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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-K


 

(Mark One)

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from              to             

 

Commission File Number 1-12187

 


LOGO

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   58-1620022
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
6205 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, Georgia   30328
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (678) 645-0000

 


 

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

 

Title of Each Class


 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered


Class A common stock, par value $0.33 per share   New York Stock Exchange

 

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:

NONE

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (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 amendments to this Form 10-K.  x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).     Yes  x    No  ¨

 

As of June 30, 2003, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the Class A common stock held by non-affiliates was $858,669,175 based on the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange on such date.

 

There were 41,787,154 shares of Class A common stock outstanding as of January 30, 2004.

 

There were 58,733,016 shares of Class B common stock outstanding as of January 30, 2004.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders and the Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part II and Part III.

 



Table of Contents

COX RADIO, INC.

 

2003 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

     PART I     

Item 1.

  

Business

   3

Item 2.

  

Properties

   19

Item 3.

  

Legal Proceedings

   20

Item 4.

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   21
     PART II     

Item 5.

  

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

   22

Item 6.

  

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

   22

Item 7.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   22

Item 7A.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

   33

Item 8.

  

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

   35

Item 9.

  

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

   58

Item 9A.

  

Controls and Procedures

   58
     PART III     

Item 10.

  

Directors and Executive Officers

   59

Item 11.

  

Executive Compensation

   59

Item 12.

  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

   59

Item 13.

  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

   59

Item 14.

  

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

   59
     PART IV     

Item 15.

  

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

   60

Signatures

   62

 

Preliminary Note

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K is for the year ended December 31, 2003. This Annual Report modifies and supersedes documents filed prior to this Annual Report. The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you directly to those documents. Information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this Annual Report. In addition, information that we file with the SEC in the future will automatically update and supersede information contained in this Annual Report. In this Annual Report, “Cox Radio,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Cox Radio, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

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Table of Contents

PART I

 

ITEM 1. Business

 

Cox Radio, Inc. is the third largest radio broadcasting company in the United States and the largest pure-play radio station group, based on revenues, and has one reportable segment for accounting purposes. We own or operate, or provide sales services for 78 radio stations (67 FM and 11 AM) clustered in 18 markets. We operate three or more stations in 15 of our 18 markets. We operate a wide range of programming formats in geographically diverse markets across the United States.

 

We are an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Inc. Cox Enterprises indirectly owns approximately 62% of our common stock and has approximately 94% of the voting power of Cox Radio. We have two classes of common stock outstanding, Class A common stock, par value $0.33 per share, and Class B common stock, par value $0.33 per share. Cox Enterprises’ wholly-owned subsidiary, Cox Broadcasting, Inc., owns 100% of our outstanding Class B common stock.

 

Cox Enterprises, a privately-held corporation headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the largest media companies in the United States, with consolidated 2003 revenues of approximately $10.8 billion. Our business was operated as part of Cox Enterprises prior to our initial public offering in September 1996, when Cox Enterprises transferred all of its U.S. radio operations to Cox Radio. Cox Radio, as part of Cox Enterprises, was a pioneer in radio broadcasting, building its first station in 1934, acquiring its flagship station, WSB-AM (Atlanta), in 1939, and launching its first FM station, WSB-FM (Atlanta), in 1948.

 

We seek to maximize the revenues and broadcast cash flow of our radio stations by operating and developing clusters of stations in demographically attractive and rapidly growing markets, including Atlanta, Birmingham, Houston, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, San Antonio and Tampa. Further, we believe that our experienced senior management team is well positioned to manage larger radio station clusters, as well as new radio station clusters, and take advantage of new opportunities arising in the U.S. radio broadcasting industry.

 

As a result of our management, programming and sales efforts, our radio stations are characterized by strong ratings and above average power ratios (defined as total advertising revenue share in a particular market divided by audience share in such market). Our stations are diversified in terms of format, target audience, geographic location and stage of development.

 

We have a track record of acquiring, repositioning and improving the operating performance of previously under-performing stations. Management believes that a number of our stations have significant growth opportunities or turnaround potential and, therefore, can be characterized as start-up or developing stations. We believe these stations can achieve significant revenue growth by employing our operating strategy. Management believes that our mix of stations in different stages of development enables us to maximize our growth potential.

 

Acquisitions and Dispositions

 

All acquisitions discussed below have been accounted for using the purchase method. As such, the results of operations of the acquired stations have been included in the results of operations from the date of acquisition. Specific transactions entered into by us during the past three years, and through February 15, 2004, are summarized below.

 

In February 2001, we acquired WDYL-FM serving Richmond, Virginia, and WJMZ-FM and WHZT-FM serving Greenville, South Carolina, for a total of $52.5 million.

 

In February 2001, we entered into a joint sales agreement (JSA) to provide sales and marketing services for WARV-FM serving Richmond, Virginia, and simultaneously guaranteed the owner’s financing for the acquisition of this station. In February 2003, the owner sold WARV-FM and repaid the $1.0 million of indebtedness associated with this station, thereby extinguishing our guarantee of that indebtedness. Also in February 2003, the JSA related to this station terminated.

 

In February 2001, we disposed of WHOO-AM serving Orlando, Florida, for $5.0 million.

 

In May 2001, we disposed of the assets of KGTO-AM serving Tulsa, Oklahoma, for $0.5 million.

 

In July 2001, we disposed of the assets of WVBB-AM serving Richmond, Virginia, for $0.7 million.

 

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In January 2002, we disposed of the assets of KRTR-AM serving Honolulu, Hawaii, for $0.6 million. The buyer of the station had been operating the station under a local marketing agreement (LMA) since October 2001. For more information regarding LMAs, refer to “Federal Regulation of Radio Broadcasting – Local Marketing Agreements and Joint Sales Agreements” below.

 

In June 2002, we disposed of the assets of KCCN-AM serving Honolulu, Hawaii, for $0.8 million.

 

In August 2002, we disposed of the assets of WBWL-AM serving Jacksonville, Florida, for $2.5 million.

 

Radio Stations

 

The following table summarizes certain information relating to radio stations we own or operate:

 

Market (1) and Station

Call Letters


  

Format


  

Target

Demographic

Group


  

Target

Demographic

Group


  

Demographic

Group

(Adults 25-54)


         Audience
Share


   Rank

   Audience
Share


   Rank

Atlanta

                             

WSB-AM

  

News/Talk

  

Adults 35-64

   12.1    1    8.5    2

WALR-FM

  

Urban Adult Contemporary

  

Adults 35-54

   5.8    4    4.9    4

WSB-FM

  

Adult Contemporary

  

Women 25-54

   5.7    5    4.3    7

WBTS-FM

  

Rhythmic CHR

  

Women 18-34

   4.6    9    1.9    22

WFOX-FM

  

Urban Contemporary

  

Adults 25-54

   1.7    23    1.7    23

Birmingham

                             

WBHK-FM

  

R&B/Soul

  

Adults 25-54

   12.2    1    12.2    1

WBHJ-FM

  

Hip Hop

  

Adults 18-34

   13.6    1    5.3    5

WZZK-FM

  

Country

  

Adults 25-54

   6.2    3    6.2    3

WBPT-FM

  

80’s

  

Adults 25-54

   5.0    8    5.0    8

WAGG-AM

  

Gospel

  

Adults 25-54

   3.5    12    3.5    12

WODL-FM

  

Oldies

  

Adults 35-54

   2.5    14    1.9    18

WZZK-AM (formerly WRJS-AM)

  

Classic Country

  

Adults 25-54

   0.4    24    0.4    24

Dayton

                             

WHKO-FM

  

Country

  

Adults 25-54

   9.8    2    9.8    2

WHIO-AM

  

News/Talk

  

Adults 35-54

   4.6    6    4.1    7

WZLR-FM

  

Classic Rock

  

Men 25-54

   5.5    6    4.1    7

WDPT-FM

  

80’s

  

Adults 25-54

   2.2    13    2.2    13

Greenville-Spartanburg

                             

WJMZ-FM

  

Urban

  

Adults 25-54

   8.0    2    8.0    2

WHZT-FM

  

Rhythmic CHR

  

Adults 18-34

   10.5    2    4.1    9

Honolulu

                             

KCCN-FM

  

Hawaiian CHR

  

Adults 18-34

   9.8    1    8.0    3

KRTR-FM

  

Adult Contemporary

  

Women 25-54

   10.4    2    8.3    2

KINE-FM

  

Hawaiian Adult Contemporary

  

Adults 25-54

   6.0    4    6.0    4

KXME-FM

  

Rhythmic CHR

  

Women 18-34

   8.9    4    2.7    15

KGMZ-FM (2)

  

Oldies

  

Adults 35-54

   5.3    7    4.3    10

Houston

                             

KLDE-FM

  

Oldies

  

Adults 35-54

   4.1    8    3.0    14

KTHT-FM

  

Country Legends

  

Adults 35-64

   3.6    10    2.7    18

KKBQ-FM

  

Country

  

Adults 25-54

   3.2    11    3.2    11

KHPT-FM

  

80’s

  

Adults 25-54

   3.0    14    3.0    14

Jacksonville

                             

WFYV-FM

  

Classic Rock

  

Men 25-54

   13.2    1    9.0    1

WOKV-AM

  

News/Talk

  

Adults 35-64

   8.6    2    6.4    4

WAPE-FM

  

CHR

  

Women 18-34

   10.4    2    4.8    8

WMXQ-FM

  

80’s

  

Adults 25-49

   6.4    4    6.0    5

WKQL-FM

  

Oldies

  

Adults 35-54

   7.1    5    5.8    6

 

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Table of Contents

Market (1) and Station

Call Letters


  

Format


  

Target

Demographic

Group


  

Target

Demographic

Group


   

Demographic

Group

(Adults 25-54)


 
         Audience
Share


    Rank

    Audience
Share


    Rank

 

Long Island

                                  

WBAB-FM

  

Mainstream Rock

  

Men 25-54

   7.7     1     5.6     2  

WHFM-FM

  

Mainstream Rock

  

Men 25-54

   (3)   (3)   (3)   (3)

WBLI-FM

  

CHR

  

Women 18-34

   10.1     2     4.7     4  

Louisville

                                  

WVEZ-FM

  

Adult Contemporary

  

Women 25-54

   10.2     2     7.0     3  

WSFR-FM

  

Classic Rock

  

Adults 25-54

   5.3     5     5.3     5  

WRKA-FM

  

Oldies

  

Adults 35-54

   5.2     5     4.3     9  

WPTI-FM

  

80’s

  

Adults 25-54

   3.9     10     3.9     10  

Miami

                                  

WHQT-FM

  

Urban Adult Contemporary

  

Adults 25-54

   5.4     2     5.4     2  

WEDR-FM

  

Urban Contemporary

  

Adults 18-34

   9.2     2     5.1     3  

WFLC-FM

  

Hot Adult Contemporary

  

Women 25-54

   4.6     7     4.0     9  

WPYM-FM

  

Dance CHR

  

Adults 18-34

   4.6     7     3.1     15  

Orlando

                                  

WHTQ-FM

  

Classic Rock

  

Men 35-54

   8.2     1     4.5     9  

WDBO-AM

  

News/Talk

  

Adults 35-64

   6.3     3     4.4     10  

WWKA-FM

  

Country

  

Adults 25-54

   6.2     3     6.2     3  

WCFB-FM

  

Urban Adult Contemporary

  

Adults 25-54

   5.5     5     5.5     5  

WMMO-FM

  

Rock Adult Contemporary

  

Adults 25-54

   5.1     6     5.1     6  

WPYO-FM

  

CHR Rhythmic

  

Adults 18-34

   4.6     10     1.9     19  

Richmond

                                  

WKLR-FM

  

Classic Rock

  

Men 25-54

   8.6     1     6.3     3  

WKHK-FM

  

Country

  

Adults 25-54

   8.6     2     8.6     2  

WMXB-FM

  

Hot Adult Contemporary

  

Women 25-54

   7.1     3     5.7     6  

WDYL-FM

  

New Rock

  

Men 18-34

   9.3     3     3.1     13  

San Antonio

                                  

KONO-FM

  

Oldies

  

Adults 35-54

   9.5     1     7.1     1  

KONO-AM

  

Oldies

  

Adults 35-54

   (4)   (4)   (4)   (4)

KISS-FM

  

Active Rock

  

Adults 18-49

   8.8     1     6.1     4  

KCYY-FM

  

Country

  

Adults 25-54

   6.2     2     6.2     2  

KELZ-FM (formerly KCJZ-FM)

  

Adult CHR

  

Adults 18-34

   4.1     8     2.1     18  

KSMG-FM

  

Hot Adult Contemporary

  

Adults 25-54

   4.3     11     4.3     11  

KKYX-AM

  

Classic Country

  

Adults 35-64

   1.8     17     0.8     24  

Southern Connecticut

                                  

Bridgeport

                                  

WEZN-FM

  

Adult Contemporary

  

Women 25-54

   14.8     2     11.7     2  

New Haven

                                  

WPLR-FM

  

Classic Rock/ Mainstream

  

Men 25-54

   16.7     1     12.1     1  

WYBC-FM (2)

  

Urban Adult Contemporary

  

Adults 25-54

   7.4     2     7.4     2  

Stamford-Norwalk

                                  

WKHL-FM

  

Oldies

  

Adults 35-54

   5.6     5     4.6     5  

WEFX-FM

  

Classic Rock

  

Adults 25-54

   4.1     6     4.1     6  

WSTC-AM

  

News/Talk

  

Adults 35-64

   1.4     27     0.9     27  

WNLK-AM

  

News/Talk

  

Adults 35-64

   0.5     31     0.5     33  

 

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Table of Contents

Market (1) and Station

Call Letters


  

Format


  

Target

Demographic

Group


  

Target

Demographic

Group


  

Demographic

Group

(Adults 25-54)


         Audience
Share


   Rank

   Audience
Share


   Rank

Tampa

                             

WWRM-FM

  

Adult Contemporary

  

Women 25-54

   7.6    2    5.0    9

WDUV-FM

  

Soft Adult Contemporary

  

Adults 35-64

   6.8    4    3.1    14

WSUN-FM

  

Alternative Rock

  

Men 18-34

   7.2    4    2.8    15

WPOI-FM

  

80’s

  

Adults 25-54

   5.3    6    5.3    6

WXGL-FM (formerly WBBY-FM)

  

Classic Hits

  

Adults 35-54

   4.2    9    3.2    13

WHPT-FM

  

Classic Rock

  

Men 25-44

   4.3    10    2.8    15

Tulsa

                             

KWEN-FM

  

Country

  

Adults 25-54

   9.4    2    9.4    2

KRMG-AM

  

News/Talk

  

Adults 25-54

   6.5    3    6.5    3

KRTQ-FM

  

Active Rock

  

Men 18-34

   8.4    3    3.0    14

KJSR-FM

  

Classic Rock

  

Men 25-54

   5.6    4    4.4    8

KRAV-FM

  

Adult Contemporary

  

Women 25-54

   7.1    4    5.2    6

 

Source: Arbitron Market Reports four-book average for Winter 2003, Spring 2003, Summer 2003 and Fall 2003.


(1) Metropolitan market served; city of license may differ.
(2) Station operated by Cox Radio under a JSA.
(3) Audience share and audience rank information for WBAB-FM and WHFM-FM are combined because the stations are simulcast.
(4) Audience share and audience rank information for KONO-FM and KONO-AM are combined because the stations are simulcast.

 

Operating Strategy

 

The following is a description of the key elements of our operating strategy:

 

Clustering of Stations. We operate our stations in clusters to:

 

  Enhance net revenue growth by increasing the appeal of our stations to advertisers and enabling such stations to compete more effectively with other forms of advertising; and

 

  Achieve operating efficiencies by consolidating broadcast facilities, eliminating duplicative positions in management and production and reducing overhead expenses.

 

Management believes that operating several radio stations in each of its markets enables its sales teams to offer advertisers more attractive advertising packages. Furthermore, as radio clusters achieve significant audience share, they can deliver to advertisers the audience reach that historically only television and newspapers could offer, with the added benefit of frequent exposure to advertisers’ target customers. Management believes that our clusters of stations, and their corresponding audience share, provide opportunities to capture an increased share of total advertising revenue in each of our markets.

 

Development of Under-Performing Stations. Our management has demonstrated its ability to acquire under-performing radio stations and develop them into consistent ratings and revenue leaders. Our historic margins reflect the acquisition and continued development of under-performing stations, as well as the fact that increases in net revenue are typically realized subsequent to increases in audience share. Management believes that a number of our stations have significant growth opportunities or turnaround potential and can therefore be characterized as start-up or developing stations.

 

Implementation of Cox Radio’s Management Philosophy. Our local station operations, supported by a lean corporate staff, employ a management philosophy emphasizing:

 

  Market research and targeted programming;

 

  A customer-focused selling strategy for advertising; and

 

  Marketing and promotional activities.

 

Market Research and Targeted Programming. Our research, programming and marketing strategy combines extensive research with an assessment of competitors’ vulnerabilities and market dynamics in order to identify specific audience opportunities within each market. We also retain consultants and research organizations to continually evaluate listener preferences. Using this information, we

 

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tailor the programming, marketing and promotions of each station to maximize its appeal to its target audience. Our disciplined application of market research enables each of our stations to be responsive to the changing preferences of its targeted listeners. This approach focuses on the needs of the listeners and their community and is designed to improve ratings and maximize the impact of advertising for our customers.

 

Through our research, programming and marketing, we also seek to create a distinct and marketable local identity for each of our stations in order to enhance audience share and listener loyalty and to protect against direct format competition. To achieve this objective, we employ and promote distinct high-profile on-air personalities and local sports programming at many of our stations. For example, we broadcast “Rush Limbaugh” in Dayton and Jacksonville; “The Clark Howard Show” in Atlanta, Dayton, Jacksonville, and Tulsa; “Neal Boortz” in Atlanta, Dayton, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tulsa; “Tom Joyner” in Atlanta, Birmingham, Greenville, Miami, Orlando and Southern Connecticut; “Sean Hannity” in Atlanta, Dayton, Tulsa, Jacksonville and Orlando; the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks in Atlanta; the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville; and the Orlando Magic in Orlando.

 

Customer-Focused Selling Strategy for Advertising. We have implemented a unique, customer-focused approach to selling advertising known as the Consultative Selling System. Our sales personnel are trained to approach each advertiser with a view towards solving the marketing needs of the customer. In this regard, the sales staff consults with customers, attempts to understand their business goals and offers comprehensive marketing solutions, including the use of radio advertising. Instead of merely selling station advertising time, our sales personnel are encouraged to develop innovative marketing strategies for the station’s advertising customers.

 

Marketing and Promotional Activities. Our stations regularly engage in significant local promotional activities, including advertising on local television and in local print media, participating in telemarketing and direct mailings and sponsoring contests, concerts and events. Special events may include charitable athletic events, events centered on a major local occasion or local ethnic group and special community or family events. We also engage in joint promotional activities with other media in our markets to further leverage our promotional spending. These promotional efforts help our stations add new listeners and increase the amount of time spent listening to the stations.

 

Strong Management Teams. In addition to relying upon our experienced senior operating management, we place great importance on the hiring and development of strong local management teams and have been successful in retaining experienced management teams that have strong ties to their communities and customers.

 

We invest significant resources in identifying and training employees to create a talented team of managers at all levels of station operations. These resources include:

 

  Gallup/SRI, which helps us identify and select talented individuals for management and sales positions;

 

  Center for Sales Strategy, an independent sales and management training company which trains and develops managers and sales executives; and

 

  A program of leadership development conducted by our senior operating management and outside consultants.

 

Local managers are empowered to run the day-to-day operations of their stations and to develop and implement strategies that will improve station performance and establish long-term relationships with listeners and advertisers. The compensation of the senior operating management team and local station managers is dependent upon financial performance, and incentives to enhance performance are provided through awards under our Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 

Clustering Strategy

 

We have implemented our clustering strategy through the acquisition of radio stations in several of our existing markets as well as in new markets and disposition of certain radio stations that did not enhance our operating clusters. Management believes that larger, well-capitalized companies with experienced management, such as Cox Radio, are best positioned to take advantage of acquisition opportunities. Management considers the following factors when making an acquisition:

 

Market Selection Considerations. Our acquisition strategy has been focused on clustering stations in our existing markets and making opportunistic acquisitions in additional markets in which we believe that we can cost-effectively achieve a leading position in terms of audience and revenue share. Management believes that we will have the financial resources and management expertise to continue to pursue our acquisition strategy when appropriate opportunities arise. Certain future acquisitions may be limited by the multiple and cross-ownership rules of the Federal Communications Commission. See “Federal Regulation of Radio Broadcasting — General Ownership Matters.”

 

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Station Considerations. We expect to concentrate on acquiring radio stations that offer, through the application of our operating philosophy, the potential for improvement in the station’s performance. Such stations may be in various stages of development, which presents us with an opportunity to apply our management techniques and to enhance asset value. In evaluating potential acquisitions, we consider the strength of a station’s broadcast signal. A powerful broadcast signal enhances delivery range and clarity, thereby influencing listener preference and loyalty. We also assess the strategic fit of an acquisition with our existing clusters of radio stations. When entering a new market, we expect to acquire a “platform” upon which to expand our portfolio of stations and to build a leading cluster of stations.

 

Industry Overview

 

The primary source of revenues for radio stations is the sale of advertising time to local and national spot advertisers and national network advertisers. During the past decade, local advertising revenue as a percentage of total radio advertising revenue in a given market has ranged from approximately 75% to 80% according to the Radio Advertising Bureau. The growth in total radio advertising revenue tends to be fairly stable. With the exception of 2001 and 1991, when total radio advertising revenue fell by approximately 7.4% and 2.8%, respectively, advertising revenue has risen each year since 1950 according to the Radio Advertising Bureau.

 

According to the Radio Advertising Bureau’s Radio Marketing Guide and Fact Book for Advertisers, 2003-2004, radio reaches approximately 94% of all consumers over the age of 12 every week and 75% of persons over the age of 12 turn on their radios every day. More than 60% of all radio listening is done outside the home, in contrast to other advertising media, and radio reaches 82% of adults 18 and older in the car each week. The average listener over the age of 12 spends an average of 20 hours per week listening to radio. Most radio listening occurs during the morning and evening hours, and as a result, radio advertising sold during these “drive time” periods achieves premium advertising rates.

 

Radio is considered an efficient, cost-effective means of reaching specifically identified demographic groups. Stations are typically classified by their on-air format, such as country, adult contemporary, oldies or news/talk. A station’s format and style of presentation enables it to target certain demographics. By capturing a specific share of a market’s radio listening audience, with particular concentration in a targeted demographic, a station is able to market its broadcasting time to advertisers seeking to reach a specific audience. Advertisers and stations utilize data published by audience measuring services, such as Arbitron, to estimate how many people within particular geographical markets and demographics listen to specific stations.

 

The number of advertisements that can be broadcast without jeopardizing listening levels (and the resulting ratings) is limited in part by the format of a particular station and the local competitive environment. Although the number of advertisements broadcast during a given time period may vary, the total number of advertisements broadcast on a particular station generally does not vary significantly from year to year.

 

A station’s local sales staff generates the majority of its local and regional advertising sales through direct solicitations of local advertising agencies and businesses. To generate national advertising sales, a station usually will engage a firm that specializes in soliciting radio advertising sales on a national level. National sales representatives obtain advertising principally from advertising agencies located outside the station’s market and receive commissions based on the revenue from the advertising obtained.

 

Competition

 

The radio broadcasting industry is a highly competitive business. Cox Radio is the third largest radio broadcasting company in the United States, based on revenues. Infinity Broadcasting Corporation and Clear Channel Communications, Inc. are larger than Cox Radio, both in terms of revenues and number of stations owned or operated. Cumulus Media, Inc., Citadel Broadcasting Corporation, Entercom Communications Corporation, Salem Communications Corporation and Saga Communications own or operate more radio stations than we do; however, according to “Who Owns What” as of February 2004, these radio station groups report lower revenues.

 

The success of each of our stations depends largely upon our audience ratings and our share of the overall advertising revenue within the particular market. Our stations compete for listeners directly with other radio stations in their respective markets, primarily on the basis of program content that appeals to a target demographic group. By building a strong listener base consisting of a specific demographic in each of our markets, we are able to attract advertisers seeking to reach those listeners. Our stations compete for advertising revenue directly with other radio stations and with other electronic, broadcast and print media within their respective markets.

 

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Factors that are material to a station’s competitive position include management experience, the station’s audience share and rank in its market, transmitter power, assigned frequency, audience characteristics, local program acceptance, and the number and characteristics of other stations in the market area. We attempt to improve our competitive position by:

 

  researching stations’ programming;

 

  implementing advertising and promotional campaigns aimed at the demographics targeted by our stations; and

 

  managing our sales efforts to attract a larger share of advertising revenue.

 

Broadcasters also may, within limits, enter into joint arrangements with other stations in a market relating to programming, advertising sales and station operations. Management believes that radio stations that elect to take advantage of these opportunities may, in certain circumstances, have lower operating costs and may be able to offer advertisers more attractive rates and services. We also compete with other radio station groups to purchase additional radio stations.

 

Although the radio broadcasting industry is highly competitive, some barriers to entry exist. The operation of a radio broadcast station requires a license from the Federal Communications Commission (the FCC). The number of radio stations that a single entity may own and operate in a given market is limited by the availability of FM and AM radio frequencies allotted by the FCC to communities in that market, as well as by the FCC’s multiple ownership rules. These rules (which are discussed further under “Federal Regulation of Radio Broadcasting” below) regulate the number of stations that may be owned and controlled by a single entity. The FCC also uses competitive bidding procedures (auctions) to select among mutually exclusive applicants for new broadcast stations and major changes to existing stations.

 

Potential advertisers can substitute advertising on radio stations with advertising through:

 

  broadcast television,

 

  cable television,

 

  direct broadcast satellite television,

 

  daily, weekly and free-distribution newspapers,

 

  other print media,

 

  direct mail and

 

  on-line computer services.

 

Competing media commonly target the customers of their competitors, and advertisers regularly shift dollars from radio to these competing media and vice versa. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that any of our stations will be able to maintain or increase its advertising revenue share. In addition, the radio broadcasting industry is subject to competition from new media technologies that are being developed or introduced, such as the delivery of audio programming by cable television systems, by satellite digital audio radio service and by digital audio broadcasting. Digital audio broadcasting and satellite digital audio radio service provide for the delivery by terrestrial or satellite means of multiple new audio programming formats with compact disc quality sound to local and national audiences. The delivery of information through the Internet also has created a new form of competition. The radio broadcasting industry historically has grown despite the introduction of new technologies for the delivery of entertainment and information, such as broadcast television, cable television, the Internet, audiotapes and compact discs. A growing population and greater availability of radios, particularly car and portable radios, have contributed to this growth. There can be no assurance, however, that the development or introduction in the future of any new media technology will not have an adverse effect on the radio broadcasting industry.

 

Federal Regulation of Radio Broadcasting

 

The ownership, operation and sale of radio stations, including those licensed to Cox Radio, are subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC, which acts under authority granted by the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Communications Act). Among other things, the FCC assigns frequency bands for broadcasting, determines the particular frequencies, locations and operating power of stations, issues, renews and modifies station licenses, determines whether to approve changes in ownership or control of station licenses, regulates equipment used by stations, adopts and implements regulations and policies that directly or indirectly affect the ownership, operation, program content, employment practices and business of stations, and has the power to impose penalties, including license revocations, for violations of its rules or the Communications Act.

 

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The following is a brief summary of certain provisions of the Communications Act and of specific FCC rules and policies. This summary focuses on provisions material to our business, and a reader should refer to the Communications Act, FCC rules and public notices and rulings of the FCC for further information concerning the nature and extent of FCC regulation of broadcast stations.

 

License Renewal

 

Radio stations operate pursuant to renewable broadcasting licenses that are ordinarily granted by the FCC for maximum terms of eight years. A station may continue to operate beyond the expiration date of its license if a timely-filed license renewal application is pending. During the periods when renewal applications are pending, petitions to deny license renewals can be filed by interested parties, including interest groups and members of the public. The FCC is required to hold hearings on a station’s renewal application only if a substantial or material question of fact exists as to whether the station has served the public interest, convenience and necessity. If, as a result of an evidentiary hearing, the FCC determines that the licensee has failed to meet certain requirements and that no mitigating factors justify the imposition of a lesser sanction, then the FCC may deny a license renewal application.

 

Between 2003 and 2006, all existing radio broadcast licenses must be renewed by the FCC. The FCC reviews all stations licensed to serve communities in a particular state at the same time. Historically, our FCC licenses have generally been renewed. We have no reason to believe that our licenses will not be renewed in the ordinary course, although there can be no assurance to that effect. As of February 15, 2004:

 

  all of our licenses that expired in 2003 or the first quarter of 2004 had been renewed;

 

  applications covering our stations in the Atlanta and Birmingham markets were pending with the FCC;

 

  we intend to timely file renewal applications covering our stations in the Louisville and Dayton markets in 2004; and

 

  we expect to timely file renewal applications covering our remaining stations in 2005 and the first half of 2006.

 

A table showing our stations grouped by metropolitan market and listing the expiration date for each FCC license appears below. The non-renewal of one or more of our licenses could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

The FCC classifies each AM and FM station. An AM station operates on a clear channel, regional channel or local channel. A clear channel is one on which AM stations are assigned to serve wide areas. Clear channel AM stations are classified as:

 

  Class A stations, which operate on an unlimited time basis and are designed to render primary and secondary service over an extended area;

 

  Class B stations, which operate on an unlimited time basis and are designed to render service over a primary service area; or

 

  Class D stations, which operate either during daytime hours only, during limited times only or on an unlimited time basis with low nighttime power.

 

A regional channel is one on which Class B and Class D AM stations may operate and serve primarily a principal center of population and the rural areas contiguous to it. A local channel is one on which AM stations operate on an unlimited time basis and serve primarily a community and the suburban and rural areas immediately contiguous thereto. Class C AM stations operate on a local channel and are designed to render service only over a primary service area that may be reduced as a consequence of permitted interference from other stations.

 

The minimum and maximum facilities requirements for an FM station are determined by its class. FM class designations depend upon the geographic zone in which the transmitter of the FM station is located. In general, commercial FM stations are classified as follows, in order of increasing power and antenna height: Class A, B1, C3, B, C2, C1, C0 and C.

 

The following table sets forth selected information concerning each of the stations owned, or operated pursuant to a JSA, by Cox Radio, including the metropolitan market served (city of license may differ), frequency, FCC license expiration date (a station may continue to operate beyond the expiration date if a timely-filed license renewal application is pending), FCC license classification, and antenna height above average terrain and power:

 

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Market (1) and Station Call Letters


  

Frequency


  

Expiration Date

of License


    Class

  

Height Above

Average Terrain


   Power

Atlanta

                         

WSB-AM

   750 KHz    4/1/04 (2)   A    N.A.    50 kw

WALR-FM

   104.1 MHz    4/1/04 (2)   C1    371 m    60 kw

WSB-FM

   98.5 MHz    4/1/04 (2)   C    313 m    100 kw

WBTS-FM

   95.5 MHz    4/1/04 (2)   C1    340 m    74 kw

WFOX-FM

   97.1 MHz    4/1/04 (2)   C    483 m    100 kw

Birmingham

                         

WBHK-FM (3)

   98.7 MHz    4/1/04 (4)   C1    408 m    39 kw

WBHJ-FM

   95.7 MHz    4/1/04 (4)   C1    299 m    100 kw

WZZK-FM (3)

   104.7 MHz    4/1/04 (4)   C0    404 m    100 kw

WBPT-FM (3)

   106.9 MHz    4/1/04 (4)   C0    404 m    100 kw

WAGG-AM

   610 KHz    4/1/04 (4)   B    N.A.    5 kw day
                          1 kw night

WODL-FM

   97.3 MHz    4/1/04 (4)   A    306 m    0.64 kw

WZZK-AM (formerly WRJS-AM)

   1320 KHz    4/1/04 (4)   D    N.A.    5 kw day
                          0.111 kw night

Dayton

                         

WHKO-FM

   99.1 MHz    10/1/04     B    325 m    50 kw

WHIO-AM

   1290 KHz    10/1/04     B    N.A.    5 kw

WZLR-FM

   95.3 MHz    10/1/04     A    98 m    6 kw

WDPT-FM

   95.7 MHz    10/1/04     B    145 m    50 kw

Greenville-Spartanburg

                         

WJMZ-FM

   107.3 MHz    12/1/11     C    308 m    100 kw

WHZT-FM

   98.1 MHz    12/1/11     C    304 m    100 kw

Honolulu

                         

KCCN-FM

   100.3 MHz    2/1/06     C    599 m    100 kw

KRTR-FM

   96.3 MHz    2/1/06     C    645 m    75 kw

KINE-FM

   105.1 MHz    2/1/06     C    599 m    100 kw

KXME-FM

   104.3 MHz    2/1/06     C    645 m    75 kw

KGMZ-FM (5)

   107.9 MHz    2/1/06     C    599 m    100 kw

Houston

                         

KLDE-FM

   107.5 MHz    8/1/05     C    601 m    98 kw

KTHT-FM

   97.1 MHz    8/1/05     C    563 m    100 kw

KKBQ-FM

   92.9 MHz    8/1/05     C    585 m    100 kw

KHPT-FM

   106.9 MHz    8/1/05     C    579 m    100 kw

Jacksonville

                         

WFYV-FM

   104.5 MHz    2/1/12     C    309 m    100 kw

WOKV-AM

   690 KHz    2/1/12     B    N.A.    50 kw day
                          10 kw night

WAPE-FM

   95.1 MHz    2/1/12     C    300 m    100 kw

WMXQ-FM

   102.9 MHz    2/1/12     C    309 m    100 kw

WKQL-FM

   96.9 MHz    2/1/12     C    309 m    100 kw

Long Island

                         

WBAB-FM

   102.3 MHz    6/1/06     A    82 m    6 kw

WHFM-FM

   95.3 MHz    6/1/06     A    108 m    5 kw

WBLI-FM

   106.1 MHz    6/1/06     B    152 m    49 kw

Louisville

                         

WVEZ-FM

   106.9 MHz    8/1/04     B    204 m    24.5 kw

WSFR-FM

   107.7 MHz    8/1/04     B1    173 m    8.2 kw

WRKA-FM

   103.1 MHz    8/1/04     A    95 m    6 kw

WPTI-FM

   103.9 MHz    8/1/04     A    149 m    1.35 kw

 

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Market (1) and Station Call Letters


  

Frequency


  

Expiration Date

of License


   Class

  

Height Above

Average Terrain


   Power

Miami

                        

WHQT-FM

   105.1 MHz    2/1/12    C0    307 m    100 kw

WEDR-FM

   99.1 MHz    2/1/12    C1    280 m    100 kw

WFLC-FM

   97.3 MHz    2/1/12    C    307 m    100 kw

WPYM-FM

   93.1 MHz    2/1/12    C    307 m    100 kw

Orlando

                        

WHTQ-FM

   96.5 MHz    2/1/12    C    454 m    100 kw

WDBO-AM

   580 KHz    2/1/12    B    N.A.    5 kw

WWKA-FM

   92.3 MHz    2/1/12    C    454 m    100 kw

WCFB-FM (3)

   94.5 MHz    2/1/12    C    451 m    100 kw

WMMO-FM

   98.9 MHz    2/1/12    C2    159 m    44 kw

WPYO-FM

   95.3 MHz    2/1/12    A    144 m    2.9 kw

Richmond

                        

WKLR-FM

   96.5 MHz    10/1/11    B    138 m    50 kw

WKHK-FM

   95.3 MHz    10/1/11    B1    120 m    17.5 kw

WMXB-FM

   103.7 MHz    10/1/11    B    256 m    20 kw

WDYL-FM

   101.1 MHz    10/1/11    A    112 m    4 kw

San Antonio

                        

KONO-FM

   101.1 MHz    8/1/05    C1    302 m    98 kw

KONO-AM

   860 KHz    8/1/05    B    N.A.    5 kw day
                         0.9 kw night

KISS-FM

   99.5 MHz    8/1/05    C    339 m    100 kw

KCYY-FM

   100.3 MHz    8/1/05    C    300 m    100 kw

KELZ-FM (formerly KCJZ-FM)

   106.7 MHz    8/1/05    C    310 m    100 kw

KSMG-FM

   105.3 MHz    8/1/05    C    381 m    95 kw

KKYX-AM

   680 KHz    8/1/05    B    N.A.    50 kw day
                         10 kw night

Southern Connecticut

                        

Bridgeport

                        

WEZN-FM

   99.9 MHz    4/1/06    B    204 m    27.5 kw

New Haven

                        

WPLR-FM

   99.1 MHz    4/1/06    B    276 m    15 kw

WYBC-FM (5)

   94.3 MHz    4/1/06    A    144 m    3 kw

Stamford-Norwalk

                        

WKHL-FM

   96.7 MHz    4/1/06    A    100 m    3 kw

WEFX-FM

   95.9 MHz    4/1/06    A    91 m    3 kw

WSTC-AM

   1400 KHz    4/1/06    C    N.A.    0.78 kw

WNLK-AM

   1350 KHz    4/1/06    B    N.A.    1 kw day

Tampa

                        

WWRM-FM

   94.9 MHz    2/1/12    C    470 m    100 kw

WDUV-FM

   105.5 MHz    2/1/12    C1    410 m    46 kw

WSUN-FM

   97.1 MHz    2/1/12    C2    224 m    11.5 kw

WPOI-FM

   101.5 MHz    2/1/12    C    470 m    100 kw

WXGL-FM (formerly WBBY-FM)

   107.3 MHz    2/1/12    C1    182 m    100 kw

WHPT-FM

   102.5 MHz    2/1/12    C    503 m    100 kw

Tulsa

                        

KWEN-FM

   95.5 MHz    6/1/05    C    405 m    100 kw

KRMG-AM

   740 KHz    6/1/05    B    N.A.    50 kw day
                         25 kw night

KRTQ-FM

   102.3 MHz    6/1/05    C2    150 m    50 kw

KJSR-FM

   103.3 MHz    6/1/05    C    390 m    100 kw

KRAV-FM

   96.5 MHz    6/1/05    C    405 m    100 kw

(1) Metropolitan market served; city of license may differ.

 

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(2) A license renewal application was filed with the FCC on December 5, 2003 pursuant to an extension of the December 1, 2003 deadline for filing (DA 03-3739 released November 21, 2003).

 

(3) Station operating at these parameters pursuant to temporary authority. An FCC application for a permanent license has been filed.

 

(4) A license renewal application was filed with the FCC on December 8, 2003 pursuant to an extension of the December 1, 2003 deadline for filing (DA 03-3739 released November 21, 2003).

 

(5) Cox Radio provides sales and other services to this station pursuant to a JSA.

 

General Ownership Matters

 

The Communications Act prohibits the assignment of a broadcast license or the transfer of control of a broadcast licensee without the prior approval of the FCC. To obtain the FCC’s prior consent to assign or transfer control of a broadcast license, appropriate applications must be filed with the FCC. Depending on whether the application involves the assignment of the license or a “substantial change” in ownership or control (e.g., the transfer of more than 50% of the voting stock), the application may be required to go on public notice for a period of approximately 30 days during which petitions to deny the application may be filed by interested parties, including interest groups and members of the public. When reviewing an assignment or transfer application, the FCC is prohibited from considering whether the public interest might be served by an assignment or transfer to any party other than the assignee or transferee specified in the application.

 

The FCC’s multiple ownership rules limit the permissible acquisitions and investments we may make. The FCC generally applies its ownership limits to “attributable” interests held by an individual, corporation, partnership or other association. In the case of corporations holding, or through subsidiaries controlling, broadcast licenses, the interests of officers, directors and those who, directly or indirectly, have the right to vote 5% or more of the corporation’s stock (or 20% or more of such stock in the case of insurance companies, investment companies and bank trust departments that are passive investors) are generally attributable. In December 2000, the FCC eliminated its longstanding rule which provided that a minority stock interest in a corporation would not be deemed attributable if there was a single holder of more than 50% of the outstanding voting power of the corporation. The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit subsequently reversed a similar rule change the FCC had adopted with respect to the ownership of cable systems. The FCC has suspended elimination of the exemption as it applies to the ownership of broadcast stations and has commenced a rulemaking to evaluate further whether to retain the exemption. This proceeding remains pending.

 

The FCC treats all partnership interests as attributable, except for those limited partnership interests that are “insulated” by the terms of the limited partnership agreement from “material involvement” in the media-related activities of the partnership. The FCC applies the same attribution and insulation standards to limited liability companies and other new business forms.

 

The FCC treats as attributable equity and debt interests if they exceed 33% of a station licensee’s total assets when combined and if the party holding the interest either (a) supplies more than 15% of the station’s total weekly programming or (b) has an attributable interest in another media entity in the same market. Under these rules, all non-conforming interests acquired before November 7, 1996 (other than LMAs) are permanently grand-fathered and thus do not constitute attributable ownership interests.

 

The Communications Act prohibits the holding of broadcast licenses by any corporation of which more than 20% of the capital stock is owned of record or voted by non-U.S. citizens, a foreign government, any corporation organized under the laws of a foreign country, or their representatives, or the holding of a broadcast license by any corporation directly or indirectly controlled by any other corporation of which more than 25% of the capital stock is owned of record or voted by such foreign persons, governments, entities or representatives, unless the FCC finds that the public interest would be served by granting a license under such circumstances. The FCC generally has declined to permit the control of broadcast licenses by corporations with foreign ownership or voting rights in excess of the 25% benchmark.

 

Local Radio Ownership Rule and Radio Market Concentration Issues

 

The FCC’s local radio multiple ownership rule provides for certain limits on the number of radio stations that one entity may own in a local geographic market. These limits are as follows:

 

  In a radio market with 45 or more commercial radio stations, a party may own, operate or control up to eight commercial radio stations, not more than five of which are in the same broadcast service (i.e., AM or FM);

 

  In a radio market with between 30 and 44 (inclusive) commercial radio stations, a party may own, operate or control up to seven commercial radio stations, not more than four of which are in the same broadcast service;

 

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  In a radio market with between 15 and 29 (inclusive) commercial radio stations, a party may own, operate or control up to six commercial radio stations, not more than four of which are in the same broadcast service; and

 

  In a radio market with 14 or fewer commercial radio stations, a party may own, operate or control up to five commercial radio stations, not more than three of which are in the same broadcast service, except that a party may not own, operate or control more than 50 percent of the stations in the market.

 

Notwithstanding the limits contained in the FCC’s local radio multiple ownership rule, the FCC has the authority to permit any person or entity to own, operate or control, or have an attributable ownership interest in a number of radio broadcast stations in excess of the rule’s limits if the FCC determines that such ownership, operation, control or interest will result in an increase in the number of radio broadcast stations that are in operation.

 

In addition to the FCC’s rules governing radio ownership, the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission have the authority to determine that a particular transaction presents antitrust concerns. The Antitrust Division has, in some cases, obtained consent decrees requiring radio station divestitures in a particular market based on concerns that the status quo constituted unacceptable concentration levels. The FCC also independently examines issues of market concentration when considering radio station acquisitions. The FCC has delayed its approval of a number of proposed radio station purchases by various parties because of concerns about market concentration and has withheld approval of radio acquisitions if the Antitrust Division has expressed concern regarding concentration levels in a particular market, even if the acquisitions comply with the FCC’s local radio ownership rules.

 

The FCC does not currently regulate the number of radio stations that may be owned or controlled by one entity nationally.

 

Local Marketing Agreements and Joint Sales Agreements

 

A significant number of radio broadcast licensees, including Cox Radio, have entered into LMAs or JSAs. Under a typical LMA, separately-owned and licensed radio stations serving a common geographic area agree to function cooperatively in terms of programming, advertising sales and various administrative duties, subject to the licensee of each station maintaining independent control over the programming and station operations of its own station and subject to compliance with other requirements of the FCC’s rules and policies as well as the antitrust laws. The LMA concept is referred to in the FCC rules as “time brokerage” under which a licensee of a station is permitted to sell the right to broadcast blocks of time on its station to an entity or entities which program the blocks of time and sell their own commercial advertising announcements for their own account during the time periods in question. Under a typical JSA, two separately owned radio stations serving a common service area agree to function cooperatively in terms of advertising sales only. Under such an arrangement, the licensee of one station sells the advertising time for its own account on the other licensee’s station, but does not provide any programming to the other licensee’s station. This arrangement is also subject to ultimate control by the latter licensee.

 

The FCC’s multiple ownership rules specifically permit radio stations to enter into and implement LMAs, so long as the licensee of the station, which is being programmed under the LMA, maintains complete control over the operations of its station and assures compliance with applicable FCC requirements. A radio station being programmed pursuant to an LMA is considered an attributable ownership interest if the party providing the programming of the LMA either (a) owns a radio station, television station or a daily newspaper in the same market or (b) has a combined equity/debt interest in the licensee with a value exceeding 33% of the station licensee’s total assets. JSAs are not currently attributable under the FCC’s ownership rules.

 

Radio/Television Cross-Ownership Rule

 

The FCC’s radio/television cross-ownership rule currently permits the common ownership or control of more than one radio station, whether AM, FM or both, and a television station in the same market based on the number of independently owned media voices in the local market.

 

  In markets with at least 20 independently owned media voices, a single entity may own up to two television stations and six radio stations. Alternatively, such an entity is permitted to own one television station and seven radio stations in the same market.

 

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  In a market that includes at least ten other independently owned media voices, a single entity may own one television station and up to four radio stations or, if permitted under FCC rules dealing with local television ownership, two television stations and up to four radio stations.

 

  Regardless of the number of media voices in a market, a single entity may own one television station and one radio station in any market and two television stations and one radio station in markets where the FCC’s rules permit common ownership of two television stations.

 

Waivers of the radio/television cross-ownership rule will be granted only under the “failed station” test (i.e., the subject station has been off the air for at least four months or is currently involved in involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings).

 

Our parent company, Cox Broadcasting, Inc., and our indirect parent, Cox Enterprises, have attributable ownership interests in television stations located in:

 

  Orlando, Florida (two stations);

 

  Charlotte, North Carolina (two stations);

 

  Johnstown, Pennsylvania;

 

  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;

 

  Dayton, Ohio;

 

  Steubenville, Ohio;

 

  Atlanta, Georgia;

 

  San Francisco/San Jose, California (two stations);

 

  El Paso, Texas;

 

  Seattle, Washington; and

 

  Reno, Nevada.

 

Newspaper/Broadcast Cross-Ownership Rule

 

The FCC’s rules currently in effect prohibit the common ownership of a radio or television broadcast station and a daily newspaper in the same market. The FCC has granted a permanent waiver of the radio/newspaper cross-ownership rule only in those circumstances in which the effect of applying the rule would be “unduly harsh,” (i.e., the newspaper is unable to sell the commonly owned station, the sale would be at an artificially depressed price or the local community could not support a separately-owned newspaper and radio station). The FCC previously has granted only four permanent waivers of this rule. Our ownership of WALR-FM in Atlanta, Georgia, was granted pursuant to a temporary waiver and is conditioned on the outcome of the challenges to the FCC’s new media ownership rules, as discussed below.

 

Cox Enterprises, our indirect parent company, has attributable ownership interests in daily newspapers located in:

 

  Grand Junction, Colorado;

 

  West Palm Beach, Florida;

 

  Atlanta, Georgia;

 

  Greenville, Rocky Mount and Elizabeth City, North Carolina;

 

  Dayton, Hamilton, Middletown and Springfield, Ohio; and

 

  Austin, Longview, Lufkin, Waco, Nacogdoches and Marshall, Texas.

 

Cox Enterprises has a non-attributable ownership interest in a daily newspaper located in Daytona Beach, Florida.

 

Revisions to the FCC’s Media Ownership Rules

 

On June 2, 2003, the FCC adopted several new media ownership rules. Numerous parties have appealed various aspects of the new rules, and the consolidated appeals are being heard in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. On September 3, 2003 the Third Circuit issued a stay of the new rules and, as a result, the prior media ownership rules discussed above will remain in effect until challenges to the new rules have been resolved. Briefs have been filed with the Third Circuit and oral argument took place on February 11, 2004. A decision is not expected until mid-2004, and regardless of the outcome in the Third Circuit, further appeals

 

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to the Supreme Court are likely. In summary form, the new media ownership rules as adopted by the FCC that may be applicable to Cox Radio once judicial review of the new rules has been completed are as follows.

 

Local Radio Limits. The FCC retained its current limits on the number of radio stations overall and the number of radio stations in a broadcast service (AM or FM) that a single party may own in a local market, but significantly revised how a market is determined. First, both commercial and non-commercial stations will be considered when determining market size. Second, the FCC will use an Arbitron-based definition of a local radio market, rather than a signal contour overlap definition as was used in the past. These changes would, in a few instances, result in currently-compliant Cox Radio ownership groupings becoming non-compliant when the new rules take effect. Newly non-compliant ownership groupings can be retained by their current owners, but such groupings cannot be sold intact to third parties, except third party small businesses that qualify under the new FCC designation of “eligible entity.” JSAs are attributable under the new rules if an entity brokers the sale of more than fifteen percent of a station’s advertising time per week. Non-compliant JSAs cannot be retained by their current owners but must be divested within two years of the effective date of the new rules. No rules were established that limit the number of radio stations that may be owned or controlled by one entity nationally.

 

Cross-Ownership Limits. The FCC eliminated its newspaper/broadcast and radio/television cross-ownership limits. In place of specific cross-ownership bans, the FCC adopted a general cross-ownership rule: in any market with nine or more full-power commercial and non-commercial television stations, no cross-ownership limits apply; in any market with three or fewer full-power commercial and non-commercial television stations, cross-ownership of newspapers, radio and television stations is prohibited. In mid-sized markets (four to eight television stations), an entity that owns a daily newspaper may also have an interest in either: (1) one, but not more than one, television station in combination with radio stations up to 50 percent of the applicable local radio limit for the market; or (2) radio stations up to 100 percent of the applicable local radio limit but no television station. An entity without a newspaper in markets with four to eight television stations may own as many television and radio stations as are permitted in the market under the other applicable FCC local ownership caps. The FCC rules do not directly address cross-ownership limits when an entity owns more than one newspaper. Cable ownership is not considered when reviewing cross-ownership limits.

 

Expansion of Cox Radio’s broadcast operations on both a local and national level will continue to be subject to the FCC’s ownership rules and any changes that ultimately may be adopted. Any relaxation of the ownership rules may increase the level of competition to the extent that our competitors may have greater resources and thereby may be in a superior position to take advantage of such changes. Any restriction may also have an effect on Cox Radio and our investors. We cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the pending judicial review of the FCC’s new media ownership rules or its impact on our business and operations.

 

Digital Audio Broadcasting

 

To facilitate the development of digital audio broadcasting, or digital radio, in October 2002, the FCC adopted interim rules that permit AM and FM stations to transmit analog and digital signals simultaneously using a single channel. The FCC’s rules permit AM (during daytime operation only) and FM stations to commence digital operation on a voluntary basis upon notification to the FCC. We began digital operation at several of our Atlanta and Miami stations during 2003. The FCC will consider long-term licensing and service rules for digital operation in a future proceeding. We cannot predict at this time the ultimate impact of this new technology on our business.

 

Programming and Operation

 

The Communications Act requires broadcasters to serve the “public interest.” Licensees are required to present programming that is responsive to community problems, needs and interests and to maintain certain records demonstrating such responsiveness. Stations also must follow various rules promulgated under the Communications Act that regulate, among other things, political advertising, equal employment opportunity outreach and record keeping, sponsorship identification, the advertisement of contests and lotteries, obscene and indecent broadcasts and technical operations including limits on radio frequency radiation. Failure to observe these or other rules and policies can result in the imposition of various sanctions, including monetary forfeitures, the grant of short-term (i.e., less than the full term) renewals or, for particularly egregious violations, the denial of a license renewal application or the revocation of a license.

 

Proposed Changes

 

Congress and the FCC continually consider new laws, regulations and policies regarding a wide variety of matters that could, directly or indirectly, affect our operations, ownership and profitability; result in the loss of audience share and advertising revenue; or affect our ability to acquire additional radio broadcast stations or to finance such acquisitions. We can neither predict what matters

 

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might be considered nor judge in advance what impact, if any, the implementation of any of these proposals or changes might have on our business.

 

Environmental

 

As the owner, lessee or operator of various real properties and facilities, we are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. Historically, compliance with these laws and regulations has not had a material adverse effect on our business. There can be no assurance, however, that compliance with existing or new environmental laws and regulations will not require us to make significant expenditures of funds.

 

Seasonality

 

Seasonal revenue fluctuations are common in the radio broadcasting industry and are due primarily to fluctuations in advertising expenditures. Our revenues and operating income are typically lowest in the first quarter.

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2003, we employed 1,494 full-time and 719 part-time employees. We believe our relations with employees are satisfactory, and there are no collective bargaining agreements in effect for our employees.

 

We employ several on-air personalities with large audiences in their respective markets. We enter into employment agreements with certain on-air personalities in order to protect our interests in these employee relationships. We do not believe that the loss of any one of these on-air personalities would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

 

Patents and Trademarks

 

We own numerous domestic trademark registrations related to the business of our stations. We own no patents or patent applications. We do not believe that any of our trademarks are material to our business or operations.

 

Available Information

 

Our Internet address is http://www.coxradio.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amended periodic reports are available on our Internet web site.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Form 10-K includes “forward-looking” statements, which are statements that relate to our future plans, earnings, objectives, expectations, performance, and similar projections, as well as any facts or assumptions underlying these statements or projections. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results, results we anticipate or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others:

 

  Advertising demand in our markets;

 

  The possibility that advertisers may cancel or postpone schedules in response to political events;

 

  General economic and business conditions, both nationally and in the regions in which Cox Radio operates;

 

  Technology changes;

 

  Competition;

 

  Our success in executing and integrating acquisitions;

 

  Our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt service obligations and finance operations;

 

  Our ability to secure financing on acceptable terms;

 

  Changes in business strategy or development plans;

 

  The ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;

 

  Existing governmental regulations and changes in, or the failure to comply with, governmental regulations;

 

  Liability and other claims asserted against Cox Radio; and

 

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  The level of success of our operating initiatives and strategy.

 

We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or to release publicly the results of any revisions to forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-K to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-K or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

Additional factors that could have a material and adverse impact on our business are set forth below.

 

Risk Factors

 

The following factors (in addition to others) could have a material and adverse impact on our business:

 

Risks Associated with our Growth Strategy

 

Our business strategy depends on developing strong radio station clusters through the successful integration of acquired stations, including the development of under-performing radio stations and the opportunistic acquisition of additional radio stations. We intend to continue to evaluate the acquisition of additional radio stations or radio station groups. There can be no assurance that future acquisitions will be available on attractive terms or that FCC rules will continue to permit certain acquisitions. In addition, there can be no assurance that any synergies or savings will be achieved as a result of any acquisitions, that the integration of Cox Radio and new stations or management groups can be accomplished successfully or on a timely basis or that our acquisition strategy can be implemented.

 

Revenue Concentration

 

A significant portion of our business historically has been conducted in the Atlanta market. Net revenues earned from radio stations located in Atlanta represented 26%, 26% and 28% of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

Competition

 

The radio broadcasting industry is a highly competitive business. Our radio stations compete against other radio stations and other media (including new media technologies that are being developed or introduced) for audience share and advertising revenue. Factors that are material to a station’s competitive position include management experience, the station’s audience share and rank in its market, transmitter power, assigned frequency, audience characteristics, local program acceptance and the number and characteristics of other stations in the market area. No assurance can be given that any of our stations will be able to maintain or increase their current audience ratings or advertising revenue share.

 

Government Regulation of the Broadcasting Industry

 

The radio broadcasting industry is subject to extensive and changing regulation. Among other things, the Communications Act and FCC rules and policies limit the number of radio stations that one entity can own in a given market. The Communications Act and FCC rules and policies also require FCC approval for transfers of control and assignments of FCC licenses. The filing of petitions or complaints against FCC licensees such as Cox Radio could result in the FCC delaying the grant of, or refusing to grant, its consent to the assignment of licenses to or from an FCC licensee or the transfer of control of an FCC licensee. In certain circumstances, the Communications Act and FCC rules will operate to impose limitations on alien ownership and voting of our common stock. There can be no assurance that there will be no changes in the current regulatory scheme, the imposition of additional regulations or the creation of new regulatory agencies, which changes could restrict or curtail our ability to acquire, operate and dispose of stations or, in general, to compete profitably with other operators of radio and other media properties.

 

Each of our radio stations operates pursuant to one or more licenses issued by the FCC. Under FCC rules, radio licenses are granted for a term of eight years. Our licenses expire at various times between the years 2004 and 2012. Although we will apply to renew these licenses, third parties may challenge our renewal applications. While we are not aware of facts or circumstances that would prevent us from having our current licenses renewed, there can be no assurance that the licenses will be renewed. Failure to obtain the renewal of any of our broadcast licenses or to obtain FCC approval for an assignment or transfer to Cox Radio of a license in connection with a radio station acquisition may have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. In addition, if Cox

 

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Radio or any of its officers, directors or significant shareholders materially violates the FCC’s rules and regulations or the Communications Act, is convicted of a felony or is found to have engaged in unlawful anticompetitive conduct or fraud upon another government agency, the FCC may, in response to a petition from a third party or on its own initiative commence a proceeding to impose sanctions upon Cox Radio which could involve the imposition of monetary fines, the revocation of our broadcast licenses or other sanctions. If the FCC were to issue an order denying a license renewal application or revoking a license, we would be required to cease operating the applicable radio station only after we had exhausted all rights to administrative and judicial review without success.

 

Control of Cox Radio by Cox Enterprises and Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

Cox Enterprises, through wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns approximately 62% of the outstanding common stock of Cox Radio and has approximately 94% of the voting power of Cox Radio. As a result, Cox Enterprises has sufficient voting power to elect all the members of the Board of Directors of Cox Radio and effect transactions without the vote of a majority of our public shareholders. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Amended and Restated Bylaws also contain certain anti-takeover provisions.

 

The interests of Cox Enterprises, which has interests in businesses in other industries, including television broadcasting, broadband communications, auto auctions and newspapers, may from time to time diverge from the interests of Cox Radio. There can be no assurance that any conflicts of interests will be resolved in favor of Cox Radio.

 

In addition, from time to time, we enter into transactions with Cox Enterprises or its affiliates and have entered into intercompany notes with Cox Enterprises to facilitate our day-to-day cash management. The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors consists of independent directors and reviews related party transactions between Cox Radio and Cox Enterprises and its other affiliates.

 

ITEM 2. Properties

 

We lease corporate office space in Atlanta, Georgia. The types of properties required to support each of our stations include offices, studios, transmitter sites and antenna sites. The transmitter sites and antenna sites generally are located so as to provide maximum market coverage.

 

We own transmitter and antenna sites in:

 

  Atlanta, Georgia;

 

  Birmingham, Alabama;

 

  Bridgeport, New Haven and Stamford-Norwalk, Connecticut;

 

  Dayton, Ohio;

 

  Greenville, South Carolina;

 

  Houston and San Antonio, Texas;

 

  Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando and Tampa, Florida;

 

  Long Island, New York;

 

  Louisville, Kentucky; and

 

  Tulsa, Oklahoma.

 

We lease transmitter and antenna sites in:

 

  Atlanta, Georgia;

 

  Birmingham, Alabama;

 

  Bridgeport, New Haven and Stamford-Norwalk, Connecticut;

 

  Dayton, Ohio;

 

  Greenville, South Carolina;

 

  Honolulu, Hawaii;

 

  Houston and San Antonio, Texas;

 

  Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando and Tampa, Florida;

 

  Long Island, New York;

 

  Louisville, Kentucky;

 

  Richmond, Virginia; and

 

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  Tulsa, Oklahoma.

 

We own studio and office facilities in:

 

  Birmingham, Alabama;

 

  Dayton, Ohio;

 

  Jacksonville, Miami and Orlando, Florida; and

 

  Long Island, New York.

 

We lease studio and office facilities in:

 

  Atlanta, Georgia;

 

  Birmingham, Alabama;

 

  Bridgeport, New Haven and Stamford-Norwalk, Connecticut;

 

  Dayton, Ohio;

 

  Greenville, South Carolina;

 

  Honolulu, Hawaii;

 

  Houston and San Antonio, Texas;

 

  Long Island, New York;

 

  Louisville, Kentucky;

 

  Richmond, Virginia;

 

  Jacksonville and Tampa, Florida; and

 

  Tulsa, Oklahoma.

 

We generally consider our facilities to be suitable and of adequate size for their current and intended purposes. We do not anticipate any difficulties in renewing any facility leases or in leasing additional space, if required.

 

We own substantially all of our other equipment, consisting principally of transmitting antennae, transmitters, studio equipment and general office equipment. The towers, antennae and other transmission equipment used by our stations are generally in good condition, although opportunities to upgrade facilities are continuously reviewed.

 

ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings

 

On June 13, 2001, Cox Radio was named as defendant in a putative class action suit filed in an amended complaint in the state court in Fulton County, Georgia, alleging violations of the Federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The complaint seeks statutory damages in the amount of $1,500, plus attorneys’ fees, on behalf of each person “throughout the State of Georgia” who received an unsolicited pre-recorded telephone message delivering an “unsolicited advertisement” from a Cox Radio radio station. Cox Radio filed an answer to the complaint denying liability and asserting numerous defenses. Thereafter, proceedings in this case were stayed pending rulings by the Georgia Court of Appeals in a similar action pending against a third-party radio broadcast company. This stay was lifted on August 13, 2003 following rulings by the Court of Appeals in the third-party case directing the trial court to consider certain constitutional defenses raised by the defendant. On July 3, 2003, the FCC issued a Report and Order holding, among other things, that pre-recorded telephone messages by broadcasters made for the purpose of inviting consumers to listen to a free broadcast are not “unsolicited advertisements” prohibited by the TCPA. On July 28, 2003, Cox Radio requested that the plaintiffs voluntarily dismiss their claims in light of the FCC’s Report and Order. Plaintiffs subsequently refused this request, and on October 24, 2003, Cox Radio filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings seeking the dismissal of plaintiffs’ claims on grounds that the calls in question were permissible under the TCPA and the FCC’s implementing rules and, alternatively, that the application of the TCPA to the facts of this case would violate Cox Radio’s constitutional rights to free speech, equal protection and due process. On February 3, 2004, plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint in support of their contention that the messages at issue are not exempted by the terms of the FCC Report and Order. On February 19, 2004, the court ruled that the calls at issue were not prohibited by the TCPA and its implementing regulations, granted Cox Radio’s motion for judgment on the pleadings, and directed counsel to submit an order for approval. When the court enters that order, plaintiffs will have 30 days to file an appeal. Cox Radio intends to defend this action vigorously. At the present time, Cox Radio cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss with respect to this lawsuit. The outcome of this matter cannot be predicted at this time.

 

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Cox Radio is a party to various other legal proceedings that are ordinary and incidental to its business. Management does not expect that any of these legal proceedings currently pending will have a material adverse impact on Cox Radio’s consolidated financial position, consolidated results of operations or cash flows.

 

ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

None.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the section entitled “Shareholder Information” of our 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders.

 

ITEM 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data

 

The following selected financial data have been derived from consolidated financial statements of Cox Radio. This data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in this report.

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2003

   2002

   2001

    2000

    1999

 
     (Amounts in millions, except per share data)  

Statements of income data:

                                      

Net revenues (1)

   $ 425.9    $ 420.6    $ 395.3     $ 369.4     $ 300.5  

Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)(2)

     95.6      93.2      92.4       80.7       68.9  

Selling, general and administrative

     162.2      161.1      154.0       140.9       115.0  

Corporate general and administrative

     16.3      15.5      13.3       13.3       10.1  

Depreciation

     11.7      12.1      11.4       7.8       7.2  

Amortization

     0.1      0.1      58.2       35.2       21.9  

Other (3)

     0.9      0.3      (2.1 )     (474.5 )     (40.5 )
    

  

  


 


 


Operating income

     139.1      138.3      68.1       566.0       117.9  

Interest expense, net

     33.6      39.7      47.5       32.5       22.8  

Net income (4)

     66.6      45.9      20.7       305.9       55.3  

Net income per common share – basic (5)

     0.66      0.46      0.21       3.28       0.64  

Net income per common share - diluted (5)

     0.66      0.46      0.21       3.26       0.64  

Balance sheet data (end of period):

                                      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4.2    $ 4.7    $ 8.0     $ 7.0     $ 14.7  

Intangible assets, net (6)

     2,074.8      2,070.0      2,095.7       2,103.0       829.3  

Total assets

     2,277.0      2,271.7      2,286.7       2,317.8       986.6  

Total debt (including amounts due to/from Cox Enterprises)

     528.5      611.5      703.4       737.5       437.2  

(1) Total revenues less advertising agency commissions. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for our revenue recognition policy.
(2) Includes programming and production expenses, which represents all costs of services (exclusive of depreciation).
(3) Other is comprised of gains/losses on sales of assets, gains/losses on sales of radio stations, and goodwill impairment charges. In 2000 and 1999, gains on sales of radio stations were $475.2 million and $40.5 million, respectively.
(4) Net income for 2002 includes a charge of $13.9 million related to the cumulative effect of an accounting change resulting from adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Net income for 2001 includes a charge of $0.8 million related to the cumulative effect of an accounting change resulting from adoption of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”
(5) Basic and diluted net income per common share for the year ended December 31, 1999 have been restated to give effect to a three-for-one stock split effective May 19, 2000.
(6) Intangible assets include FCC licenses, goodwill and other intangible assets.

 

ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

General

 

Cox Radio, Inc. is a leading national radio broadcast company whose business is acquiring, developing and operating radio stations located throughout the United States. Cox Enterprises indirectly owns approximately 62% of the common stock of Cox Radio and has approximately 94% of the voting power of Cox Radio.

 

The primary source of our revenues is the sale of local and national advertising to be broadcast on our radio stations. Historically, approximately 73% and 22% of our net revenues have been generated from local and national advertising, respectively. In addition to the sale of advertising time for cash, our stations also exchange advertising time for goods, services or programming, which can be used by the stations in their business operations. We generally confine the use of such trade transactions to promotional items or services for which we would otherwise have paid cash. Barter transactions for programming are used to supplement station program offerings. Advertising spots given up under programming arrangements are based on contractual terms. In addition, it is our general

 

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policy not to pre-empt advertising spots paid for in cash with advertising spots paid for in trade. Our most significant station operating expenses are employees’ salaries and benefits, commissions, programming expenses and advertising and promotional expenditures.

 

Our revenues vary throughout the year. As is typical in the radio broadcasting industry, our revenues and operating income are typically lowest in the first quarter. Our operating results in any period may be affected by the incurrence of advertising and promotional expenses that do not necessarily produce commensurate revenues until the impact of the advertising and promotion is realized in future periods.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

Use of Estimates

 

Our accounting and reporting policies are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and conform to general practices within the radio broadcasting industry. An accounting estimate would be a critical accounting estimate for purposes of the disclosure in this report only if it meets two criteria. First, the accounting estimate requires management to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate is made. Second, it must be the case that different estimates that management reasonably could have used for the accounting estimate in the current period, or changes in the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period-to-period, would have a material impact on the presentation of our financial condition, changes in financial condition or results of operations. The estimates and assumptions we use are based on historical experience and other factors, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. We evaluate our estimates on an on-going basis, including those related to intangible assets, bad debts, contingencies and litigation, income taxes and fair value of financial instruments (as discussed in Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk below). Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates and assumptions and could have a material impact on the carrying value of assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates and results of operations for the reporting periods.

 

We believe the following are the critical accounting estimates that require the most significant judgments and assumptions and are particularly susceptible to a significant change in the preparation of our financial statements.

 

Impairment of Intangible Assets

 

On January 1, 2002, we adopted SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” and were required to assess our FCC licenses and goodwill for impairment within the first six months of 2002 and on at least an annual basis thereafter. Intangible assets include FCC licenses, goodwill and other intangible assets. At December 31, 2003, we had approximately $2.1 billion in intangible assets, which represents approximately 91% of our total assets. The fair value of the FCC licenses is dependent on the cash flows of our stations. In assessing the recoverability of our intangible assets, we utilize independent appraisals to determine the fair market value. These appraisals principally use the discounted cash flow methodology. This income approach consists of a quantitative model, which incorporates variables such as market advertising revenues, market revenue share projections, anticipated operating profit margins and various discount rates. The variables used in the analysis reflect historical station and advertising market growth trends, as well as anticipated performance and market conditions. Multiples of operating cash flow are also considered. In the future, if these estimates change, we may be required to record impairment charges for these assets, which could have a material impact on our financial condition, changes in financial condition or results of operations.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

We evaluate the collectibility of our accounts and notes receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where we are aware of a specific party’s inability to meet its financial obligations, we record a specific reserve to reduce the amounts recorded to what we believe will be collected. For all other parties, the evaluation considers the balance of aged receivables, the nature and volume of the portfolio, specific problem accounts and notes receivable, and economic conditions that may affect the debtor’s ability to repay, and such other factors as, in our judgment, deserve recognition under existing economic conditions. Accounts and notes receivable are charged-off to the allowance when, in our opinion, such receivables are deemed to be uncollectible. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. In addition, we consider the customer’s creditworthiness prior to revenue recognition.

 

Contingencies and Litigation

 

On an on-going basis, we evaluate our exposures related to contingencies and litigation and record a liability when available information indicates that a liability is probable and estimable. We also disclose significant matters that are reasonably possible to result in a loss or are probable but not estimable.

 

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Income Tax Estimates

 

We evaluate our effective tax rates regularly and adjust rates when appropriate based on currently available information relative to statutory rates, apportionment factors and the applicable taxable income in the jurisdictions in which we operate, among other factors. Certain of our deferred tax assets are comprised of loss carryforwards for federal and state income tax filing purposes for which recovery is dependent on the amount and timing of taxable income we ultimately generate in the future, as well as other factors. Based on our estimate of future taxable income, there are no potential limitations to the utilization of these deferred tax assets, and therefore, no valuation allowance has been recorded. Tax liabilities are recorded, based on our assessment of the risk of loss in accordance with SFAS No. 5, to address potential exposures involving tax positions we have taken that could be challenged by taxing authorities. These potential exposures result from the varying application of statutes, rules, regulations and interpretations. We believe our estimate of our tax liabilities is a critical accounting estimate as it contains assumptions based on past experiences and judgments about potential actions by taxing jurisdictions. The ultimate resolution of these matters may be greater or less than the amount that we have currently accrued. See Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in this report.

 

Results of Operations

 

This discussion should be read in conjunction with our accompanying audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. Our results of operations represent the operations of the radio stations owned or operated by us, or for which we provide sales and marketing services, during the applicable periods.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2002

 

     December 31,
2003


   December 31,
2002


   $ Change

    % Change

 
     (Amounts in thousands)        

Net revenues:

                            

Local

   $ 303,985    $ 308,872    $ (4,887 )   (1.6 )%

National

     96,228      89,935      6,293     7.0 %

Other

     25,660      21,785      3,875     17.8 %
    

  

  


     

Total net revenues

   $ 425,873    $ 420,592    $ 5,281     1.3 %
    

  

  


     

 

Net revenues are gross revenues less agency commissions. Local revenues are comprised of advertising sales made within a station’s local market or region either directly with the advertiser or through the advertiser’s agency. National revenues represent sales made to advertisers/agencies who are purchasing advertising for multiple markets; these sales are typically facilitated by our national representation firm, which serves as our sales agent in these transactions. Other revenues are comprised of Internet revenues, barter revenues, syndicated radio program revenues, network revenues and revenues from community events and sponsorships.

 

Net revenues for 2003 increased $5.3 million to $425.9 million, a 1.3% increase compared to 2002. Local revenues decreased 1.6% and national revenues increased 7.0% over 2002. Overall growth in revenues was primarily a result of the focus on our core strategy, which includes managing our inventories, maintaining our competitive rates and the successful execution of our consultative selling strategy.

 

During 2003, 10 of our 18 station clusters delivered revenue growth that either matched or outpaced their respective markets as reported in the Miller Kaplan Market Revenue Reports. Clusters with solid revenue growth were Orlando, Tampa, Richmond, Dayton, Louisville and Greenville-Spartanburg. These increases in revenues were partially offset by decreases in Atlanta, Long Island, Birmingham, Southern Connecticut and Tulsa. In February 2003, WFOX-FM was reformatted to an urban contemporary format in response to the changing preferences of its targeted audience in the Atlanta, Georgia market. Revenues at WFOX-FM decreased $4.7 million compared to 2002 as we educated the market about the new format and realigned advertisers for the new target audience. Excluding WFOX-FM, net revenues in Atlanta were up 3% for 2003.

 

     December 31,
2003


   December 31,
2002


   $ Change

   % Change

 
     (Amounts in thousands)       

Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)

   $ 95,617    $ 93,152    $ 2,465    2.6 %

 

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Cost of services is comprised of expenses incurred by our technical, news and programming departments. Cost of services for 2003 increased $2.5 million to $95.6 million compared to 2002. The most significant increases were in Atlanta and Orlando, which consisted primarily of higher sports programming costs and costs associated with the reformatting of WFOX-FM. In addition, syndicated programming expenses increased as a result of new programming. These increases were offset by the reversal of music license fee accruals of approximately $1.0 million as a result of the resolution of the license fee rate-making proceedings between the radio industry and Broadcast Music, Inc. See Note 15 to the audited consolidated financial statements for additional information on this matter.

 

     December 31,
2003


   December 31,
2002


   $ Change

   % Change

 
     (Amounts in thousands)       

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   $ 162,173    $ 161,093    $ 1,080    0.7 %

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses are comprised of our sales, promotion and general and administrative departments. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1.1 million in 2003 compared to 2002. Promotional expenses increased during the first half of 2003 mainly due to increased promotional spending to maintain our competitive advantage and to promote the newly re-formatted WFOX-FM in Atlanta. However, promotional spending was scaled back during the last half of 2003 due to lagging local revenues. Selling expenses increased largely as a result of increased compensation costs, including higher sales commissions directly related to increased revenues during the first half of 2003, offset by a decrease in sales costs due to a change in the sales compensation structure in Atlanta and Southern Connecticut and a decrease in incentive compensation during 2003 as compared to 2002. In addition, bad debt expenses decreased during 2003.

 

     December 31,
2003


   December 31,
2002


   $ Change

    % Change

 
     (Amounts in thousands)        

Corporate general and administrative expenses

   $ 16,272    $ 15,489    $ 783     5.1 %

Depreciation

     11,714      12,096      (382 )   (3.2 )%

Amortization

     117      118      (1 )   (0.8 )%

Other

     888      313      575     183.7 %

 

The increase in corporate general and administrative expenses can be attributed to annual salary increases, increased insurance rates, increased professional fees related to the documentation of our internal control over financial reporting as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, costs associated with employee relocation, and higher pension expense due to lower than expected investment returns and a lower discount rate used to measure pension expense. These increases were offset by reductions to incentive compensation accruals based on station operational performance and savings related to creating an in-house research department during the prior year.

 

Other includes gains/losses on sales of assets, gains/losses on sales of radio stations and goodwill impairment charges. There were no significant changes in depreciation or amortization, no material sales of assets and no sales of radio stations during 2003. A goodwill impairment charge of $0.3 million was recorded in 2003.

 

     December 31,
2003


   December 31,
2002


   $ Change

   % Change

 
     (Amounts in thousands)       

Operating income

   $ 139,092    $ 138,331    $ 761    0.6 %

 

Operating income for 2003 increased $0.8 million to $139.1 million. This was primarily as a result of an increase in net revenues in excess of operating expenses as discussed above.

 

     December 31,
2003


   December 31,
2002


   $ Change

    % Change

 
     (Amounts in thousands)        

Interest expense

   $ 33,575    $ 39,682    $ (6,107 )   (15.4 )%

 

Interest expense during 2003 totaled $33.6 million, as compared to $39.7 million for 2002. This was as a result of lower overall outstanding debt, as well as a lower average borrowing rate due to the repayment at maturity of the $100.0 million principal amount of

 

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our 6.25% notes with the proceeds from our five-year revolving credit facility. The average rate on our credit facility was 1.9% for 2003. In addition, the expense decreased due to a decrease in the average interest rate on our outstanding floating rate debt.

 

     December 31,
2003


   December 31,
2002


   $ Change

    % Change

 
     (Amounts in thousands)        

Income taxes:

                            

Current

   $ 19,307    $ 14,722    $ 4,585     31.1 %

Deferred

     19,114      23,576      (4,462 )   (18.9 )%
    

  

  


     

Total income taxes

   $ 38,421    $ 38,298    $ 123     0.3 %
    

  

  


     

 

Our effective income tax rates for 2003 and 2002 were approximately 36.6% and 39.0% respectively. In 2003, we determined that a lower effective tax rate for state income taxes was appropriate based on the states in which we currently operate and the relative statutory rates, apportionment factors, and taxable income applicable to those states. Accordingly, an adjustment of approximately $2.9 million was recorded in 2003, which decreased reported deferred income taxes.

 

     December 31,
2003


   December 31,
2002


   $ Change

   % Change

 
     (Amounts in thousands)       

Net income

   $ 66,625    $ 45,941    $ 20,684    45.0 %

 

Net income for 2003 was $66.6 million compared to $45.9 million for 2002. This increase was primarily as a result of a $13.9 million after-tax loss related to the cumulative effect of an accounting change as a result of adopting SFAS No. 142 in the first quarter of 2002, coupled with the increase in operating income and decrease in interest expense for 2003, as discussed above.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2002 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2001

 

     December 31,
2002


   December 31,
2001


   $ Change

   % Change

 
     (Amounts in thousands)       

Net revenues:

                           

Local

   $ 308,872    $ 292,507    $ 16,365    5.6 %

National

     89,935      81,275      8,660    10.7 %

Other

     21,785      21,521      264    1.2 %
    

  

  

      

Total net revenues

   $ 420,592    $ 395,303    $ 25,289    6.4 %
    

  

  

      

 

The increase in total net revenues was primarily a result of revenue growth in a majority of our radio clusters. The leaders with double-digit revenue growth over 2001 were: Houston, up 16%; Richmond, up 16%; Tampa, up 16%; Long Island, up 14%; Louisville, up 13%; Jacksonville, up 12%; Honolulu, up 11%; and Miami, up 11%. In Atlanta, our largest market, revenues were down 1% versus 2001 primarily as a result of a lackluster performance from WFOX-FM during 2002. Excluding WFOX-FM, net revenues in Atlanta would have been up 1% during 2002.

 

National revenue growth of 10.7% outpaced local revenue growth of 5.6% during 2002, primarily because 2001 national revenues were negatively impacted more severely than local revenues during the prior year’s economic downturn. Overall growth in revenues was primarily a result of improving macro economic factors affecting the advertising climate, coupled with successful execution of our consultative selling strategy.

 

     December 31,
2002


   December 31,
2001


   $ Change

   % Change

 
     (Amounts in thousands)       

Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)

   $ 93,152    $ 92,412    $ 740    0.8 %

 

The increase in cost of services was primarily related to an increase in sports programming costs of approximately $1.5 million in the Atlanta market and an increase in music license fees of approximately $1.2 million directly attributable to higher revenues. These increases were offset by a decrease in cost of services at Cox Radio Interactive (CXRi) of $0.7 million as a result of staff reductions. In addition, cost of services decreased $1.0 million as a result of costs related to lower profit-sharing revenues for our syndicated programming business.

 

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     December 31,
2002


   December 31,
2001


   $ Change

   % Change

 
     (Amounts in thousands)       

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   $ 161,093    $ 153,945    $ 7,148    4.6 %

 

Selling expenses increased approximately $5.8 million over 2001, due to increased commissions as a result of higher revenues. Selling expenses as a percentage of revenue for the year were approximately 23.6%, consistent with the level of costs in 2001. Promotion expenses during 2002 were flat with 2001 as a result of our emphasis on cost controls during 2002. General and administrative expenses during 2002 increased approximately $1.3 million over 2001, primarily due to increases in incentive compensation as a result of improved financial performance during 2002.

 

     December 31,
2002


   December 31,
2001


    $ Change

    % Change

 
     (Amounts in thousands)        

Corporate general and administrative expenses

   $ 15,489    $ 13,280     $ 2,209     16.6 %

Depreciation

     12,096      11,392       704     6.2 %

Amortization

     118      58,243       (58,125 )   (99.8 )%

Other

     313      (2,097 )     2,410     —    

 

The increase in corporate general and administrative expenses was primarily a result of an increase in salaries and related benefits, including incentive compensation, which increased $0.8 million over 2001, as a result of an enhanced regional operating management structure as well as higher incentive compensation due to improved financial performance in 2002. Also driving this increase were expenses incurred to create and maintain an in-house market research group of approximately $0.7 million and increased corporate rent expense of approximately $0.2 million.

 

Depreciation increased as a result of additions to property and equipment during 2002 totaling approximately $11.9 million. Amortization decreased during 2002 because we adopted SFAS No. 142, which requires that goodwill and certain indefinite lived intangible assets, primarily our FCC licenses, no longer be amortized but instead be tested for impairment at least annually. Amortization for 2002 represents expense for definite lived intangible assets only and is consistent with amortization expense for such assets in 2001. See Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements included in this report for further discussion of our adoption of SFAS No.142.

 

Gains on sales of radio stations, included in other, decreased during 2002, primarily as a result of the sale of WHOO-AM in Orlando in 2001, which generated a pre-tax gain of $2.4 million. During 2002, we disposed of the assets related to certain radio stations in the Jacksonville and Honolulu markets, resulting in a pre-tax gain totaling $0.3 million. In 2001, we disposed of the assets related to certain radio stations in the Orlando, Tulsa and Richmond markets, resulting in a pre-tax loss of $0.1 million.

 

     December 31,
2002


   December 31,
2001


   $ Change

   % Change

 
     (Amounts in thousands)       

Operating income

   $ 138,331    $ 68,128    $ 70,203    103.0 %

 

Operating income increased primarily as a result of the implementation of SFAS No.142 as discussed above. In addition, operating income increased due to increased revenues partially offset by the increase in station operating, selling and general and administrative expenses as well as corporate general and administrative expenses as discussed above.

 

     December 31,
2002


   December 31,
2001


   $ Change

    % Change

 
     (Amounts in thousands)        

Interest expense

   $ 39,682    $ 49,008    $ (9,326 )   (19.0 )%

 

Interest expense decreased as a result of the following factors: a lower overall outstanding debt balance; a reduction in the average interest rate; and the termination of one of our interest rate swap agreements in 2002. In 2002, the overall outstanding debt balances decreased approximately $90 million. The average interest rate applied to the outstanding floating rate debt decreased from 2.8% in 2001 to 2.1% in 2002. In addition to the decreases in the outstanding debt and the decrease in floating interest rates, an interest rate swap agreement with a notional principal amount of $25 million, which required us to pay 6.2% interest, expired. This further reduced interest expense for the year.

 

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     December 31,
2002


   December 31,
2001


    $ Change

   % Change

 
     (Amounts in thousands)       

Income taxes:

                            

Current

   $ 14,722    $ 10,180     $ 4,542    44.6 %

Deferred

     23,576      (11,487 )     35,063    305.2 %
    

  


 

      

Total income taxes

   $ 38,298    $ (1,307 )   $ 39,605    3030.2 %
    

  


 

      

 

Our effective income tax rate for 2002 was approximately 39%. In 2001, we determined that a lower effective tax rate for state income taxes was appropriate based on the states in which we currently operate and the relative statutory rates, apportionment factors, and taxable income applicable to those states. Accordingly, an adjustment of approximately $10.9 million was recorded in 2001, which decreased reported deferred income taxes. The decline in our effective income tax rate from 2001 to 2002 is due to elimination of non-deductible amortization for tax purposes resulting from the adoption of SFAS No. 142 as discussed in Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements included in this report.

 

     December 31,
2002


   December 31,
2001


   $ Change

   % Change

 
     (Amounts in thousands)       

Net income

   $ 45,941    $ 20,691    $ 25,250    122.0 %

 

Net income increased primarily as a result of the reasons discussed above and offset by a $13.9 million after-tax charge in 2002 related to the cumulative effect of an accounting change as a result of adopting SFAS No. 142.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Sources and Uses of Liquidity

 

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash provided by operations and through borrowings under our bank credit facilities. Net cash from operations results primarily from net income adjusted for non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, gains or losses on sales of radio stations, goodwill impairment and changes in working capital accounts. In comparing 2003 to 2002, net cash provided by operating activities decreased $6.1 million due to changes in working capital of $7.4 million offset by the effects of the cumulative effect of accounting change and lower net income in the prior year. Net cash provided by operating activities in 2002 increased $13.0 million from 2001 due to higher net income, changes in amortization, deferred income taxes and working capital, as well as the cumulative effect of an accounting change, in 2002. We expect future net cash provided by operating activities to provide sufficient funding for our operations in the near term. Primary uses of liquidity include debt service (as discussed below), acquisitions, capital expenditures and investment in signal upgrades. The following table summarizes our acquisitions, capital expenditures and investment in signal upgrades for the years presented below:

 

     2003

   2002

   2001

     (Amounts in thousands)

Acquisitions

   $ 239    $ 484    $ 50,216

Capital expenditures

     10,549      11,891      17,001

Investment in signal upgrades

     9,929      12,154      1,862

 

We have an effective universal shelf registration statement under which Cox Radio may from time to time offer and issue debentures, notes, bonds and other evidence of indebtedness and forward contracts in respect of any such indebtedness, shares of preferred stock, shares of Class A common stock, warrants, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units and stock purchase rights and two financing trusts sponsored by Cox Radio may offer and issue preferred securities of the trusts. At December 31, 2003, $244.8 million was available under the universal shelf registration statement.

 

In February 2001, we issued, under our universal shelf registration statement, $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.625% Senior Notes due 2006. We received proceeds of approximately $248.0 million and incurred offering expenses of approximately $0.3 million for net proceeds of approximately $247.7 million. We used the entire net proceeds to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under our credit facilities.

 

In addition, daily cash management needs have been funded through intercompany advances from Cox Enterprises. Our borrowings from Cox Enterprises are due on demand, but are typically repaid within 30 days. On December 4, 2003, we entered into a revolving promissory note with Cox Enterprises to define the intercompany borrowing rate as Cox Enterprises’ current commercial paper

 

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borrowing rate (1.0% at December 31, 2003). Prior to amending the intercompany note in December 2003, advances from Cox Enterprises accrued interest at Cox Enterprises’ commercial paper borrowing rate plus 40 basis points (2.1% at December 31, 2002). We had approximately $6.3 million and $3.1 million in amounts due from Cox Enterprises at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Future cash requirements are expected to include capital expenditures, principal and interest payments on indebtedness and funds for acquisitions. We expect our operations to generate sufficient cash to meet our capital expenditures and debt service requirements. Additional cash requirements, including funds for acquisitions, will be funded by various sources, including the proceeds from bank financing, intercompany advances from Cox Enterprises and, if or when appropriate, other issuances of securities.

 

Debt Service

 

On June 30, 2000, we entered into a $350 million, five-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility. On June 27, 2003, we renewed our existing $150 million 364-day senior unsecured revolving credit facility. The interest rate for both the 364-day facility and the five-year facility is, at our option:

 

  the greater of the prime rate or the federal funds borrowing rate plus 0.5%;

 

  the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread based on the credit ratings of Cox Radio’s senior long-term debt; or

 

  the bid rate for the purchase of certificates of deposit of equal principal amount and maturity plus a spread based on the credit ratings of Cox Radio’s senior long-term debt.

 

Under the 364-day facility, we may also choose an interest rate based on the federal funds rate plus a spread based on the credit ratings of Cox Radio’s senior long-term debt and certain financial covenants. The 364-day facility also provides for a letter of credit facility. The facilities include commitment fees on the unused portion of the total amount available of 0.09% to 0.25%, in the case of the five-year facility, and 0.20% in the case of the 364-day facility, based on the credit ratings of Cox Radio’s senior long-term debt. Each facility contains, among other provisions, specified leverage and interest coverage requirements, the terms of which are defined within each credit facility. At December 31, 2003, Cox Radio was in compliance with these covenants. Our credit facilities contain events of default based on (i) the failure to pay when due other debt, the outstanding amount of which exceeds $25 million, after the expiration of applicable grace periods and (ii) the acceleration of other debt, the outstanding amount of which exceeds $25 million. We are not in default under our credit facilities. We have a “term-out” feature in the 364-day credit agreement that allows us to extend the maturity of the 364-day credit agreement for an additional two years at maturity. At December 31, 2003, we had $185 million of outstanding indebtedness under the five-year facility with $165 million available, and no amounts outstanding under the 364-day facility with $150 million available. The interest rate applied to amounts due under the bank credit facilities was 1.8% at December 31, 2003. At December 31, 2002, we had approximately $165 million of outstanding indebtedness under the five-year facility with $185 million available, and no amounts outstanding under the 364-day facility with $150 million available. The interest rate applied to amounts due under the bank credit facilities was 2.1% at December 31, 2002. Since the interest rate is variable, the recorded balance of the credit facilities approximates fair value. See Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of Cox Radio’s interest rate swap agreements.

 

In May 2003, the $100 million principal amount of our 6.25% notes was repaid at maturity using funds from the five-year credit facility. We currently have $350 million in outstanding debt securities.

 

Principal Amount


  

Interest Rate


  

Maturity


$100 million (1)

   6.375%    May 2005

$250 million (2)

   6.625%    February 2006

(1) At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the estimated aggregate fair value of the 6.375% notes was approximately $106.2 million and $106.5 million, respectively, based on quoted market prices.
(2) At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the estimated fair value of the 6.625% notes was approximately $269.9 million and $269.3 million, respectively, based on quoted market prices.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Cox Radio’s off-balance sheet arrangements consist primarily of lease commitments and contracts for sports programming and on-air personalities (which are disclosed in Note 9 to Cox Radio’s consolidated financial statements included in this report) and the

 

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guarantee discussed below. Cox Radio does not have any majority-owned subsidiaries that are not included in its consolidated financial statements, nor does Cox Radio have any interests in or relationships with any variable interest entities.

 

In April 2000, Cox Radio entered into a JSA for KGMZ-FM serving Honolulu, Hawaii and simultaneously guaranteed Honolulu Broadcasting, Inc.’s financing for the acquisition of this station in the amount of $6.6 million. In February 2001, Cox radio entered into another JSA agreement with Honolulu Broadcasting to provide sales and marketing services for WARV-FM, serving Richmond, Virginia, and simultaneously guaranteed Honolulu Broadcasting’s financing for the acquisition of this station in the amount of $1.0 million. The total guarantee at December 31, 2002 was $7.6 million.

 

During February 2003, Honolulu Broadcasting sold WARV-FM, terminating the related JSA and repaid the indebtedness of $1.0 million. This reduced the collective amount of Cox Radio’s guarantee from $7.6 million to $6.6 million.

 

At December 31, 2003, the guarantee of certain senior debt of Honolulu Broadcasting totaled $6.6 million. This debt consists of a one-year renewable term loan secured by the assets of KGMZ-FM, the proceeds of which were used by Honolulu Broadcasting to finance the purchase of this station. Cox Radio provides sales and marketing services under a JSA to this station pursuant to which Cox Radio sells advertising on the station, which it records as revenues, provides marketing services for the station, and pays a JSA fee to Honolulu Broadcasting in an amount sufficient to service this debt. In addition, Cox Radio believes the sale of KGMZ-FM would result in sufficient proceeds to repay the outstanding debt and considers the degree of risk related to this guarantee insignificant. See Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements included in this report.

 

Summary Disclosures about Contractual Obligations

 

Cox Radio also has various commitments under the following types of contracts: non-cancelable operating leases; long-term debt; interest payments on long-term debt; and other operating contracts, including contracts for sports programming and on-air personalities. The aggregate minimum annual commitments associated with these contracts as of December 31, 2003 were as follows:

 

     Payments Due by Period

     Total

   2004

   2005 and 2006

   2007 and 2008

   After 2008

     (Amounts in thousands)

Operating leases

   $ 47,702    $ 6,676    $ 12,614    $ 9,506    $ 18,906

Long-term debt (1)

     535,000      —        535,000      —        —  

Interest on long-term debt (2)

     57,026      30,183      26,585      258      —  

Other operating contracts

     39,483      24,595      13,076      1,798      14
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 679,211    $ 61,454    $ 587,275    $ 11,562    $ 18,920
    

  

  

  

  


(1) Amounts due in 2005 include $185 million due upon and assuming the expiration of our five-year credit facility and $100 million aggregate principal amount of the 6.375% notes due at maturity. Our current intention and expectation is to enter into a new credit facility at or shortly before expiration of our existing five-year facility. Amounts due in 2006 include $250 million aggregate principal amount of the 6.625% notes due at maturity.
(2) These amounts represent future cash interest payments related to debt obligations based on the fixed and variable rates specified in our indenture and credit agreements, including the impact of our interest rate swap agreements. Payments related to variable rate debt under our five-year credit facility are based on the minimum specified margin plus the base rate, LIBOR, in effect at December 31, 2003, and the portion of such variable rate debt subject to interest rates swaps is adjusted for and based on the fixed rate in such interest rate swaps. These estimates assume that debt is repaid and not refinanced at maturity. Our future interest payments could differ materially from amounts indicated in the table due to future operational and financing needs, market factors and other currently unanticipated events.

 

Impact of Inflation

 

The impact of inflation on our operations has not been significant to date. However, there can be no assurance that a high rate of inflation in the future would not have an adverse impact on our operating results.

 

Transactions with Affiliated Companies

 

Cox Radio receives certain management services from, and has entered into certain transactions with, Cox Enterprises. Costs of the management services that are allocated to Cox Radio are based on actual direct costs incurred or on Cox Enterprises’ estimate of expenses relative to the management services provided to other subsidiaries of Cox Enterprises. Cox Radio believes that these allocations were made on a reasonable basis, and that receiving these management services from Cox Enterprises creates cost efficiencies, however, there has been no study or any attempt to obtain quotes from third parties to determine what the cost of obtaining

 

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such services from third parties would have been. The services and transactions described below have been reviewed by Cox Radio’s Audit Committee, which has determined that such services and transactions are fair and in the best interest of Cox Radio.

 

Cox Radio receives day-to-day cash management services from Cox Enterprises, with settlements of outstanding balances between Cox Radio and Cox Enterprises occurring periodically at market interest rates. As a part of these services, Cox Enterprises transfers funds to cover Cox Radio’s checks presented for payment and Cox Radio records a book overdraft, which is classified as accounts payable in the accompanying balance sheets. Book overdrafts of $4.9 million and $3.8 million existed at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, as a result of Cox Radio’s checks outstanding. The amounts due to or from Cox Enterprises are generally due on demand and represent the net balance of the intercompany transactions. On December 4, 2003, Cox Radio entered into a revolving promissory note with Cox Enterprises to define the commercial borrowing rate as Cox Enterprises’ current commercial paper borrowing rate. Prior to amending the intercompany note in December 2003, advances from Cox Enterprises accrued interest at Cox Enterprises’ commercial paper borrowing rate plus 40 basis points. During 2003 and 2002, Cox Enterprises’ weighted average commercial paper rates ranged from 1.0% to 1.6% and from 1.6% to 2.3%, respectively. The amounts due from Cox Enterprises totaled $6.3 million and $3.1 million as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Cox Radio receives certain management services from Cox Enterprises and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cox Broadcasting, including management and financial advisory services, legal, corporate secretarial, tax, internal audit, risk management, purchasing and materials management, employee benefit (including pension plan) administration, fleet, engineering and other support services. Expenses allocated for these services are included in corporate general and administrative expenses in our consolidated financial statements. Cox Radio was allocated expenses for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 of approximately $3.1 million, $3.3 million and $3.1 million, respectively, related to these services.

 

In connection with these management services, Cox Radio reimburses Cox Enterprises for payments made to third-party vendors for certain goods and services provided to Cox Radio under arrangements made by Cox Enterprises on behalf of Cox Enterprises and its affiliates, including Cox Radio. Cox Radio believes such arrangements result in Cox Radio receiving such goods and services at more attractive pricing than Cox Radio would be able to secure separately. Such reimbursed expenditures include insurance premiums for coverage through Cox Enterprises’ insurance program, which provides coverage for all of its affiliates, including Cox Radio. Rather than self-insuring these risks, Cox Enterprises purchases insurance for a fixed-premium cost from several insurance companies, including an insurance company indirectly owned by descendants of Governor James M. Cox, the founder of Cox Enterprises, including James C. Kennedy, Chairman of Cox Radio’s Board of Directors, and his sister, who each own 25%. This insurance company is an insurer and re-insurer on various insurance policies purchased by Cox Enterprises, and it employs an independent consulting actuary to calculate the annual premiums for general/auto liability and workers compensation insurance based on Cox Radio’s loss experience consistent with insurance industry practice. Cox Radio’s portion of these insurance costs was approximately $0.4 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

Cox Radio’s employees participate in certain Cox Enterprises employee benefit plans, and Cox Radio made payments to Cox Enterprises in 2003, 2002 and 2001 for the costs incurred by reason of such participation, including self-insured employee medical insurance costs of approximately $8.3 million, $6.8 million and $5.5 million; retiree medical payments of approximately $0.1 million for each year; postemployment benefits of approximately $0.6 million, $0.6 million and $0.4 million; and executive pension plan payments of approximately $0.9 million, $0.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

 

The new headquarters building is leased by Cox Enterprises from a partnership that in turn is indirectly owned by descendents of Governor James M. Cox, the founder of Cox Enterprises, with an indirect 36% interest held in the aggregate by the children of James C. Kennedy, Chairman of Cox Radio’s Board of Directors, and an indirect less than 3% interest held in the aggregate by Mr. Kennedy, his mother and his sister. Cox Radio pays rent and certain other occupancy costs to Cox Enterprises for space in Cox Enterprises’ corporate headquarters building. During 2002, Cox Enterprises, Cox Radio and certain other affiliates of Cox Enterprises moved to a new headquarters building. Rent and occupancy expense is allocated based on occupied space. Related rent and occupancy expense was approximately $0.6 million, $0.3 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

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Included in the amounts due from (to) Cox Enterprises are the following transactions:

 

     (Amounts in thousands)

 

Intercompany due from Cox Enterprises, December 31, 2000

   $ 17,268  
    


Cash transferred to Cox Enterprises

     305,523  

Acquisitions

     (50,216 )

Payments on revolver

     (300,000 )

Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes

     249,667  

Net operating expense allocations and reimbursements

     (221,158 )
    


Intercompany due from Cox Enterprises, December 31, 2001

     1,084  
    


Cash transferred to Cox Enterprises

     318,777  

Acquisitions

     (484 )

Payments on revolver

     (90,000 )

Net operating expense allocations and reimbursements

     (226,318 )
    


Intercompany due from Cox Enterprises, December 31, 2002

     3,059  
    


Cash transferred to Cox Enterprises

     423,611  

Acquisitions

     (239 )

Borrowings on revolver

     20,000  

Repayment of 6.25% notes

     (100,000 )

Net operating expense allocations and reimbursements

     (340,147 )
    


Intercompany due from Cox Enterprises, December 31, 2003

   $ 6,284  
    


 

Cox Radio has estimated that the carrying value of intercompany advances approximates fair value, given the short-term nature of these advances.

 

Cox Radio has entered into lease agreements with Cox Broadcasting with respect to studio and tower site properties in Atlanta, Georgia and Dayton, Ohio that are used for Cox Radio’s radio operations in those markets. The annual rental cost in the aggregate was approximately $0.6 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001.

 

In November 2000, Cox Radio and Cox Interactive Media, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, entered into two agreements concerning the operation of Cox Radio’s web sites, which had previously been designed, developed and operated by Cox Interactive Media. The first agreement provided for the transition of operations of the Cox Radio web sites to the newly created Cox Radio division CXRi. The second, a cross-promotion agreement provided that each party would promote the other in certain common markets, and contemplated that the same terms and conditions would be applicable to any new common markets that arise over the term. In 2002, Cox Interactive Media ceased operating web sites in the markets covered by the cross-promotion agreement and consequently the parties mutually agreed to cease cross promotion. Cox Radio recognized both income and expense related to the agreement of approximately $1.0 million and $1.6 million in 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity.” SFAS No. 150 clarifies the definition of a liability as currently defined in FASB Concepts Statement No. 6, “Elements of Financial Statements,” as well as other planned revisions. This statement requires a financial instrument that embodies an obligation of an issuer to be classified as a liability. In addition, the statement establishes standards for the initial and subsequent measurement of these financial instruments and disclosure requirements. SFAS No. 150 became effective for Cox Radio on July 1, 2003. The adoption of this standard did not have any impact on Cox Radio’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, “Amendment of Statement No. 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 149 amends SFAS No. 133 for decisions made as part of the FASB’s Derivatives Implementation Group process, other FASB projects dealing with financial instruments, and in connection with implementation issues raised in relation to the application of the definition of a derivative. This statement is generally effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003 and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The adoption of this standard did not have any impact on Cox Radio’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (FIN 46), to address perceived weaknesses in accounting for entities commonly known as special-purpose or off-balance-sheet. In addition to numerous FASB Staff Positions written to clarify and improve the application of FIN 46, the FASB recently announced a deferral for certain

 

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entities, and an amendment to FIN 46 entitled FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (FIN 46R).

 

Under the new guidance, special effective date provisions apply to enterprises that have fully or partially applied FIN 46 prior to issuance of this revised interpretation. Otherwise, application of FIN 46R is required in financial statements of public entities that have interests in structures that are commonly referred to as special-purpose entities for periods ended after December 15, 2003. Application by public entities, other than small business issuers, for all other types of variable interest entities is required in financial statements for periods ending after March 15, 2004.

 

Cox Radio would apply the provisions of FIN 46R for any special purpose entities for the period ended after December 15, 2003. All other variable interest entities would be accounted for under FIN 46R for the periods after March 15, 2004. Cox Radio does not have any interest in special purpose entities or any other variable interest entities. The adoption of FIN 46R is not expected to have a material impact on Cox Radio’s results of operations or financial position.

 

In December 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 132 (Revised 2003), “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits” (FAS 132R), which retains the disclosure requirements in SFAS 132 and contains additional requirements. These additional requirements include disclosures about a plan sponsor’s investment strategies, detailed information of plan assets, expected future cash flow requirements, and interim disclosures related to periodic benefit cost. This Statement is effective for financial statements for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2003. Cox Radio participates in Cox Enterprises’ pension and postretirement plans. Cox Radio’s disclosures about pensions and postretirement benefits are presented in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

 

Cox Radio is exposed to a number of financial market risks in the ordinary course of business. Cox Radio’s primary financial market risk exposure pertains to changes in interest rates.

 

Cox Radio has examined exposures to these risks and concluded that none of the exposures in these areas are material to cash flows or earnings. Cox Radio has engaged in several strategies to manage these market risks. Cox Radio’s indebtedness under its various financing arrangements creates interest rate risk. In connection with each debt issuance and as a result of continual monitoring of interest rates, Cox Radio has entered into interest rate swap agreements for purposes of managing borrowing costs.

 

Pursuant to the interest rate swap agreements, Cox Radio has exchanged its floating rate interest obligations on an aggregate of $50 million in notional principal amount of debt for fixed interest rates. These agreements have an average annual fixed rate of 6.3% and an average remaining maturity of 2.25 years. Concurrently with the adoption of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” in January 2001, Cox Radio formally designated these agreements as cash flow hedges as discussed in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements included herein. Cox Radio is exposed to a credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the interest rate swap agreements. However, Cox Radio does not anticipate nonperformance by such counterparties, and no material loss would be expected in the event of the counterparties’ nonperformance. The estimated fair value of the swap agreements, based on current market rates, approximated a net payable of $3.9 million and $5.8 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The fair value of the swap agreements at December 31, 2003 is included in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities according to the respective maturity dates of the swaps. The market risk for the interest rate swaps is mitigated as the variable rate received is hedged to the variable rate paid on the credit facility. A hypothetical one percentage point increase or decrease in interest rates would be fully offset by the interest rate variance applicable to the credit facility.

 

The determination of the estimated fair value of Cox Radio’s fixed-rate debt is subject to the effects of interest rate risk. The estimated fair value of the fixed-rate debt instruments at December 31, 2003 was $376.1 million, compared to a carrying amount of $349.7 million. The estimated fair value of Cox Radio’s fixed-rate debt instruments at December 31, 2002 was $477.1 million, compared to a carrying amount of $449.6 million. The effect of a hypothetical one percentage point decrease in interest rates would be to increase the estimated fair value of the fixed-rate debt instruments from $376.1 million to $382.9 million at December 31, 2003, and from $477.1 million to $487.6 million at December 31, 2002.

 

The estimated fair values of debt instruments are based on discounted cash flow analyses using Cox Radio’s borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements and dealer quotations. The revolving credit facilities and Cox Enterprises’ borrowings bear interest based on current market rates and, thus, approximate fair value. Cox Radio is exposed to interest rate volatility with respect to the foregoing variable rate debt instruments.

 

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With respect to financial instruments, Cox Radio has estimated the fair values of such instruments using available market information and valuation methodologies that it believes to be appropriate. Considerable judgment, however, is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that Cox Radio would realize or pay in a current market exchange.

 

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ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Cox Radio, Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cox Radio, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. 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, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

 

As discussed in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2002, the Company changed its method of accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets to conform with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142. As discussed in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2001, the Company changed its method of accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities to conform with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, as amended.

 

/s/  DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Atlanta, Georgia

February 27, 2004

 

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COX RADIO, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

 
     (Amounts in thousands,
except share data)
 
ASSETS                 

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,202     $ 4,681  

Accounts and notes receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,229 and $4,791, respectively

     82,750       86,876  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     7,194       7,567  

Amounts due from Cox Enterprises.

     6,284       3,059  
    


 


Total current assets

     100,430       102,183  

Property and equipment, net

     78,333       79,304  

FCC licenses and other intangible assets, net

     2,028,798       2,023,525  

Goodwill

     46,033       46,514  

Other assets

     23,432       20,186  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 2,277,026     $ 2,271,712  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                 

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 28,602     $ 27,821  

Accrued salaries and wages

     4,139       6,449  

Accrued interest

     7,230       7,966  

Income taxes payable

     10,937       12,109  

Other current liabilities

     2,924       2,083  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     53,832       56,428  

Notes payable

     534,744       614,602  

Deferred income taxes

     502,015       482,286  

Other long term liabilities

     4,767       6,907  
    


 


Total liabilities

     1,095,358       1,160,223  
    


 


Commitments (Note 9) and contingencies (Note 15)

                

Shareholders’ equity:

                

Preferred stock, $0.33 par value: 15,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding

     —         —    

Class A common stock, $0.33 par value; 210,000,000 shares authorized; 41,718,469 and 41,571,789 shares issued and 41,590,198 and 41,450,595 shares outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively

     13,767       13,719  

Class B common stock, $0.33 par value; 135,000,000 shares authorized; 58,733,016 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2002

     19,382       19,382  

Additional paid-in capital

     626,499       624,049  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

     (1,863 )     (3,082 )

Retained earnings

     525,729       459,104  
    


 


       1,183,514       1,113,172  

Less: Class A common stock held in treasury (128,271 and 121,194 shares at cost, respectively)

     (1,846 )     (1,683 )
    


 


Total shareholders’ equity

     1,181,668       1,111,489  
    


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 2,277,026     $ 2,271,712  
    


 


 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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COX RADIO, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 
    

(Amounts in thousands,

except per share data)

 

Net revenues:

                        

Local

   $ 303,985     $ 308,872     $ 292,507  

National

     96,228       89,935       81,275  

Other

     25,660       21,785       21,521  
    


 


 


Total net revenues

     425,873       420,592       395,303  

Operating expenses:

                        

Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)

     95,617       93,152       92,412  

Selling, general and administrative

     162,173       161,093       153,945  

Corporate general and administrative

     16,272       15,489       13,280  

Depreciation

     11,714       12,096       11,392  

Amortization

     117       118       58,243  

Other operating expenses, net

     888       313       (2,097 )
    


 


 


Operating income

     139,092       138,331       68,128  

Other income (expense):

                        

Interest income

     8       32       1,527  

Interest expense

     (33,575 )     (39,682 )     (49,008 )

Other

     (479 )     (508 )     (476 )
    


 


 


Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change

     105,046       98,173       20,171  
    


 


 


Current income tax expense

     19,307       14,722       10,180  

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

     19,114       23,576       (11,487 )
    


 


 


Total income tax expense (benefit)

     38,421       38,298       (1,307 )
    


 


 


Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

     66,625       59,875       21,478  

Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of tax

     —         (13,934 )     (787 )
    


 


 


Net income

   $ 66,625     $ 45,941     $ 20,691  
    


 


 


Net income per share – basic

                        

Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

   $ 0.66     $ 0.60     $ 0.22  

Cumulative effect of accounting changes

     —         (0.14 )     (0.01 )
    


 


 


Net income per common share

   $ 0.66     $ 0.46     $ 0.21  
    


 


 


Net income per share – diluted

                        

Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

   $ 0.66     $ 0.60     $ 0.22  

Cumulative effect of accounting changes

     —         (0.14 )     (0.01 )
    


 


 


Net income per common share

   $ 0.66     $ 0.46     $ 0.21  
    


 


 


Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

     100,238       100,098       99,720  

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted

     100,542       100,532       100,188  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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COX RADIO, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

   

Class A

Common Stock


 

Class B

Common Stock


 

Additional

Paid-in

Capital


 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Loss


   

Retained

Earnings


  Treasury Stock

   

Total


 
    Shares

  Amount

  Shares

  Amount

        Shares

  Amount

   
    (Amounts in thousands)  

Balance at December 31, 2000

  40,694   $ 13,429   58,733   $ 19,382   $ 610,126   $ —       $ 392,472   120   $ (1,651 )   $ 1,033,758  
   
 

 
 

 

 


 

 
 


 


Comprehensive income:

                                                           

Net income

  —       —     —       —       —       —         20,691   —       —         20,691  

Cumulative effect of adopting SFAS No. 133

  —       —     —       —       —       (707 )     —     —       —         (707 )

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges

  —       —     —       —       —       (1,525 )     —     —       —         (1,525 )

Reclassification to earnings of transition adjustments

  —       —     —       —       —       173       —     —       —         173  
                                                       


Comprehensive income

                                                        18,632  
                                                       


Repurchase of Class A common stock

  —       —     —       —       —       —         —     —       (4 )     (4 )

Issuance of Class A common stock related to incentive plans including tax benefit of $2.6 million

  576     190   —       —       8,677     —         —     —       —         8,867  
   
 

 
 

 

 


 

 
 


 


Balance at December 31, 2001

  41,270     13,619   58,733     19,382     618,803     (2,059 )     413,163   120     (1,655 )     1,061,253  
   
 

 
 

 

 


 

 
 


 


Comprehensive income:

                                                           

Net income

  —       —     —       —       —       —         45,941   —       —         45,941  

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges

  —       —     —       —       —       (1,182 )     —     —       —         (1,182 )

Reclassification to earnings of transition adjustments

  —       —     —       —       —       159       —     —       —         159  
                                                       


Comprehensive income

                                                        44,918  
                                                       


Repurchase of Class A common stock

  —       —     —       —       —       —         —     1     (28 )     (28 )

Issuance of Class A common stock related to incentive plans including tax benefit of $2.0 million

  302     100   —       —       5,246     —         —     —       —         5,346  
   
 

 
 

 

 


 

 
 


 


Balance at December 31, 2002

  41,572     13,719   58,733     19,382     624,049     (3,082 )     459,104   121     (1,683 )     1,111,489  
   
 

 
 

 

 


 

 
 


 


Comprehensive income:

                                                           

Net income

  —       —     —       —       —       —         66,625   —       —         66,625  

Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps

  —       —     —       —       —       1,101       —     —       —         1,101  

Reclassification to earnings of transition adjustments

  —       —     —       —       —       118       —     —       —         118  
                                                       


Comprehensive income

                                                        67,844  
                                                       


Repurchase of Class A common stock

  —       —     —       —       —       —         —     7     (163 )     (163 )

Issuance of Class A common stock related to incentive plans including tax benefit of $0.8 million

  146     48   —       —       2,450     —         —     —       —         2,498  
   
 

 
 

 

 


 

 
 


 


Balance at December 31, 2003

  41,718   $ 13,767   58,733   $ 19,382   $ 626,499   $ (1,863 )   $ 525,729   128   $ (1,846 )   $ 1,181,668  
   
 

 
 

 

 


 

 
 


 


 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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COX RADIO, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 
     (Amounts in thousands)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

                        

Net income

   $ 66,625     $ 45,941     $ 20,691  

Items not requiring cash:

                        

Depreciation

     11,714       12,096       11,392  

Amortization

     117       118       58,243  

Deferred income taxes

     19,114       23,576       (11,487 )

Tax benefit of stock options exercised

     812       1,953       2,595  

Other

     888       313       (2,097 )

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax

     —         13,934       787  

Changes in assets and liabilities (net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions):

                        

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable

     4,126       (4,110 )     10,395  

Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets

     296       2,177       (1,636 )

(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (170 )     5,930       (4,842 )

(Decrease) increase in accrued salaries and wages

     (2,310 )     528       87  

(Decrease) increase in accrued interest

     (736 )     (126 )     2,625  

(Decrease) increase in income taxes payable

     (1,172 )     4,097       6,888  

Other, net

     1,061       25       (208 )
    


 


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     100,365       106,452       93,433  
    


 


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                        

Capital expenditures

     (10,549 )     (11,891 )     (17,001 )

Acquisitions and related expenses, net of cash acquired

     (239 )     (484 )     (50,216 )

Decrease in other long-term assets

     694       759       244  

Investment in signal upgrades

     (9,929 )     (12,154 )     (1,862 )

Proceeds from sales of assets

     18       394       89  

Proceeds from sale of radio stations

     —         3,457       6,129  
    


 


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (20,005 )     (19,919 )     (62,617 )
    


 


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                        

Net borrowings (repayments) of revolving credit facilities

     20,000       (90,000 )     (300,000 )

Repayment of 6.25% notes

     (100,000 )     —         —    

Proceeds from issuance of senior notes

     —         —         249,667  

Proceeds from stock options exercised

     1,686       3,393       6,272  

Repurchase of Class A common stock

     (163 )     (28 )     (4 )

Increase (decrease) in book overdrafts

     1,099       (975 )     4  

Payment of debt issuance costs

     (236 )     (223 )     (1,928 )

(Increase) decrease in amounts due to/from Cox Enterprises, net

     (3,225 )     (1,980 )     16,184  
    


 


 


Net cash used in financing activities

     (80,839 )     (89,813 )     (29,805 )
    


 


 


Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (479 )     (3,280 )     1,011  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     4,681       7,961       6,950  
    


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $ 4,202     $ 4,681     $ 7,961  
    


 


 


 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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COX RADIO, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

 

Cox Radio is a leading national radio broadcasting company whose business, which constitutes one reportable segment, is devoted to acquiring, developing and operating radio stations located throughout the United States. Cox Enterprises indirectly owns approximately 62% of the common stock of Cox Radio and has approximately 94% of the voting power of Cox Radio.

 

The consolidated financial statements of Cox Radio represent the operations of the radio broadcasting stations owned or operated by Cox Radio. All significant intercompany accounts have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements of Cox Radio.

 

The historical financial statements do not necessarily reflect the results of operations or financial position that would have existed had Cox Radio not been a majority-owned indirect subsidiary of Cox Enterprises.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Cash Equivalents

 

Cox Radio considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The carrying value of these investments approximates fair value.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Cox Radio recognizes revenues when the following conditions are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; the price is fixed and determinable; and collectibility is reasonably assured. These criteria are generally met for advertising revenue at the time an advertisement is broadcast. Advertising revenue is recorded net of advertising agency commissions. Agency commissions, when applicable, are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross revenues. Cox Radio records an allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical information, analysis of credit memo data and any other relevant factors.

 

Barter Arrangements

 

Barter transactions are recorded at the estimated fair value of the products or services received. Revenue from barter transactions is recognized when commercials are broadcast. Products or services are recorded when the products or services are received. If commercials are broadcast before the receipt of products or services, a barter receivable is recorded. If products or services are received before the broadcast of commercials, a barter payable is recorded.

 

Corporate General and Administrative Expenses

 

Corporate general and administrative expenses consist of corporate overhead costs not specifically allocable to any of Cox Radio’s individual stations.

 

Advertising Expenses

 

Advertising expenses are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 were $7.7 million, $8.4 million and $8.0 million, respectively.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed principally using the straight-line method at rates based upon estimated useful lives of 5 to 40 years for buildings and building improvements, 5 to 25 years for broadcast equipment, 7 to 10 years for furniture and fixtures and 2 to 5 years for computers, software and other equipment.

 

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Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expense as incurred. At the time of retirements, sales or other dispositions of property, the original cost and related accumulated depreciation are written off.

 

Web Site Development Costs

 

Web site development activities include planning, design and development of graphics and content for new web sites and operation of existing sites. Cox Radio accounts for costs associated with such activities in accordance with the Emerging Issues Task Force Issue (EITF) No. 00-2, “Accounting for Web Site Development Costs.” Under this guidance, costs incurred that involve providing additional functions and features to the web site should be capitalized. Costs associated with the planning phase, as well as the maintaining of the web site, should be expensed as incurred. In addition, costs associated with content development and training should also be expensed as incurred. Capitalized costs are generally amortized over two years.

 

Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets consist primarily of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) broadcast licenses, but also include goodwill and certain other intangible assets acquired in purchase business combinations. Upon the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” on January 1, 2002, Cox Radio ceased amortization of goodwill and FCC licenses, which are indefinite-lived intangible assets. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the contractual lives of the assets.

 

Cox Radio evaluates its FCC licenses for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. FCC licenses are evaluated for impairment at the market level. If the carrying amount of FCC licenses is greater than their estimated fair value in a given market, the carrying amount of FCC licenses in that market is reduced to its estimated fair value. Cox Radio evaluates goodwill in each of its reporting units (markets) for impairment annually, or more frequently if certain circumstances are present. If the carrying amount of goodwill in a reporting unit is greater than the implied value of goodwill for that reporting unit determined from the estimated fair value of the reporting units, the carrying amount of goodwill in that reporting unit is reduced to its estimated fair value.

 

Cox Radio utilizes independent appraisals in testing FCC licenses and goodwill for impairment. These appraisals principally use the discounted cash flow methodology. This income approach consists of a quantitative model, which incorporates variables such as market advertising revenues, market revenue share projections, anticipated operating profit margins and various discount rates. The variables used in the analysis reflect historical station and advertising market growth trends, as well as anticipated performance and market conditions. Multiples of operating cash flow are also considered. Cox Radio evaluates amortizing intangible assets for recoverability when circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred, using an undiscounted cash flow methodology. If the future undiscounted cash flows for the intangible asset are less than net book value, net book value is reduced to the estimated fair value.

 

Other Assets

 

Other assets consist primarily of investments in signal upgrades. Signal upgrades represent Cox Radio’s process of enhancing selected stations’ signal strength. Upon completion of each signal upgrade, Cox Radio reclassifies the costs incurred for the upgrade to FCC licenses. The amount reclassified is validated based upon an independent appraisal of the FCC license after the upgrade is completed. Impairment on other assets is evaluated in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

Cox Radio accounts for long-lived assets in accordance with SFAS No. 144. Long-lived assets are required to be reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, with any impairment losses being reported in the period in which the recognition criteria are first applied based on the fair value of the asset. Cox Radio assesses the recoverability based on a review of estimated undiscounted cash flows. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are required to be reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.

 

Income Taxes

 

Deferred income taxes are provided based on the liability method of accounting pursuant to SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” The liability method measures the expected tax impact of future taxable income or deductions resulting from

 

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differences in the tax and financial reporting bases of assets and liabilities reflected in the consolidated balance sheets and the expected tax impact of carryforwards for tax purposes. Cox Radio evaluates its effective tax rates regularly and adjusts rates when appropriate based on currently available information relative to statutory rates, apportionment factors and the applicable taxable income in the jurisdictions in which Cox Radio operates, among other factors.

 

Pension and Postretirement Benefits

 

Cox Enterprises generally provides defined pension benefits to eligible employees based on years of service and compensation during those years. Cox Enterprises also provides certain health care and life insurance benefits to eligible employees and retirees. For certain employees and retirees of Cox Radio eligible for such coverages, these benefits are provided through the Cox Enterprises plans. Expenses related to these plans are allocated to Cox Radio through the intercompany account. The amount of the allocations is generally based on actuarial determinations of the effect of Cox Radio employees’ participation in the Cox Enterprises plans.

 

Incentive Compensation Plans

 

Cox Radio accounts for stock compensation in accordance with the requirements of Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. See Note 12 for a general description of the plans referred to below. Cox Radio did not recognize any compensation expense related to the incentive compensation plans under APB Opinion No. 25 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001.

 

SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure,” requires disclosure of the pro forma effects on net income and earnings per share as if Cox Radio had adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, as amended by SFAS No. 148. The following tabular presentation reflects the assumptions used in the determination of fair value utilizing the Black-Scholes model.

 

Cox Radio Employee Stock Purchase Plans

 

The fair value of the employees’ purchase rights granted under these plans was determined using the Black-Scholes model with the following assumptions as of the enrollment dates listed below:

 

    

June 13,

2003


   

December 15,

2002


   

June 15,

2002


   

November 30,

2001


   

September 16,

1999


 

Risk-free interest rate

     0.73 %     1.09 %     2.36 %     2.50 %     5.67 %

Expected life

     0.55 years       1.04 years       1.54 years       2.08 years       2.0 years  

Expected stock price volatility

     40.24 %     44.86 %     45.29 %     44.65 %     34.00 %

Expected dividend yield

     n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  

Fair value at enrollment date

   $ 5.52     $ 6.01     $ 8.14     $ 8.91     $ 6.29  

 

Cox Radio Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

The fair value of the options granted during 2003, 2002 and 2001 is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model with the following assumptions:

 

     Grant Date

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 

Risk-free interest rate

     3.27 %     5.02 %     4.94 %

Expected life

     6 years       6 years       6 years  

Expected stock price volatility

     41.92 %     44.70 %     40.82 %

Expected dividend yield

     n/a       n/a       n/a  

Fair value at grant date

   $ 9.43     $ 12.38     $ 10.33  

 

Had compensation cost for the Long-Term Incentive Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant or enrollment dates for the above awards in accordance with the fair value provisions of SFAS No. 123 and the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 148, Cox Radio’s net income and net income per share in 2003, 2002 and 2001 would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below, based on the assumptions discussed above:

 

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     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 
    

(Amounts in thousands,

except per share data)

 

Net income, as reported

   $ 66,625     $ 45,941     $ 20,691  

Deduct: total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (10,082 )     (8,571 )     (4,887 )
    


 


 


Pro forma net income

   $ 56,543     $ 37,370     $ 15,804  
    


 


 


Earnings per share:

                        

Basic – as reported

   $ 0.66     $ 0.46     $ 0.21  
    


 


 


Basic – pro forma

   $ 0.56     $ 0.37     $ 0.16  
    


 


 


Diluted – as reported

   $ 0.66     $ 0.46     $ 0.21  
    


 


 


Diluted – pro forma

   $ 0.56     $ 0.37     $ 0.16  
    


 


 


 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Concentration of Risk

 

A significant portion of Cox Radio’s business historically has been conducted in the Atlanta market. Net revenues earned from radio stations located in Atlanta represented 26%, 26% and 28% of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity.” SFAS No. 150 clarifies the definition of a liability as currently defined in FASB Concepts Statement No. 6, “Elements of Financial Statements,” as well as other planned revisions. This statement requires a financial instrument that embodies an obligation of an issuer to be classified as a liability. In addition, the statement establishes standards for the initial and subsequent measurement of these financial instruments and disclosure requirements. SFAS No. 150 became effective for Cox Radio on July 1, 2003. The adoption of this standard did not have any impact on Cox Radio’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, “Amendment of Statement No. 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 149 amends SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” for decisions made as part of the FASB’s Derivatives Implementation Group process, other FASB projects dealing with financial instruments, and in connection with implementation issues raised in relation to the application of the definition of a derivative. This statement is generally effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003 and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The adoption of this standard did not have any impact on Cox Radio’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (FIN 46), to address perceived weaknesses in accounting for entities commonly known as special-purpose or off-balance-sheet. In addition to numerous FASB Staff Positions written to clarify and improve the application of FIN 46, the FASB recently announced a deferral for certain entities, and an amendment to FIN 46 entitled FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (FIN 46R).

 

Under the new guidance, special effective date provisions apply to enterprises that have fully or partially applied FIN 46 prior to issuance of this revised interpretation. Otherwise, application of FIN 46R (Interpretation 46) is required in financial statements of public entities that have interests in structures that are commonly referred to as special-purpose entities for periods ended after

 

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December 15, 2003. Application by public entities, other than small business issuers, for all other types of variable interest entities is required in financial statements for periods ending after March 15, 2004.

 

Cox Radio would apply the provisions of FIN 46R for any special purpose entities for the period ended after December 15, 2003. All other variable interest entities would be accounted for under FIN 46R for the periods after March 15, 2004. Cox Radio does not have any interest in special purpose entities or any other variable interest entities. The adoption of FIN 46R is not expected to have a material impact on Cox Radio’s results of operations or financial position.

 

In December 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 132 (Revised 2003), “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits” (FAS 132R), which retains the disclosure requirements in SFAS 132 and contains additional requirements. These additional requirements include disclosures about a plan sponsor’s investment strategies, detailed information of plan assets, expected future cash flow requirements, and interim disclosures related to periodic benefit cost. This Statement is effective for financial statements for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2003. Cox Radio participates in Cox Enterprises’ pension and postretirement plans. Cox Radio’s disclosures about pensions and postretirement benefits are presented in Note 11.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes.

 

3. Earnings per Common Share and Capital Structure

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 
    

(Amounts in thousands, except

per share data)

 

Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

   $ 66,625     $ 59,875     $ 21,478  

Cumulative effect of accounting change

     —         (13,934 )     (787 )
    


 


 


Net income

   $ 66,625     $ 45,941     $ 20,691  
    


 


 


Earnings Per Share - Basic

                        

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

     100,238       100,098       99,720  
    


 


 


Income before cumulative effect of accounting change per common share – basic

   $ 0.66     $ 0.60     $ 0.22  

Cumulative effect of accounting change per common share – basic

     —         (0.14 )     (0.01 )
    


 


 


Net income per common share – basic

   $ 0.66     $ 0.46     $ 0.21  
    


 


 


Earnings Per Share - Diluted

                        

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

     100,238       100,098       99,720  

Shares issuable on exercise of dilutive options

     3,323       3,442       2,236  

Shares assumed to be purchased with proceeds of options

     (3,019 )     (3,069 )     (1,828 )

Shares issuable pursuant to Employee Stock Purchase Plan

     —         245       271  

Shares assumed to be purchased with proceeds from Employee Stock Purchase Plan

     —         (184 )     (211 )
    


 


 


Shares applicable to earnings per share – diluted

     100,542       100,532       100,188  
    


 


 


Income before cumulative effect of accounting change per common share – diluted

   $ 0.66     $ 0.60     $ 0.22  

Cumulative effect of accounting change per common share – diluted

     —         (0.14 )     (0.01 )
    


 


 


Net income per common share – diluted

   $ 0.66     $ 0.46     $ 0.21  
    


 


 


 

The options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan purchase rights excluded from the computation of net income per common share - diluted for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 are summarized below. The exercise price of these options and the subscription price of these purchase rights were greater than the average market price of the Class A common stock during the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001.

 

    

Options

Outstanding


     (Amounts in thousands)

2003

   2,171

2002

   767

2001

   807

 

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4. Acquisitions and Dispositions of Businesses

 

All acquisitions discussed below have been accounted for using the purchase method. As such, the results of operations of the acquired stations have been included in the results of operations from the date of acquisition. Specific transactions entered into by Cox Radio during the past three years are discussed below.

 

In February 2001, Cox Radio acquired WDYL-FM serving Richmond, Virginia, and WJMZ-FM and WHZT-FM serving Greenville, South Carolina, for a total of $52.5 million.

 

In February 2001, Cox Radio entered into a joint sales agreement (JSA) to provide sales and marketing services for WARV-FM serving Richmond, Virginia, and Cox Radio simultaneously guaranteed the owner’s financing for the acquisition of this station. In February 2003, the owner sold WARV-FM and repaid the $1.0 million of indebtedness associated with this station, thereby extinguishing Cox Radio’s guarantee of that indebtedness. Also in February 2003, the JSA related to this station terminated.

 

In February 2001, Cox Radio disposed of WHOO-AM serving Orlando, Florida, for $5 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain of approximately $2.4 million.

 

In May 2001, Cox Radio disposed of the assets of KGTO-AM serving Tulsa, Oklahoma, for $0.5 million. The resulting gain on disposition was immaterial.

 

In July 2001, Cox Radio disposed of the assets of WVBB-AM serving Richmond, Virginia, for $0.7 million. The resulting loss on disposition was immaterial.

 

In January 2002, Cox Radio disposed of the assets of KRTR-AM serving Honolulu, Hawaii, for $0.6 million. The buyer of the station had been operating the station under a local marketing agreement (LMA) since October 2001. Under an LMA, we provide programming, sales and marketing services. The resulting loss on disposition was immaterial.

 

In June 2002, Cox Radio disposed of the assets of KCCN-AM serving Honolulu, Hawaii, for $0.8 million. The resulting gain on disposition was immaterial.

 

In August 2002, Cox Radio disposed of the assets of WBWL-AM serving Jacksonville, Florida, for $2.5 million. The resulting gain on disposition was immaterial.

 

The following table summarizes goodwill and FCC licenses recognized from all purchase business combinations occurring during each of the three years reflected below, determined based on independent appraisals:

 

       December 31,

       (Amounts in thousands)
       2003

     2002

     2001

Goodwill

     $ —        $ —        $ 492

FCC Licenses

     $ —        $ —        $ 50,317

 

5. Investments

 

iBiquity Digital Corporation - On December 21, 1998 and March 1, 1999, Cox Radio purchased shares of common stock of iBiquity Digital Corporation (formerly USA Digital Radio, Inc.), a developer of digital radio broadcasting technology, for a total purchase price of $2.5 million. Cox Radio accounts for this investment, included in other assets in the accompanying balance sheets, under the cost method. This investment is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis or as the circumstances dictate. No impairment has been recorded to date.

 

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6. Property and Equipment

 

     December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

 
     (Amounts in thousands)  

Land

   $ 8,102     $ 7,874  

Buildings and building improvements

     30,319       26,909  

Broadcast equipment

     103,521       95,904  

Construction in progress

     634       2,788  
    


 


Property and equipment, at cost

     142,576       133,475  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (64,243 )     (54,171 )
    


 


Net property and equipment

   $ 78,333     $ 79,304  
    


 


 

7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

On January 1, 2002, Cox Radio adopted SFAS No. 142, which requires that goodwill and certain intangible assets, including FCC licenses, no longer be amortized but instead be tested for impairment at least annually. Cox Radio’s annual impairment testing date is January 1st.

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 142, Cox Radio discontinued the amortization of its FCC licenses and goodwill effective January 1, 2002. During the quarter ended March 31, 2002, Cox Radio recognized an after-tax impairment charge of $13.9 million for FCC licenses in certain markets based on independent appraisals as a result of adopting the provisions of SFAS No. 142. A reconciliation of previously reported net income and earnings per share to the amounts adjusted for the exclusion of amortization of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives, net of the related income tax effect in accordance with SFAS No. 142, follows:

 

     December 31,

 
     2003

   2002

    2001

 
    

(Amounts in thousands,

except per share data)

 

Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

   $ 66,625    $ 59,875     $ 21,478  

Cumulative effect of accounting change

     —        (13,934 )     (787 )
    

  


 


Net income

   $ 66,625    $ 45,941     $ 20,691  
    

  


 


Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

   $ 66,625    $ 59,875     $ 21,478  

Add: FCC license and goodwill amortization, net of tax

     —        —         37,349  
    

  


 


Adjusted income before cumulative effect of accounting change

   $ 66,625    $ 59,875     $ 58,827  
    

  


 


Net income per common share before cumulative effect of accounting change-basic

                       

Net income per common share before cumulative effect of accounting change

   $ 0.66    $ 0.60     $ 0.22  

FCC license and goodwill amortization, net of tax, per common share

     —        —         0.37  
    

  


 


Adjusted income per common share before cumulative effect of accounting change

   $ 0.66    $ 0.60     $ 0.59  
    

  


 


Net income per common share before cumulative effect of accounting change – diluted

                       

Income per common share before cumulative effect of accounting change

   $ 0.66    $ 0.60     $ 0.22  

FCC license and goodwill amortization, net of tax, per common share

     —        —         0.37  
    

  


 


Adjusted income per common share before cumulative effect of accounting change

   $ 0.66    $ 0.60     $ 0.59  
    

  


 


Net income

   $ 66,625    $ 45,941     $ 20,691  

Add: FCC license and goodwill amortization, net of tax

     —        —         37,349  
    

  


 


Adjusted net income

   $ 66,625    $ 45,941     $ 58,040  
    

  


 


 

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Net income per common share- basic

                    

Net income per common share

   $ 0.66    $ 0.46    $ 0.21

FCC license and goodwill amortization, net of tax, per common share

     —        —        0.37
    

  

  

Adjusted net income per common share

   $ 0.66    $ 0.46    $ 0.58
    

  

  

Net income per common share - diluted

                    

Net income, per common share

   $ 0.66    $ 0.46    $ 0.21

FCC license and goodwill amortization, net of tax, per common share

     —        —        0.37
    

  

  

Adjusted net income per common share

   $ 0.66    $ 0.46    $ 0.58
    

  

  

 

The following table reflects the components of intangible assets as of December 31, 2003 and 2002:

 

    

Gross

Carrying Value


   Accumulated
Amortization


  

Net

Carrying Value


     (Amounts in thousands)

December 31, 2003

                    

FCC licenses and other intangible assets, net

   $ 2,029,298    $ 500    $ 2,028,798

Goodwill

     46,033      —        46,033

December 31, 2002

                    

FCC licenses and other intangible assets, net

     2,023,908      383      2,023,525

Goodwill

     46,514      —        46,514

 

Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 was approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Amortization expense for each of the next five years is not expected to be material.

 

During 2003, Cox Radio reduced goodwill by $0.2 million for a previously unrecognized tax benefit related to a prior acquisition and by an additional $0.3 million for a goodwill impairment charge in its Southern Connecticut cluster.

 

8. Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense (benefit) is summarized as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

   2001

 
     (Amounts in thousands)  

Current:

                       

Federal

   $ 15,876     $ 12,608    $ 8,105  

State

     3,431       2,114      2,075  
    


 

  


Total current

     19,307       14,722      10,180  
    


 

  


Deferred:

                       

Federal

     19,648       19,816      7,073  

State

     (534 )     3,760      (18,560 )
    


 

  


Total deferred

     19,114       23,576      (11,487 )
    


 

  


Total income tax expense (benefit)

   $ 38,421     $ 38,298    $ (1,307 )
    


 

  


 

The tax effects of significant temporary differences, which comprise the net deferred tax liabilities, are as follows:

 

     December 31,

 
     2003

     2002

 
     (Amounts in thousands)  

Current deferred tax assets: provision for doubtful accounts

   $ 2,314      $ 2,357  
    


  


Noncurrent deferred tax assets (liabilities):

                 

Property and equipment

     (48,780 )      (49,210 )

Intangibles

     (456,347 )      (446,303 )

Net operating loss carryforwards

     378        643  

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges

     2,169        2,691  

Impairment of FCC licenses

     —          9,342  

Other

     565        551  
    


  


Total net noncurrent liabilities

     (502,015 )      (482,286 )
    


  


Net deferred tax liabilities

   $ (499,701 )    $ (479,929 )
    


  


 

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As of December 31, 2003, Cox Radio had net operating loss carryforwards under the laws of various state jurisdictions in which it operates in the amount of $10.6 million. These net operating loss carryforwards expire on various dates through 2022. Cox Radio anticipates that these net operating loss carryforwards will be realized within the allowable periods, therefore, no valuation allowance is deemed necessary.

 

Income tax expense (benefit) computed using the federal statutory rates is reconciled to the reported income tax provisions as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 
     (Amounts in thousands)  

Federal statutory income tax rate

     35 %     35 %     35 %

Computed tax expense at federal statutory rates on income before income taxes

   $ 36,766     $ 34,361     $ 7,083  

State income taxes (net of federal tax benefit)

     4,737       3,818       216  

Change in estimated effective state tax rates

     (2,854 )     —         (10,932 )

Non-deductible travel and entertainment expenses

     515       611       604  

Non-deductible amortization of intangibles

     —         —         2,157  

Benefit arising from low income housing credits

     (609 )     (609 )     (608 )

Other, net

     (134 )     117       173  
    


 


 


Income tax expense (benefit)

   $ 38,421     $ 38,298     $ (1,307 )
    


 


 


 

In 2003 and 2001, Cox Radio determined that a lower effective tax rate for state income taxes was appropriate based on the states in which Cox Radio currently operates and the relative statutory rates, apportionment factors, and taxable income applicable to those states. Accordingly, adjustments of approximately $2.9 million and $10.9 million were recorded in 2003 and 2001, respectively.

 

In addition, the decline in our effective income tax rate from 2001 to 2002 is due to elimination of non-deductible amortization for tax purposes resulting from the adoption of SFAS No. 142.

 

9. Long-Term Debt and Commitments

 

Cox Radio’s debt at December 31, 2003 and 2002, consists of the following:

 

     2003

   2002

     (Amounts in thousands)

6.25% note payable, due in May 2003 (1)

   $ —      $ 99,998

6.375% note payable, due in May 2005(2)

     99,942      99,902

6.625% note payable, due in February 2006(3)

     249,802      249,702

Five-year revolving credit facility

     185,000      165,000
    

  

Total

   $ 534,744    $ 614,602
    

  


(1) At December 31, 2002, the estimated aggregate fair value of the 6.25% notes was approximately $101.4 million based on quoted market prices. In May 2003, Cox Radio repaid the $100.0 million principal amount of the 6.25% notes at maturity using funds from the five-year revolving credit facility.
(2) At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the estimated fair value of the 6.375% notes was approximately $106.2 million and $106.5 million, respectively, based on quoted market prices.
(3) At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the estimated fair value of these notes was approximately $269.9 million and $269.3 million, respectively, based on quoted market prices.

 

On June 30, 2000, Cox Radio entered into a $350 million, five-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility. On June 27, 2003, Cox Radio renewed its existing $150 million 364-day senior unsecured revolving credit facility. The interest rate for both the 364-day facility and the five-year facility is, at Cox Radio’s option:

 

  the greater of the prime rate or the federal funds borrowing rate plus 0.5%;

 

  the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a spread based on the credit ratings of Cox Radio’s senior long-term debt; or

 

  the bid rate for the purchase of certificates of deposit of equal principal amount and maturity plus a spread based on the credit ratings of Cox Radio’s senior long-term debt.

 

Under the 364-day facility, Cox Radio may also choose an interest rate based on the federal funds rate plus a spread based on the credit ratings of Cox Radio’s senior long-term debt and certain financial covenants. The 364-day facility also provides for a letter of credit facility. The facilities include commitment fees on the unused portion of the total amount available of 0.09% to 0.25%, in the case of the five-year facility, and 0.20% in the case of the 364-day facility, based on the credit ratings of Cox Radio’s senior long-term debt. Each facility contains, among other provisions, specified leverage and interest coverage requirements, the terms of which are defined within each credit facility. At December 31, 2003, Cox Radio was in compliance with these covenants. Cox Radio’s credit

 

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facilities contain events of default based on (i) the failure to pay when due other debt, the outstanding amount of which exceeds $25 million, after the expiration of applicable grace periods and (ii) the acceleration of other debt, the outstanding amount of which exceeds $25 million. Cox Radio is not in default under its credit facilities. Cox Radio has a “term-out” feature in the 364-day credit agreement that allows Cox Radio to extend the maturity of the 364-day credit agreement for an additional two years at maturity. At December 31, 2003, Cox Radio had $185 million of outstanding indebtedness under the five-year facility with $165 million available, and no amounts outstanding under the 364-day facility with $150 million available. The interest rate applied to amounts due under the bank credit facilities was 1.8% at December 31, 2003. At December 31, 2002, Cox Radio had approximately $165 million of outstanding indebtedness under the five-year facility with $185 million available, and no amounts outstanding under the 364-day facility with $150 million available. The interest rate applied to amounts due under the bank credit facilities was 2.1% at December 31, 2002. Since the interest rate is variable, the recorded balance of the credit facilities approximates fair value. See Note 10 for a discussion of Cox Radio’s interest rate swap agreements.

 

Cox Radio has an effective universal shelf registration statement under which Cox Radio may from time to time offer and issue debentures, notes, bonds and other evidence of indebtedness and forward contracts in respect of any such indebtedness, shares of preferred stock, shares of Class A common stock, warrants, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units and stock purchase rights, and two financing trusts sponsored by Cox Radio may offer and issue preferred securities of the trusts for an original maximum aggregate offering amount of $750 million. Unless otherwise described in future prospectus supplements, Cox Radio intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities registered under this universal shelf registration statement for general corporate purposes, which may include additions to working capital, the repayment or redemption of existing indebtedness and the financing of capital expenditures and acquisitions. At December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, $244.8 million was available under the universal shelf registration statement.

 

Cox Radio leases land, office facilities, and various items of equipment. Rental expense under operating leases amounted to $9.3 million in 2003, $10.3 million in 2002 and $9.1 million in 2001.

 

Cox Radio also has various commitments under the following types of contracts: non-cancelable operating leases; long-term debt; interest payments on long-term debt; and other operating contracts, including contracts for sports programming and on-air personalities. The aggregate minimum annual commitments associated with these contracts as of December 31, 2003 were as follows:

 

     Payments Due by Period

     Total

   2004

   2005 and 2006

   2007 and 2008

   After 2008

     (Amounts in thousands)

Operating leases

   $ 47,702    $ 6,676    $ 12,614    $ 9,506    $ 18,906

Long-term debt (1)

     535,000      —        535,000      —        —  

Interest on long-term debt (2)

     57,026      30,183      26,585      258      —  

Other operating contracts

     39,483      24,595      13,076      1,798      14
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 679,211    $ 61,454    $ 587,275    $ 11,562    $ 18,920
    

  

  

  

  


(1) Amounts due in 2005 include $185 million due upon and assuming the expiration of our five-year credit facility and $100 million aggregate principal amount of the 6.375% notes due at maturity. Our current intention and expectation is to enter into a new credit facility at or shortly before expiration of our existing five-year facility. Amounts due in 2006 include $250 million aggregate principal amount of the 6.625% notes due at maturity.
(2) These amounts represent future cash interest payments related to debt obligations based on the fixed and variable rates specified in our indenture and credit agreements, including the impact of our interest rate swap agreements. Payments related to variable rate debt under our five-year credit facility are based on the minimum specified margin plus the base rate, LIBOR, in effect at December 31, 2003, and the portion of such variable rate debt subject to interest rates swaps is adjusted for and based on the fixed rate in such interest rate swaps. These estimates assume that debt is repaid and not refinanced at maturity. Our future interest payments could differ materially from amounts indicated in the table due to future operational and financing needs, market factors and other currently unanticipated events.

 

In April 2000, Cox Radio entered into a JSA for KGMZ-FM serving Honolulu, Hawaii and simultaneously guaranteed Honolulu Broadcasting, Inc.’s financing for the acquisition of this station in the amount of $6.6 million. In February 2001, Cox radio entered into another JSA agreement with Honolulu Broadcasting to provide sales and marketing services for WARV-FM, serving Richmond, Virginia, and simultaneously guaranteed Honolulu Broadcasting’s financing for the acquisition of this station in the amount of $1.0 million. The total guarantee at December 31,2002 was $7.6 million.

 

During February 2003, Honolulu Broadcasting sold WARV-FM, terminating the related JSA and repaid the indebtedness of $1.0 million. This reduced the collective amount of Cox Radio’s guarantee from $7.6 million to $6.6 million.

 

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At December 31, 2003, the guarantee of certain senior debt of Honolulu Broadcasting totaled $6.6 million. This debt consists of a one-year renewable term loan secured by the assets of KGMZ-FM, the proceeds of which were used by Honolulu Broadcasting to finance the purchase of this station. Cox Radio provides sales and marketing services under a JSA to this station pursuant to which Cox Radio sells advertising on the station, which it records as revenues, provides marketing services for the station, and pays a JSA fee to Honolulu Broadcasting in an amount sufficient to service this debt. In addition, Cox Radio believes the sale of KGMZ-FM would result in sufficient proceeds to repay the outstanding debt and considers the degree of risk related to this guarantee insignificant.

 

10. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

Cox Radio is exposed to fluctuations in interest rates. Cox Radio actively monitors these fluctuations and uses derivative instruments from time to time to manage such risk. In accordance with its risk management strategy, Cox Radio uses derivative instruments only for the purpose of managing risk associated with an asset, liability, committed transaction, or probable forecasted transaction that is identified by management. Cox Radio’s use of derivative instruments may result in short-term gains or losses and may increase volatility in its earnings.

 

On September 25, 2002, one of Cox Radio’s interest rate swap agreements with a notional principal amount of $25 million expired. This action did not have a material effect on Cox Radio’s financial position or results of operations. Cox Radio did not enter into any other interest rate swap agreement upon expiration of this agreement.

 

Cox Radio had two remaining interest rate swap agreements outstanding as of December 31, 2003, each of which is used to manage its exposure to the variability of future cash flows related to certain of its floating rate interest obligations that may result due to changes in interest rates. The counterparties to these interest rate swap agreements are major financial institutions. Although Cox Radio is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by these counterparties, Cox Radio does not anticipate nonperformance by these counterparties nor would Cox Radio expect any such loss to be material.

 

On January 1, 2001, Cox Radio adopted SFAS No. 133, as amended, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended by SFAS No. 137, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of SFAS No. 133, and SFAS No. 138, “Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 133, as amended, requires all derivative instruments to be measured at fair value and recognized as either assets or liabilities. In addition, all derivative instruments used in hedging transactions must be designated, reassessed and documented pursuant to the provisions of SFAS No. 133, as amended.

 

Under SFAS No. 133, as amended, the accounting for changes in the fair values of derivative instruments at each new measurement date is dependent upon their intended use. The effective portion of changes in the fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, are deferred and recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income until the hedged forecasted transactions occur and are recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of changes in the fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are immediately reclassified to earnings. The differential paid or received on the interest rate swap agreements is recognized as an adjustment to interest expense.

 

Cox Radio’s two interest rate swap agreements qualify as cash flow hedges, and upon adoption of SFAS No. 133, as amended, Cox Radio recognized a one-time after-tax transition adjustment to reduce earnings and increase accumulated other comprehensive loss by approximately $0.8 million and $0.7 million, respectively. These amounts have been presented as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax, in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Shareholders’ Equity for the year ended December 31, 2001. The portion of the transition adjustment affecting earnings relates to the previously recorded fair values of the derivatives.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, there was no ineffective portion related to the changes in fair values of the interest rate swap agreements and there were no amounts excluded from the measure of effectiveness. In addition, of the $0.7 million recorded as an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss on January 1, 2001, approximately $76,000, before related income tax effects of approximately $33,000, was reclassified into earnings as interest expense during each quarter of 2001 and during each of the first three quarters of 2002. During the fourth quarter of 2002 and during each quarter of 2003, approximately $51,000, before related income tax effects of approximately $22,000, was reclassified into earnings as interest expense. The balance of $1.9 million recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2003 is expected to be reclassified into future earnings, contemporaneously with and offsetting changes in interest expense on certain of Cox Radio’s floating rate interest obligations. The estimated amount to be reclassified into future earnings as interest expense over the twelve months ending December 31, 2004 is approximately $0.2 million, before related income tax effects of approximately $0.1 million. The actual amount that will be

 

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reclassified to future earnings over the next twelve months may vary from this amount as a result of changes in market conditions related to interest rates.

 

At December 31, 2003, interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate $50 million notional principal amount were outstanding at an average annual rate of 6.3%, having an average maturity of 2.25 years. The estimated aggregate fair value of these interest rate swap agreements, based on current market rates, approximated a net payable of $3.9 million and $5.8 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The fair value of the swap agreements at December 31, 2003 is included in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities according to the respective maturity dates of the swaps.

 

11. Retirement Plans

 

Certain of Cox Radio’s employees participate in the funded, noncontributory defined benefit pension plan of Cox Enterprises and certain key employees participate in an unfunded, non-qualified supplemental pension plan. The plans call for benefits to be paid to eligible employees at retirement based primarily upon years of service with Cox Radio and compensation rates during those years. Cox Enterprises uses a measurement date of December 31 for its pension and postretirement benefit plans.

 

Weighted-Average Assumptions

 

The following table sets forth the weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:

 

    

December 31,

2003


   

December 31,

2002


 
     Pension
Benefits


    Other
Benefits


    Pension
Benefits


    Other
Benefits


 

Discount rate

   6.25 %   6.25 %   6.75 %   6.75 %

Rate of compensation increase

   4.00 %   4.00 %   4.50 %   5.00 %

 

The following table sets forth the weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost:

 

     Year ended December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 
     Pension
Benefits


    Other
Benefits


    Pension
Benefits


    Other
Benefits


    Pension
Benefits


    Other
Benefits


 

Discount rate

   6.75 %   6.75 %   7.25 %   7.25 %   7.50 %   7.50 %

Rate of compensation increase

   4.50 %   5.00 %   5.00 %   5.00 %   5.25 %   5.25 %

Expected long-term return on plan assets

   9.00 %   9.00 %   9.00 %   9.00 %   9.00 %   9.00 %

 

Cox Enterprises Pension Plan

 

The following table sets forth certain information attributable to the Cox Radio employees’ participation in the Cox Enterprises pension plans:

 

    

December 31,

2003


  

December 31,

2002


    

Funded

Plans


  

Unfunded

Plans


  

Funded

Plans


  

Unfunded

Plans


     (Amounts in thousands)

Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:

                           

Vested benefits

   $ 24,065    $ 4,639    $ 18,314    $ 3,831

Nonvested benefits

     2,934      706      3,715      683
    

  

  

  

Accumulated benefit obligations

   $ 26,999    $ 5,345    $ 22,029    $ 4,514
    

  

  

  

Projected benefit obligations

   $ 30,016    $ 6,778    $ 26,156    $ 5,788
    

  

  

  

 

The amount of the assets related to Cox Radio would have an estimated fair value not less than the accumulated benefit obligations of the Cox Enterprises defined benefit pension plan attributable to Cox Radio’s employees as of December 31, 2003, or $27.0 million. The assets would be used to fund payments to retirees. Cox Enterprises will make any non-qualified supplemental pension plan payments due to Cox Radio employees, and Cox Radio will reimburse Cox Enterprises for any such payments.

 

Pension expense allocated to Cox Radio related to the plans was $0.9 million, $0.5 million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

 

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Cox Enterprises Postretirement Benefits

 

Cox Enterprises provides certain health care and life insurance benefits to substantially all retirees of Cox Enterprises and certain of its subsidiaries including Cox Radio. Postretirement expense allocated to Cox Radio for these benefits was $0.1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001. Cox Radio’s actuarial present value of accumulated postretirement benefit obligations at December 31, 2003 and 2002 was $4.7 million and $4.1 million, respectively.

 

The funded status of the portion of the plan providing postretirement benefits covering the employees of Cox Radio is not determinable. The actuarial present value of postretirement benefit obligations for the postretirement benefits plan of Cox Enterprises exceeded the fair value of assets held in the plan at December 31, 2003 and 2002.

 

For the postretirement welfare plan, the assumed health care cost trend rate for retirees is 10.0% (10.0% in 2002). This rate is assumed to decrease gradually to 5.0% by year 2009 and remain level thereafter. Increasing the assumed health care cost trend rate by one percentage point would have resulted in an increase in the Cox Enterprises plan’s actuarial present value of benefit obligations of approximately 2.8% and an increase in the aggregate of the service cost and interest cost components of the net periodic postretirement benefit cost of approximately 1.8% for 2003. Decreasing the assumed health care cost trend rate by one percentage point would have resulted in a decrease in the Cox Enterprises plan’s actuarial present value of benefit obligations of approximately 2.4% and a decrease in the aggregate of the service cost and interest cost components of the net periodic postretirement benefit cost of approximately 1.6% for 2003.

 

Cox Enterprises Savings and Investment Plan

 

In addition, substantially all of Cox Radio’s employees are eligible to participate in the savings and investment plan of Cox Enterprises. Under the terms of the plan, Cox Radio’s contribution is determined annually and is based upon Cox Radio attaining certain financial performance criteria. Cox Radio makes a contribution up to 50% of eligible employee contributions to the plan, with a maximum employer contribution of 6% of the employee’s eligible compensation. Cox Radio’s expense under the plan was $1.8 million, $2.0 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

Other

 

Certain Cox Radio employees, whose savings and investment plan contributions are at the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, maximum or are restricted in order to pass the IRS nondiscrimination test, were eligible to participate in Cox Enterprises’ non-qualified savings restoration plan through June 30, 2003. Under the terms of this plan, Cox Radio matched a discretionary contribution amount no greater than 50% of employee contributions to both the savings and investment and restoration plans up to a specified maximum percentage of the employee’s eligible compensation. Effective July 1, 2003, Cox Radio established a separate non-qualified savings restoration plan covering the Cox Radio employees who previously participated in the Cox Enterprises plan. The provisions of the Cox Radio non-qualified savings restoration plan are substantially similar to the features of the Cox Enterprises plan. Cox Radio’s expense under the non-qualified savings restoration plan was not material to the financial statements for any period presented.

 

12. Stock-Based Compensation Plans

 

During the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003, Cox Radio maintained two stock-based compensation plans. Cox Radio accounts for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related Interpretations. Compensation for the Cox Radio Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan is measured as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of Cox Radio’s stock at the date of the grant over the exercise price. Further, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan qualifies as a noncompensatory plan under APB Opinion No. 25, and, as such, no compensation cost is recognized for these awards. Specific information regarding each plan is presented below.

 

Cox Radio Employee Stock Purchase Plans

 

During 2001, Cox Radio adopted an employee stock purchase plan (the 2001 Plan), under which Cox Radio was authorized to issue purchase rights totaling 750,000 shares of Class A common Stock. The 2001 Plan had four alternate entry dates: January 2, 2002, July 1, 2002, January 2, 2003, and July 1, 2003. Employees were eligible to participate in the 2001 Plan as of the first entry date on which they were employed and were regularly scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week. Under the terms of the 2001 Plan, the

 

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purchase price is the lower of 85% of the fair market value of the Class A common stock on the grant date (the initial purchase price) or 90% of the fair market value of the Class A common stock on December 31, 2003, the end of the 2001 Plan, which was $22.58. The initial purchase price was set at $18.59, $24.96, $21.18, and $19.41 for the first, second, third, and fourth entry dates, respectively. Purchase rights totaling 271,121 shares, 11,540 shares, 6,089 shares, and 3,324 shares of Class A common stock were issued under the 2001 Plan with respect to the first, second, third, and fourth entry dates, respectively. Employees were allowed to purchase the shares via payroll deduction through December 31, 2003, at which time 193,224 shares were issued to the remaining 2001 Plan participants. During 2003, 2002 and 2001, 15,172 shares, 2,480 shares and 0 shares, respectively, were issuable under the 2001 Plan due to cancellation of employees’ participation or termination of employment. The fair value of the employees’ purchase rights granted in 2003, 2002 and 2001 was determined using the Black-Scholes model using assumptions reflected in Note 2.

 

During 1999, Cox Radio adopted an employee stock purchase plan (the 1999 Plan), under which Cox Radio was authorized to issue purchase rights totaling 750,000 shares of Class A common stock to substantially all employees who were employed on February 1, 1999 and who worked at least 20 hours per week. Pursuant to the 1999 Plan, Cox Radio issued purchase rights totaling 229,293 shares of Class A common stock. Under the terms of the 1999 Plan, the purchase price ($16.05 per share) was 85% of the average market value during the ten trading days ending on August 2, 1999. Employees were allowed to purchase the shares via payroll deductions through October 31, 2001, at which time the shares were issued to the employees. During 2001, 15,717 shares were issued to employees under the 1999 Plan due to cancellation of employees’ participation in the 1999 Plan or termination of employment. Upon conclusion of the 1999 Plan on October 31, 2001, 172,187 shares of Class A common stock were issued to the remaining 1999 Plan participants. The grant date fair value of each purchase right granted in 1999 was $6.29. The fair value of the employees’ purchase rights granted in 1999 was determined using the Black-Scholes model using assumptions reflected in Note 2.

 

Cox Radio Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan (the LTIP), executive officers and certain employees of Cox Radio who have been selected as participants are eligible to receive awards of various forms of equity-based incentive compensation, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock bonuses, restricted stock awards, performance shares and awards consisting of combinations of such incentives. Cox Radio has reserved 13,200,000 shares of Class A common stock for issuance under the LTIP.

 

Subject to the maximum shares reserved under the LTIP, no individual may receive a stock option covering more than 500,000 shares of Class A common stock in any year nor be granted more than 250,000 shares of Class A common stock, in any combination of performance awards, restricted stock or other stock-based awards that are subject to performance criteria in any year. The maximum payout for any individual for a performance award paid in cash is 100% of his or her base salary as of the beginning of the year of the performance award payment.

 

Options granted under the LTIP normally vest 60% after three years from the date of grant, 80% after four years from the date of grant and 100% after five years from the date of grant and expire ten years from the date of grant. An accelerated vesting schedule has been provided such that, no sooner than six months after the grant date of the option, the options become fully vested if the market value of the shares exceeds the exercise price by 140% for ten consecutive trading days. Because the exercise price of stock options awarded during 2003, 2002 and 2001 equaled or exceeded the then current market price of Cox Radio Class A common stock, no compensation cost has been recognized for these options. The fair value of the options granted during 2003, 2002 and 2001 is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using assumptions reflected in Note 2.

 

A summary of the status of Cox Radio’s stock options granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 and changes during the years ending on those dates is presented below:

 

     2003

   2002

   2001

     Shares

   

Weighted

Average

Exercise Price


   Shares

   

Weighted

Average

Exercise Price


   Shares

   

Weighted

Average

Exercise Price


Outstanding at beginning of year

     4,208,624     $ 22.72      3,023,884     $ 20.62      2,293,768     $ 18.35

Granted

     1,771,870       20.90      1,660,509       24.66      1,342,943       21.84

Exercised

     (129,226 )     10.46      (298,106 )     11.10      (384,767 )     8.26

Forfeited

     (357,350 )     23.84      (177,663 )     24.63      (228,060 )     25.84
    


 

  


 

  


 

Outstanding at end of year

     5,493,918     $ 22.35      4,208,624     $ 22.72      3,023,884     $ 20.62
    


 

  


 

  


 

Options exercisable at year-end

     1,032,655     $ 19.42      730,447     $ 10.60      1,026,032     $ 10.69

Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the year

   $ 9.43            $ 12.38            $ 10.33        

 

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The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2003:

 

     Options Outstanding

   Options Exercisable

Range of

Exercise Prices


   Number of Options
Outstanding


   Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life


   Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price


   Number of Options
Exercisable


  

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual

Life


  

Weighted-
Average Exercise

Price


$ 6.17-$ 8.46

   267,287    2.9 years    $ 6.65    267,287    2.9 years    $ 6.65

$13.39-$21.81

   3,039,329    8.0 years      20.43    331,039    4.6 years      13.71

$22.51-$25.53

   1,472,474    8.0 years      24.64    1,505    8.6 years      22.75

            $31.66

   714,828    6.0 years      31.66    432,824    6.0 years      31.66
    
              
           
     5,493,918    7.5 years    $ 22.35    1,032,655    4.8 years    $ 19.42
    
              
           

 

13. Transactions with Affiliated Companies

 

Cox Radio receives certain management services from, and has entered into certain transactions with, Cox Enterprises. Costs of the management services that are allocated to Cox Radio are based on actual direct costs incurred or on Cox Enterprises’ estimate of expenses relative to the management services provided to other subsidiaries of Cox Enterprises. Cox Radio believes that these allocations were made on a reasonable basis, and that receiving these management services from Cox Enterprises creates cost efficiencies, however, there has been no study or any attempt to obtain quotes from third parties to determine what the cost of obtaining such management services from third parties would have been. The management services and transactions described below have been reviewed by Cox Radio’s Audit Committee, which has determined that such management services and transactions are fair and in the best interest of Cox Radio.

 

Cox Radio receives day-to-day cash management services from Cox Enterprises, with settlements of outstanding balances between Cox Radio and Cox Enterprises occurring periodically at market interest rates. As a part of these services, Cox Enterprises transfers funds to cover Cox Radio’s checks presented for payment and Cox Radio records a book overdraft, which is classified as accounts payable in the accompanying balance sheets. Book overdrafts of $4.9 million and $3.8 million existed at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, as a result of Cox Radio’s checks outstanding. The amounts due to or from Cox Enterprises are generally due on demand and represent the net balance of the intercompany transactions. On December 4, 2003, Cox Radio entered into a revolving promissory note with Cox Enterprises to define the intercompany borrowing rate as Cox Enterprises’ current commercial paper borrowing rate. Prior to amending the intercompany note in December 2003, advances from Cox Enterprises accrued interest at Cox Enterprises’ commercial paper borrowing rate plus 40 basis points. During 2003 and 2002, Cox Enterprises’ weighted average commercial paper rates ranged from 1.0% to 1.6% and from 1.6% to 2.3%, respectively. The amounts due from Cox Enterprises totaled $6.3 million and $3.1 million as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Cox Radio receives certain management services from Cox Enterprises and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cox Broadcasting, including management and financial advisory services, legal, corporate secretarial, tax, internal audit, risk management, purchasing and materials management, employee benefit (including pension plan) administration, fleet, engineering and other support services. Expenses allocated for these services are included in corporate general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Cox Radio was allocated expenses for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 of approximately $3.1 million, $3.3 million and $3.1 million, respectively, related to these services.

 

In connection with these management services, Cox Radio reimburses Cox Enterprises for payments made to third-party vendors for certain goods and services provided to Cox Radio under arrangements made by Cox Enterprises on behalf of Cox Enterprises and its affiliates, including Cox Radio. Cox Radio believes such arrangements result in Cox Radio receiving such goods and services at more attractive pricing than Cox Radio would be able to secure separately. Such reimbursed expenditures include insurance premiums for coverage through Cox Enterprises’ insurance program, which provides coverage for all of its affiliates, including Cox Radio. Rather than self-insuring these risks, Cox Enterprises purchases insurance for a fixed-premium cost from several insurance companies, including an insurance company indirectly owned by descendants of Governor James M. Cox, the founder of Cox Enterprises, including James C. Kennedy, Chairman of Cox Radio’s Board of Directors, and his sister, who each own 25%. This insurance company is an insurer and re-insurer on various insurance policies purchased by Cox Enterprises, and it employs an independent consulting actuary to calculate the annual premiums for general/auto liability and workers compensation insurance based on Cox Radio’s loss experience consistent with insurance industry practice. Cox Radio’s portion of these insurance costs was approximately $0.4 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

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Cox Radio’s employees participate in certain Cox Enterprises employee benefit plans, and Cox Radio made payments to Cox Enterprises in 2003 for the costs incurred by reason of such participation, including self-insured employee medical insurance costs of approximately $8.3 million, retiree medical payments of approximately $0.1 million, postemployment benefits of approximately $0.6 million and executive pension plan payments of approximately $0.9 million. Costs incurred for these items in 2002 and 2001 were self-insured employee medical insurance costs of approximately $6.8 million and $5.5 million, respectively; retiree medical payments of approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively; postemployment benefits of approximately $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively; and executive pension plan payments of approximately $0.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

 

The new headquarters building is leased by Cox Enterprises from a partnership that in turn is indirectly owned by descendents of Governor James M. Cox, the founder of Cox Enterprises, with an indirect 36% interest held in the aggregate by the children of James C. Kennedy, Chairman of Cox Radio’s Board of Directors, and an indirect less than 3% interest held in the aggregate by Mr. Kennedy, his mother and his sister. Cox Radio pays rent and certain other occupancy costs to Cox Enterprises for space in Cox Enterprises’ corporate headquarters building. During 2002, Cox Enterprises, Cox Radio and certain other affiliates of Cox Enterprises moved to a new headquarters building. Rent and occupancy expense is allocated based on occupied space. Related rent and occupancy expense was approximately $0.6 million, $0.3 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

Included in the amounts due from (to) Cox Enterprises are the following transactions:

 

     (Amounts in thousands)

 

Intercompany due from Cox Enterprises, December 31, 2000

   $ 17,268  
    


Cash transferred to Cox Enterprises

     305,523  

Acquisitions

     (50,216 )

Payments on revolver

     (300,000 )

Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes

     249,667  

Net operating expense allocations and reimbursements

     (221,158 )
    


Intercompany due from Cox Enterprises, December 31, 2001

     1,084  
    


Cash transferred to Cox Enterprises

     318,777  

Acquisitions

     (484 )

Payments on revolver

     (90,000 )

Net operating expense allocations and reimbursements

     (226,318 )
    


Intercompany due from Cox Enterprises, December 31, 2002

     3,059  
    


Cash transferred to Cox Enterprises

     423,611  

Acquisitions

     (239 )

Borrowings on revolver

     20,000  

Repayment of 6.25% notes

     (100,000 )

Net operating expense allocations and reimbursements

     (340,147 )
    


Intercompany due from Cox Enterprises, December 31, 2003

   $ 6,284  
    


 

Cox Radio has estimated that the carrying value of intercompany advances approximates fair value, given the short-term nature of these advances.

 

Cox Radio has entered into lease agreements with Cox Broadcasting with respect to studio and tower site properties in Atlanta, Georgia and Dayton, Ohio that are used for Cox Radio’s radio operations in those markets. The annual rental cost in the aggregate was approximately $0.6 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001.

 

In November 2000, Cox Radio and Cox Interactive Media, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, entered into two agreements concerning the operation of Cox Radio’s web sites, which had previously been designed, developed and operated by Cox Interactive Media. The first agreement provided for the transition of operations of the Cox Radio web sites to the newly created Cox Radio division CXRi. The second, a cross-promotion agreement provided that each party would promote the other in certain common markets, and contemplated that the same terms and conditions would be applicable to any new common markets that arise over the term. In 2002, Cox Interactive Media ceased operating web sites in the markets covered by the cross-promotion agreement and consequently the parties mutually agreed to cease cross promotion. Cox Radio recognized both income and expense related to the agreement of approximately $1.0 million and $1.6 million in 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

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14. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

     2003

   2002

   2001

     (Amounts in thousands)

Additional cash flow information:

                    

Cash paid for interest

   $ 34,311    $ 39,808    $ 46,383

Cash paid for income taxes

     19,641      8,673      696

 

15. Contingencies

 

In October 1999, the Radio Music License Committee, of which Cox Radio is a participant, filed a motion in the New York courts against Broadcast Music, Inc. to commence a rate-making proceeding on behalf of the radio industry and to seek a determination of fair and reasonable industry-wide license fees for the broadcast of music. In September 2002, the rate court proceeding between the Radio Music License Committee and Broadcast Music, Inc. was adjourned, and the parties engaged in settlement discussions. On September 17, 2003, the court signed an order approving a settlement agreement among the parties, which grants music licenses to members of the Radio Music License Committee, including Cox Radio, through 2006. Among other things, the settlement approves the license fees for Cox Radio at the interim license agreement rates through 2002 and establishes industry rates for 2003 through 2006 according to an agreed allocation method to be applied each year. As a result of this settlement, Cox Radio reversed approximately $1.0 million in music license fee accruals during the third quarter of 2003. This litigation is now concluded.

 

On October 11, 2000, Cox Radio and its controlling shareholder, Cox Broadcasting, Inc., were sued in Georgia federal court by broadcast station broker Force Communications, for alleged breach of contract and other theories involving a failure to pay the broker a commission allegedly due on two transactions. The suit sought contract damages in excess of $5 million plus interest, costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees. Following completion of discovery, the parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment and on July 1, 2002, the court granted defendants’ motion for summary judgment and denied Force Communications’ cross-motion for partial summary judgment. On July 5, 2002, the court entered judgment in favor of Cox Radio and Cox Broadcasting, Inc. on all counts. On July 31, 2002, Force Communications filed a notice of appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit from the order entering summary judgment in favor of Cox Radio and Cox Broadcasting, Inc. and from the entry of judgment. Force Communications, Cox Radio and Cox Broadcasting, Inc. agreed on January 23, 2003 to resolve this matter through binding arbitration. Pursuant to that agreement, on June 25, 2003, the arbitrator issued an award of $1.2 million to Force Communications. As a result of this settlement, $0.4 million was recorded as a reduction of corporate general and administrative expenses during the second quarter of 2003 based on amounts previously accrued for this matter. Following payment of that award, on July 23, 2003, the 11th Circuit dismissed the appeal with prejudice pursuant to the parties’ joint motion.

 

On June 13, 2001, Cox Radio was named as defendant in a putative class action suit filed in an amended complaint in the state court in Fulton County, Georgia, alleging violations of the Federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The complaint seeks statutory damages in the amount of $1,500, plus attorneys’ fees, on behalf of each person “throughout the State of Georgia” who received an unsolicited pre-recorded telephone message delivering an “unsolicited advertisement” from a Cox Radio radio station. Cox Radio filed an answer to the complaint denying liability and asserting numerous defenses. Thereafter, proceedings in this case were stayed pending rulings by the Georgia Court of Appeals in a similar action pending against a third-party radio broadcast company. This stay was lifted on August 13, 2003 following rulings by the Court of Appeals in the third-party case directing the trial court to consider certain constitutional defenses raised by the defendant. On July 3, 2003, the FCC issued a Report and Order holding, among other things, that pre-recorded telephone messages by broadcasters made for the purpose of inviting consumers to listen to a free broadcast are not “unsolicited advertisements” prohibited by the TCPA. On July 28, 2003, Cox Radio requested that the plaintiffs voluntarily dismiss their claims in light of the FCC’s Report and Order. Plaintiffs subsequently refused this request, and on October 24, 2003, Cox Radio filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings seeking the dismissal of plaintiffs’ claims on grounds that the calls in question were permissible under the TCPA and the FCC’s implementing rules and, alternatively, that the application of the TCPA to the facts of this case would violate Cox Radio’s constitutional rights to free speech, equal protection and due process. On February 3, 2004, plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint in support of their contention that the messages at issue are not exempted by the terms of the FCC Report and Order. On February 19, 2004, the court ruled that the calls at issue were not prohibited by the TCPA and its implementing regulations, granted Cox Radio’s motion for judgment on the pleadings, and directed counsel to submit an order for approval. When the court enters that order, plaintiffs will have 30 days to file an appeal. Cox Radio intends to defend this action vigorously. At the present time, Cox Radio cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss with respect to this lawsuit. The outcome of this matter cannot be predicted at this time.

 

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Cox Radio is a party to various other legal proceedings that are ordinary and incidental to its business. Management does not expect that any of these legal proceedings currently pending will have a material adverse impact on Cox Radio’s consolidated financial position, consolidated results of operations or cash flows.

 

FCC Broadcast Licenses

 

Each of Cox Radio’s radio stations operates pursuant to one or more licenses issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that have a maximum term of eight years prior to renewal. Cox Radio’s FCC broadcast licenses expire at various times from 2004 to 2012. Although Cox Radio may apply to renew its FCC broadcast licenses, third parties may challenge the Company’s renewal applications. Cox Radio is not aware of any facts or circumstances that would prevent it from having its current licenses renewed. Cox Radio has never failed to renew its FCC licenses.

 

16. Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information

 

The following table sets forth selected quarterly financial information for Cox Radio. This information is derived from Cox Radio’s unaudited financial statements included in its Form 10-Q filings and includes, in Cox Radio’s opinion, only normal and recurring adjustments that it considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for that year or any future period.

 

    

1st

Quarter


   

2nd

Quarter


  

3rd

Quarter


  

4th

Quarter


     (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

2003

                            

Net revenues

   $ 91,569     $ 115,246    $ 112,279    $ 106,779

Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)

     21,220       25,434      26,258      22,705

Selling, general and administrative

     38,210       43,296      39,957      40,710

Corporate general and administrative expenses

     4,235       4,400      4,131      3,506

Depreciation

     2,944       2,977      2,945      2,848

Amortization

     30       29      29      29

Operating income

     24,931       39,081      38,935      36,145
    


 

  

  

Net income (2)

   $ 9,377     $ 18,068    $ 18,445    $ 20,735
    


 

  

  

Net income per common share – basic

   $ 0.09     $ 0.18    $ 0.18    $ 0.21
    


 

  

  

Net income per common share – diluted

   $ 0.09     $ 0.18    $ 0.18    $ 0.21
    


 

  

  

2002

                            

Net revenues

   $ 86,030     $ 113,910    $ 112,538    $ 108,114

Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)

     19,866       25,092      26,079      22,115

Selling, general and administrative

     36,115       42,630      41,108      41,240

Corporate general and administrative expenses

     4,101       4,365      3,711      3,312

Depreciation

     3,002       3,028      3,074      2,992

Amortization

     30       29      30      29

Operating income

     22,408       38,797      38,926      38,200

Cumulative effect of an accounting change, net of tax (1)

     (13,934 )     —        —        —  
    


 

  

  

Net (loss) income

   $ (6,614 )   $ 17,478    $ 17,814    $ 17,263
    


 

  

  

Net income per common share before cumulative effect of accounting change – basic

   $ 0.07     $ 0.17    $ 0.18    $ 0.17

Cumulative effect of an accounting change (1)

     (0.14 )     —        —        —  
    


 

  

  

Net (loss) income per common share – basic

   $ (0.07 )   $ 0.17    $ 0.18    $ 0.17
    


 

  

  

Net income per common share before cumulative effect of accounting change – diluted

   $ 0.07     $ 0.17    $ 0.18    $ 0.17

Cumulative effect of an accounting change (1)

     (0.14 )     —        —        —  
    


 

  

  

Net (loss) income per common share – diluted

   $ (0.07 )   $ 0.17    $ 0.18    $ 0.17
    


 

  

  


(1) Represents a $13.9 million ($0.14 per diluted share) after-tax loss related to the cumulative effect of accounting change as a result of adopting SFAS No. 142.
(2) Net income for the three months period ended December 31, 2003 includes a $2.9 million ($0.03 per diluted share) deferred tax benefit related to a lower effective tax rate for state income taxes.

 

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ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

None.

 

ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures

 

The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Cox Radio (its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively) have concluded, based on their evaluation as of December 31, 2003, that Cox Radio’s disclosure controls and procedures: are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Cox Radio in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms; and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Cox Radio in such reports is accumulated and communicated to Cox Radio’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

There were no changes in Cox Radio’s internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that materially affected, or were reasonably likely to materially affect, Cox Radio’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Cox Radio’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide a reasonable level of assurance of reaching Cox Radio’s desired disclosure objectives and are effective in reaching that level of reasonable assurance.

 

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PART III

 

ITEM 10. Directors and Executive Officers

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to Cox Radio’s Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

ITEM 11. Executive Compensation

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to Cox Radio’s Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to Cox Radio’s Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to Cox Radio’s Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

ITEM 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to Cox Radio’s Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

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PART IV

 

ITEM 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(a) Documents incorporated by reference or filed with this report:

 

  (1) Audited Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 and Consolidated Statements of Operations, Shareholders’ Equity and Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003; and

 

  (2) Schedule II – Valuation and qualifying accounts.

 

  (3) Exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K:

 

Listed below are the exhibits, which are incorporated by reference or filed as part of this report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):

 

Exhibit

Number


       

Description


(1) 3.1       Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Cox Radio, Inc.
(2) 3.2       Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Cox Radio, Inc.
(3) 3.3       Amended and Restated Bylaws of Cox Radio, Inc.
(4) 4.1       Indenture dated as of May 26, 1998 by and among Cox Radio, Inc. The Bank of New York, WSB, Inc. and WHIO, Inc.
(5) 4.2       First Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 1, 1999 by and among The Bank of New York, Cox Radio, Inc. and CXR Holdings, Inc.
(6) 4.3       Form of Specimen Class A common stock certificate.
(7) 10.1       364-Day Credit Agreement dated as of June 30, 2000 among Cox Radio, Inc., the Banks party thereto, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A., as Syndications Agent, and Citibank, N.A., as Documentation Agent.
(8) 10.2       Amended and Restated 364-Day Credit Agreement dated as of June 29, 2001 among Cox Radio, Inc., the Banks party thereto, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A. and Fleet National Bank, as Syndication Agents, and Citibank, N.A. and Mizuho Bank, as Documentation Agents.
(9) 10.3       Amended and Restated 364-Day Credit Agreement dated as of June 28, 2002 among Cox Radio, Inc., the Banks party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Administrative Agent, and Bank of America, N.A. and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agents.
(10) 10.4       Amended and Restated 364-Day Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 2003 among Cox Radio, Inc., the Banks party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Administrative Agent, Wachovia Bank, National Association and Bank of America, N.A. and, as Co-Syndication Agents.
(11) 10.5       Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as of June 30, 2000 among Cox Radio, Inc., the Banks referred to therein, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A., as Syndications Agent, and Citibank, N.A., as Documentation Agent.
(12) 10.6       First Amendment dated as of June 29, 2001 to the Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as of June 30, 2000 among Cox Radio, Inc., the Banks party thereto, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A., as Syndications Agent, and Citibank, N.A., as Documentation Agent.
(13) 10.7       Second Amendment dated as of December 17, 2001 to the Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as of June 30, 2000 among Cox Radio, Inc., the Banks party thereto, JP Morgan Chase Bank, as Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A., as Syndications Agent, and Citibank, N.A., as Documentation Agent.

 

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10.8       Revolving Promissory Notes, dated December 4, 2003.
(14) 10.9       Cox Radio, Inc. Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan.
(15) 10.10       Cox Radio, Inc. Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
13       Portions of the 2003 Annual Report to Shareholders (expressly incorporated by reference in Part II, Item 5 of this report).
21       Subsidiaries of Cox Radio, Inc.
23.1       Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
24.1       Power of Attorney (included on page 62).
31.1       Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2       Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32.1       Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

(1) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Cox Radio’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-08737).
(2) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Cox Radio’s Form 8-A12B/A filed on February 15, 2002.
(3) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Cox Radio’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-08737).
(4) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of Cox Radio’s Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1998 (global notes representing Cox Radio’s senior unsecured non-convertible debt have not been filed or incorporated by reference in accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K, and Cox Radio agrees to furnish copies of such instruments to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request).
(5) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Cox Radio’s Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1999
(6) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Cox Radio’s Report on Form 8-A12B/A dated February 15, 2002.
(7) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of Cox Radio’s Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2000.
(8) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Cox Radio’s Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2001.
(9) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Cox Radio’s Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2002.
(10) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Cox Radio’s Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2003.
(11) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of Cox Radio’s Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2000.
(12) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Cox Radio’s Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2001.
(13) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Cox Radio’s Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2001.
(14) Incorporated by reference to Appendix B of Cox Radio’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed March 29, 2001 (management contract or compensation plan).
(15) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of Cox Radio’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-08737) (management contract or compensation plan).

 

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

 

On December 4, 2003, Cox Radio filed a Current Report on Form 8-K announcing the election of Juanita P. Baranco to Cox Radio’s Board of Directors under Item 5 and including a copy of the related press release under Item 7.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Cox Radio, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Cox Radio, Inc.

By:

 

/s/ ROBERT F. NEIL


    Robert F. Neil
    President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: March 1, 2004

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Cox Radio, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and each person whose signature appears below, constitutes and appoints Robert F. Neil and Neil O. Johnston, and either of them, with full power to act without the other, such person’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this Annual Report on Form 10-K and any and all amendments to such Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents in connection therewith, and to file the same and all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or desirable to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, thereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact, or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/s/ JAMES C. KENNEDY


James C. Kennedy

  

Chairman of the Board of Directors

  March 1, 2004

/s/ ROBERT F. NEIL


Robert F. Neil

   President and Chief Executive Officer; Director (principal executive officer)   March 1, 2004

/s/ NEIL O. JOHNSTON


Neil O. Johnston

   Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer (principal accounting officer and principal financial officer)   March 1, 2004

/s/ JUANITA P. BARANCO


Juanita P. Baranco

  

Director

  March 1, 2004

/s/ PAUL M. HUGHES


Paul M. Hughes

  

Director

  March 1, 2004

/s/ MARC W. MORGAN


Marc W. Morgan

  

Director

  March 1, 2004

/s/ RICHARD A. FERGUSON


Richard A. Ferguson

  

Director

  March 1, 2004

/s/ NICHOLAS D. TRIGONY


Nicholas D. Trigony

  

Director

  March 1, 2004

/s/ G. DENNIS BERRY


G. Dennis Berry

  

Director

  March 1, 2004

 

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SCHEDULE II

 

COX RADIO, INC.

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

For the Fiscal

Years Ended

December 31


  

Balance

As of
Beginning
of Period


   Assumed in
Business
Combination


   Charges
to Costs
and
Expenses


   Deductions

   Balance
As of
End of
Period


     (Amounts in thousands)

2003

   $ 4,791    $ —      $ 2,801    $ 3,363    $ 4,229

2002

   $ 4,536    $ —      $ 4,590    $ 4,335    $ 4,791

2001

   $ 3,477    $ —      $ 5,217    $ 4,158    $ 4,536