only two customers at a time, is based on prerecorded game simulations
between non-professional "generic" football teams, and lasts approximately 30
minutes. The trivia game is a variation of a CD-ROM based game released to the
retail market approximately one year ago. While it is visually entertaining, it
requires audio and the Company believes this is a significant drawback in the
restaurant environment in which it is being marketed. The Company has not found
this to be a significant competitive entry.
With the entrance of motion picture, cable and TV companies, competition
in the interactive entertainment and multimedia industries will likely intensify
in the future.
The Company has not experienced the impact of any direct competition in
its corporate market to date. The Company defines "direct competition" as other
providers of products or services that offer similar features and benefits to
customers. The Company is not aware of other companies marketing interactive
television services of a comparable nature, within its client base
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or target groups, in any manner that competes with the Company. NTNIN tries to
position its products and services so they are not directly comparable to any
products or services available elsewhere.
Potential for Technological Obsolescence
The computer industry and related businesses are marked by rapid and
significant technological development and change. It is possible that the
Company's interactive technology and services will be rendered obsolete by
ongoing technological developments. There also is no assurance that the Company
will be able to respond effectively to technological changes.
Magic Lantern Group
The Magic Lantern Group of companies operates in five principal markets.
Magic Lantern Communications Ltd. markets and distributes an exclusively
licensed library of educational video titles to schools, school boards, and
Ministries of Education across Canada. Compared to the total business volumes of
the 28 members of the Canadian Media Producers and Distributors Association of
Canada trade association, it is believed Magic has approximately a 20% share of
the grades K-12 market, making it the dominant player in this, Magic's primary
market. Magic's exclusive distribution rights enable it to not compete for the
sale of specific titles, but for a share of the available media-buying budget
within each educational jurisdiction. Several years ago, Magic began
accumulating digital delivery rights for the titles it distributes, and
approximately 75% of all titles in its library include such rights. It is
believed that this extensive library of titles with digital delivery rights will
favorably position Magic as distribution technologies and delivery systems
migrate to digital formats - a process that is already underway in Canada.
Custom Video provides video dubbing and conversion services, primarily in
the Southern Ontario market. Dozens of competitors exist in this area, and
Custom Video's market share is unknown. Approximately 55-60% of Custom Video's
current business is from Magic and its subsidiary, BCLC. The remainder is from a
number of repeat commercial clients which rely on Custom Video to provide timely
delivery of quality duplications at competitive prices.
B.C. Learning Connection has traditionally operated under an exclusive
arrangement with the British Columbia Ministry of Education to provide marketing
and fulfillment services for educational videos in the B.C. school system.
During 1998, the Company renewed its contract with the B.C. Government for a
further three years, with automatic renewal provisions.
Sonoptic Technologies Inc., located in Saint John, New Brunswick, operates
a digital video facility which converts analog video to digital video formats
suitable for distribution through the Internet, as well as through broadband
distribution networks being established by telephone and cable companies in
Canada and elsewhere. This is a relatively new type of business and, while there
are numerous "low-end" service providers entering the market in North America,
there are no clear leaders or dominant players that have emerged. Sonoptic has
been granted preferential supplier status by NBTel, the provincial telephone
company in New
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Brunswick, for the conversion of video materials, which will be delivered on its
broadband network, now being introduced in the province. Sonoptic is also
positioning itself as the premier source for digital video consulting and
conversion services within the key markets, which are expected to emerge in the
next two to three years. Digital video consulting now represents 30% of
Sonoptic's revenues.
Viewer Services, was created to assume the inbound telemarketing and
product fulfillment business required by Canadian broadcasters. Viewer Services
began operations in November 1996 and focuses on assuming and building the
fulfillment services associated with program and merchandise offerings by
Canadian broadcasters. Its base of broadcast clients includes, TV Ontario,
VISION TV, the Knowledge Network, CTV, the Women's Television Network and
History Television. In either of these regards, it has no direct competition.
Interlynx Multimedia Inc.
Interlynx designs and develops educational and corporate multimedia,
web-based training programs. Interlynx has also recently developed PROFIS,
advanced web-based training software that runs on NT servers. Interlynx's
marketing efforts are targeted for both local and international markets. The
core competencies of Interlynx include the production and editing of digital
sound and video, computer graphics, illustration and design, and programming in
Visual C++, Java, HTML, ASP, and Visual Basic running on MS-DOS, Windows 3.1,
95/98 and NT, and Unix platforms. Interlynx projects are managed using a small
team approach, each with a producer/team leader, a technical lead and a creative
lead as a minimum. Two university educators founded Interlynx in 1993, each with
over twenty years of post-secondary teaching experience. Drs. Gary Woodill and
Karen Anderson continue to lead the company and provide their expertise and
experience in instructional design, and work with a talented group of younger
staff on all Interlynx projects.
GalaVu Entertainment Network Inc.
GalaVu is a technology-based entertainment provider of interactive in-room
entertainment systems to hotels and holds a leading position in the Canadian
market for the small and mid-sized hotel segment. GalaVu's interactive system is
based on proprietary technology and provides a wide range of affordable, in-room
entertainment packages. Marketed to guests under the Round-the-Clock
Entertainment brand, GalaVu's suite of products include Hollywood movies on
demand, premium television programming, and other information and entertainment
services designed to enhance the stay of hotel guests while generating revenue
for GalaVu and its hotel partners. The system utilizes a variety of technologies
to provide one of the industry's widest selections of value-priced entertainment
packages.
Employees
The Company has 126 employees in the 8 subsidiaries, consisting of 11
executives, 25 salespersons, 38 persons involved in technical and warehouse
services, 11 involved in graphic
13
development, 18 clerical staff, 12 in marketing, and 11 individuals involved in
finance and administration. Employee relationships are solid and the Company
believes its staff to be adequate for its anticipated needs.
Item 2. Properties.
In November 1994, the Company acquired an approximately 25,000 square foot
parcel of land, located at 14 Meteor Drive in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, on
which a 12,500 square foot free-standing, one story building was previously
erected ("Etobicoke property"). The Company and Interlynx presently both utilize
this building as their principal place of business. The Company owns the
Etobicoke property and building free of any liens, the purchase mortgage for the
property having been paid in full and satisfied on October 2, 1995.
Magic owns three office units, comprising an aggregate 8,000 square feet
of office space, in a building located in Oakville, Ontario, Canada ("Oakville
property"). These premises were leased to a third party in Fiscal 1999. The
Oakville property was re-financed through a Credit Facility Agreement, with the
Royal Bank of Canada, which is discussed below. Magic and its subsidiaries also
lease additional properties as follows:
Location Purpose Square Feet Lease Expiration Date Annual Rent
-------- ------- ----------- --------------------- -----------
Saint John, New Brunswick Offices 2,342 6/30/00 Cdn$35,130
Vancouver, British Columbia Offices and warehouse 8,451 8/31/00 78,171
In April 1998, the Company acquired the 10 Meteor Drive property, an
approximately 29,000 square foot parcel of land in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada,
on which a two-story building was previously erected. The Magic Lantern Group
presently utilizes this building as its principal place of business. This
property, as well as the Oakville property, has been financed through a Credit
Facility Agreement, with the Royal Bank of Canada, dated April 24, 1998. The
principal balance outstanding regarding these two properties, as at August 31,
1999 was Cdn$1,277,351.
The Company believes that the facilities of the Company and Magic are
adequate for their present requirements.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
Set forth below is a description of material pending litigation to which
the Company is a party.
(a) On June 18, 1992, Interactive Network Inc. (Interactive) commenced a
lawsuit against the Company, Communications and NTNIN in the Federal
Court of Canada, Trial Division, Montreal, Quebec, under the titled
14
Interactive Network, Inc. v. NTN Communications, Inc., NTN Sports,
Inc. and NTN Canada, Inc. (The "Interactive Action"). The
Interactive Action alleges that Interactive granted Communications
the right to use the Interactive Patent, which right Communications
then improperly licensed to the Company and NTNIN. Interactive
alleges that the license agreement between Communications and the
Company and NTNIN infringes upon the Interactive Patent. The
Interactive Action seeks a declaration of the validity of the
Interactive Patent, an injunction restraining the Company from
further infringement, and either damages (in an unspecified amount)
or an accounting of profits derived from certain games used in
Canada. Except for the aforementioned pleadings, no proceedings or
discovery have been undertaken in the Interactive Actions.
Management believes that the licenses granted to the Company by
Communications are valid and that the patent infringement claims underlying the
Interactive Action will ultimately be proven to be unfounded. The Company
intends to vigorously defend its position in the Interactive Action and to
prosecute its position in the Company Action; however, there can be no assurance
that any or all of these actions will be decided in favor of the Company. The
Company believes, based in part upon the advice of outside, independent counsel,
that the costs of defending and prosecuting these actions will not have a
material adverse effect upon the Company's financial position.
In its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended September 30,
1996, Communications stated that "[w]ith the courts [sic] assistance,
[Communications] and [Interactive] have been able to reach a resolution of all
pending disputes in the United States and have agreed to private arbitration
regarding any future licensing, copyright or infringement issues which may arise
between the parties." The disputes referred to in the Communications Form 10-Q
involved litigation in the United States involving allegations similar to the
allegations underlying the Company Action and Interactive Action. In the
Communication Form 10-Q, Communications also noted that "no substantive action
has been taken in the furtherance of" the Company Action or Interactive Action.
(b) Revenue Canada is currently in discussions with the Company
regarding a potential liability with respect to withholding tax on
certain amounts paid to Communications. No assessment has been made
to date by Revenue Canada. Management believes that it has valid
defenses with respect to these matters and accordingly, no amount
has been recorded in these financial statements. In the event that
such matters are settled in favour of Revenue Canada, the amounts
could be material and would be recorded in the period in which they
become determinable.
The Company and its property are not a party or subject to any other
material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation
incidental to its business.
To the knowledge of the Company no proceedings of a material nature have
been or are
15
contemplated against the Company.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
The Company did not submit any matters to a vote of its security holders
during the quarter ended August 31, 1999.
16
PART II
Item 5. Market Price for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
Matters.
Market Information
The common stock of the Company, par value $.0467 per share (the "Common
Stock"), is traded in the over-the-counter market and is quoted on the NASDAQ
SmallCap Market ("NASDAQ"), under the symbol "NETN." Set forth below is the
range of high and low bid prices for shares of Common Stock for each full
quarterly period within the Company's two most recent fiscal years, as derived
from reports furnished by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
The information reflects inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-ups, markdowns
or commissions and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
Bid Prices
------------------------
Quarters Ended High Low
- -------------- ---- ---
November 30, 1996.............................. US$ 8 US$ 4-7/8
February 29, 1997.............................. 5-1/4 3-7/8
May 31, 1997................................... 4-5/8 2-7/8
August 31, 1997................................ 6-5/8 3-7/16
November 30, 1997.............................. 6 4
February 28, 1998.............................. 4 2-3/4
May 31, 1998................................... 3-1/4 2-1/16
August 31, 1998................................ 4 1-1/4
November 30, 1998.............................. 4-3/4 2-7/8
February 28, 1999.............................. 3-9/16 3-1/4
May 31, 1999................................... 2-5/16 2-5/16
August 31, 1999................................ 2 1-25/32
Holders
As of the close of business on August 31, 1999, there were 198 holders of
record of Common Stock. The Company believes that there are approximately 963
beneficial holders of Common Stock.
Dividends
Since its inception in 1987, the Company has not paid any cash dividends
on its Common Stock. However, the Company has, in the past, declared certain
stock dividends and stock splits. The Company intends to retain earnings, if
any, to finance operations and, therefore,
17
does not expect to declare or pay any cash dividends on the Common Stock in the
foreseeable future.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
The following table sets forth a summary of selected financial information
regarding the Company and its subsidiaries, consolidated, for each of the five
fiscal years ended August 31, 1999. For the convenience of the reader, the
selected financial information is also given in U.S. dollars, converted at the
Noon Buying Rate in effect at the end of the period to which the amount relates.
(For applicable Noon Buying Rates, see "Exchange Rates" preceding Item 1 above.)
The earnings per share amounts, prior to 1998, have been restated as required to
comply with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 Earnings Per
Share ("SFAS 128"). For further discussion of earnings per share and the impact
of SFAS 128, see note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.
Statement of Operations Data (Canadian Dollars):
Year Ended August 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Operating revenues........... Cdn$13,420,642 Cdn$14,771,972 Cdn$10,351,689 Cdn$6,318,251 Cdn$4,559,382
Cost of sales................ 5,155,883 5,515,241 3,395,898 2,223,916 1,701,629
Gross profit................. 8,264,759 9,256,731 6,955,791 4,094,335 2,857,753
Net income (loss)............ (971,497) 618,065 609,387 541,059 357,535
Net income (loss) per share.. (.36) .24 .25 .25 .21
Weighted average number of
shares outstanding.......... 2,635,050 2,550,805 2,441,992 2,144,175 1,699,239
Balance Sheet Data (Canadian Dollars):
August 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Total assets................. Cdn$14,802,021 Cdn$16,047,907 Cdn$14,287,602 Cdn$9,883,093 Cdn$8,352,670
Long-term obligations........ 2,216,675 2,840,218 2,185,249 -0- -0-
Shareholders' equity......... 10,792,767 11,033,178 9,488,648 8,877,434 7,536,411
No cash dividends have been declared for any of the fiscal years presented
above.
18
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations.
Introduction
The consolidated financial statements of the Company included in this
document have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP"). The information contained in this
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations is expressed in Canadian dollars. The following discussion should be
read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, and notes
thereto, included in this document.
Results of Operations
Year Ended August 31, 1999 Compared to Year Ended August 31, 1998
Revenues. Revenues from network services for the 1999 Fiscal Year were
Cdn$6,607,915, compared to Cdn$6,727,889 for the Company's fiscal year ended
August 31, 1998 (the "1998 Fiscal Year"), a decrease of Cdn$119,974 or 1.8%.
These revenues are relatively constant between years due to the number of
Hospitality sites remaining at the same level between the 1999 and 1998 fiscal
years.
Revenues from event programming for the 1999 Fiscal Year were Cdn$527,740,
compared to Cdn$602,571 for the 1998 Fiscal Year, a decrease of Cdn$74,831 or
12.4%. The decrease was due to a decreased number of corporate events hosted,
both in Canada and abroad, in 1999 when compared to the number of events hosted
in 1998.
Revenues from ad sponsorship were Cdn$308,602 for the 1999 Fiscal Year,
compared to Cdn$442,424 for the 1998 Fiscal Year, a decrease of Cdn$133,822 or
30.2%. The decrease was the result of a decrease in the number and size of
corporate sponsors over the level experienced in the previous period.
Revenues from video and software sales were Cdn$4,630,931 for the 1999
Fiscal Year, compared to Cdn$5,456,738 for the 1998 Fiscal Year, a decrease of
Cdn$825,807 or 15.1%. Of these revenues, Cdn$596,951 was earned by Interlynx, as
compared to Cdn$1,367,430 for the 1998 Fiscal Year, a decrease of Cdn$770,479 or
56.3%. The sale of Interlynx's subsidiary, Universal Content and a change in the
focus of Interlynx away from CD-ROM's to PROFIS have resulted in the decrease.
Revenues from video and software sales earned by the Magic Lantern Group for the
1999 Fiscal Year were Cdn$4,033,980, a decrease of Cdn$55,328 or 1.4% from the
Cdn$4,089,308 earned in the 1998 Fiscal Year. Decreased levels of funding by all
levels of government have resulted in tighter budget constraints placed upon
educational bodies, and as a result, sales of educational material have fallen.
Revenues from video dubbing were Cdn$691,156, a decrease of Cdn$55,982 or
7.5% over the Cdn$747,138 earned in the 1998 Fiscal Year. The decrease can be
attributed to a loss of
19
the local customer base due to the Magic Lantern Group move in late fiscal 1998.
Other revenues, which consist primarily of revenue from internet services
and interest income, were Cdn$191,556, compared to Cdn$577,282 for the 1998
Fiscal Year, a decrease of Cdn$385,726 or 66.8%. Interest income decreased due
to the decrease in short-term investments during the year. Other revenues, as
earned by the Magic Lantern Group, consist primarily of revenue from video
conversion services. Revenues from this area were Cdn$462,742 compared to
Cdn$217,930 for the 1998 Fiscal Year, an increase of Cdn$244,812 or 112.3%. The
increase was a direct result of an increased level of consulting in regards to
video conversion services provided in 1999.
As a result of the foregoing, the Company's total revenues in aggregate
were Cdn$13,420,642, compared to Cdn$14,771,972 for the 1998 Fiscal Year, a
decrease of Cdn$1,351,330 or 9.1%.
Cost of Sales. Cost of Sales for network services for the 1999 Fiscal Year
were Cdn$2,353,705, compared to Cdn$2,486,873 for the 1998 Fiscal Year, a
decrease of Cdn$133,168 or 5.4%. The number of Hospitality sites outstanding in
1999 compared to the number outstanding in 1998 was constant. Since the amount
the Company is billed by Communications is a direct function of the number of
sites outstanding, the above-noted decrease results from a stronger Canadian
dollar in the 1999 Fiscal year. As a percentage of the Company's total revenues,
such costs increase to 17.5% for the 1999 Fiscal Year from 16.8% for the 1998
Fiscal Year.
Event programming costs were Cdn$24,650, compared to Cdn$26,683 for the
1998 Fiscal Year, a decrease of Cdn$2,033 or 7.6%. The decrease was commensurate
with the decrease in the number events hosted in event programming revenues for
the reasons discussed above. As a percentage of the Company's total revenues,
such costs remained constant at 0.2% for the 1999 Fiscal Year as compared to the
1998 Fiscal Year.
Advertising sponsorship costs were Cdn$61,255, compared to Cdn$32,517 for
the 1998 Fiscal Year, an increase of Cdn$28,738 or 88.4%. The increase was the
result of increased marketing campaigns and a greater use of advertising
agencies during the 1999 Fiscal Year.
Video and software costs in aggregate were Cdn$1,990,741 compared to
Cdn$2,212,985 for the 1998 Fiscal Year, a decrease of Cdn$222,244 or 10.0%. Of
these costs, Cdn$281,115 was incurred by Interlynx, compared to Cdn$484,639 for
the 1998 Fiscal Year, a decrease of Cdn$203,524 or 42.0%. The decrease
corresponds to the decrease in revenue discussed above. Costs attributable to
video and software sales of the Magic Lantern Group for the 1998 Fiscal Year
were Cdn$1,709,626, a decrease of Cdn$18,720, or 1.1%, over the Cdn$1,728,346
incurred in the 1998 Fiscal Year. The decrease corresponds to the decrease in
revenue as discussed above. As a percentage of the Company's total revenues,
these costs have fallen to 14.8% in the 1999 Fiscal Year from 15.0% in the 1998
Fiscal Year, with the decrease in costs of Interlynx, accounting for 91.6% of
the decrease.
20
Video dubbing costs were Cdn$353,983. These costs have decreased by
Cdn$266,659, or 43.0%, over the Cdn$620,642 incurred in the 1998 Fiscal Year.
The decrease also can be attributed to the decrease in customer base and more
efficient operations since the acquisition of Image Media Ltd.
Other costs, were Cdn$371,549, compared to Cdn$135,541 for the 1998 Fiscal
Year, an increase of Cdn$236,008 or 174.1%. As a percentage of the Company's
total revenues, such costs increased to 2.8% for the 1999 Fiscal Year from 0.9%
for the 1998 Fiscal Year. The increase relates primarily to Viewer Services,
which became a wholly-owned subsidiary on June 16, 1999.
As a result of the foregoing, the Company's total cost of sales was
Cdn$5,155,883, compared to Cdn$5,515,241 for the 1998 Fiscal Year, a decrease of
Cdn$359,358 or 6.5%. Total gross margins decreased to 61.6% in the 1999 Fiscal
Year from 62.7% in the 1998 Fiscal Year.
Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the 1999 Fiscal
Year were Cdn$7,572,771, compared to Cdn$6,591,941 for the 1998 Fiscal Year, an
increase of Cdn$980,830 or 14.9%. The increase was caused by the following
factors. Firstly, the purchase of the remaining 50% of Viewer Services. In prior
years, Viewer Services was accounted for on the equity basis; for the Fiscal
Year 1999, Viewer Services was consolidated as a wholly owned subsidiary
resulting in an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of
Cdn$422,520 or 43.1% of the increase. Secondly, professional fees have increased
as a result of consultants aiding in the developing of Sonoptic's business plan
and Networks North's strategic planning. Thirdly, property taxes increased as a
result of the City of Toronto, retroactively restating property taxes. Fourthly,
salaries and benefits have risen due to both annual increases and additional
staffing requirements. Finally, cost associated with the purchase of the
remaining 49% of Interlynx also contributed to the increase. As a percentage of
the Company's total revenues, total selling, general and administrative expenses
increased to 56.4% for the 1999 Fiscal Year from 44.6% for the 1998 Fiscal Year.
Bad debts expense was Cdn$136,888, compared to Cdn$43,123 for the 1998
Fiscal Year, an increase of Cdn$93,765 or 217.4%. The increase resulted from an
increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts. As a percentage of the
Company's total revenues, such costs increased to 1.0% for the 1999 Fiscal Year
from 0.3% for the 1998 Fiscal Year.
Interest and bank charges for the 1999 Fiscal Year were Cdn$98,440,
compared to Cdn$137,942 for the 1998 Fiscal Year, a decrease of Cdn$39,502 or
28.6%. The decrease was the result of decreased debt levels. As a percentage of
the Company's total revenues, such costs decreased to 0.7% for the 1999 Fiscal
Year from 0.9% for the 1998 Fiscal Year.
Depreciation and amortization for the 1999 Fiscal Year were Cdn$1,429,219,
compared to Cdn$1,310,689 for the 1998 Fiscal Year, an increase of Cdn$118,530
or 9.0%. This increase is the result of depreciation on the capital asset
additions in 1999. As a percentage of the Company's total revenues, such costs
increased to 10.6% for the 1999 Fiscal Year from 8.9% for the 1998 Fiscal Year.
21
Income Taxes. Provision for income taxes was Cdn$150,000 for the 1999
Fiscal Year, compared to Cdn$419,084 for the 1998 Fiscal Year, a decrease of
Cdn$269,084 or 64.2%. The provision for taxes is lower in 1999 when compared to
the 1998 provision due to a lower level of taxable income experienced in 1999.
Net Income/Loss. As a result of all of the above, the Company's net loss
for the 1999 Fiscal Year was Cdn$971,497, compared to net income Cdn$618,065 for
the 1998 Fiscal Year, a change of Cdn$1,589,562. This represents a decrease in
net income as a percentage of total revenues to (7.2%) in the 1999 Fiscal Year
from 4.2% in the 1998 Fiscal Year.
Year Ended August 31, 1998 Compared to Year Ended August 31, 1997
Revenues. Revenues from network services for the 1998 Fiscal Year were
Cdn$6,727,889 compared to Cdn$6,259,314 for the Company's fiscal year ended
August 31, 1997 (the "1997 Fiscal Year"), an increase of Cdn$468,575 or 7.5%.
This increase was the result of an increase in the average number of Hospitality
sites outstanding during 1998 when compared to the average number of Hospitality
sites outstanding during 1997. Also, additional revenues were earned, exclusive
to the 1998 Fiscal Year, from a project undertaken by the Technical department
of Hospitality, where Playmakers were repaired and refurbished for
Communications.
Revenues from event programming for the 1998 Fiscal Year were Cdn$602,571,
compared to Cdn$434,965 for the 1997 Fiscal Year, an increase of Cdn$167,606 or
38.5%. This increase was due to an increased number of corporate events hosted,
both in Canada and abroad, in 1998 when compared to the number of events hosted
in 1997.
Revenues from ad sponsorship were Cdn$442,424 for the 1998 Fiscal Year,
compared to Cdn$246,090 for the 1997 Fiscal Year, an increase of Cdn$196,334 or
79.8%. This increase was the result of an increase in the number and size of
corporate sponsors over the level experienced in the previous period, and due to
additional marketing and sales efforts in this area in 1998. Examples of the
additional marketing initiatives were the use of a corporate brochure and video
in presentations to prospective clients, and the employment on a full-time basis
of an advertising sales manager.
Revenues from video and software sales were Cdn$5,456,738 for the 1998
Fiscal Year. Of these revenues, Cdn$1,367,430 was earned by Interlynx in its
first year of ownership by the Company. Revenues from video and software sales
earned by the Magic Lantern Group for the 1998 Fiscal Year were Cdn$4,089,308,
an increase of Cdn$1,811,540 or 79.5% over the Cdn$2,277,768 earned in the 1997
Fiscal Year. Both a greater emphasis on marketing and additional revenues
generated from the business assets of Image Media Ltd., acquired by Magic, on
August 31, 1997 have contributed to this increase over the prior year.
Revenues from video dubbing were Cdn$747,138, an increase of Cdn$348,056
or 87.2% over the Cdn$399,082 earned in the 1997 Fiscal Year. This increase also
can be attributed to
22
additional revenues generated from the business assets of Image Media Ltd.,
acquired by Magic, on August 31, 1997.
Other revenues, which consist primarily of revenue from internet services
and interest income, were Cdn$795,212, compared to Cdn$734,470 for the 1997
Fiscal Year, a increase of Cdn$60,742 or 8.3%. Other revenues, as earned by the
Magic Lantern Group, consist primarily of revenue from video conversion
services. Revenues from this area were Cdn$217,930 compared to Cdn$139,302 for
the 1997 Fiscal Year, an increase of Cdn$78,628 or 56.4%. This increase was a
direct result of an increased level of consulting in regards to video conversion
services provided in 1998.
As a result of the foregoing, the Company's total revenues in aggregate
were Cdn$14,771,972, compared to Cdn$10,351,689 for the 1997 Fiscal Year, an
increase of Cdn$4,420,283 or 42.7%. Excluding revenues earned by Interlynx of
Cdn$1,367,430, revenues were Cdn$13,404,542 for the 1998 Fiscal Year. When
compared to revenues of Cdn$10,351,689 from the 1997 Fiscal Year, an increase of
Cdn$3,052,853 or 29.5% was experienced in the 1998 Fiscal Year.
Cost of Sales. Network services cost of sales for the 1998 Fiscal Year
were Cdn$2,486,873, compared to Cdn$2,113,473 for the 1997 Fiscal Year, an
increase of Cdn$373,400 or 17.7%. This increase resulted from all of the
following. First, there was an increase in the average number of Hospitality
sites outstanding in 1998 compared to the average number outstanding in 1997.
Since the amount the Company is billed by Communications is a direct function of
the number of sites outstanding, the above-noted increase translates into higher
commissions payable to Communications. Secondly, the amount of commissions
charged per site by Communications increased by 5% in March of 1998. Lastly,
given that these commissions are payable in US dollars, the decrease in the
value of the Canadian dollar over the past year has also contributed to the
increase. As a percentage of the Company's total revenues, such costs decreased
to 16.8% for the 1998 Fiscal Year from 20.4% for the 1997 Fiscal Year. This
decrease is primarily the result of an increase in sales which are not
commission based, including sales made by the Company's direct sales force who
do not receive commissions, and revenues from both the Magic Lantern Group and
Interlynx for the year.
Event programming costs were Cdn$26,683, compared to Cdn$26,346 for the
1997 Fiscal Year, an increase of Cdn$337 or 1.3%.
Advertising sponsorship cost were Cdn$32,517, compared to Cdn$1,466 for
the 1997 Fiscal Year, an increase of Cdn$31,051. The increase was the result of
increased marketing campaigns, which coincides with the increase in advertising
revenue.
Video and software costs in aggregate were Cdn$2,212,985 for the 1998
Fiscal Year. Of these costs, Cdn$484,639 was incurred by Interlynx in its first
year of ownership by the Company. Costs attributable to video and software sales
of the Magic Lantern Group for the 1998 Fiscal Year were Cdn$1,728,346, an
increase of Cdn$930,710, or 116.7%, over the Cdn$797,636 incurred in the 1997
Fiscal Year. This increase was caused by the requirements of
23
operating the business assets of Image Media Ltd., which were acquired by Magic
on August 31, 1997. As a percentage of the Company's total revenues, these costs
have risen to 15.0% in the 1998 Fiscal Year from 7.7% in the 1997 Fiscal Year,
with the costs of Interlynx accounting for 34.2% of the percentage increase.
Video dubbing costs were Cdn$620,642. These costs have increased by
Cdn$408,570, or 192.7%, over the Cdn$212,072 incurred in the 1997 Fiscal Year.
This increase also can be attributed to the additional costs resulting from the
requirements of operating the business assets of Image Media Ltd., acquired by
Magic, on August 31, 1997.
Other costs, originating from activities of the Company, were Cdn$135,541,
compared to Cdn$244,905 for the 1997 Fiscal Year, a decrease of Cdn$109,364 or
44.7%. As a percentage of the Company's total revenues, such costs decreased to
0.9% for the 1998 Fiscal Year from 2.4% for the 1997 Fiscal Year.
As a result of the foregoing, the Company's total cost of sales was
Cdn$5,515,241, compared to Cdn$3,395,898 for the 1997 Fiscal Year, an increase
of Cdn$2,119,343 or 62.4%. Excluding Interlynx's cost of sales of Cdn$484,639,
cost of sales were Cdn$5,030,602 in the 1998 Fiscal Year, compared to $3,395,898
in the prior year, an increase of $1,634,704 or 48.1%. Total gross margins
decreased to 62.7% in the 1998 Fiscal Year from 67.2% in the 1997 Fiscal Year,
and excluding the results of Interlynx, the gross margin was 62.5% in the 1998
Fiscal Year.
Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the 1998 Fiscal
Year were Cdn$6,591,941, compared to Cdn$4,786,519 for the 1997 Fiscal Year, an
increase of Cdn$1,805,422 or 37.7%. These expenses for the 1998 Fiscal Year,
excluding those of Interlynx of Cdn$445,872, totaled Cdn$6,146,069, and have
increased by Cdn$1,359,550 or 28.4% when compared to the expense total of
Cdn$4,786,519 for the 1997 Fiscal Year. This increase was caused by the
following factors. Firstly, advertising and promotion expenses have increased as
a result of both the increased promotion and prizing of our QB1game in
Hospitality, and the additional marketing efforts in the areas of video,
software and dubbing sales and ad sponsorship. Additional expenses have also
been incurred resulting from the requirements of operating the business assets
of Image Media Ltd., acquired August 31, 1997. Thirdly, salaries and benefits
have risen due to both annual increases and additional staffing requirements.
Travel expenses have increased due to the increase in the number of Corporate
events being hosted abroad and the travel costs associated with the area
representatives hired, in 1998, to provide both customer service and training to
both new and existing Hospitality sites. Lastly, freight charges have increased.
This increase was commensurate with the increase in advertising and promotion,
the increase in volume of equipment being shipped to both Corporate events and
Hospitality sites, and an increase in the volume of videos and software being
shipped to customers. As a percentage of the Company's total revenues, total
selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 44.6% for the 1998
Fiscal Year from 46.2% for the 1997 Fiscal Year.
Bad debts expense was Cdn$43,123, compared to Cdn$48,284 for the 1997
Fiscal Year, a decrease of Cdn$5,161 or 10.7%. As a percentage of the Company's
total revenues, such costs decreased to 0.3% for the 1998 Fiscal Year from 0.5%
for the 1997 Fiscal Year.
24
Interest and bank charges for the 1998 Fiscal Year were Cdn$137,942,
compared to Cdn$109,834 for the 1997 Fiscal Year, an increase of Cdn$28,108 or
25.6%. This increase was the result of additional interest arising from
long-term debt, acquired in April 1998, to finance the Company's purchase of the
10 Meteor Drive property and refinance the debt on Magic's property, located at
775 Pacific Road in Oakville. As a percentage of the Company's total revenues,
such costs decreased to 0.9% for the 1998 Fiscal Year from 1.1% for the 1997
Fiscal Year.
Depreciation and amortization for the 1998 Fiscal Year were Cdn$1,310,689,
compared to Cdn$952,145 for the 1997 Fiscal Year, an increase of Cdn$358,544 or
37.7%. This increase is the result of both depreciation on the capital asset
additions in 1998, and amortization of goodwill associated with the purchase of
Interlynx. As a percentage of the Company's total revenues, such costs decreased
to 8.9% for the 1998 Fiscal Year from 9.2% for the 1997 Fiscal Year.
Income Taxes. Provision for income taxes was Cdn$419,084 for the 1998
Fiscal Year, compared to Cdn$433,900 for the 1997 Fiscal Year, a decrease of
Cdn$14,816 or 3.4%. The provision for taxes is lower in 1998 when compared to
the 1997 provision due to a lower level of taxable income experienced in 1998.
Net Income. As a result of all of the above, the Company's net income for
the 1998 Fiscal Year was Cdn$618,065, compared to Cdn$609,387 for the 1997
Fiscal Year, an increase of Cdn$8,678 or 1.4%. This represents a decrease in net
income as a percentage of total revenues to 4.2% in the 1998 Fiscal Year from
5.9% in the 1997 Fiscal Year.
Year Ended August 31, 1997 Compared to Year Ended August 31, 1996
Revenues. Revenues from network services for the 1997 Fiscal Year were
Cdn$6,259,314, compared to Cdn$5,104,830 for the Company's fiscal year ended
August 31, 1996 (the "1996 Fiscal Year"), an increase of Cdn$1,154,484 or 22.6%.
This increase is primarily the result of an increase in the average number of
sites outstanding in 1997 when compared to the average number of sites
outstanding in 1996.
Revenues from event programming for the 1997 Fiscal Year were Cdn$434,965,
compared to Cdn$409,722 for the 1996 Fiscal Year, an increase of Cdn$25,243 or
6.2%.
Revenues from ad sponsorship were Cdn$246,090 for the 1997 Fiscal Year,
compared to Cdn$198,989 for the 1996 Fiscal Year, an increase of Cdn$47,101 or
23.7%. This increase is primarily the result of increased initiatives in this
area.
Revenues from video and software sales and video dubbing, as earned by the
Magic Lantern Group, were Cdn$2,277,768 and Cdn$399,082 respectively, for the
1997 Fiscal Year, the first year of ownership by the Company.
Other revenues, which consist primarily of revenue from internet services
and interest
25
income, were Cdn$734,470, compared to Cdn$604,710 for the 1996 Fiscal Year, an
increase of Cdn$129,760 or 21.5%. Other revenues, as earned by the Magic Lantern
Group, consist primarily of revenue from video conversion services. Revenues in
this area were Cdn$139,302 for the 1997 Fiscal Year, the first year of ownership
by the Company.
As a result of the foregoing, the Company's total revenues were
Cdn$10,351,689, compared to Cdn$6,318,251 for the 1996 Fiscal Year, an increase
of Cdn$4,033,438 or 63.8%. Excluding total revenues from the Magic Lantern Group
of Cdn$2,816,152, revenues were Cdn$7,535,537 for the 1997 Fiscal Year, compared
to revenues of Cdn$6,318,251 from the 1996 Fiscal Year, an increase of
Cdn$1,217,286 or 19.3%.
Cost of Sales. Network services cost of sales for the 1997 Fiscal Year
were Cdn$2,113,473, compared to Cdn$1,959,978 for the 1996 Fiscal Year, an
increase of Cdn$153,495 or 7.8%. This increase is primarily the result of an
increase in the average number of sites outstanding in 1997 compared to the
average number outstanding in 1996. Since the amount the Company is billed by
Communications is a direct function of the number of sites, an increase in the
number of average sites outstanding in 1997 would result in higher commissions
payable to Communications in 1997, than the level experienced in 1996. As a
percentage of the Company's total revenues, such costs decreased to 20.4% for
the 1997 Fiscal Year from 31.0% for the 1996 Fiscal Year. This decrease is
primarily the result of an increase in sales which are not commissionable,
including sales made by the Company's direct sales force who do not receive
commission, and revenues from the Magic Lantern Group for the year.
Event programming costs were Cdn$26,346, compared to Cdn$25,535 for the
1996 Fiscal Year, an increase of Cdn$811.
Advertising sponsorship costs were Cdn$1,466, compared to Cdn$1,852 for
the 1996 Fiscal Year, a decrease of Cdn$386.
Video and software sales and video dubbing costs, originating from the
Magic Lantern Group, were Cdn$797,636 and Cdn$212,072, for the 1997 Fiscal Year.
As a percentage of the Company's total revenues, these costs were 7.7% and 2.0%,
respectively.
Other costs, were Cdn$244,905, compared to Cdn$236,551 for the 1996 Fiscal
Year, an increase of Cdn$8,354 or 3.5%. As a percentage of the Company's total
revenues, such costs decreased to 2.3% for the 1997 Fiscal Year from 3.7% for
the 1996 Fiscal Year. Other costs, originating from the activities of the Magic
Lantern Group, were Cdn$9,681 for the 1997 Fiscal Year, which were 0.1% of the
Company's total revenues.
As a result of the foregoing, the Company's total cost of sales was
Cdn$3,395,898, compared to Cdn$2,223,916 for the 1996 Fiscal Year, an increase
of Cdn$1,171,982 or 52.7%. Excluding the Magic Lantern Group's cost of sales of
Cdn$1,019,389, cost of sales were Cdn$2,376,509 in the 1997 Fiscal Year,
compared to Cdn$2,223,916 in the prior year, an increase of $152,593 or 6.9%.
Total gross margins improved to 67.2% in the 1997 Fiscal Year from 64.8% in the
1996 Fiscal Year, and excluding the Magic Lantern Group, the gross margin
26
improved to 68.5% in the 1997 Fiscal Year.
Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the 1997 Fiscal
Year were Cdn$4,786,519, compared to Cdn$2,642,853 for the 1996 Fiscal Year, an
increase of Cdn$2,143,666 or 81.1%. These expenses for the 1997 Fiscal Year,
excluding those of the Magic Lantern Group of Cdn$1,394,541, totaled
Cdn$3,391,978, compared to Cdn$2,642,853 for the 1996 Fiscal Year, an increase
of Cdn$749,125 or 28.3%. As a percentage of the Company's total revenues, total
selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 46.2% for the 1997
Fiscal Year from 41.8% for the 1996 Fiscal Year. This increase in percentage is
primarily the result of the addition of staff and rising salaries in 1997, when
compared to 1996.
Bad debts expense was Cdn$48,284, compared to Cdn$54,990 for the 1996
Fiscal Year, a decrease of Cdn$6,706 or 12.2%. As a percentage of the Company's
total revenues, such costs decreased to 0.5% for the 1997 Fiscal Year from 0.9%
for the 1996 Fiscal Year. This decrease is primarily the result of an overall
improvement in the management of the Company's accounts receivable.
Interest and bank charges for the 1997 Fiscal Year were Cdn$109,834,
compared to Cdn$8,657 for the 1996 Fiscal Year, an increase of Cdn$101,177 or
1168.7%. As a percentage of the Company's total revenues, such costs increased
to 1.1% for the 1997 Fiscal Year from 0.1% for the 1996 Fiscal Year. This
increase is the result of the increased debt load assumed upon the Magic Lantern
Group Acquisition.
Depreciation and amortization for the 1997 Fiscal Year were Cdn$952,145,
compared to Cdn$383,776 for the 1996 Fiscal Year, an increase of Cdn$568,369 or
148.1%. As a percentage of the Company's total revenues, such costs increased to
9.2% for the 1997 Fiscal Year from 6.1% for the 1996 Fiscal Year. This increase
is the result of both depreciation on the increased amount of rental equipment
in the field, attributable to an increased number of average rental sites
outstanding in 1997, and amortization of goodwill associated with the purchase
of the Magic Lantern Group.
Income Taxes. Provision for income taxes was Cdn$433,900 for the 1997
Fiscal Year, compared to Cdn$463,000 for the 1996 Fiscal Year, a decrease of
Cdn$29,100 or 6.3%. The provision for taxes is lower in 1997 when compared to
the 1996 provision due to a lower level of taxable income experienced in 1997.
Net Income. As a result of all of the above, the Company's net income for
the 1997 Fiscal Year was Cdn$609,387, compared to Cdn$541,059for the 1996 Fiscal
Year, an increase of Cdn$68,328 or 12.6%. This represents a decrease in net
income as a percentage of total revenues to 5.9% in the 1997 Fiscal Year from
8.6% in the 1996 Fiscal Year.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At August 31, 1999, the Company had working capital of Cdn$4,037,060, a
decrease of
27
Cdn$36,775 from working capital of Cdn$4,073,835.
For the 1999 Fiscal Year, the Company had a net increase in cash flow of
Cdn$1,017,007, versus a decrease from in its cash flow of Cdn$1,420,682 for the
1998 Fiscal Year. Net increase in cash flow for the 1997 Fiscal Year was
Cdn$643,908. The increase in net cash flow for the 1999 Fiscal Year was
primarily due to cash provided from operating activities.
Cash provided by operating activities for the 1999 Fiscal Year was
Cdn$1,750,993. The major factors contributing to the cash provided from
operations for the 1999 Fiscal Year include: net income before depreciation and
amortization of Cdn$457,722; cash provided from the conversion of short-term
investments to cash of Cdn$1,780,407; cash used to reduce accounts payable and
accrued liabilities of Cdn$701,392. Cash provided by operating activities for
the 1998 Fiscal Year was Cdn$475,343. The major factor contributing to the cash
provided by operations during the 1998 Fiscal Year was net income before
depreciation and amortization of Cdn$1,928,754 reduced by the use of cash
resulting from the increase in accounts receivable of Cdn$1,034,931, which
resulted from increased sales levels in 1998 and the purchase of the assets of
Image Media. Cash provided by operating activities for the 1997 Fiscal Year was
Cdn$3,814,770.
Cash used in investing activities in the 1999 Fiscal Year was Cdn$753,318.
This amount resulted primarily from the purchase of property and equipment
totaling Cdn$601,633 and the development of software totaling Cdn$250,000. Cash
used in investing activities in the 1998 Fiscal Year was Cdn$2,454,791. This
amount was primarily made up of purchases of property and equipment (including
the purchase of the property, building and leasehold improvements therein,
located at 10 Meteor Drive), totaling Cdn$2,012,543, an increase in licenses due
to the payment of Cdn$78,400 to Players Network Inc. for the right to be the
exclusive Canadian distributor of its products for a 10-year period, and the
purchase of Interlynx, which totaled Cdn$380,001. Cash used in the 1997 Fiscal
Year was Cdn$3,092,057. The Company's purchase of the Magic Lantern Group,
totaling Cdn$1,644,497, the purchase of property and equipment for
Cdn$1,040,765, the investment in Viewer Services of Cdn$38,305 by Magic and the
purchase of certain of the business assets and the resulting goodwill of Image
Media by Magic, for Cdn$590,000, accounted for the use of cash. These uses of
cash were somewhat offset by the decrease in notes receivable in the 1997 Fiscal
Year of Cdn$221,510.
Cash provided by financing in the 1999 Fiscal Year was Cdn$19,332
resulting from increased bank debt. Cash provided by financing activities in the
1998 Fiscal Year totaled Cdn$558,766. This mainly resulted from proceeds on the
exercise of options to purchase common shares of Cdn$101,465, and the
acquisition of a long-term operating loan from the Royal Bank of Canada of
Cdn$1,309,246. The loan was used to retire and refinance short-term debt, as
reflected in the decrease of bank indebtedness of Cdn$577,982, and finance the
purchase of long-term assets. Cash used in financing activities in the 1997
Fiscal Year was Cdn$78,805. This cash was used primarily in the retirement of
short-term debt.
The Company believes that its working capital position provides the
required liquidity on both a short and long term basis and that it will not
require external financing for its operating
28
activities during the 2000 Fiscal Year, based upon the Company's present plans
for the 2000 Fiscal Year. However, any changes in such plans may require the
Company to seek outside financing. No arrangements are presently in place for
outside financing should the need arise.
Inflation
The rate of inflation has had little impact on the Company's operations or
financial position during the three fiscal years ended August 31, 1999, and
inflation is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's
operations or financial position during the 2000 Fiscal Year.
The Company pays a number of its suppliers, including its licensor and
principal supplier, Communications, in US dollars. Therefore, fluctuations in
the value of the Canadian dollar against the US dollar will have an impact on
gross profit as well as the net income of the Company. If the value of the
Canadian dollar falls against the US dollar, the cost of sales of the Company
will increase thereby reducing the Company's gross profit and net income.
Conversely, if the value of the Canadian dollar rises against the US dollar,
gross profit and net income will increase.
Year 2000
The Year 2000 Issue arises because many computerized systems use two
digits, rather than four, to identify a year. Date-sensitive systems may
recognize the year 2000 as 1900, or some other date, resulting in errors when
information using year 2000 dates is processed. In addition, similar problems
may arise in some systems, which use certain dates in 1999 to represent
something other than a date. The effects of the Year 2000 Issue may be
experienced before, on, or after January 1, 2000, and if not addressed, the
impact on operations and financial reporting may range from minor errors to
significant systems failure, which could affect an entity's ability to conduct
normal business operations.
The Company has undertaken various initiatives intended to ensure that its
computer equipment and software will function properly with respect to dates in
the year 2000 and thereafter. For this purpose the term "computer equipment and
software" includes systems that are commonly thought of as information
technology ("IT") systems. Non-IT systems refers to other miscellaneous systems,
not thought of as IT systems, such as alarm systems and fax machines. In
addition, the Company has been determining the extent to which the systems of
third parties with whom the Company has significant relationships may be
vulnerable to year 2000 issues and what impact, if any, these year 2000 issues
will have on the Company. As part of these assessments, a compliance plan, which
included the formation of a steering committee and a timetable for identifying,
evaluating, resolving and testing its year 2000 issues, was developed.
The timetable provided for the Company's completion of its remediation of
any year 2000 issues by the end of September 1999. This target has been met.
While it is difficult, at present, to fully quantify the overall cost of this
work, the Company has incurred less than $100,000 in
29
spending for year 2000 issues. Costs for systems maintenance and modification
are expensed as incurred while spending for new hardware, software or equipment
has been capitalized and will be depreciated over the assets' useful lives. The
Company has funded its year 2000 expenditures out of its cash flows from
operations.
30
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Set forth below is a list of the consolidated financial statements of the
Company being furnished in this Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to the
instructions to Item 8 to Form 10-K and their respective locations herein.
Financial Statement Location*
- ------------------- ---------
Report of Independent Auditors.................................... F - 1
Consolidated Balance Sheets....................................... F - 2
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Retained Earnings....... F - 3
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows............................. F - 4
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements........................ F - 5
- ----------
* Page F-1 follows page 44 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosures.
None.
31
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.
Director
Name Age Principal Positions with the Company Since
- ---- --- ------------------------------------ -----
Peter Rona 53 President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of 1987
the Board of Directors of the Company
Don Pagnutti 49 Principal Financial Officer and Chief Operating N/A
Officer
Douglas R. Connolly 46 President of Magic Lantern Communications Ltd.; 1996
Director of the Company
Dale G. Smith 50 Director of the Company 1993
Lorne C. Stephenson 48 Director of the Company 1998
Adrian P. Towning 55 Director of the Company 1994
Mark Truman 45 Secretary of the Company N/A
Bart Yabsley 36 Director of the Company 1998
Peter Rona has been the President, Chief Executive Officer and a director
of the Company since September 1, 1987. In addition, he was the Principal
Financial Officer of the Company from September 1987 to August 1997. He has been
President of NTN Interactive Network, Inc. (formerly, NTN Sports, Inc. until
1993) from 1985 to 1991 and February 1993 to present. Mr. Rona has also been the
President, sole director and sole shareholder of Anor Management, Ltd., a
personal holding company since 1987.
Don Pagnutti has been the Chief Financial Officer of Networks North since
September 1998, as well as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
since September 1997. From 1980 to 1996, he worked for Telemedia Communications,
a large Canadian media company as Vice President-Radio. From 1996-1997, he
worked for Sullivan Entertainment Inc, as Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer. Mr. Pagnutti is a Chartered Accountant and has a Masters
Degree in Business Administration and a bachelor of Commerce Degree from the
University of Toronto.
Douglas R. Connolly has been the President and a director of Magic Lantern
Communications Ltd. (and its predecessor corporation) since 1985. On October 2,
1996, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of Magic. Mr. Connolly
also has been President, director and a principal shareholder of Connolly-Daw
Holdings Inc. (since 1987) and 1199846 Ontario Ltd. (since September 1996), two
personal holding companies.
Dale G. Smith is the Chief Financial Officer of the Norshield Financial
Group, provider of diversified financial services including asset management,
merchant banking and insurance
32
since 1998. From 1990 - 1998, he was an Officer/Director and part owner of
Montebello Farms, Inc., International breeders of Arabian horses. From 1988 -
1990, he was the President of Oden Capital Corporation, a privately owned
venture capital company. From 1969 - 1988, he was a member of Deloitte & Touche,
Chartered Accountants, having been admitted to partnership in 1980.
Lorne C. Stephenson is the Executive Vice President, Administration
(December 1998 to present) of NetStar Communications Inc. ["NetStar"], a company
involved in broadcast operations. Mr. Stephenson was Senior Vice President,
Administration and Corporate Affairs (1995 to December 1998) of NetStar. Mr.
Stephenson was also the Vice President, Corporate Affairs (1991 to 1995), Vice
President, Entertainment (1989 to 1991), Executive Assistant to Chairman and CEO
(1983 to 1989) and Director of Corporate Affairs (1979 to 1983) for John Labatt
Ltd., a Canadian-owned international consumer product and entertainment
conglomerate. He is a member of the Canadian Cultural Advisory Group on
International Trade, a member of the Board of Governors and Chairman of the
University Advancement Committee of McMaster University, and a member of the
Board of Directors of Montcrest, a private school in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Adrian P. Towning is a private, independent investor in several companies
involved in the communications industry. As a result of his investments, he has
served as a director of some of these companies, including Medical
Communications Corporation ("MCC") (1994 to July 1996). On May 14, 1996, MCC
filed a petition under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code and the
Bankruptcy Court appointed a Trustee of MCC on July 11, 1996. On July 16, 1996,
MCC was dissolved. From 1983 to 1989, he established and managed Anglo-
Massachusetts Investments Incorporated, with offices in Boston and London, which
was involved in providing financial advice to Europeans.
Mark Truman has been the Controller of the Company since December of 1994.
Bart Yabsley is the Vice President and General Counsel, Corporate and
Secretary (May 1998 to present) of NetStar. Mr. Yabsley was the Associate
General Counsel, Corporate (November 1997 to April 1998) and Legal Counsel
(October 1994 to October 1997) of NetStar.
Pursuant to a Designation Agreement, dated as of October 4, 1994, among
the Company, NTNIN and NetStar, the Company has granted NetStar the right to
designate one-third (1/3) of the members of the Company's Board of Directors so
long as NetStar is the owner of at least 20% and not greater than 50% of the
outstanding Common Stock. Should NetStar's ownership be at least 10% and less
than 20% of the outstanding Common Stock, NetStar would be entitled to designate
one-sixth (1/6) of the members of the Company's Board. Further, should NetStar's
ownership exceed 50% of the outstanding Common Stock, NetStar shall be entitled
to designate one-half (1/2) of the members of the Company's Board. In accordance
with the terms of the Designation Agreement, NetStar has designated Lorne C.
Stephenson and Bart Yabsley as directors of the Company.
33
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation
paid or accrued by the Company during the three years ended August 31, 1999 to
those individuals who served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company during
the 1999 Fiscal Year and all other executive officers of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries at August 31, 1999 who received total annual salary and bonuses
in excess of US$100,000 during the 1999 Fiscal Year (collectively, the "Named
Executive Officers").
Long-Term
Compensation
------------
Annual Compensation Awards
---------------------------------------------- ------------
Securities
Year Ended Other Annual Underlying
Name and Principal Position August 31, Salary Bonus Compensation Options
- --------------------------- ---------- ------ ----- ------------ -------
Peter Rona, President and 1999 US$112,158 US$20,573 $-0- 30,000
Chief Executive Officer 1998 117,044 22,907 -0- 40,000
1997 119,103 34,030 -0- 25,000
During the three year period ended August 31, 1994, the Company did not
grant any restricted stock awards or stock appreciation rights, nor did the
Company have any long-term incentive plan. Additionally, all of the Company's
group life, health, hospitalization, medical reimbursement or relocation plans,
if any, do not discriminate in scope, terms or operation, in favor of the Named
Executive Officers and are generally available to all salaried employees.
Further, no Named Executive Officer received, in any of the periods specified in
the Summary Compensation Table, perquisites and other personal benefits,
securities or property in an aggregate amount in excess of the lesser of $50,000
or 10% of the total salary and bonus reported for the Named Executive Officer in
the fiscal year in which such benefits were received, and no single type of
perquisite or other personal benefits exceeded 25% of the total perquisites and
other benefits reported for the Named Executive Officer in the applicable fiscal
year.
Option Grants Table
The following table sets forth (a) the number of shares underlying options
granted to each Named Executive Officer during the 1999 Fiscal Year, (b) the
percentage the grant represents of the total number of options granted to all
Company employees during the 1999 Fiscal Year, (c) the per share exercise price
of each option, (d) the expiration date of each option, and (e) the potential
realized value of each option based on: (i) the assumption of a five (5%)
percent annualized compounded appreciation of the market price of the Common
Stock from the date of the grant of the subject option to the end of the option
term, and (ii) the assumption of a ten (10%) percent annualized compounded
appreciation of the market price of the Common
34
Stock from the date of the grant of the subject option to the end of the option
term.
Potential Realizable Value at
Percentage of Assumed Rates of Stock Price
Total Options Appreciation for Option Term
Number of Shares Granted to -----------------------------
Underlying Employees in Exercise Expiration
Name Options Granted Fiscal Year Price Date 5% 10%
- ---- --------------- ----------- ----- ---- -- ---
Peter Rona 30,000 14.6% US$2.00 11/23/03 US$16,577 US$36,631
Options Exercised and Remaining Outstanding
Set forth in the table below is information, with respect to each of the
Named Executive Officers, as to the (a) number of shares acquired during the
1999 Fiscal Year upon each exercise of options granted to such individuals, (b)
the aggregate value realized upon each such exercise (i.e., the difference
between the market value of the shares at exercise and their exercise price),
(iii) the total number of unexercised options held on August 31, 1999,
separately identified between those exercisable and those not exercisable, and
(iv) the aggregate value of in-the-money, unexercised options held on August 31,
1999, separately identified between those exercisable and those not exercisable.
Value of Unexercised
Number of Unexercised Options In-the-Money Options at
at August 31, 1999 August 31, 1999
Shares ----------------------------- ----------------------------
Acquired on
Name Exercise Value Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- ---- -------- -------------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Peter Rona -0- -0- 157,500 50,000 -0- -0-
Director's Remuneration
Each director, not otherwise a full time employee of the Company, is
eligible to receive Cdn$500 for each meeting of the Board of Directors or
committee thereof which they attend, along with the reimbursement of their
reasonable expenses incurred on the Company's behalf. The NetStar designees on
the Company's Board have declined such compensation in the 1999 Fiscal Year and
in previous fiscal years. In addition, each director, not otherwise a full time
employee of the Company, is eligible to receive 1,500 stock options annually.
Employment Contracts with Named Executive Officers
As of September 1, 1997, NTNIN extended by two years its employment
agreement (the "Rona Employment Agreement") with Peter Rona, its President and
Chief Executive Officer, originally dated as of September 1, 1994. Mr. Rona is
also the President, Chief Executive
35
Officer, Chief Financial and Accounting Officer and Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the Company. The Company has guaranteed NTNIN's obligations under
the Rona Employment Agreement. Mr. Rona does not receive any compensation from
the Company other than pursuant to the Rona Employment Agreement.
The Rona Employment Agreement provides for an initial base compensation of
Cdn$165,375 with annual increases to be subject to review by the Board of
Directors, but in no event less than the proportional increase in the Consumer
Price Index as published by Statistics Canada, plus a bonus equal to a
percentage of the annual base compensation paid to Mr. Rona determined by
reference to the excess of NTNIN's actual net income before taxes over specified
amounts set forth in the Rona Employment Agreement. The Rona Employment
Agreement further provides for the granting to Mr. Rona of stock options at the
discretion of the Board of Directors. The Board awarded Mr. Rona stock options
to purchase 30,000 shares of Common Stock as of November 23, 1998. In all other
respects, the basic provisions of the Rona Employment Agreement remain the same.
Magic has entered into two separate Employment Agreements, each dated
September 1, 1998, with Douglas Connolly and Wendy Connolly. These Employment
Agreements each have two year terms commencing on September 1, 1998 and
terminating on August 31, 2000, and pursuant to which Mr. and Ms. Connolly shall
receive annual base salaries of Cdn$125,000 and Cdn$70,000, respectively,
together with automotive expenses of Cdn$12,000 and Cdn$8,400, respectively.
There is a provision in each Employment Agreement for a cost-of-living
adjustment to their base salaries for the second year of the term. In addition,
under their respective Employment Agreements, Mr. and Ms. Connolly shall each be
entitled to a bonus, not to exceed Cdn$50,000 and Cdn$28,000, respectively
(subject to a cost-of living adjustment for the second year of their respective
terms), to be based upon the actual net income before taxes, if any, of Magic
during each year of the terms of the Employment Agreements. The D. Connolly
Employment Agreement further provides for Mr. Connolly to serve as President and
Chief Operating Officer of Magic during its term.
NTNIN has entered into an Employment Agreement, dated August 15, 1997,
with Don Pagnutti. This employment agreement has a two-year term, commencing on
September 15, 1997 and terminating on September 14, 1999, with a revolving term
to be reviewed annually at the anniversary of the commencement date. The
agreement provides for an initial base compensation of $Cdn137,500 with annual
reviews, together with automobile expenses of Cdn$9,000 plus a bonus equal to a
percentage of the annual base compensation paid to Mr. Pagnutti determined by
reference to the excess of NTNIN's actual net income before taxes over specified
amounts set forth in the agreement. This agreement further provides for the
granting to Mr. Pagnutti of stock options at the discretion of the Board of
Directors. This agreement also provides for Mr. Pagnutti to serve as Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of NTNIN during its term.
Neither the Company nor NTNIN has any other employment agreement in effect
with any other executive employee.
36
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Company's Audit and Compensation Committee currently consists of Dale
G. Smith and Adrian P. Towning. Messrs. Smith and Towning are not officers or
employees of the Company, and have not served in such capacities in the past. No
executive officer of the Company served as a director or member of the
compensation committee (or group performing similar functions) of another
entity, one of whose executive officers served on the Audit and Compensation
Committee or as a director of the Company.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.
Set forth in the table below is information concerning the ownership, as
of the close of business on August 31, 1999, of the Common Stock by each person
who is known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five (5%)
percent of the Common Stock, the Company's directors and Named Executive
Officers, and all directors and executive officers as a group.
Amount and Nature of Percent of
Name and Address Beneficial Ownership Class (1)
- ---------------- -------------------- ---------
NetStar Enterprises Inc. (2)........... 925,787 31.4%
Lorne C. Stephenson (3)................ 925,787 (4) 31.4
Bart Yabsley (3)....................... 925,787 (4) 31.4
Peter Rona (6)......................... 380,357 (6) 12.2
Anor Management Ltd. (7)............... 192,857 (7) 6.5
Douglas Connolly....................... 192,948 (8) 6.5
Adrian P. Towning...................... 11,250 0.4
Dale G. Smith.......................... 6,000 0.2
All directors and executive officers as
a group (7 persons)................. 1,709,199 (9) 57.9%
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the Company believes that all persons named in
the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares
of Common Stock beneficially owned by them. A person is deemed to be the
beneficial owner of securities that may be acquired by such person within
60 days from the date on which beneficial ownership is to be determined,
upon the exercise of options, warrants or convertible securities. Each
beneficial owner's percentage ownership is determined by assuming that
options, warrants and convertible securities that are held by such person
(but not those held by any other person) and which are exercisable within
such 60-day period, have been exercised.
(2) The address for NetStar Enterprises Inc. is 2225 Sheppard Avenue East -
Suite 100, North York, Ontario, Canada M2J 5C2.
37
(3) The address for Messrs. Stephenson and Yabsley is c/o NetStar
Communications Inc., 2225 Sheppard Avenue East - Suite 100, North York,
Ontario, Canada M2J 5C2.
(4) Includes the 925,787 shares of Common Stock owned by NetStar, of which Mr.
Stephenson is Executive Vice President, Administration and Mr. Yabsley is
Vice President and General Counsel, Corporate and Secretary.
(5) The address for Mr. Rona is c/o Networks North Inc., 14 Meteor Drive,
Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, M9W 1A4.
(6) Includes (a) 192,857 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of
the 900,000 shares of Convertible Preferred Stock held of record by Anor
Management, Ltd. ("Anor") and (b) 30,000 common shares owned by Mr. Rona.
Mr. Rona is the President, sole director and sole shareholder of Anor.
(7) The address for Anor is c/o Peter Rona, Networks North Inc., 14 Meteor
Drive, Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, M9W 1A4. Includes 192,857 shares of
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the 900,000 shares of Convertible
Preferred Stock held of record by Anor. The 900,000 shares of Convertible
Preferred Stock have the equivalent voting power to 192,857 shares of
Common Stock.
(8) Represents the payments of stock in lieu of cash based upon two promissory
notes issued to companies controlled by Mr. Connolly. The 185,448 shares
of common stock are beneficially owned by 1199846 Ontario Ltd. and
Connolly-Daw Holdings Inc., both of which Mr. Connolly is a principal
shareholder and an officer.
(9) Includes 192,857 shares issuable upon conversion of the convertible
preferred stock referred to in note (6) above.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
Set forth below is a description of certain transactions between the
Company and its directors, executive officers, beneficial owners of five percent
or more of the outstanding Common Stock, or member of the immediate family of
any of the foregoing persons, as well as certain business relationships between
the Company and its directors, which occurred or existed during the 1999 Fiscal
Year.
(a) During the 1999 Fiscal Year, both pursuant to the License
Agreement and otherwise, the Company paid Communications an aggregate
Cdn$2,011,202 as commissions. Under the License Agreement, the Company,
through NTNIN, holds the exclusive license to market the products and
programs of Communications throughout Canada through December 31, 2015.
(b) On October 2, 1996, pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement,
dated October
38
1, 1996 (the "Magic Lantern Purchase Agreement"), the Company, through
NTNIN, acquired all of the outstanding stock of Magic. As consideration
for the purchase of such stock the Company delivered Cdn$200,000 on
October 1, 1996 and a Non-Negotiable Promissory Note (the "Connolly-Daw
Note") in the principal amount of Cdn$703,133 to Connolly-Daw Holdings
Inc. ("Connolly-Daw") and a Non-Negotiable Promissory Note (the "1199846
Note") in the principal amount of Cdn$546,867 to 1199846 Ontario Ltd.
("1199846"). The Connolly-Daw Note requires principal payments of
Cdn$78,133, Cdn$312,500 and Cdn$312,500 on August 31, 1998, 1999, and
2000, respectively. In lieu of such cash payments, the Company has the
option to tender payment to Connolly-Daw, and Connolly-Daw has the option
to demand payment, in the form of 12,276, 49,097 and 49,096 shares of
Common Stock (collectively, the "Connolly-Daw Shares"), respectively. The
1199846 Note requires principal payments of Cdn$312,500 and Cdn$234,367 on
August 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively. In lieu of such cash payments, the
Company has the option to tender payment to 1199846, and 1199846 has the
option to demand payment, in the form of 49,097 and 36,821 shares of
Common Stock (collectively, the "1199846 Shares"), respectively. Also
pursuant to the Magic Lantern Purchase Agreement, Connolly-Daw, NTNIN and
the Company entered into an Option Agreement, dated October 1, 1996, and
1199846, NTNIN and the Company entered into an Option Agreement, dated
October 1, 1996 (together, the "Option Agreements"). Under the terms of
the Option Agreements, in the event that either Magic or Mr. Connolly
chooses not to extend the term of the D. Connolly Employment Agreement
beyond its initial term expiring on August 31, 1999, on or after September
1, 1999 and on or before September 30, 1999, Connolly-Daw and 1199846
shall each have the right to cause the Company to purchase any of the
Connolly-Daw Shares or 1199846 Shares, as the case may be, then held by
Connolly-Daw or 1199846 at a price equal to 90% of the market value (as
defined in the Option Agreements) of such shares (Connolly-Daw having been
granted the right in this event to cause acceleration of the September 1,
2000 payment under the Connolly-Daw Note to August 31, 1999) and the
Company shall have the right to cause the Connolly-Daw and 1199846 to sell
to the Company any of the Connolly-Daw Shares or 1199846 Shares, as the
case may be, then held by Connolly-Daw or 1199846 at a price equal to 110%
of the market value (as defined in the Option Agreements) of such shares
(Connolly-Daw having been granted the right in this event to cause
acceleration of the September 1, 2000 payment under the Connolly-Daw Note
to August 31, 1999). Douglas Connolly, a director of the Company and
President of Magic, is the President and a principal shareholder of both
Connolly-Daw and 1199846.
On September 5, 1997, the Company issued 38,158 shares of the common
stock of the Company and Cdn$65,000 to 1199846 in lieu of the August 31,
1997 payment pursuant to the 1199846 Note.
On August 31, 1998, the Company issued 12,276 shares of its common
stock in lieu of the Cdn$78,133 payment due that date, pursuant to the
Connolly-Daw Note. Similarly, another 36,821 shares of the common stock of
the Company were issued in lieu of the Cdn$234,367 payment due August 31,
1998, pursuant to the 1199846 Note.
39
On August 31, 1999, the Company issued 98,193 shares of its common
stock in lieu of the Cdn$312,500 payments due on each of August 31, 1999
and August 31, 2000, pursuant to the Connolly-Daw Note.
(c) At the time of the Company's acquisition of Magic, Connolly-Daw
was indebted to Magic in the amount of Cdn$160,000 (US$117,440 on October
1, 1996). This indebtedness is represented by a Promissory Note, dated
October 1, 1996 (the "Magic Lantern Note"), in the principal amount of
such indebtedness. The Magic Lantern Note is due on demand and bears
interest, at a specified bank prime rate, payable monthly.
(d) The Company purchased 51% of the outstanding shares of Interlynx
Multimedia, Inc. effective September 1, 1997. The Company purchased the
remaining 49% of the outstanding shares of Interlynx Multimedia Inc,
effective June 1, 1999. Cross-reference is made to Interlynx Multimedia
Inc. on page 13 in this Form 10-K for further information.
(e) The Company provided a U.S. $70,000 loan to Peter Rona, the
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, on May 20, 1998. The
loan is collateralized by a Promissory Note, dated May 20, 1998, in the
principal amount of U.S. $70,000. The Promissory Note is due on demand and
bears interest, at a specified bank prime rate plus three quarters of one
percent.
40
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a) The following financial statements and supplementary financial
information are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
Financial Documents Location*
- ------------------- ---------
1. Financial Statements of the Company
Report of Independent Auditors............................. F - 1
Consolidated Balance Sheets................................ F - 2
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Retained Earnings F - 3
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows...................... F - 4
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................. F - 5
- ----------
* Page F-1 follows page 46 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
There are no financial statement schedules either applicable or required
to be filed by the Company in this Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to the
instructions to Item 14 of Form 10-K.
(b) The Company did not file any Current Reports on Form 8-K during its
fourth fiscal quarter ended August 31, 1999.
(c) The following list sets forth the applicable exhibits (numbered in
accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K) required to be filed with this
Annual Report on Form 10-K:
41
Exhibit
Number Title
- ------ -----
2.1 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated October 1, 1996, among Connolly-Daw
Holdings Inc., 1199846 Ontario Ltd., Douglas Connolly, Wendy Connolly and
NTN Interactive Network Inc., minus Schedules thereto.+
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation, as amended to date.
3.2 By-Laws, as amended to date.
4.1 Specimen Stock Certificate.
10.1 License Agreement, dated March 23, 1990, between NTN Communications, Inc.
and NTN Interactive Network Inc.+
10.2 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 4, 1994, between NTN Canada
and NetStar Enterprises Inc. (formerly, Labatt Communications Inc.). +
10.3 Option, dated as of October 4, 1994, registered in the name of NetStar
Enterprises Inc. (formerly, Labatt Communications Inc).+
10.4 Designation Agreement dated as of October 4, 1994, among NTN Canada,
Inc., NTN Interactive Network Inc. and NetStar Enterprises Inc. (formerly
Labatt Communications Inc.). +
10.5 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 4, 1994, between NTN
Canada and NetStar Enterprises Inc. (formerly, Labatt Communications
Inc.). +
10.6 Promissory Note of NTN Interactive Network Inc. registered in the name of
Connolly-Daw Holdings, Inc.+
10.7 Promissory Note of NTN Interactive Network Inc., registered in the name
of 1199846 Ontario Ltd.+
10.8 Option Agreement, dated October 1, 1996, among Connolly-Daw Holdings
Inc., NTN Interactive Network Inc. and NTN Canada, Inc.+
10.9 Option Agreement, dated October 1, 1996, among 1199846 Ontario Ltd., NTN
Interactive Network Inc. and NTN Canada, Inc.+
10.10 Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 1, 1996, among NTN Canada,
Inc., Connolly-Daw Holdings Inc. and 1199846 Ontario Ltd.+
10.11 Employment Agreement dated as of August 31, 1994, between NTN Interactive
Network Inc. and Peter Rona. +
10.12 Management Agreement, dated October 1, 1996, between Magic Lantern
Communications Ltd. and Connolly-Daw Holdings Inc. +
10.13 Employment Agreement dated October 1, 1996, between Magic Lantern
Communications Ltd. and Douglas Connolly. +
10.14 Employment Agreement dated October 1, 1996, between Magic Lantern
Communications Ltd. and Wendy Connolly. +
10.15 Asset Purchase Agreement, dated September 10, 1999, by and between
1373224 Ontario Limited, Networks North Inc. and Arthur Andersen Inc., to
acquire the property and assets of GalaVu Entertainment Inc., from the
person appointed by the court of competent jurisdiction as the receiver
or receiver and manager of the property, assets and undertaking of
GalaVu. +
10.16 Promissory Note, dated September 10, 1999, by and between 1373224
Ontario Limited, as Debtor, and the Holder, as Creditor. +
42
10.17 General Security Agreement, dated September 10, 1999, by and between
1373224 Ontario Limited, to acquire the property and assets of GalaVu
Entertainment Inc., from the person appointed by the court of competent
jurisdiction as the receiver or receiver and manager of the property,
assets and undertaking of GalaVu. +
10.18 Securities Pledge Agreement, dated September 10, 1999, by and between
1373224 Ontario Limited to acquire the property and assets of GalaVu
Entertainment Inc., from the person appointed by the court of competent
jurisdiction as the receiver or receiver and manager of the property,
assets and undertaking of GalaVu. +
10.19 Certificate to the Escrow Agent certifying that the conditions of Closing
have been satisfied or waived. +
10.20 Certificate to the Escrow Agent certifying that the conditions of Closing
have not been satisfied or waived. +
10.21 Occupancy and Indemnity Agreement, dated September 10, 1999, by and
between 1373224 Ontario Limited to acquire the property and assets of
GalaVu Entertainment Inc., from the person appointed by the court of
competent jurisdiction as the receiver or receiver and manager of the
property, assets and undertaking of GalaVu. +
10.22 Order of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, dated September, 1999,
approving the transaction contemplated herein, and vesting in the
Purchaser the right, title and interest of GalaVu and the Receiver, if
any, in and to the Purchased Assets, free and clear of the right, title
and interest of any other person other than Permitted Encumbrances. +
10.23 Bill of Sale, dated September 13, 1999, by and between 1373224 Ontario
Limited to acquire the property and assets of GalaVu Entertainment Inc.,
from the person appointed by the court of competent jurisdiction as the
receiver or receiver and manager of the property, assets and undertaking
of GalaVu. +
10.24 Covenant of Networks North Inc., dated September 13, 1999, to allot and
issue and pay to the Bank in writing 100,000 common shares of NETN.
22 List of Subsidiaries
23 Business Sector Date
27 Financial Data Schedule
+ Incorporated by reference. See Exhibit Index.
43
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.
Networks North Inc.
Date: November 29, 1999 By: /s/ Peter Rona
-----------------------------------------------
Peter Rona, President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report on has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Capacity Date
--------- -------- ----
/s/ Peter Rona President, Chief Executive Officer, November 29, 1999
- --------------------- Chairman of the Board and Director
Peter Rona
/s/ Douglas Connolly Director November 29, 1999
- ---------------------
Douglas Connolly
/s/ Don Pagnutti Principal Financial and Accounting November 29, 1999
- --------------------- Officer
Don Pagnutti
/s/ Dale G. Smith Director November 29, 1999
- ---------------------
Dale G. Smith
/s/ Adrian P. Towning Director November 29, 1999
- ---------------------
Adrian P. Towning
44
2.1 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated October 1, 1996, among
Connolly-Daw Holdings Inc., 1199846 Ontario Ltd.,
Douglas Connolly, Wendy Connolly and NTN Interactive
Network Inc., minus Schedules thereto ..................... +1, Exh. 10.1
3.1 Articles of Incorporation, as amended to date ............. p. 59
3.2 By-Laws, as amended to date ............................... p. 62
4.1 Specimen Stock Certificate ................................ p. 71
10.1 License Agreement, dated March 23, 1990, between NTN
Communications, Inc. and NTN Interactive Network Inc. ..... +2, Exh. 10.9
10.2 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 4, 1994,
between NTN Canada and NetStar Enterprises Inc.
(formerly, Labatt Communications Inc.) .................... +3, Exh. A
10.3 Option, dated as of October 4, 1994, registered in the
name of NetStar Enterprises Inc. (formerly, Labatt
Communications Inc) ....................................... +3, Exh. B
10.4 Designation Agreement dated as of October 4, 1994,
among NTN Canada, Inc., NTN Interactive Network Inc.
and NetStar Enterprises Inc. (formerly Labatt
Communications Inc.) ...................................... +3, Exh. C
10.5 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 4,
1994, between NTN Canada and NetStar Enterprises Inc.
(formerly, Labatt Communications Inc.) .................... +3, Exh. D
10.6 Promissory Note of NTN Interactive Network Inc.
registered in the name of Connolly-Daw Holdings, Inc. ..... +1, Exh. 10.2
10.7 Promissory Note of NTN Interactive Network Inc.,
registered in the name of 1199846 Ontario Ltd. ............ +1, Exh. 10.3
10.8 Option Agreement, dated October 1, 1996, among
Connolly-Daw Holdings Inc., NTN Interactive Network
Inc. and NTN Canada, Inc. ................................. +1, Exh. 10.5
10.9 Option Agreement, dated October 1, 1996, among 1199846
Ontario Ltd., NTN Interactive Network Inc. and NTN
Canada, Inc. .............................................. +1, Exh. 10.6
10.10 Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 1, 1996,
among NTN Canada, Inc., Connolly-Daw Holdings Inc. and
1199846 Ontario Ltd. ...................................... +1, Exh. 10.4
10.11 Employment Agreement dated as of August 31, 1994,
between NTN Interactive Network Inc. and Peter Rona ....... +4, Exh. 10.11
10.12 Management Agreement dated October 1, 1996, between
Magic Lantern Communications Ltd. and Connolly-Daw
Holdings Inc. ............................................. +4, Exh. 10.12
10.13 Employment Agreement dated October 1, 1996, between
Magic Lantern Communications Ltd. and Douglas Connolly .... +4, Exh. 10.13
10.14 Employment Agreement dated October 1, 1996, between
Magic Lantern Communications Ltd. and Wendy Connolly ...... +4, Exh. 10.14
10.15 Asset Purchase Agreement, dated September 10, 1999, by
and between 1373224 Ontario Limited, Networks North
Inc. and Arthur Andersen Inc., to acquire the property
and assets of GalaVu Entertainment Inc., from the
person appointed by the court of competent
jurisdiction as the receiver or receiver and manager
of
45
the property, assets and undertaking of GalaVu. ........... +5, Exh. 10.15
10.16 Promissory Note, dated September 10, 1999, by and
between 1373224 Ontario Limited, as Debtor, and the
Holder, as Creditor ....................................... +5, Exh. 10.16
10.17 General Security Agreement, dated September 10, 1999,
by and between 1373224 Ontario Limited, to acquire the
property and assets of GalaVu Entertainment Inc., from
the person appointed by the court of competent
jurisdiction as the receiver or receiver and manager
of the property, assets and undertaking of GalaVu ......... +5, Exh. 10.17
10.18 Securities Pledge Agreement, dated September 10, 1999,
by and between 1373224 Ontario Limited to acquire the
property and assets of GalaVu Entertainment Inc., from
the person appointed by the court of competent
jurisdiction as the receiver or receiver and manager
of the property, assets and undertaking of GalaVu ......... +5, Exh. 10.18
10.19 Certificate to the Escrow Agent certifying that the
conditions of Closing have been satisfied or waived ....... +5, Exh. 10.19
10.20 Certificate to the Escrow Agent certifying that the
conditions of Closing have not been satisfied or
waived .................................................... +5, Exh. 10.20
10.21 Occupancy and Indemnity Agreement, dated September 10,
1999, by and between 1373224 Ontario Limited to
acquire the property and assets of GalaVu
Entertainment Inc., from the person appointed by the
court of competent jurisdiction as the receiver or
receiver and manager of the property, assets and
undertaking of GalaVu ..................................... +5, Exh. 10.21
10.22 Order of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, dated
September, 1999, approving the transaction
contemplated herein, and vesting in the Purchaser the
right, title and interest of GalaVu and the Receiver,
if any, in and to the Purchased Assets, free and clear
of the right, title and interest of any other person
other than Permitted Encumbrances ......................... +5, Exh. 10.22
10.23 Bill of Sale, dated September 13, 1999, by and between
1373224 Ontario Limited to acquire the property and
assets of GalaVu Entertainment Inc., from the person
appointed by the court of competent jurisdiction as
the receiver or receiver and manager of the property,
assets and undertaking of GalaVu .......................... +5, Exh. 10.23
10.24 Covenant of Networks North Inc. for valuable
consideration to allot and issue and pay to the
Receiver 100,000 common shares in accordance with the
Purchase Agreement date September 10, 1999, between
1373224 Ontario Limited and the Receiver .................. +5, Exh. 10.24
22 List of Subsidiaries ...................................... p. 110
23 Business Sector Data ...................................... p. 111
27 Financial Data Schedule ................................... ++
- ----------
+1 All Exhibits so indicated are incorporated herein by reference to the
exhibit listed above in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (Date of
Report: October 2, 1996) (File
46
No. 0-18066), filed on October 17, 1996.
+2 All Exhibits so indicated are incorporated herein by reference to the
exhibit listed above in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of NTN
Communications, Inc., for its fiscal year ended December 31, 1990) (File
No. 2-91761-C), filed on April 1, 1991.
+3 All Exhibits so indicated are incorporated herein by reference to the
exhibit listed above in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (Date of
Report: October 4, 1994) (File No. 0-18066), filed on October 18, 1994.
+4 All Exhibits so indicated are incorporated herein by reference to the
exhibit listed above in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (Date of
Report: November 27, 1996) (File No. 0-18066), filed on December 16, 1996.
+5 All Exhibits so indicated are incorporated herein by reference to the
exhibit listed above in the Company's 8-K (Date of Report: September 13,
1997) (File No. 0-18066), filed on December 16, 1996.
++ Filed electronically pursuant to Item 401 of Regulation S-T.
47
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Networks North Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Networks North
Inc. and subsidiaries as of August 31, 1999 and 1998 and the related
consolidated statements of operations and retained earnings and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended August 31, 1999. 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 in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Networks North
Inc. and subsidiaries as of August 31, 1999 and 1998, and the consolidated
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended August 31, 1999 in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Toronto, Canada,
November 12, 1999. Chartered Accountants
F-1
Networks North Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars]
As at August 31
1999 1998
$ $
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current
Cash and cash equivalents 2,018,122 1,001,115
Short-term investments [note 4] 261,926 2,042,333
Accounts receivable - trade [net of allowance for doubtful
accounts of $119,000; 1998 - $53,000] [note 17] 2,534,459 2,668,184
Income taxes receivable and other receivable 186,194 33,174
Inventory 260,868 308,088
Prepaid expenses 647,612 544,255
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets 5,909,181 6,597,149
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property and equipment, net [note 6] 5,151,755 5,785,616
Software development costs [note 7] 250,000 --
Licenses, net of accumulated amortization [note 3] 270,596 290,945
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization 3,060,489 3,214,197
Note receivable [note 5] 160,000 160,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14,802,021 16,047,907
==========================================================================================
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current
Bank indebtedness [note 8] 157,000 145,339
Accounts payable - trade 912,361 1,440,223
Accrued liabilities 723,218 588,949
Current portion of long-term debt [note 10] 79,542 348,803
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 1,872,121 2,523,314
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment in Viewer Services -- 36,054
Long-term debt [note 10] 2,077,960 2,396,188
Deferred income taxes [note 9] 59,173 59,173
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities 4,009,254 5,014,729
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments and contingent liabilities [notes 11, 14, 15 and 19]
Shareholders' equity
Share capital [note 12]
900,000 preferred shares [1998 - 900,000] 10,917 10,917
2,756,641 common shares [1998 - 2,625,170] 171,635 162,484
Capital in excess of par value 9,559,883 8,837,948
Retained earnings 1,050,332 2,021,829
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total shareholders' equity 10,792,767 11,033,178
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14,802,021 16,047,907
==========================================================================================
See accompanying notes
On behalf of the Board:
Director Director
F-2
Networks North Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND RETAINED EARNINGS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars]
Years ended August 31
1999 1998 1997
$ $ $
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVENUE
Network services 6,607,915 6,727,889 6,259,314
Event programming 527,740 602,571 434,965
Advertising sponsorship 308,602 442,424 246,090
Video and software sales 4,630,931 5,456,738 2,277,768
Video dubbing 691,156 747,138 399,082
Other 654,298 795,212 734,470
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13,420,642 14,771,972 10,351,689
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COST OF SALES [does not include depreciation]
Network services [note 11] 2,353,705 2,486,873 2,113,473
Event programming 24,650 26,683 26,346
Advertising sponsorship 61,255 32,517 1,466
Video and software 1,990,741 2,212,985 797,636
Video dubbing 353,983 620,642 212,072
Other 371,549 135,541 244,905
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,155,883 5,515,241 3,395,898
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES
Selling, general and administrative 7,572,771 6,591,941 4,786,519
Bad debts 136,888 43,123 48,284
Interest and bank charges 98,440 137,942 109,834
Depreciation and amortization 1,429,219 1,310,689 952,145
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9,237,318 8,083,695 5,896,782
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before the undernoted items (972,559) 1,173,036 1,059,009
Gain on sale of subsidiary [note 18] 77,710 -- --
Income (loss) from investment in Viewer Services 28,576 (25,658) (32,547)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest (866,273) 1,147,378 1,026,462
Provision for income taxes [note 9] 150,000 419,084 433,900
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before minority interest (1,016,273) 728,294 592,562
Minority interest 44,776 (110,229) 16,825
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)
for the year (971,497) 618,065 609,387
Retained earnings, beginning of year 2,021,829 1,403,764 794,377
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings, end of year 1,050,332 2,021,829 1,403,764
===================================================================================================
Earnings (loss) per share [note 13]
Basic $ (0.36) $ 0.24 $ 0.25
Diluted $ (0.36) $ 0.22 $ 0.23
===================================================================================================
See accompanying notes
F-3
Networks North Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars]
Years ended August 31
1999 1998 1997
$ $ $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss) for the year (971,497) 618,065 609,387
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 1,429,219 1,310,689 952,145
Accretion of interest on non-interest bearing long-term debt 31,084 36,346 --
Loss (income) from investment in Viewer Services (28,576) 25,658 32,547
Amortization of discount on notes and loans payable -- 107,286 --
Changes in assets and liabilities
Decrease (increase) in short-term investments 1,780,407 (337,319) 1,872,137
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable 277,990 (1,034,931) (286,008)
Decrease in inventory 94,488 316,740 180,134
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses (59,577) (120,464) 253,487
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities (701,392) 260,060 92,744
Decrease in deferred revenue -- (321,452) --
Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable/receivable (101,153) (385,335) 108,197
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by operating activities 1,750,993 475,343 3,814,770
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property and equipment (601,633) (2,012,543) (1,040,765)
Proceeds on disposal of property and equipment 23,557 -- --
Software development costs [note 7] (250,000) -- --
Increase in licenses -- (78,401) --
Acquisition of Magic Lantern Communications Ltd.
[note 15[c]] -- -- (1,644,497)
Decrease in notes receivable [note 5] -- -- 221,510
Investment in Viewer Services (36,054) 16,154 (38,305)
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary [note 18] 110,813 -- --
Acquisition of Viewer Services [note 15[b]] (1) -- --
Acquisition of Image Media Ltd. [note 15[d]] -- -- (590,000)
Acquisition of Interlynx Multimedia Inc. [note 15[a]] -- (380,001) --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash used in investing activities (753,318) (2,454,791) (3,092,057)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Bank indebtedness 28,854 (577,982) (270,489)
Increase in notes and loans payable 38,485 1,309,246 189,857
Repayment of notes and loans payable (48,007) (273,963) --
Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants -- 101,465 1,827
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities 19,332 558,766 (78,805)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
during the year 1,017,007 (1,420,682) 643,908
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 1,001,115 2,421,797 1,777,889
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year 2,018,122 1,001,115 2,421,797
===========================================================================================================
See accompanying notes
F-4
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Networks North Inc. [the "Company"] was incorporated under the laws of the State
of New York on May 12, 1986. The Company is the holding company for NTN
Interactive Network Inc. ["Interactive"], which is a wholly-owned operating
company, and also owns all of the outstanding stock of 3484751 Canada Inc., a
corporation the Company established and incorporated under the Canada Business
Corporations Act on April 20, 1998. 3484751 Canada Inc. was incorporated for the
sole purpose of owning a property, purchased in 1998, on behalf of the Company,
to provide Magic Lantern Communications Ltd. ["Magic"] with new operating
facilities.
Interactive is incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act and has
signed a license agreement [the "NTNC license"] with NTN Communications, Inc.,
an unrelated Delaware company, for exclusive representation of their interactive
communications for all industry sectors in Canada. This interactive
entertainment network allows viewers to participate actively in a variety of
television programs, videotext services, trivia and sports games. Present
subscribers to the Company's networks are hotels, restaurants, bars and
university clubs. In addition, there are subscribers through a number of gateway
services.
Each subscriber either purchases the system hardware directly or rents the
system from Interactive. Interactive purchases the subscriber system from NTN
Communications, Inc. and various other suppliers. Following the installation,
each subscriber pays a monthly fee to Interactive for the program content and
maintenance services, which range from $650 to $750. The monthly fees for rental
systems range from approximately $255 to $290.
Interactive owns all of the outstanding stock of Magic. Magic and its
subsidiaries are involved in the marketing and distribution of educational video
and media resources.
Interactive owns all of the outstanding stock of Interlynx Multimedia Inc.
["Interlynx"]. Interlynx operates in the e-commerce industry and designs and
develops educational and corporate multimedia, web-based training programs.
The Company's primary market to date has been Canada.
F-5
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
2. ECONOMIC DEPENDENCE
Interactive is dependent upon NTN Communications, Inc. as its sole supplier for
the transmission of program content to the Company's subscribers. In the event
that NTN Communications, Inc., which operates under the going-concern
assumption, terminates the transmission of program content, the Company
believes, but cannot assure, that such services are likely to be continued by
others. As of September 30, 1999, NTN Communications, Inc. had shareholders'
equity of $2,316,000 and working capital of $1,755,000 according to its
unaudited balance sheet included in its quarterly report. NTN Communications,
Inc. has reported quarterly net income for September 1999 of $507,000, a
quarterly net loss for June 1999 of $474,000 and a quarterly net loss for March
1999 of $832,000. It reported a net loss for the year ended December 31, 1998 of
$1,793,000. All such amounts are quoted in U. S. dollars [note 11].
3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of presentation
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These
consolidated financial statements have been expressed in Canadian dollars which
is the currency of the primary economic environment in which operations are
conducted.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Basis of consolidation
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its
wholly-owned subsidiaries Interactive, Magic, 3484751 Canada Inc., and
Interlynx. Magic conducts its operations directly and through its wholly-owned
subsidiaries, 745695 Ontario Ltd. ["Custom Video"], 1113659 Ontario Ltd.
["Viewer Services"] and B.C. Learning Connection ["BCLC"], and its 75% ownership
of Sonoptic Technologies Inc. ["STI"]. Effective June 16, 1999 Magic acquired an
additional 50% of the shares of Viewer Services, thereby making Viewer Services
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Magic. On September 10, 1997, effective September
1, 1997, Interactive acquired 51% of the outstanding shares of Interlynx. On
June 1, 1999, Interactive acquired the remaining 49% of the outstanding shares
of Interlynx.
F-6
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
Foreign exchange translation
U.S. dollar accounts in these consolidated financial statements are translated
into Canadian dollars on the following bases:
[a] The assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated
at the exchange rate in effect at the consolidated balance sheet dates.
[b] Revenue and expenses are translated at a rate approximating the rates of
exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions.
[c] Any gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are recorded in
operations as incurred.
Revenues
Revenue from network services is recognized on a monthly basis beginning when
the systems are installed on the purchasers' premises. The payment terms are on
a monthly basis.
Revenue from event programming is recognized upon completion of the contract.
Revenue from advertising sponsorship is recognized on a monthly basis over the
term of the contract.
Revenue from video sales and video dubbing is recognized upon shipment.
Software sales are recognized in accordance with the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position (SOP) 97-2, "Software Revenue
Recognition." Pursuant to SOP 97-2, software sales are recognized on sales
contracts when all of the following conditions are met: a signed contract is
obtained, delivery has occurred, the total sales price is fixed and
determinable, collectibility is probable, and any uncertainties with regard to
customer acceptance are insignificant. For those contracts that include a
combination of software and services, sales are allocated among the different
elements based on company-specific evidence of fair value of each element. Sales
allocated to software are recognized as the above criteria are met. Sales
allocated to services are recognized as services are performed and accepted by
the customer or, for maintenance agreements, ratably over the life of the
related contract.
Cash and cash equivalents
F-7
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and term deposits which mature in less
than three months from the date of issue. The carrying value of term deposits
approximates their fair values.
Short-term investments
Investments at August 31, 1999 and 1998 consist of debt securities and
marketable equity securities. The Company has classified its portfolio as
"trading". Trading securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of
selling them in the near term and are recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains
and losses on trading securities are included in the determination of net income
(loss) for the year. The fair value of these securities represents current
quoted market offer prices.
Inventory
Inventory consists of finished goods held for sale or rent, which are valued at
the lower of cost, using the first-in, first-out method, and net realizable
value.
Property and equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.
Equipment is depreciated using a declining balance rate of 20%. Computer
equipment as well as masters and libraries are depreciated using a declining
balance rate of 30%. Automobiles are depreciated on a straight-line basis over 3
years, buildings on a straight-line basis over 25 years, software on a
straight-line basis over 3 years and rental equipment and leasehold improvements
both on a straight-line basis over 5 years.
On an ongoing basis, management reviews the valuation and depreciation of
property and equipment, taking into consideration any events and circumstances
which might have impaired the fair value. The Company assumes there is an
impairment if the carrying amount is greater than the expected net future cash
flows. The amount of impairment, if any, is measured based on projected
discounted future cash flows, using a discount rate that reflects the Company's
average cost of funds.
F-8
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
Software development costs
The Company capitalizes the costs of software development when technological
feasibility of the computer software product is established. Capitalization of
software ceases when the product is available for release to customers.
Capitalized costs are amortized on the basis of products sold.
Licenses and goodwill
Licenses are stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization for the
NTNC license is provided over a 25-year period using the straight-line basis to
December 31, 2015. Accumulated amortization amounted to $112,508 [1998 -
$100,005].
On August 28, 1998, the Company entered into an agreement [the "Players
license"] for $78,401 [U.S.$50,000] with Players Network Inc. ["Players"],
whereby the Company was appointed by Players as the exclusive Canadian
distributor of its products. The Company was also granted the irrevocable
option, by Players, to purchase from treasury up to 50,000 common shares in the
capital stock of Players, at a purchase price of U.S.$1.75 per share. This
option expires on August 28, 2000. The agreement provides the Company the right
to terminate the agreement for the 30-day period immediately following the end
of the first year of the term of the agreement. In the event the agreement is so
terminated, the Company would receive, from treasury, 50,000 common shares in
the capital stock of Players. Amortization of this license will be provided for
over a 10-year period using the straight-line basis to 2009. Accumulated
amortization amounted to $7,746 [1998 - nil].
Goodwill is stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is
provided using the straight-line basis over a period varying from 10 to 20
years, depending on the transaction which generated the goodwill. Accumulated
amortization amounted to $662,140 [1998 - $465,208].
On an ongoing basis, management reviews the valuation and amortization of the
licenses and goodwill, taking into consideration any events and circumstances
which might have impaired the fair value. The Company assumes there is an
impairment if the carrying amount is greater than the expected net future cash
flows. The amount of impairment, if any, is measured based on projected
discounted future cash flows, using a discount rate that reflects the Company's
average cost of funds.
Income taxes
The Company accounts for deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on the
difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and
liabilities using enacted tax rates.
F-9
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing income available to common
shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the
period excluding contingent shares issued. Diluted earnings per share are
calculated in accordance with the treasury stock method and are based on the
weighted average number of common shares and dilutive common share equivalents
outstanding.
Employee stock options
The Company accounts for its stock option plans and its employee stock purchase
plan in accordance with the provisions of the Accounting Principles Board's
Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ["APB 25"].
Recent pronouncements
The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities" ["SFAS 133"]. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
has issued Statement of Position 98-1 "Accounting for the Costs of Computer
Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use" ["SOP 98-1"] and Statement of
Position 98-5 "Reporting on the Costs of Startup Activities" ["SOP 98-5"]. SOP
98-1 and SOP 98-5 will be effective for the Company's August 31, 2000 year end.
SFAS 133 will be effective for the Company's August 31, 2001 year end. The
Company has not determined the impact, if any, of these pronouncements on its
consolidated financial statements.
F-10
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
4. SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
Short-term investments consist of the following:
1999 1998
$ $
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Money market funds 155,459 --
Cash on hand -- 308,570
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total money market funds and cash on hand 155,459 308,570
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt securities
U.S. treasury securities 106,467 857,632
Corporate debt securities -- 863,759
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total debt securities 106,467 1,721,391
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margin account -- 89,345
Unrealized loss on margin account -- (76,973)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net margin account -- 12,372
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
261,926 2,042,333
===============================================================================
All investments are held in United States dollars.
At August 31, 1998, the Company held eighteen September 1998 Canadian dollar
futures contracts as a hedge on the U.S. dollar denominated short-term
investments. Each contract represented the right to purchase $100,000 Canadian
at an exchange rate of 0.6648 and therefore short-term investments of
U.S.$1,196,640 were hedged at August 31, 1998. The unrealized loss on this hedge
was $76,973 at August 31, 1998. These contracts were marked to market with
realized and unrealized gains and losses recognized in income on a basis
consistent with the trading security. There were no futures contracts held at
August 31, 1999.
F-11
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
5. NOTE RECEIVABLE
The details of the note receivable are as follows:
1999 1998
$ $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term
Connolly-Daw Holdings Inc. 160,000 160,000
================================================================================
The unsecured note receivable from Connolly-Daw Holdings Inc. ["Connolly-Daw"]
bears interest at the bank's prime rate, calculated and payable monthly, not in
advance. The note is payable on demand, however, the Company does not intend to
call the note within the next fiscal year. The President and Secretary of
Connolly-Daw are the Controller and Chief Executive Officer of Magic. The bank's
prime rate was 6.25% at August 31, 1999 [1998 - 7.5%].
F-12
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
6. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consist of the following:
1999 1998
----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Net Net
Accumulated book Accumulated book
Cost depreciation value Cost depreciation value
$ $ $ $ $ $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land 785,500 -- 785,500 785,500 -- 785,500
Buildings 1,480,401 172,703 1,307,698 1,477,051 115,543 1,361,508
Rental equipment 3,869,029 2,183,229 1,685,800 3,625,880 1,458,854 2,167,026
Equipment 1,542,827 676,667 866,160 1,350,391 420,953 929,438
Software 54,103 36,652 17,451 54,948 42,501 12,447
Automobiles 43,290 39,926 3,364 51,173 37,997 13,176
Computer equipment 413,435 209,536 203,899 441,051 178,411 262,640
Masters and libraries 408,644 197,705 210,939 325,464 134,193 191,271
Leasehold improvements 104,394 33,450 70,944 78,164 15,554 62,610
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8,701,623 3,549,868 5,151,755 8,189,622 2,404,006 5,785,616
=====================================================================================================
During the year, depreciation of property and equipment was $1,212,038 [1998 -
$1,102,607; 1997 - $782,568].
7. SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS
Software development costs have been incurred totaling $250,000. These costs
comprise direct salaries and wages involved in the development of a web-based
training software product. No amortization has been recorded to date.
F-13
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
8. BANK INDEBTEDNESS
Bank indebtedness consists of the following:
[a] The Company has a demand operating loan facility with a maximum amount of
$500,000 bearing interest at the bank's prime rate. The Company has not
utilized this facility. The bank's prime rate was 6.25% at August 31, 1999
[1998 - 7.50%].
[b] Interlynx has a demand operating loan facility, with a maximum amount of
$100,000, bearing interest at the bank's prime rate plus 0.75%. At August
31, 1999, the facility was fully drawn [1998 - $64,339]. The amount is due
on demand to the Royal Bank of Canada and interest is payable monthly.
Interlynx also has a demand installment loan facility with a maximum
amount of $85,000. At August 31, 1999, the balance outstanding is $57,000
[1998 - $81,000] and bears interest at the bank's prime rate plus 1%. The
amount is due on demand from the Royal Bank of Canada and is repayable in
monthly principal amounts of $2,000 plus interest. The weighted average
interest rate for fiscal 1999 was 6.67% [1998 - 7.06%]. The fair value of
the demand operating and demand installment loans approximates their
carrying values.
These demand loans are collateralized by a general security agreement
covering all assets of Interlynx, other than real property, as well as a
guarantee and postponement of claim signed by Interactive, limited to
$185,000.
9. INCOME TAXES AND DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes consists of the following:
1999 1998 1997
$ $ $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current
Federal 98,000 273,503 282,000
Provincial 52,000 145,581 151,900
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
150,000 419,084 433,900
================================================================================
F-14
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
The difference between the provision for income taxes and the amount computed by
applying the combined basic federal and provincial income tax rate of 44.6%
[1998 - 44.6%; 1997 - 44.6%] to income before income taxes is as set out below:
1999 1998 1997
$ $ $
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statutory rate applied to pre-tax income (386,358) 511,960 472,318
Benefit of prior year's losses not previously
recognized -- (77,537) (87,086)
Benefit of current year's losses not recognized 446,139 -- --
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 167,333 105,414 44,735
Non-taxable accounting income (42,482) (154,810) --
Other (34,632) 34,057 3,933
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
150,000 419,084 433,900
==================================================================================
As at August 31, 1999, the Company's deferred tax assets primarily related to
the benefit of realizing losses carried forward, net of a valuation allowance of
$987,000 [1998 - $558,000], was nil [1998 - nil], and the deferred tax
liability, substantially related to property and equipment, was $59,173 [1998 -
$59,173].
At October 1, 1996, Magic and its subsidiaries had aggregate operating losses of
$676,000. The purchase price of Magic has not been allocated to the operating
losses since a valuation allowance has been charged against the entire amount.
During 1999, $152,000 of these losses were applied to reduce taxable income.
At September 1, 1997, Interlynx and its subsidiary had aggregate operating
losses of $677,000. The purchase price of Interlynx has not been allocated to
the operating losses since a valuation allowance has been charged against the
entire amount.
Accordingly, when realized, the tax benefit of the unrecognized loss
carryforwards will be applied to reduce goodwill related to the acquisitions of
Magic and Interlynx. The goodwill related to Magic was reduced by $51,687 as a
result of utilizing pre-acquisition losses during 1999.
At August 31, 1999, certain subsidiaries of the Company have loss carryforwards
of $2,350,000. These losses begin to expire in 2002.
During fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997, the Company paid income taxes of $265,771,
$795,669 and $343,608, respectively.
10. LONG-TERM DEBT
F-15
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
Long-term debt consists of the following:
1999 1998
$ $
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans payable
Provincial Holdings Ltd. ["PHL"] [i] 750,000 750,000
Province of New Brunswick ["PNB"] [ii] 19,381 19,381
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency ["ACOA"] [iii] 51,010 51,010
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACOA [iv] 38,485 --
Royal Bank of Canada [v] 1,277,351 1,309,246
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,136,227 2,129,637
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes payable
Promissory notes - unsecured principal amount [note 15] -- 625,000
Less unamortized discount -- (47,033)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- 577,967
Lien notes [vi] 21,275 37,387
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21,275 615,354
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,157,502 2,744,991
===============================================================================
[i] In June 1995, PHL advanced $750,000 to STI. This loan is collateralized by
a demand promissory note signed by STI and bears interest at 6% per annum,
compounded annually, commencing October 1995. Interest was forgiven by PHL
for the period from October 1, 1995 to September 30, 1999. The carrying
value of the loan approximates its fair value. Subsequent to September
1999, the loan will bear interest at 6.75% compounded annually.
The loan is subject to an agreement dated March 15, 1995 which, inter
alia, provides for repayment in full of principal plus interest at the
earlier of [a] the commencement of redemption of shares pursuant to a
redemption agreement [note 11[d]] or [b] September 30, 2002 subject to any
extension agreed to, or [c] on any breach of STI's obligations under the
loan agreement or any other agreement with PHL.
F-16
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
[ii] In June 1995, PNB advanced $100,000 to STI. The loan is subject to a loan
agreement dated May 25, 1995 and is secured by a demand promissory note
which bears interest at 9.7% per annum, calculated half period, not in
advance. Subject to a forgiveness agreement outlined below, the principal
plus interest is repayable at the earlier of [a] January 31, 1998 or
earlier at the option of STI or [b] any breach of STI's obligations under
the loan agreement. No interest or principal repayments have been made and
PNB has not demanded any payments. It is anticipated that PNB will amend
the forgiveness agreement by reducing the number of full-time employees
required and extending the period during which they must be employed.
A forgiveness agreement dated May 24, 1995 provides that the principal
plus interest may be forgiven in whole or in part, the amount dependent
upon STI's number of full-time employees during the 1997 calendar year. An
amount of $80,619 was recorded as forgiven in prior periods. The recorded
loan approximates the fair value of the debt at August 31, 1999.
[iii] ACOA advanced this unsecured non-interest bearing loan to STI in April
1995. The loan is repayable in fifteen equal quarterly installments
commencing April 2000. The fair value of the loan approximates its
carrying value.
[iv] ACOA advanced this unsecured non-interest bearing loan to STI in May 1999.
The loan can be increased to a maximum of $108,356. The balance drawn on
this loan at August 31, 1999 is $38,485. Commencing on October 1, 2000,
the maximum loan would be repayable as follows:
[a] six consecutive monthly installments of $500, followed by;
[b] six consecutive monthly installments of $1,000, followed by;
[c] six consecutive monthly installments of $1,500, followed by:
[d] six consecutive monthly installments of $2,000, followed by;
[e] six consecutive monthly installments of $2,500, followed by;
[f] six consecutive monthly installments of $3,000, followed by;
[g] six consecutive monthly installments of $3,500, followed by;
[h] six consecutive monthly installments of $4,000, followed by;
[i] one final installment of $356.
The fair value of the loan approximates its carrying value.
[v] In April 1998, the Royal Bank of Canada made available a Matched Fund Term
Loan in the amount of $1,319,000 in order to finance the purchase of 10
Meteor Drive, including leaseholds, and to refinance the demand
installment loan on 775 Pacific Road, a property owned by Magic.
Borrowings are repayable by blended monthly payments of principal and
interest based on a 20-year amortization period with the balance due and
payable at the end of
F-17
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
the 5-year term on April 27, 2003. The interest rate in effect for the
first 5-year term of the loan is 6.98%. The fair value of the loan
approximates its carrying value.
The loan is collateralized by a fixed debenture of $1,000,000,
hypothecated to Magic's land and buildings, a guarantee and postponement
of claim of $650,000 signed by Magic, a collateral first mortgage in the
amount of $490,000 covering the property at 10 Meteor Drive, and a general
security agreement covering all the assets of Interactive, other than real
property.
[vi] The lien notes are collateralized by charges against certain capital
assets held by Magic and are repayable in monthly blended payments of
principal and interest. The interest rate on the remaining lien note is
13%. The carrying value of the lien notes approximates the fair value of
the debt at August 31, 1999. Approximate annual principal payments
required pursuant to these obligations are as follows:
$
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 22,208
2001 2,116
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
24,324
Less interest included in the above amounts 3,049
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
21,275
==========================================================================
Approximate future annual principal payments for long-term debt, exclusive
of the above lien notes, are as follows:
$
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 60,382
2001 58,276
2002 822,926
2003 1,191,243
2004 and thereafter 3,400
==========================================================================
During fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997, the Company paid interest of $67,356,
$101,596 and $46,528, respectively.
11. COMMITMENTS
[a] Commissions expense to NTN Communications, Inc.
F-18
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
Pursuant to an agreement dated March 23, 1990, the Company pays
commissions to NTN Communications, Inc. when the related revenues are
earned at the rate of U.S. $2,205 per year per subscriber. The Company
also pays NTN Communications, Inc. a royalty fee equal to 25% of the net
revenues as defined in the agreement derived from all services except for
certain hospitality and special projects that existed at March 23, 1990; a
royalty fee equal to the production quotation submitted by NTN
Communications, Inc. plus 10% of the gross profit of special projects
[special broadcasts for a non-continuous selective event]; and a one-time
royalty fee equal to NTN Communications, Inc.'s production costs for any
new programming developed by the Company to be added to the existing
programming schedule. The agreement expires on December 31, 2015.
Total amounts expensed in the year under this agreement were $2,011,202
[1998 - $1,792,002; 1997 - $1,757,718].
[b] Commissions expense
Commissions expense to sub-licensees is recognized when the related
revenues are earned and are calculated as follows:
[i] 30% of all fees received by Interactive under any Commercial User
Agreement as then in effect if such agreement is executed through
the efforts of the sub-licensee where the establishment subject to
the Commercial User Agreement is located within the territory during
the first term of any such agreement;
[ii] 10% of all net fees received by Interactive from National
Advertisers [sponsors] based on the number of Commercial User
locations within the territory; and
[iii] 5% of all net fees received by Interactive under any Residential
User Agreement within the territory, which may only be solicited by
Interactive directly.
All commission payments are made to sub-licensees no later than the 15th
of the month immediately following the month in which user fees and
sponsor fees, from which said commissions are earned, are received and
collected by Interactive.
[c] Lease commitments
The future minimum annual lease payments under operating leases are as
follows:
F-19
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
Vehicles $
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 17,289
2001 8,504
2002 4,252
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
30,045
==========================================================================
Office equipment $
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 48,496
2001 19,730
2002 1,670
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
69,896
==========================================================================
Premises $
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 104,514
==========================================================================
Operating lease expenses were $201,366 for 1999, $190,792 for 1998, and
$82,525 for 1997.
[d] Redemption of shares of subsidiary
STI, a subsidiary, has entered into a redemption agreement dated March 15,
1995 with its minority shareholder [25% of common shares held], PHL.
Shares held by PHL may be redeemed by STI in minimum numbers of five after
December 31, 1997 provided STI has repaid all indebtedness to PHL and PNB,
or the PNB indebtedness has been forgiven, and must be redeemed in full on
or before September 20, 2002.
The redemption price is calculated at the higher of [i] the purchase price
per share [$0.04], or [ii] the purchase price per share plus the increase
per share in retained earnings of the corporation to the date of
redemption, calculated by adding back to the retained earnings the pro
rata share applicable to the number of shares being redeemed, of all
interest paid or accrued on the loan by PHL and to the corporation in the
amount of $750,000 and deducting therefrom the interest actually paid, pro
rata to the number of shares being redeemed.
As at August 31, 1999, the value of the shares, if redeemed, totaled a
nominal amount.
[e] Standby letter of credit
Magic has a $75,000 standby letter of credit facility in favour of one of
its suppliers. Any amounts drawn on this facility are charged to the
Company's bank account. This facility has not been used in 1999 or 1998.
12. SHARE CAPITAL
F-20
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
[a] Authorized shares
The Company's authorized share capital comprises 20,000,000 common shares
with a par value of $0.062 [U.S. $0.0467] per share and 1,500,000
non-cumulative preferred shares with a par value of $0.014 [U.S. $0.010]
per share. The preferred shares are voting and convertible, such that 4.67
preferred shares are exchanged for 1 common share, at the option of the
holders.
[b] Issued and outstanding shares
As at August 31, 1999, 900,000 preferred shares [1998 - 900,000 and 1997 -
950,000 preferred shares] with a paid-up amount of $10,917 [1998 - $10,917
and 1997 - $11,523] were issued and outstanding.
F-21
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
Effective August 15, 1996, the Company elected a three for two common
share stock split. This stock split has been applied retroactively to all
common share data presented in these consolidated financial statements.
Common shares issued and outstanding for accounting purposes are as
follows:
Common shares
---------------------- Capital in excess
Number Amount of par value Total
# $ $ $
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as at August 31, 1996 2,441,617 150,187 7,921,347 8,071,534
Exercise of 375 stock options 375 24 1,803 1,827
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as at August 31, 1997 2,441,992 150,211 7,923,150 8,073,361
Conversion of promissory notes [i] 87,255 6,066 553,934 560,000
Interlynx acquisition [note 15[a]] 55,209 3,570 261,430 265,000
Conversion of preferred shares 10,714 606 -- 606
Exercise of 30,000 stock options 30,000 2,031 99,434 101,465
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as at August 31, 1998 2,625,170 162,484 8,837,948 9,000,432
Payment for services rendered 5,500 387 26,557 26,944
Interlynx acquisition [note 15[a]] 27,778 1,920 93,171 95,091
Conversion of promissory notes [i] 98,193 6,844 602,207 609,051
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as at August 31, 1999 2,756,641 171,635 9,559,883 9,731,518
==============================================================================================
[i] The consideration for the acquisition of Magic [note 15[c]] included
promissory notes with a maturity value of $1,250,000. Under the
terms of the purchase agreement, the Company elected to issue common
shares as payment against $560,000 of these notes during fiscal
1998. In fiscal 1999, the Company elected to issue shares to pay the
remaining $609,051 outstanding on the promissory notes.
[c] Long-Term Incentive Plan
The Company has adopted a Long-Term Incentive Plan [the "Plan"] designed
to compensate key employees of the Company for the performance of their
corporate responsibilities. The benefits to employees under the Plan are
dependent upon improvement in market value of the Company's common shares.
The Plan offers selected key employees the opportunity to purchase common
shares through the exercise of a stock option. An option entitles the
employee to purchase common shares from the Company at a price determined
on the date the option is granted. The option exercise price is the
closing trading price of the stock on the day prior to the grant date. The
options vest over a four-year period from the grant date, at the rate of
25% per year. Options granted prior to August 31, 1998 vest over a
two-year period from the grant date, 50% after one year and 50% at the end
of the second year. The
F-22
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
options expire five years after the grant date. The Plan also provides
that selected key employees may receive common shares as an award of
Restricted Stock. Restricted Stock consists of common shares that are
awarded subject to certain conditions, such as continued employment with
the Company or an affiliate for a specified period. Up to 1,000,000 common
shares may be issued under the Plan.
The following is a summary of outstanding stock options:
Weighted average
exercise price Total
U.S. $ #
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as at August 31, 1996 281,250
Issued 4.82 85,500
Forfeited 3.50 (3,375)
Exercised 3.50 (375)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as at August 31, 1997 363,000
Issued 4.00 156,500
Forfeited 4.40 (29,500)
Exercised 2.33 (30,000)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as at August 31, 1998 460,000
Issued 2.30 285,000
Forfeited 2.41 (18,500)
Expired 2.33 (7,500)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as at August 31, 1999 719,000
=========================================================================
F-23
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
Exercise price Expiry date Total
U.S. $ #
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.00 October 5, 1999 [i] 75,000
3.00 November 23, 1999 [i] 30,000
3.00 April 6, 2000 [i] 15,000
3.00 November 20, 2000 [i] 97,500
3.00 April 29, 2001 [i] 4,500
3.00 November 25, 2001 [i] 71,000
3.00 April 8, 2002 [i] 4,500
3.00 November 17, 2002 [i] 147,500
2.00 November 23, 2003 189,500
3.50 February 25, 2004 4,500
3.00 June 1, 2004 [note 15[a]] 80,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance as at August 31, 1999 719,000
==========================================================================
[i] Repriced options
At a meeting of the Company's Board of Directors on July 10, 1998, the
Board determined that it was in the best interests of the Company to offer
the holders of options, pursuant to the Company's Long-Term Incentive
Plan, a reduction in the exercise price of outstanding options to $3.00
per share if the option holders agreed not to exercise such options for at
least six months after the repricing. Option holders were given the choice
of keeping their existing option pricing in lieu of agreeing not to
exercise such options for six months. All option holders chose to receive
repriced options. The repriced option exercise amount is the closing
trading price of the Company's stock on July 9, 1998. The number of stock
options that are exercisable at August 31, 1999 is 279,000 [1998 - nil]
The weighted average fair value of options granted during 1999 was U.S.
$1.45 [1998 - U.S. $1.21].
The Company accounts for its stock option plans and its employee stock
purchase plan in accordance with the provisions of APB 25. Accordingly,
because the exercise price of the Company's employee stock options equals
the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no
compensation expense has been recognized in the consolidated financial
statements for these plans.
Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is
required by FAS 123, and has been determined as if the Company had
accounted for its employee stock options under the fair value method of
that statement. The fair value for these options was estimated at the date
of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model with the following
F-24
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
weighted average assumptions for 1999, 1998 and 1997: risk-free interest
rate of 5.32% [1998 - 5.47%; 1997 - 3.0%]; dividend yield of 0% [1998 -
0%; 1997 - 0%]; volatility factor of 0.819 [1998 - 0.709; 1997 - 0.522];
and a weighted average expected life of the options of 4 years [1998 - 3
years; 1997 - 3 years].
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in
estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting
restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation
models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the
expected stock price volatility. Because the Company's stock options have
characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and
because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect
the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do
not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its
employee stock options.
The Company's pro forma net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share
follows:
1999 1998 1997
$ $
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma net income (loss) (1,399,105) 264,011 428,657
==========================================================================
Pro forma earnings (loss) per share
Basic (0.53) 0.10 0.16
Diluted (0.53) 0.09 0.15
==========================================================================
F-25
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
13. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
Earnings (loss) per share were calculated in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 128. The following table sets forth the
computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the years ended
August 31:
1999 1998 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Numerator
Net income (loss) [numerator for basic
earnings (loss) per share] $ (971,497) $ 618,065 $ 609,387
Accretion of interest on non-interest bearing
convertible promissory notes $ 31,084 $ 36,346 $ 63,306
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share $ (940,413) $ 654,411 $ 672,693
Denominator
For basic weighted average number of shares 2,635,050 2,550,805 2,441,992
Effect of dilutive securities
Convertible preferred shares -- 196,673 203,571
Convertible promissory notes -- 147,290 185,448
Employee stock options -- 28,000 49,687
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share -
adjusted weighted average number of
shares and assumed conversions 2,635,050 2,922,768 2,880,698
Basic earnings (loss) per share $ (0.36) $ 0.24 $ 0.25
Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ (0.36) $ 0.22 $ 0.23
==============================================================================================
At August 31, 1999, 900,000 preferred shares convertible to 192,857 common
shares were outstanding. In addition, options to purchase 719,000 common shares
were outstanding. These securities were not included in the diluted loss per
share calculation because the effect would be anti-dilutive.
Options to purchase 460,000 shares of common stock at $3.00 per share were
outstanding during 1998, but were not included in the computation of diluted
earnings per share because the exercise price of the options was greater than
the average market price of the common shares, and therefore the effect would be
anti-dilutive.
F-26
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
14. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
On June 12, 1992, the Company filed a lawsuit against an unrelated company,
Interactive Network Inc. of Mountainview, California, U.S.A. and its president.
The suit seeks a non-infringement declaration with respect to a Canadian patent.
This action was discontinued on September 9, 1998.
On June 18, 1992, Interactive Network Inc., a third party, instituted
proceedings against Communications, NTN Interactive Network Inc. and the Company
in the Federal Court of Canada and in the California Supreme Court claiming
patent infringement. It is the opinion of the Company's management that this
patent infringement claim will be successfully defended.
Revenue Canada is currently in discussions with the Company regarding a
potential liability with respect to withholding tax on certain amounts paid to
Communications. No assessment has been made to date by Revenue Canada.
Management believes that it has valid defenses with respect to these matters
and, accordingly, no amount has been recorded in these consolidated financial
statements. In the event that such matters are settled in favour of Revenue
Canada, the amounts could be material and would be recorded in the period in
which they become determinable.
15. BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS
[a] Interlynx Multimedia Inc.
Effective September 1, 1997, the Company acquired 51% of Interlynx and its
subsidiary for a purchase price of $622,000. The purchase price was
satisfied by $357,000 in cash and the issue of 55,209 shares with a value
of $4.80 per share. The acquisition was recorded using the purchase method
of accounting and, accordingly, the purchase price has been allocated as
set out below:
$
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goodwill 1,136,029
Net liabilities assumed (491,028)
Acquisition costs capitalized (23,001)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchase price 622,000
=========================================================================
The excess of cost over tangible assets acquired of $1,136,029 was
allocated to goodwill, which is being amortized over twenty years.
F-27
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
The Company's 51% share of the operating results of Interlynx are included
in the Company's consolidated statements of operations and retained
earnings from the date of acquisition.
Effective June 1, 1999 the Company acquired the remaining 49% of
Interlynx. The consideration for the purchase included the issuance of
27,778 common shares of the Company and the issuance of options to
purchase 80,000 common shares of the Company at a strike price of U.S.
$3.00 [note 12[c]]. These options were issued out of the existing employee
stock option plan [note 12[c]]. In addition to the employee stock option
plan conditions, entitlement to these options is subject to the
achievement of annual operating profit levels [profit before income taxes
and minority interest] for the three fiscal years ending August 31, 2000,
August 31, 2001 and August 31, 2002. At the end of the fiscal year ending
August 31, 2000 if annual operating profits are at least $332,000, 26,666
of the options will be deemed earned. If annual operating profits for the
year ending August 31, 2001 are at least $558,000, an additional 26,667 of
the options will be deemed earned. If annual operating profits for the
year ending August 31, 2002, are at least $700,000, an additional 26,667
of the options will be deemed earned. If annual operating profits in any
of these three fiscal years are less than the required level, the options
will be deemed earned if the cumulative amounts for operating profits are
achieved. Any options that have not been earned in accordance with these
provisions will expire. Notwithstanding that only 25% of options are
vested each year pursuant to the provisions of the employee stock option
plan, the Company will, at the end of the fiscal year ending August 31,
2002, waive the four year vesting period and deem all the options fully
vested if operating profits for the three fiscal years are at least
$1,590,000 and the President of Interlynx has not resigned from his
employment or been terminated for cause prior to August 31, 2002 and that
the consulting agreement with the Vice-President of Interlynx has not been
terminated prior to August 31, 2002. Management has determined that the
options granted represent contingent purchase consideration and
accordingly will be recorded as part of the purchase price when
determinable.
The June 1, 1999 acquisition was recorded using the purchase method of
accounting and, accordingly, the purchase price has been allocated as set
out below:
$
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goodwill 95,091
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchase price 95,091
==========================================================================
The excess of cost over tangible assets acquired of $95,091 was allocated
to goodwill, which is being amortized over twenty years.
F-28
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
The Company's additional 49% share of the operating results of Interlynx
are included in the Company's consolidated statements of operations and
retained earnings from the date of acquisition.
[b] 1113659 Ontario Ltd.
Effective June 16, 1999 the Company acquired through it wholly-owned
subsidiary, Magic, an additional 50% of the shares of Viewer Services,
thereby making Viewer Services a wholly-owned subsidiary of Magic. This
acquisition was recorded using the purchase method of accounting for a
consideration of $1 and the assumption of net liabilities of approximately
$144,000. Since the Company has decided not to continue with this
business, the net liabilities recorded have been expensed.
[c] Magic Lantern Communications Ltd.
Effective October 1, 1996, the Company acquired 100% of Magic and its
subsidiaries for a purchase price of $1,553,315 calculated on a discounted
basis. Magic is a Canadian corporation which distributes educational
videos and provides related services. The acquisition was recorded using
the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the purchase price has
been allocated as set out below:
$
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goodwill 2,219,623
Net liabilities assumed (575,126)
Acquisition costs capitalized (91,182)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total purchase price 1,553,315
=========================================================================
The excess of cost over tangible assets acquired of $2,219,623 was
allocated to goodwill, which is being amortized over twenty years.
F-29
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
The purchase price was satisfied by $450,000 in cash and the issue of two
non-interest bearing promissory notes with a maturity value of $1,250,000.
The first promissory note of $703,133 is repayable by cash payments of
$78,133 on August 31, 1998, $312,500 on August 31, 1999 and $312,500 on
August 31, 2000. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company has the right
to elect up until June 30, 1998 to issue common shares in lieu of the
aforesaid payments as follows: 12,276 shares on August 31, 1998, 49,097
shares on August 31, 1999 and 49,096 shares on August 31, 2000. Should the
Company not elect to deliver common shares, the noteholder has the right,
exercisable between July 1, 1998 and July 31, 1998, to require the Company
to issue the common shares as described. The balance due of $78,133 on
August 31, 1998 was satisfied by the issuance of 12,276 common shares. The
balances due on August 31, 1999 and 2000 were satisfied by the issuance on
August 31, 1999 of 49,097 and 49,096 shares respectively [note 12[b]],
thereby fully extinguishing the first promissory note. The fair value of
this promissory note at August 31, 1998 approximated its carrying value.
The second promissory note of $546,867 is payable by cash payments of
$312,500 on August 31, 1997 and $234,367 on August 31, 1998.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company has the right to elect up until
June 30, 1997 to issue common shares in lieu of the aforesaid payments as
follows: 49,097 shares on August 31, 1997 and 36,821 shares on August 31,
1998. The balance due of $312,500 on August 31, 1997 was satisfied by the
payment of $65,000 and the issuance of 38,158 common shares on September
5, 1997. The balance due of $234,367 on August 31, 1998 was satisfied by
the issuance of 36,821 common shares [note 12[b]]. The fair value of this
promissory note approximates its carrying value.
The operating results of Magic are included in the Company's consolidated
statements of operations and retained earnings from the date of
acquisition.
F-30
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
[d] Image Media Ltd. and Pilot Software
Effective August 18, 1997, the Company acquired certain of the business
assets of Image Media Ltd. and 802117 Ontario Inc., operating as Pilot
Software, for cash of $590,000. This acquisition was recorded using the
purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the purchase price has
been allocated as follows:
$
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment 481,000
Goodwill 45,000
Inventory 37,000
Sundry receivable 27,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total purchase price 590,000
==========================================================================
[e] GalaVu Entertainment Network Inc.
On September 13, 1999, pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of
the 10th day of September, 1999, the Company, through its wholly-owned
subsidiary, GalaVu, acquired, effective as of September 13th, 1999,
substantially all of the property and assets [excluding accounts
receivable] of GalaVu Entertainment Inc. The purchase price was satisfied
by the issuance of 100,000 common shares of the Company and the issuance
of a promissory note [the "Note"]. The Note is secured by a general
security interest in all of GalaVu's present and after-acquired assets.
The Note shall be payable in cash or in common shares of the Company
annually, for the term consisting of each of the next five fiscal years in
an amount equal to 50% of the earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization of GalaVu for the immediately preceding
annual period. Pursuant to the provisions of the Note, the minimum amount
to be received by the holder of the Note is as follows: fiscal 2000 -
$300,000, fiscal 2001 - $500,000, fiscal 2002 - $750,000, fiscal 2003 -
$875,000 and fiscal 2004 - $875,000. The purchase price will be allocated
to the fixed assets of GalaVu.
GalaVu is a technology-based entertainment provider of interactive in-room
entertainment systems for small and mid-sized hotels. GalaVu's interactive
system is based upon proprietary technology and provides a suite of
products including movies on demand, premium television programming and
other information and entertainment services.
The operating results of GalaVu will be included in the Company's
consolidated statements of operations and retained earnings from the date
of acquisition.
16. SEGMENTED INFORMATION
F-31
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
The Company operates in the entertainment, education and e-commerce industries.
Business segment information for the years ended August 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
is as follows:
1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Entertainment Education E-commerce Total
$ $ $ $
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total revenue 7,631,312 4,729,906 1,059,424 13,420,642
Operating loss (460,449) (293,046) (112,778) (866,273)
Identifiable assets 4,417,451 3,717,497 809,445 8,944,393
Corporate assets 2,829,175 1,719,707 1,308,746 5,857,628
Capital expenditures 350,836 147,761 103,036 601,633
Depreciation and amortization 900,770 382,156 103,024 1,385,950
Income from equity investment -- 28,576 -- 28,576
=================================================================================================
1998
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Entertainment Education E-commerce Total
$ $ $ $
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total revenue 8,350,166 4,839,746 1,582,060 14,771,972
Operating income (loss) 1,118,039 (248,597) 303,594 1,173,036
Identifiable assets 4,887,935 3,908,437 542,945 9,339,317
Corporate assets 3,417,453 1,858,037 1,433,100 6,708,590
Capital expenditures 1,787,043 223,700 1,800 2,012,543
Depreciation and amortization 784,113 391,108 135,468 1,310,689
Loss from equity investment -- (25,658) -- (25,658)
=================================================================================================
1997
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Entertainment Education E-commerce Total
$ $ $ $
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total revenue 7,535,537 2,673,924 142,228 10,351,689
Operating income (loss) 964,052 154,008 (91,598) 1,026,462
Depreciation and amortization 602,773 297,950 51,422 952,145
Loss from equity investment -- (32,547) -- (32,547)
=================================================================================================
Total revenue by industry segment is net of intersegment sales which were
immaterial. Operating income is equal to income before income taxes and minority
interest, and includes deductions for items such as interest and depreciation
and amortization. Identifiable assets by industry are those assets used in the
Company's operations in each industry. Corporate assets are principally cash
F-32
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
and cash equivalents, short-term investments and intangible assets. The Company
now has a 100% interest in Viewer Services [1998 - 50%], whose operations are
vertically integrated with the Company's operations in the education segment.
The investment was accounted for on the equity basis until June 30, 1999 when
the Company purchased the remaining 50% of Viewer Services. The Company's equity
in the income of Viewer Services was $28,576 [1998 loss - $25,658; 1997 loss -
$32,547]. Under the equity basis of accounting, the investment in the net assets
of Viewer Services was ($36,054) at August 31, 1998.
The Company's business segments all operate primarily in Canada.
Revenues from one customer of the Company's e-commerce segment represent
$226,920 [$240,000 - 1998] of the e-commerce segment revenue.
17. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Included in accounts receivable is approximately $160,000 [1998 - $181,000] of
amounts due from employees and shareholders. The amounts are non-interest
bearing and are due on demand.
18. SALE OF SUBSIDIARY
Effective June 1, 1999, the Company through its wholly-owned subsidiary,
Interlynx, sold its 60% interest in Universal Content Inc. ["UCI" - formerly
known as Interlynx International Inc] for cash consideration of $110,813. UCI
served as a marketing and sales arm of Interlynx for CD-ROM products. The
operations of UCI were not significant to the Company and the marketing and
sales of Interlynx CD-ROM products have been assumed by Interlynx.
F-33
Networks North Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
[Expressed in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted]
August 31, 1999
19. UNCERTAINTY DUE TO THE YEAR 2000 ISSUE
The Year 2000 Issue arises because many computerized systems use two digits
rather than four to identify a year. Date-sensitive systems may recognize the
year 2000 as 1900 or some other date, resulting in errors when information using
year 2000 dates is processed. In addition, similar problems may arise in some
systems which use certain dates in 1999 to represent something other than a
date. The effects of the Year 2000 Issue may be experienced before, on, or after
January 1, 2000, and, if not addressed, the impact on operations and financial
reporting may range from minor errors to significant systems failure which could
affect an entity's ability to conduct normal business operations. It is not
possible to be certain that all aspects of the Year 2000 Issue affecting the
Company, including those related to the efforts of customers, suppliers, or
other third parties, will be fully resolved.
20. COMPARATIVE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The 1998 and 1997 comparative consolidated financial statements have been
reclassified from statements previously presented to conform to the presentation
of the 1999 consolidated financial statements.
F-34