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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004

 

    Commission file numbers 333-33540    
    333-33540-1     

 

Insight Midwest, L.P.

Insight Capital, Inc.

(Exact name of registrants as specified in their charters)

 

Delaware   13-4079232
Delaware   13-4079679
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Nos.)

 

c/o Insight Communications Company, Inc.

810 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York, 10019

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrants’ telephone number, including area code: (917) 286-2300

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark whether each 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 registrants were 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 registrants’ knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Not Applicable

 

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

 

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrants: Not Applicable

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of the registrants’ common stock: Not Applicable

 



Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

          Page

PART I     
Item 1.   

Business

   1
Item 2.   

Properties

   27
Item 3.   

Legal Proceedings

   27
Item 4.   

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   28
PART II     
Item 5.   

Market for Registrants’ Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

   29
Item 6.   

Selected Financial Data

   29
Item 7.   

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

   32
Item 7A.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   48
Item 8.   

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

   49
Item 9.   

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

   49
Item 9A.   

Controls and Procedures

   49
Item 9B.   

Other Information

   49
PART III     
Item 10.   

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

   50
Item 11.   

Executive Compensation

   52
Item 12.   

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

   52
Item 13.   

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

   52
Item 14.   

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

   54
PART IV     
Item 15.   

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

   54
SIGNATURES     

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Some of the information in this report contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate” and “continue” or similar words. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they:

 

    discuss our future expectations;

 

    contain projections of our results of operations or financial condition; or

 

    state other “forward-looking” information.

 

We believe it is important to communicate our expectations to our investors. However, there may be events in the future that we are not able to accurately predict or over which we have no control. The risk factors listed in this report, as well as any other cautionary language in this report, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements. Examples of these risks include our history and expectation of future net losses, our substantial debt, changes in laws and regulations, increasing programming costs and competition. You should be aware that the occurrence of the events described in these risk factors and elsewhere in this report could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

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PART I

 

Item 1. Business

 

In this report, we rely on and refer to information and statistics regarding the cable television industry and our market share in the sectors in which we compete. We obtained this information and statistics from various third-party sources, discussions with our customers and our own internal estimates. We believe that these sources and estimates are reliable, but we have not independently verified them and cannot guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

 

Our Manager

 

Insight Communications Company, Inc. is the ninth largest cable television system operator in the United States based on customers served. Insight Communications currently serves our approximately 1.3 million customers, all of which are concentrated in the four contiguous states of Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois and Ohio. Our manager offers its customers an array of broadband products and services, including analog and digital video, high-speed Internet access and telephone services.

 

Insight Midwest

 

We are owned 50% by our manager and 50% by an indirect subsidiary of Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC, which is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Our manager serves as our general partner and as the manager of each of our systems.

 

Our principal offices are located at c/o Insight Communications Company, Inc., 810 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019, and our telephone number is (917) 286-2300.

 

Insight Capital, Inc.

 

Insight Capital, Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, was formed on September 23, 1999, for the sole purpose of being a co-issuer with Insight Midwest, L.P. (“Insight Midwest”) of senior notes which allows certain investors the ability to be holders of the debt. The Company has no operations. The outstanding shares of the Company are owned by Insight Midwest.

 

Recent Developments

 

On March 7, 2005, our manager received a proposal from Sidney R. Knafel and Michael Willner, together with certain related and other parties (the “Controlling Shareholders”), and The Carlyle Group to acquire all of our manager’s outstanding, publicly-held Class A common stock. Our manager’s Board of Directors has appointed a special committee of independent directors to review this proposal. The proposal specifically states that the Controlling Shareholders will roll over a substantial majority of their ownership in our manager and will retain control.

 

Strategy

 

Our strategy is to be a full-service provider of entertainment, information and communications services. This strategy is centered on offering attractive products and services which will be valued by our customers, and providing the highest level of customer service. We focus on building strong relationships within the communities in which we operate because we believe our local presence and relationships with our communities and customers distinguishes us from our competitors and results in higher customer satisfaction. In addition, we intend to continue to leverage the capacity and capability of our upgraded broadband network to develop new and enhanced products and services for our customers.

 

Deliver excellent customer service and enhance community relations

 

We believe that our commitment to customers and the communities in which we operate enhances

 

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our ability to attract and retain customers in a competitive environment. We also believe that providing outstanding customer service and creating a positive corporate image in our communities enhances our ability to sell new products and services.

 

We seek to secure a high level of customer satisfaction by employing localized customer care, extensively using market research and providing customers with an attractively priced product offering. A significant number of our customers visit their local office on a monthly basis, providing us the opportunity to demonstrate and sell our new and enhanced products and services. We believe that these distinct marketing and promotion opportunities are effective sales channels, providing a competitive advantage as well as enhancing customer loyalty.

 

In addition, we are dedicated to fostering strong relations in the communities we serve. We sponsor local charities and community causes through staged events and promotional campaigns, including the industry’s Cable in the Classroom program. We believe an emphasis on customer service and strong community involvement leads to higher customer satisfaction, reduced customer churn and excellent franchise relationships. To further strengthen community relations and differentiate us from direct broadcast satellite television systems and other multichannel video providers, we provide locally produced and oriented programming that offers, among other things, community information, local government proceedings and local specialty interest shows. In some of our markets, we are the only broadcaster of local high school sporting events, which allows us to provide important programming that builds customer loyalty.

 

Focus on operating large, tightly-grouped clusters of cable systems in markets with attractive demographic profiles

 

In addition to its geographic concentration, our communications network is tightly-grouped, or “clustered,” with approximately 97% of our customers served from 14 headends, or an average of approximately 91,000 customers per headend (a headend processes signals received for distribution to customers over our network). As a result, the amount of capital necessary to deploy new and enhanced products and services is significantly reduced on a per home basis. We believe that the highly clustered nature of our systems also enables us to more efficiently deploy our marketing dollars and maximizes our ability to enhance customer awareness, increase use of our products and services and build brand support.

 

Our geographic concentration enables our local management teams to focus on the customer experience within their communities. We believe that the deployment of these local resources and our local expertise provides us with a significant advantage over our competitors, and is a key component of our operating strategy.

 

Many communities we serve are characterized by good housing growth, higher than average household income and low unemployment, and many are centered around large universities and major commercial enterprises. We believe that the demographic profile of our communities make them attractive markets for our existing and new products.

 

Leverage our advanced broadband network to offer bundled services and introduce new and enhanced products

 

Our advanced broadband network provides significant capacity and flexibility to offer our customers an array of products and services. The capacity of a cable system to offer products and services is determined by its bandwidth. As of December 31, 2004, we estimate that approximately 97% of our customers were passed by our upgraded network, with a bandwidth capacity of 750 megahertz (MHz) or

 

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greater. At the end of 2004, digital cable was available to 96% of basic customers passed by our broadband network, high-speed Internet was available to 98% of homes passed and telephone service was available to 32% of homes passed.

 

Our marketing strategy is to offer our customers an array of entertainment, information and communications services on a bundled basis. A bundled customer is one who subscribes to two or more of our primary services (video, high-speed Internet access and telephone). Where available, all of our services are offered on a bundled basis, supported by a single, integrated back-office platform, which allows our customers to make one call to a single customer service representative regarding any and all of their services and to receive a single bill for all services if they choose. By bundling our products and services, we provide our customers with increased choice in value-added packages, which we believe results in higher customer satisfaction, increased use of our services and greater customer retention.

 

Pursue value-enhancing transactions in nearby or adjacent geographies

 

We will seek to swap or acquire systems that strategically fit our clustering and operating strategy and are accretive to our value. We do not currently have any agreements, commitments or understandings for any future acquisitions. There is no assurance that any additional acquisitions will be completed. We believe that by acquiring or swapping systems in close proximity we have the opportunity to improve revenue growth and operating margins. This is achieved through the consolidation of headends, spreading of fixed costs over larger systems and increased operating efficiencies associated with larger systems.

 

Technical Overview

 

We believe that in order to achieve consistently high levels of customer service, reduce operating costs, maintain a strong competitive position and deploy important new technologies, we need to maintain a state-of-the-art technical platform. The deployment of fiber optic cable which has a capacity for a very large number of channels, the increase in the bandwidth to 750 MHz or higher, the activation of a two-way communications network and the installation of digital equipment allows us to deliver new and enhanced products and services, including interactive digital video, high-speed Internet services and telephone services.

 

As of December 31, 2004, our systems were comprised of approximately 30,200 network miles serving approximately 1.3 million customers and passing approximately 2.4 million homes resulting in a density of approximately 79 homes per mile. As of that date, our systems were made up of an aggregate of 31 headends, and approximately 97% of our customers were served by 14 headends. As of December 31, 2004, we estimate that approximately 97% of our customers were passed by our upgraded network.

 

Our network design calls for an analog and digital two-way active network with fiber optic cable carrying signals from the headend to the distribution point within our customers’ neighborhoods. The signals are transferred to our coaxial cable network at the node for delivery to our customers. We have designed the fiber system to be capable of subdividing the nodes if traffic on the network requires additional capacity.

 

We believe that active use of fiber optic technology as a supplement to coaxial cable plays a major role in expanding channel capacity and improving the performance of our systems. Fiber optic strands are capable of carrying hundreds of video, data and voice channels over extended distances without the extensive signal amplification typically required for coaxial cable. We will continue to deploy fiber optic cable to further reduce amplifier cascades while improving picture quality and system reliability.

 

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A direct result of this extensive use of fiber optics is an improvement in picture quality and a reduction of outages because system failures will be both significantly reduced and will impact far fewer customers when they do occur. Our design allows our systems to have the capability to run multiple separate channel line-ups from a single headend and to insert targeted advertisements into specific neighborhoods.

 

We are improving the reliability of telephone services by implementing standby powering and status monitoring on our local network as telephone services are deployed in our systems. The existing commercial power structure deployed in cable networks is subject to potential disruptions in local power utility service. Standby power will provide battery back-up for a limited duration, thereby making both telephone services and other products and services delivered over our local network more reliable. Status monitoring will enable us to monitor key components of our local network so that we can help reduce and diagnose problems affecting the performance of our local network.

 

Products and Services

 

We offer our customers a full array of traditional cable television services and programming offerings. We tailor both our basic line-up and our additional channel offerings to each regional system in response to demographics, programming preferences, competition and local regulation. We offer a basic level of service which includes up to 28 channels of television programming. As of December 31, 2004, approximately 91% of our customers chose to pay an additional amount to receive additional channels under our “Classic” or “expanded” service. Premium channels, which are offered individually or in packages of several channels, are optional add-ons to the basic service or the classic service. As of December 31, 2004, premium units as a percentage of basic subscribers was approximately 42%.

 

As network upgrades were activated, we deployed new and enhanced products and services in substantially all of our markets, including interactive digital video and high-speed Internet services. In addition, we are offering telephone services to our customers in selected markets.

 

Analog Video

 

Our analog cable television service offering includes the following:

 

    Basic Service. All of our video customers receive the basic level of service, which generally consists of over-the-air local broadcast television and local community programming, including government and public access, and may include a limited number of satellite-delivered channels.

 

    Classic Service or Expanded Service. This expanded level of service includes a group of satellite-delivered or non-broadcast channels such as ESPN, CNN, Discovery Channel and Lifetime.

 

    Premium Channels. These channels provide unedited, commercial-free movies, sports and other special event entertainment programming such as HBO, Cinemax, Starz! and Showtime. We offer subscriptions to these channels primarily as a multi-channel digital service, along with subscription video-on-demand services.

 

    Pay-Per-View. These analog channels allow customers with addressable analog or digital set-top boxes to pay to view a one-time special sporting event or music concert on an unedited, commercial-free basis. Pay-per-view movies are available through our video-on-demand digital service.

 

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Interactive Digital Video

 

The implementation of interactive digital technology significantly enhances and expands the video and service offerings we provide to our customers. Because of the significantly increased bandwidth and two-way transmission capability of our state-of-the-art technical platform, we have designed a more extensive digital product that is rich in attractive features and provides customers with a high degree of interactive capability. Our interactive digital service is designed to exploit the advantages of a broadband network in the existing generation of set-top devices. The digital service encompasses three interactive applications: (1) an interactive program guide; (2) interactive local information and community guides; and (3) a video-on-demand service.

 

We have conducted numerous focus groups and commissioned research studies, the findings of which have helped to develop our interactive digital strategy. We believe that our digital penetration will continue to increase as a result of our differentiated services such as a graphically rich local information network and video-on-demand pay-per-view with full VCR functionality.

 

We are packaging our digital service under the “Insight Digital” brand, which includes the following features:

 

    A digital set-top box and remote control;

 

    An interactive navigational program guide for all analog and digital channels;

 

    A local, interactive Internet-style service;

 

    Access to multi-channel premium service for customers who separately subscribe to premium channels, such as HBO and Showtime, and in some cases with subscription video-on-demand;

 

    Access to video-on-demand;

 

    Mag Rack, a selection of video magazines with video-on-demand functionality; and

 

    A digital 40-channel audio music service.

 

We offer a high-definition programming service consisting of broadcast networks and premium channels. Digital customers with high-definition television (HDTV) sets can purchase an HDTV receiver and any high-definition programming that is available from local broadcasters. HDTV customers who have HBO or Showtime would receive any HDTV programs available from these networks as well. We believe that offering HDTV programming from local broadcasters puts us in a favorable competitive position with the direct broadcast satellite television distributors which have limited HDTV programming due to capacity restrictions.

 

Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Insight Interactive, LLC, our interactive digital platform provides its local, interactive Internet-style service and an interactive program guide. For an additional monthly charge over our Insight Digital price, we also offer a single digital set-top box which integrates our existing HDTV programming and video-on-demand services with a new digital video recorder (DVR) service. These advanced services are supported by Gemstar-TV Guide’s interactive program guide.

 

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Our digital customers are served by a video-on-demand (VOD) infrastructure provided by SeaChange International, Inc. Customers receive the movies electronically over the network and have full VCR functionality, including pause, play, fast forward and rewind. The movies are delivered with a high quality digital picture and digital sound. Our video-on-demand product is designed to provide movies at prices comparable to those charged for videotape rentals, pay-per-view and near video-on-demand movies, but with far greater convenience and functionality. Additionally, customers who subscribe to premium services, such as HBO and Showtime, can access selected movies and original programming from these networks at no additional cost to their regular monthly premium channel fee utilizing our video-on-demand system. Insight’s video-on-demand system also provides free content from certain cable networks including the NFL Network, Food Network, DIY Network and the National Geographic Channel to any digital customer with VOD access. As of December 31, 2004, approximately 35% of our customers had access to video-on-demand services.

 

High-Speed Internet

 

We offer high-speed Internet service for personal computers for all of our upgraded systems through our own regional network branded Insight BroadbandSM, except for our Columbus, Ohio system, which utilizes the RoadRunner service. AT&T Corp. provides the IP network backbone for our Insight Broadband service and certain core Internet support functions. As of December 31, 2004, high-speed Internet services were available in over 2.3 million of our homes and served approximately 330,500 of our customers.

 

The broad bandwidth of our cable network enables data to be transmitted significantly faster than traditional telephone-based modem technologies, and the cable connection does not interfere with normal telephone activity or usage. For example, cable’s on-line customers can download large files from the Internet in a fraction of the time it takes when using any widely available telephone modem technology. Moreover, surfing the Internet on a high-speed network removes the long delays for Web pages to fully appear on the computer screen, allowing the experience to more closely approximate the responsiveness of changing channels on a television set. In addition, the cable modem is always on and does not require the customer to dial into an Internet service provider and await authorization. We believe that these factors of speed and easy accessibility will increase the use and impact of the Internet.

 

Telephone Services

 

On December 31, 2004, we acquired from Comcast Cable and certain of its subsidiaries the circuit-switched telephone business previously operated jointly by us and Comcast Cable in selected markets. Under the joint operating agreement, we leased certain capacity on our local network infrastructure to Comcast Cable for which we received a fee, and we provided certain services and support for which we received additional payments related to installation, marketing and billing. Comcast Cable provided the necessary switching and transport. Under the “Insight Phone” brand, telephone services are currently available in portions of the Louisville, Kentucky, Evansville, Indiana, Lexington, Kentucky, and Columbus, Ohio areas and were available to a total of approximately 768,828 marketable homes passed, with approximately 64,286 customers as of December 31, 2004. By acquiring ownership of the telephone business from Comcast Cable, we have gained both operational and strategic control over this business.

 

We intend to offer a phone service delivered over our broadband communications networks transmitting voice signals in data packets using Internet protocol. We currently anticipate that this service will be made available in almost all of our markets during 2005, with launches within the markets to be made on a node-by-node basis.

 

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Business Background of Our Manager

 

Insight Communications was co-founded in 1985 as a limited partnership under the name Insight Communications Company, L.P. by Sidney R. Knafel and Michael S. Willner after a previous association with one another at Vision Cable Communications where Mr. Knafel was co-founder and Chairman and Mr. Willner held various operating positions, ultimately holding the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Vision Cable was sold to The Newhouse Group Inc. in 1981 and Mr. Willner remained there to run the cable operations until 1985 when he and Mr. Knafel formed Insight Communications.

 

In addition to many years of conventional cable television experience, Insight Communications’ management team has been involved in the development and deployment of full service communications networks since 1989. Through a then related entity, Insight Communications Company UK, L.P., Insight Communications’ management and related parties entered the cable television market in the United Kingdom, where today modern networks are widely deployed.

 

As a result of its management’s British experience, Insight Communications recognized that the technology and products developed in the United Kingdom would migrate to the United States in similar form. Insight Communications focused on planning to upgrade our network promptly after it became clear that the 1996 Telecom Act would encourage competition in the communications industries. Insight Communications understood, however, that the new products and services available with new technology were best deployed in markets which provided for efficiencies for branding and technical investment. Insight Communications’ original acquisition strategy, which focused on customer growth, was very successful. However, Insight Communications’ management team recognized the opportunity to evolve from our role as a cable television operator providing only home video entertainment into a full service alternative communications network providing not only standard video services, but also interactive digital video, high-speed Internet access and communications products and services.

 

Recognizing the opportunities presented by newly available products and services and favorable changes in the regulatory environment, Insight Communications executed a series of asset swaps, acquisitions and entered into several joint ventures that resulted in its current composition. The largest of these transactions were the 50/50 joint ventures formed with Comcast Cable (formerly known as AT&T Broadband) and its affiliates in October 1998 with respect to the Indiana systems, in October 1999 with respect to the Kentucky systems and on January 5, 2001 with respect to the Illinois systems. As of December 31, 1997, Insight Communications’ systems had approximately 180,000 customers with the two largest concentrations in Utah and Indiana, which together represented less than half of its customers. Insight Communications believes that it has successfully transformed its assets so that it currently owns, operates and manages a cable television network serving approximately 1.4 million customers, all of which are clustered in the contiguous states of Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois and Ohio. Insight Communications’ current assets are reflective of its strategy to own systems that have high ratios of customers to headends.

 

In July 1999, the holders of the partnership interests of Insight Communications Company, L.P, (“Insight LP”) exchanged their respective partnership interests for common stock of Insight Communications. As a result, Insight LP became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Insight Communications. Simultaneous with the exchange, Insight Communications consummated an initial public offering of 26,450,000 shares of its Class A common stock, raising an aggregate of approximately $650.0 million. Insight Communications’ Class A common stock is currently listed on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “ICCI.”

 

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Our Systems

 

Our systems in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois and Ohio serve approximately 1.3 million customers. We are the largest operator of cable systems in Kentucky and the second-largest in both Indiana and Illinois. Our systems are clustered to serve an average of 91,000 customers per headend.

 

We are able to realize significant operational synergies due to the size of the clusters in these states and the demographic proximity of all of our systems. In all of our systems, we have substantially completed upgrading our system infrastructures to enable us to deliver new technologies, products and services to provide our customers with greater value and choices in the face of growing competition. As network upgrades were activated, we deployed new and enhanced products and services in substantially all of our markets, including interactive digital video and high-speed Internet services. In addition, we are offering telephone services to our customers in selected markets.

 

The highly clustered nature of our systems enables us to (a) more efficiently invest our marketing dollars and maximize our brand awareness, (b) more economically introduce new and enhanced services, and (c) reduce our overall operating and maintenance costs as a result of our ability to deploy fiber and reduce the number of headends we use throughout our systems. As a result, we believe we are able to achieve improved operating performance on both a combined and system-wide basis. Our relationship with Comcast Cable provides us with substantial purchasing economies for both our programming and hardware needs.

 

The East Region

 

As of December 31, 2004, the East Region passed approximately 815,900 homes and served approximately 409,100 customers. Approximately 98% of our customers in the East Region are served by eight headends. The East Region, comprised of systems located within the States of Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, is organized in six management districts:

 

The Central District

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Central District passed approximately 148,400 homes and served approximately 79,000 customers, principally in the community of Bloomington. The City of Bloomington, located 45 miles south of Indianapolis, is the home of Indiana University. Besides the University, major employers include Bloomington Hospital, Cook Incorporated and General Electric.

 

The Southwest District

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Southwest District passed approximately 130,000 homes and served approximately 58,800 customers, principally in the communities of Evansville, Boonville, Mt. Vernon, Princeton and Jasper, Indiana, as well as Henderson, Kentucky. Major employers include Alcoa, Whirlpool and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

 

In January 2003, HDTV was launched in this District. Telephone service is now fully deployed in Evansville, Boonville and Mt. Vernon, Indiana, as well as in Henderson, Kentucky.

 

SIGECOM, LLC has overbuilt the City of Evansville, providing cable television, high-speed Internet and telephone services in the City of Evansville and neighboring areas. We believe the SIGECOM overbuild passed approximately 83,000 homes in our service area as of December 31, 2004.

 

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The Lexington District

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Lexington District passed approximately 129,000 homes and served approximately 82,400 customers from a single headend. Lexington is Kentucky’s second largest city, located in the central part of the state. Major employers in the Lexington area include the University of Kentucky, Toyota and Lexmark International.

 

As of December 31, 2004, over 44% of customers have subscribed to our interactive Insight Digital service. Approximately 24% of customers have Insight Broadband high-speed Internet service. Our phone service is available in over 92% of Lexington.

 

The Northern Kentucky District

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Northern Kentucky District passed approximately 155,800 homes and served approximately 80,700 customers from a single headend primarily in the City of Covington. Covington is Kentucky’s fifth largest city. Major employers in the Covington area include Delta Airlines, Toyota, Citicorp, DHL, Ashland, Inc., Fidelity Investments, BICC General Cable Corporation, Omnicare, COMAIR, Levis Strauss, Gap, Inc., Mazak Corp. and R.A. Jones, Inc.

 

The Bowling Green District

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Bowling Green District passed approximately 37,000 homes and served approximately 23,600 customers from a single headend. Bowling Green is located 120 miles south of Louisville, 110 miles southwest of Lexington and 70 miles north of Nashville, Tennessee. Bowling Green is the fourth largest city in Kentucky and is the home of Western Kentucky University. Major employers in the Bowling Green area include General Motors, Fruit of the Loom, Commonwealth Health Corporation, DESA International and Houchens Industries.

 

The Columbus District

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Columbus District passed approximately 215,200 homes and served approximately 84,500 customers from a single headend. The District serves the eastern portion of the City of Columbus and adjacent suburban communities within eastern Franklin County and the contiguous counties of Delaware, Licking, Fairfield and Pickaway. The City of Columbus is the 34th largest designated market area, the capital of Ohio and the home of Ohio State University. In addition to the state government and university, the Columbus economy is well diversified with the significant presence of prominent companies such as The Limited, Merck, Wendy’s, Nationwide Insurance, JP Morgan Chase Bank and Worthington Industries.

 

As of December 31, 2004, approximately 36,800 of customers have subscribed to our interactive Insight Digital service, representing a penetration of nearly 48% in areas where digital service is available. The RoadRunner high-speed Internet service, launched in 2000, has achieved a penetration of approximately 15% as of December 31, 2004 in areas where service is available. We have launched a telephone service alternative to SBC (Ameritech) in the Columbus District. In addition, the Columbus District provides exclusive local sports and entertainment programming, featuring a variety of sporting events from area high schools and the Ohio State University to Columbus Clippers baseball and Columbus Crew major league soccer.

 

In 1996, Ameritech obtained a citywide cable television franchise for the City of Columbus and most other suburban communities in Franklin County. WideOpenWest acquired the assets of Ameritech in December 2001, and has built its system, both in our service area and in the Time Warner service area on the west side of Columbus. The areas of the Columbus District served by both us and WideOpenWest

 

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pass approximately 130,800 homes, representing 61% of the Columbus District’s total homes passed as of December 31, 2004.

 

The West Region

 

As of December 31, 2004, the West Region passed approximately 1,011,300 homes and served approximately 591,700 customers. Approximately 95% of our customers in the West Region are served by five headends. The West Region, comprised of systems located within the States of Indiana and Illinois, is organized in six management districts:

 

The Northwest District

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Northwest District passed approximately 107,700 homes and served approximately 68,300 customers, principally in the communities of Lafayette and Kokomo. The City of Lafayette is the home of Purdue University. Besides Purdue University, major employers include Eli Lilly, Subaru, Caterpillar, Great Lakes Chemical, Lafayette Life Insurance, Delphi Electronics and Chrysler.

 

The Northeast District

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Northeast District passed approximately 206,000 homes and served approximately 118,000 customers in Richmond as well as in the suburban communities near Indianapolis, including Noblesville and extending north to Anderson and east to Richmond, Indiana. Indianapolis is the state capital of Indiana and is the twelfth largest city in the United States. Major employers include General Motors and Eli Lilly

 

The Northern Illinois District

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Northern Illinois District, which is comprised of Rockford and Dixon, Illinois, passed approximately 203,800 homes and served approximately 117,300 customers. Rockford is Illinois’ second largest city. Major employers in the Rockford metropolitan area include Chrysler Corporation, Rockford Health System, Sundstrand Corporation and Swedish American Health Systems.

 

Dixon customers are principally in the communities of Rock Falls, Peru and Dixon. Dixon is located in the north/central part of the State of Illinois. Major employers in the Dixon area include the State of Illinois, Raynor Manufacturing Company and Borg Warner Automotive.

 

Approximately 95% of the Northern Illinois District currently operates with a network of 750 MHz or higher. As of December 31, 2004, the district achieved penetration levels for its digital service of approximately 30% in areas where the service is available.

 

The Peoria District

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Peoria District passed approximately 203,900 homes and served approximately 123,000 customers, principally in the communities of Bloomington and Peoria, Illinois. Bloomington is located in the north central part of the state. The Bloomington system is home to Illinois State University with over 19,800 students and Illinois Wesleyan University with over 2,100 students. The major employers in Bloomington are State Farm Insurance and Mitsubishi Motor Company of America. Peoria is the fifth largest city in Illinois, located in the north central part of the state. The Peoria system is

 

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home to Bradley University. Major employers in the Peoria area include the world headquarters of Caterpillar and R.L. Nelson Corp.

 

The Peoria District completed the upgrade of all but 68 miles of its 2,200 mile network to 750 MHz or higher. As of December 31, 2004, the Peoria District achieved penetration levels for its digital service of approximately 30% in areas where digital service is available. The District has launched high-speed Internet service and has achieved penetration levels of over 14% as of December 31, 2004 in areas where the service is available. In September 2003, video-on-demand and HDTV services were made available to customers in the Peoria District.

 

The Springfield District

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Springfield District passed approximately 189,500 homes and served approximately 114,500 customers, principally in the communities of Decatur and Springfield. Springfield is the capital of Illinois and the sixth largest city in the state, located in the central part of the state. The major employer in the Springfield area is the State of Illinois.

 

Approximately 74% of the Springfield District operates with a network which is two-way interactive. As of December 31, 2004, the district achieved penetration levels for its digital service of 32% in the areas where the service is available. The district has launched Insight Broadband high-speed Internet service and has achieved penetration levels of approximately 13% in areas where the service is available. In September 2003, video-on-demand and HDTV services were made available to customers in the Springfield District.

 

The Champaign District

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Champaign District passed approximately 100,300 homes and served approximately 50,600 customers. Champaign/Urbana is located in the eastern central part of the state. The Champaign District is home to the University of Illinois with over 45,000 students. Major employers in the Champaign and Urbana areas include the University of Illinois, Kraft Foods and the Carle Clinic Association.

 

The Champaign District serves substantially all of its customers by a two-way, 750 MHz network. The district had approximately 15,700 digital customers as of December 31, 2004. The Champaign District has launched Insight Broadband high-speed Internet service and as of December 31, 2004 had approximately 16,000 customers.

 

The South Region

 

General

 

As of December 31, 2004, the South Region passed approximately 548,100 homes and served approximately 271,700 customers, principally in the City of Louisville, Kentucky. This region includes approximately 91,019 homes passed and approximately 41,151 customers served by the Scottsburg, Jeffersonville and New Albany, Indiana systems which are operated by the management of the Louisville, Kentucky system. Louisville is the 16th largest city in the United States and is Kentucky’s largest city. It is located in the northern region of the state, bordering Indiana. Louisville is located within a day’s drive of nearly 50% of the United States population, which makes it an important crossroads for trade and business. Major employers in the Louisville metropolitan area include Humana, UPS, General Electric and Ford. Knology, Inc. obtained a franchise to provide cable television service in the City of Louisville in September 2000, although it had not commenced building a cable system as of December 31, 2004.

 

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The Louisville system serves over 99% of its customers with two-way 750 MHz cable from a single headend. As of December 31, 2004, approximately 106,000 customers in the Louisville system have subscribed to our interactive Insight Digital service. Our phone service is available in over 75% of Louisville.

 

Customer Rates

 

Rates charged to customers vary based on the market served and service selected. As of December 31, 2004, the weighted average revenue for our monthly combined basic and classic service was approximately $38.11.

 

A one-time installation fee, which we may reduce during promotional periods, is charged to new customers, as well as reconnected customers. We charge monthly fees for set top boxes and remote control devices. We also charge administrative fees for delinquent payments for service. Customers are free to discontinue service at any time without additional charge and may be charged a reconnection fee to resume service. Commercial customers, such as hotels, motels and hospitals, are charged negotiated monthly fees and a non-recurring fee for the installation of service. Multiple dwelling unit accounts may be offered a bulk rate in exchange for single-point billing and basic service to all units.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

Our strategy is to improve customer satisfaction and reduce churn in addition to selling video, high-speed Internet and telephone services to our customers and potential customers, thereby increasing market share. Customers who purchase more than one service may in some cases be eligible for a bundled discount. We regularly use targeted campaigns to sell the appropriate services to both our existing and our potential customer base. Our customer service representatives are trained and given the support to use their daily contacts with customers as opportunities to sell them additional services.

 

Due to the nature of the communities we serve, we are able to market our services in ways not typically used by urban cable operators. We can market products and services to our customers at our local offices where many of our customers pay their monthly cable bills in person. Examples of our in-store marketing include the promotion of premium services as well as point-of-purchase demonstrations that will allow customers to experience our high-speed Internet service and digital products. We aggressively promote our services utilizing both broad and targeted marketing tactics, including outdoor billboards, outbound telemarketing, retail partnerships, including Best Buy and H.H. Gregg, direct mail, door-to-door sales, cross-channel promotion, print and broadcast.

 

We build awareness of the “Insight” brand through advertising campaigns and strong community relations. As a result of our branding efforts and consistent service standards, we believe we have developed a reputation for quality and reliability. We also believe that our marketing strategies are particularly effective due to our regional clustering and market significance, which enables us to reach a greater number of both current and potential customers in an efficient, uniform manner.

 

Programming Suppliers

 

Most cable companies purchase their programming product directly from the program networks by entering into a contractual relationship with the program supplier. The vast majority of these program suppliers offer the cable operator license fee rate cards with size-based volume discounts and other financial incentives, such as launch and marketing support and cross-channel advertising.

 

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Currently there are over 160 cable networks competing for carriage on our analog and digital platforms. We have continued to leverage both our systems’ channel capacity and newly deployed digital services including video-on-demand as an incentive to our suppliers to secure long term programming deals with reasonable price structures and other creative financial arrangements to offset license fee increases.

 

Because of our relationship with Comcast Cable, we have the right to purchase certain programming services for our systems directly through Comcast Cable’s programming supplier Satellite Services, Inc. We believe that Satellite Services has attractive programming costs. Additionally, given the clustering of our systems in the Midwest, we have been successful in affiliating with regionally based programming products such as sports and news, at lower than average license fees.

 

Under the terms of Insight Midwest’s partnership agreement, we and Comcast Cable are each required to use commercially reasonable efforts to extend to Insight Midwest all of the programming discounts available to us. Accordingly, we should benefit from both the existing Satellite Services arrangement as well as additional discounts available to Comcast Cable. However, we cannot predict with certainty when these benefits will occur, or the extent to which they actually will be achieved.

 

Commitment to Community Relations

 

We believe that maintaining strong community relations will continue to be an important factor in ensuring our long-term success. Our community-oriented initiatives include educational programs and the sponsorship of programs and events recognizing local citizens and supporting local charitable organizations. In addition, members of our management team host community events for political and business leaders as well as representatives of the local media, where they discuss our operations, recent enhancements to our service and recent developments in the telecommunications industry. We have received numerous awards recognizing our ongoing community relations, and we believe that such initiatives result in consumer and governmental goodwill and name recognition, increasing customer loyalty and likely facilitating any future efforts to provide new communications services.

 

We encourage all of our local management teams to take leadership roles in community and civic activities. Over the years, our systems have received various forms of recognition for their support of local causes and charities as well as their sponsorship of programs that improve the quality of life in the communities they serve.

 

All of our systems provide ongoing support for Cable in the Classroom, an industry initiative that earns recognition both locally and nationally for its efforts in furthering the education of students. We further underscore our commitment to education by offering high-speed Internet access to each accredited school in our service area, building upon the cable industry’s pledge to provide free high-speed Internet access to eligible local schools and public libraries. We offer students and teachers the resources of broadband content and robust cable programming to enrich the learning experience.

 

With cable modems in the classroom, teachers and students alike can benefit from the speedy downloads and access to advanced applications to enhance the learning experience. In addition to providing this advanced technology free of charge, we intend to continue offering programming enhancements in partnership with various cable networks.

 

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One of the advantages a local cable operator has over nationally distributed competitors is its ability to develop local programming. To further strengthen community relations and differentiate us from direct broadcast satellite television systems and other multichannel video providers, we provide locally produced and oriented programming. Several of our systems have full production capabilities, with in-house and/or mobile production studios to create local content. We offer a broad range of local programming alternatives, including community information, local government proceedings and local specialty interest shows. In some of our markets, we are the exclusive broadcaster of local college and high school sporting events, which we believe provides unique programming and builds customer loyalty. We believe that our emphasis on local programming creates significant opportunities for increased advertising revenues. Locally originated programming will also play an integral role in the deployment of our new and enhanced products and services.

 

Franchises

 

Cable television systems are constructed and operated under fixed-term non-exclusive franchises or other types of operating authorities that are granted by either local governmental or centralized state authorities. These franchises typically contain many conditions, such as:

 

    Time limitations on commencement and completion of construction;

 

    Conditions of service, including the number of channels, the provision of free service to schools and other public institutions;

 

    The maintenance of insurance and indemnity bonds; and

 

    The payment of fees to communities.

 

    These local franchises are subject to limits imposed by federal law.

 

As of December 31, 2004, we held 547 franchises in the aggregate, consisting of 201 in Indiana, 192 in Kentucky, 125 in Illinois and 29 in Ohio. Many of these franchises require the payment of fees to the issuing authorities of 3% to 5% of gross revenues, as defined by each franchise agreement, from the related cable system.

 

The Communications Act of 1934 prohibits franchising authorities from imposing annual franchise fees in excess of 5% of gross annual revenues from the provision of cable services and also permits the cable television system operator to seek renegotiation and modification of franchise requirements if warranted by changed circumstances that render performance commercially impracticable.

 

The following table summarizes information relating to the year of expiration of our franchises, as of December 31, 2004:

 

Year of Franchise

Expiration


  

Number of

Franchises


  

Percentage of

Total
Franchises


   

Estimated
Number of

Basic
Customers


  

Percentage
Total

Basic
Customers


 

Expired*

   78    14.3 %   146,268    11.5 %

2005

   38    6.9 %   29,877    2.3 %

2006

   33    6.0 %   161,908    12.7 %

2007

   15    2.7 %   101,648    8.0 %

2008

   34    6.2 %   75,319    5.9 %

After 2008

   349    63.8 %   757,503    59.5 %

 

* Such franchises are operated on a month-to-month basis and are in the process of being renewed.

 

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The Communications Act provides, among other things, for an orderly franchise renewal process which limits a franchising authority’s ability to deny a franchise renewal if the incumbent operator follows prescribed renewal procedures. In addition, the Communications Act include comprehensive renewal procedures which require, when properly elected by an operator, that an incumbent franchisee’s renewal application be assessed on its own merits and not as part of a comparative process with competing applications.

 

We believe that our cable systems generally have good relationships with their respective franchise authorities. We have never had a franchise revoked or failed to have a franchise renewed.

 

Competition

 

Cable systems face increasing competition from alternative methods of receiving and distributing their core video business. Both wireline and wireless competitors have made inroads in competing against incumbent cable operators. The extent to which a cable operator is competitive depends, in part, upon its ability to provide to customers, at a reasonable price, a greater variety of programming and other communications services than are available off-air or through alternative delivery sources and upon superior technical performance and customer service.

 

Congress has enacted legislation and the FCC has adopted regulatory policies providing a more favorable operating environment for new and existing technologies, in particular direct broadcast satellite television systems operators, that have the potential to provide increased competition to cable systems. Congress has also enacted legislation which permits direct broadcast satellite companies to retransmit local television signals, eliminating one of the objections of consumers about switching to satellites.

 

The 1996 Telecom Act contains provisions designed to encourage local exchange telephone companies and others to provide a wide variety of video services competitive with services provided by cable systems. Local exchange telephone companies in various states have either announced plans, obtained local franchise authorizations or are currently competing with our cable communications systems. Certain telephone companies have begun to deploy fiber more extensively in their networks and some have announced plans to deploy broadband services, including video programming services, using a switched Internet protocol platform or other technologies designed to avoid the same regulatory burdens imposed on our business. New laws or regulations at the federal or state level may clarify the ability of local telephone companies to provide their services without obtaining state or local cable franchises. If local telephone companies are not required to obtain local cable franchises comparable to ours, it would be adverse to our business. Local exchange telephone companies and other companies also provide facilities for the transmission and distribution to homes and businesses of interactive computer-based services, including the Internet, as well as data and other non-video services. The ability of local exchange telephone companies to cross-subsidize video, data and telecommunication services also poses some threat to cable operators.

 

Franchised cable systems compete with private cable systems for the right to service condominiums, apartment complexes and other multiple unit residential developments. The operators of these private systems, also known as satellite master antenna television systems, often enter into exclusive agreements with apartment building owners or homeowners’ associations that preclude franchised cable television operators from serving residents of such private complexes. However several states, including Illinois and Ohio where we operate, have adopted legislation granting cable operators the right to serve residents of such private complexes under certain conditions.

 

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The 1984 Cable Act gives franchised cable operators the right to use existing compatible easements within their franchise areas on nondiscriminatory terms and conditions. Accordingly, where there are preexisting compatible easements, cable operators may not be unfairly denied access or discriminated against with respect to access to the premises served by those easements. Conflicting judicial decisions have been issued interpreting the scope of the access right granted by the 1984 Cable Act, particularly with respect to private easements granted to a specific utility and not “dedicated” to the public. Moreover, this statutory easement access right does not appear to allow a cable operator to install facilities within a building without permission from the property owner.

 

The 1996 Telecom Act may exempt some of our competitors from regulation as cable systems. The 1996 Telecom Act amends the definition of a “cable system” such that providers of competitive video programming are only regulated and franchised as “cable systems” if they use public rights-of-way. Thus, a broader class of entities providing video programming, including operators of satellite master antenna television systems, may be exempt from regulation as cable television systems under the 1996 Telecom Act. This exemption may give these entities a competitive advantage over us.

 

Cable television systems are operated under non-exclusive franchises granted by local authorities thereby allowing more than one cable system to be built in the same area. Although the number of municipal and commercial overbuild cable systems is small, the potential profitability of a cable system is adversely affected if the local customer base is divided among multiple systems. Additionally, constructing a competing cable system is a capital intensive process which involves a high degree of risk. We believe that in order to be successful, a competitor’s overbuild would need to be able to serve the homes in the overbuilt area on a more cost-effective basis than we can. Any such overbuild operation would require either significant access to capital or access to facilities already in place that are capable of delivering cable television programming. As of December 31, 2004, our Evansville, Indiana and Columbus, Ohio systems were overbuilt. As a result, approximately 9% of the total homes passed by our systems were overbuilt as of such date.

 

Direct broadcast satellite television systems use digital video compression technology to increase the channel capacity of their systems. Direct broadcast satellite television systems’ programming is currently available to individual households, condominiums and apartment and office complexes through conventional, medium and high-power satellites. High-power direct broadcast satellite television system service is currently being provided by DIRECTV, Inc., EchoStar Communications Corporation and Rainbow DBS. Direct broadcast satellite television systems have some advantages over cable systems that were not upgraded, such as greater channel capacity and digital picture quality. The recent acquisition of DIRECTV by News Corp. may provide it with access to financial, programming and other resources that enhance its competitive potential. In addition, legislation has been enacted which permits direct broadcast satellite television systems to retransmit the signals of local television stations in their local markets. However, direct broadcast satellite television systems have a limited ability to offer locally produced programming, and do not have a significant local presence in the community. In addition, direct broadcast satellite television systems packages can be more expensive than cable, especially if the subscriber intends to view the service on more than one television in the household. Finally, direct broadcast satellite television systems do not have the same full two-way capability, which we believe will limit their ability to compete in a meaningful way in interactive television, high-speed Internet and voice communications. Direct broadcast satellite has enjoyed a 23% average penetration nationwide, and we believe that satellite penetration in our various markets generally is in accordance with such average.

 

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Several telephone companies are introducing digital subscriber line technology (“DSL”), which allows Internet access over traditional phone lines at data transmission speeds greater than those available by a standard telephone modem. Although these transmission speeds are not as great as the transmission speed of a cable modem, we believe that the transmission speed of DSL technology is sufficiently high that such technology competes with cable modem technology. The FCC is currently considering its authority to promulgate rules to facilitate the deployment of these services and regulate areas including high-speed Internet and interactive Internet services. We cannot predict the outcome of any FCC proceedings, or the impact of that outcome on the success of our Internet access services or on our operations. In addition to DSL and dialup modems for providing Internet access, other technologies are entering the marketplace. For example, there is a wireless technology popularly known as “Wi-Fi,” which is faster than dial-up, but slower than cable modem technology. In addition, the FCC has recently approved the provision of broadband Internet service to consumers over electronic power lines.

 

As we expand our offerings to include telephone services, telephone services will be subject to competition from existing providers, including both local exchange telephone companies and long-distance carriers as well as competing providers using alternative technologies such as voice over Internet protocol (“VoIP”). The telecommunications industry is highly competitive and many telephone service providers may have greater financial resources than we have, or have established relationships with regulatory authorities. In addition, new technologies such as VoIP may allow competing telephone providers to offer service in competition with us over an existing broadband connection (e.g., cable modem or DSL), thereby avoiding significant capital expenditures for a local distribution infrastructure. We cannot predict the extent to which the presence of these competitors will influence customer penetration in our telephone service areas. While we may add our telephone service offering to various markets, the service has only been launched in selected markets and has not yet achieved material penetration levels.

 

Other new technologies may become competitive with services that cable communications systems can offer. Advances in communications technology, as well as changes in the marketplace and the regulatory and legislative environment are constantly occurring. Thus, we cannot predict the effect of ongoing or future developments on the cable communications industry or on our operations.

 

Legislation and Regulation

 

The cable television industry is regulated by the FCC, some state governments and the applicable local governments. In addition, various legislative and regulatory proposals under consideration from time to time by Congress and various federal agencies have in the past, and may in the future, materially affect us. The following is a summary of federal laws and regulations materially affecting the growth and operation of the cable television industry and a description of certain state and local laws. We believe that the regulation of the cable television industry remains a matter of interest to Congress, the FCC and other regulatory authorities. There can be no assurance as to what, if any, future actions such legislative and regulatory authorities may take or the effect thereof on us.

 

Federal Legislation

 

The principal federal statute governing the cable television industry is the Communications Act. As it affects the cable television industry, the Communications Act has been significantly amended on three occasions, by the 1984 Cable Act, the 1992 Cable Act and the 1996 Telecom Act. The 1996 Telecom Act altered the regulatory structure governing the nation’s telecommunications providers. It reduced barriers to competition in both the cable television market and the local telephone market. Among other things, it also reduced the scope of cable rate regulation.

 

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Federal Regulation

 

The FCC, the principal federal regulatory agency with jurisdiction over cable television, has adopted regulations covering such areas as cross-ownership between cable television systems and other communications businesses, carriage of television broadcast programming, cable rates, consumer protection and customer service, leased access, obscene and indecent programming, programmer access to cable television systems, programming agreements, technical standards, consumer electronics equipment compatibility and consumer education, ownership of home wiring, availability of programming to competitors, equal employment opportunity, availability of devices to block objectionable programming, origination cablecasting. sponsorship identification, closed captioning, political advertising, advertising limits for children’s programming, signal leakage and frequency use, maintenance of various records as well as antenna structure notification, marking and lighting. The FCC has the authority to enforce these regulations through the imposition of substantial fines, the issuance of cease and desist orders and/or the imposition of other administrative sanctions, such as the revocation of FCC licenses needed to operate certain transmission facilities often used in connection with cable operations. A brief summary of certain of these federal regulations as adopted to date follows.

 

Rate Regulation

 

The 1984 Cable Act codified existing FCC preemption of rate regulation for premium channels and optional non-basic program tiers. The 1984 Cable Act also deregulated basic cable rates for cable television systems determined by the FCC to be subject to effective competition. The 1992 Cable Act substantially changed the previous statutory and FCC rate regulation standards. The 1992 Cable Act replaced the FCC’s old standard for determining effective competition, under which most cable television systems were not subject to rate regulation, with a statutory provision that resulted in nearly all cable television systems becoming subject to rate regulation of basic and cable programming service (expanded basic) tiers. The 1992 Cable Act allows cable operators to obtain deregulation of all rates upon demonstrating effective competition based on cable system penetration of less than 30%, aggregate penetration by competing providers in excess of 15%, or competition from a municipally-owned provider available to at least 50% of the community.

 

For cable systems not subject to effective competition, the 1992 Cable Act required the FCC to adopt a formula for franchising authorities to assure that basic cable rates are reasonable; allowed the FCC to review rates for cable programming service tiers, other than per-channel or per-program services, in response to complaints filed by franchising authorities and/or cable customers; prohibited cable television systems from requiring basic customers to purchase service tiers above basic service in order to purchase premium services if the system is technically capable of compliance; required the FCC to adopt regulations to establish, on the basis of actual costs, the price for installation of cable service, remote controls, converter boxes and additional outlets; and allowed the FCC to impose restrictions on the retiering and rearrangement of cable services under certain limited circumstances. The 1996 Telecom Act limited the class of complainants regarding cable programming service tier rates to franchising authorities only, and ended FCC regulation of cable programming service tier rates on March 31, 1999. The 1996 Telecom Act also relaxed existing uniform rate requirements by specifying that such requirements do not apply where the operator faces effective competition, and by exempting bulk discounts to multiple dwelling units, although complaints about predatory pricing may be lodged with the FCC. In addition, the 1996 Telecom Act expanded the definition of effective competition to cover situations where a local telephone company or its affiliate, or any multichannel video provider using telephone company facilities, offers comparable video service by any means except direct broadcast satellite television systems.

 

The FCC’s implementing regulations contain standards for the regulation of basic service rates. Local franchising authorities are empowered to order a reduction of existing rates which exceed the

 

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maximum permitted level for basic services and associated equipment, and refunds can be required. The FCC adopted a benchmark price cap system for measuring the reasonableness of existing basic service rates. The rules also require that charges for cable-related equipment, converter boxes and remote control devices, for example, and installation services be unbundled from the provision of cable service and based upon actual costs plus a reasonable profit. The regulations also provide that future rate increases may not exceed an inflation-indexed amount, plus increases in certain costs beyond the cable operator’s control, such as taxes, franchise fees and increased programming costs. Cost-based adjustments to these capped rates can also be made in the event a cable television operator adds or deletes channels. Alternatively, cable operators have the opportunity to make cost-of-service showings which, in some cases, may justify rates above the applicable benchmarks. There is also a streamlined cost-of-service methodology available to justify a rate increase on the basic tier for “significant” system upgrades.

 

Carriage of Broadcast Television Signals

 

The 1992 Cable Act contains signal carriage requirements which allow commercial television broadcast stations that are “local” to a cable television system, that is to say that the system is located in the station’s Nielsen “designated market area,” to elect every three years whether to require the cable television system to carry the station, subject to certain exceptions, or whether the cable television system will have to negotiate for “retransmission consent” to carry the station. The last election between must-carry and retransmission consent was October 1, 2002. A cable television system is generally required to devote up to one-third of its activated channel capacity for the carriage of local commercial television stations whether pursuant to mandatory carriage requirements or the retransmission consent requirements of the 1992 Cable Act. Local non-commercial television stations are also given mandatory carriage rights, subject to certain exceptions, within the larger of: (i) a 50 mile radius from the station’ city of license; or (ii) the station’ Grade B contour, a measure of signal strength. Unlike commercial stations, noncommercial stations are not given the option to negotiate retransmission consent for the carriage of their signal. In addition, cable television systems have to obtain retransmission consent for the carriage of all “distant” commercial broadcast stations, except for certain “superstations,” which are commercial satellite-delivered independent stations such as WGN. To date, compliance with the “retransmission consent” and “must carry” provisions of the 1992 Cable Act has not had a material effect on us, although this result may change in the future depending on such factors as market conditions, channel capacity and similar matters when such arrangements are renegotiated. The FCC has issued a decision in a rulemaking proceeding dealing with the carriage of television signals in a digital format, both high definition and standard digital. The rules require carriage of local television broadcast stations that transmit solely in a digital format. In addition, the FCC recently reaffirmed that a station transmitting in both analog and digital formats during the current several-year transition period is entitled to carriage of only its analog signal and that the mandatory carriage obligation extends only to the primary video signal, and not to multiple services transmitted by a station over its digital channel.

 

Deletion of Certain Programming

 

Cable television systems that have 1,000 or more customers must, upon the appropriate request of a local television station, delete the simultaneous or nonsimultaneous network programming of distant stations when such programming has also been contracted for by the local station on an exclusive basis. FCC regulations also enable television stations that have obtained exclusive distribution rights for syndicated programming in their market to require a cable television system to delete or “black out” such programming from other television stations which are carried by the cable television system. In addition, the rights holder to a local sports event can prohibit a cable operator from carrying that event on a distant station if the event is not broadcast live by a local station.

 

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Franchise Fees

 

Although franchising authorities may impose franchise fees under the 1984 Cable Act, such payments cannot exceed 5% of a cable television system’s annual gross revenues from the provision of cable services. Under the 1996 Telecom Act, franchising authorities may not exact franchise fees from revenues derived from telecommunications services, although they may be able to exact some additional compensation for the use of public rights-of-way. The FCC has ruled that franchise fees may not be imposed on revenue from cable modem service. Franchising authorities are also empowered, in awarding new franchises or renewing existing franchises, to require cable television operators to provide cable-related facilities and equipment and to enforce compliance with voluntary commitments. In the case of franchises in effect prior to the effective date of the 1984 Cable Act, franchising authorities may enforce requirements contained in the franchise relating to facilities, equipment and services, whether or not cable-related. The 1984 Cable Act, under certain limited circumstances, permits a cable operator to obtain modifications of franchise obligations.

 

Renewal of Franchises

 

The 1984 Cable Act and the 1992 Cable Act establish renewal procedures and criteria designed to protect incumbent franchisees against arbitrary denials of renewal and to provide specific grounds for franchising authorities to consider in making renewal decisions, including a franchisee’s performance under the franchise and community needs. Even after the formal renewal procedures are invoked, franchising authorities and cable television operators remain free to negotiate a renewal outside the formal process. Nevertheless, renewal is by no means assured, as the franchisee must meet certain statutory standards. Even if a franchise is renewed, a franchising authority may impose new and more onerous requirements such as upgrading facilities and equipment, although the municipality must take into account the cost of meeting such requirements. Similarly, if a franchising authority’s consent is required for the purchase or sale of a cable television system or franchises, such authority may attempt to impose burdensome or onerous franchise requirements in connection with a request for such consent. Historically, franchises have been renewed for cable television operators that have provided satisfactory services and have complied with the terms of their franchises. At this time, we are not aware of any current or past material failure on our part to comply with our franchise agreements. We believe that we have generally complied with the terms of our franchises and have provided quality levels of service.

 

The 1992 Cable Act makes several changes to the process under which a cable television operator seeks to enforce its renewal rights which could make it easier in some cases for a franchising authority to deny renewal. Franchising authorities may consider the “level” of programming service provided by a cable television operator in deciding whether to renew. For alleged franchise violations occurring after December 29, 1984, franchising authorities are no longer precluded from denying renewal based on failure to substantially comply with the material terms of the franchise where the franchising authority has “effectively acquiesced” to such past violations. Rather, the franchising authority is estopped if, after giving the cable television operator notice and opportunity to cure, it fails to respond to a written notice from the cable television operator of its failure or inability to cure. Courts may not reverse a denial of renewal based on procedural violations found to be “harmless error.”

 

Channel Set-Asides

 

The 1984 Cable Act permits local franchising authorities to require cable television operators to set aside certain television channels for public, educational and governmental access programming. The 1984 Cable Act further requires cable television systems with thirty-six or more activated channels to designate a portion of their channel capacity for commercial leased access by unaffiliated third parties to

 

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provide programming that may compete with services offered by the cable television operator. The 1992 Cable Act requires leased access rates to be set according to a formula determined by the FCC.

 

Ownership

 

The 1996 Telecom Act repealed the statutory ban against local exchange carriers providing video programming directly to customers within their local exchange telephone service areas. Consequently, the 1996 Telecom Act permits telephone companies to compete directly with operations of cable television systems. Under the 1996 Telecom Act and FCC rules adopted to implement the 1996 Telecom Act, local exchange carriers may provide video service as broadcasters, common carriers, or cable operators. In addition, local exchange carriers and others may also provide video service through “open video systems,” a regulatory regime that may give them more flexibility than traditional cable television systems. Open video system operators (including local exchange carriers) can, however, be required to obtain a local cable franchise, and they can be required to make payments to local governmental bodies in lieu of cable franchise fees. In general, open video system operators must make their systems available to programming providers (other than the incumbent cable operator) on rates, terms and conditions that are reasonable and nondiscriminatory. Where carriage demand by programming providers exceeds the channel capacity of an open video system, two-thirds of the channels must be made available to programmers unaffiliated with the open video system operator.

 

The 1996 Telecom Act generally prohibits local exchange carriers from purchasing a greater than 10% ownership interest in a cable television system located within the local exchange carrier’s telephone service area, prohibits cable operators from purchasing local exchange carriers whose service areas are located within the cable operator’s franchise area, and prohibits joint ventures between operators of cable television systems and local exchange carriers operating in overlapping markets. There are some statutory exceptions, including a rural exemption that permits buyouts in which the purchased cable television system or local exchange carrier serves a non-urban area with fewer than 35,000 inhabitants, and exemptions for the purchase of small cable television systems located in non-urban areas. Also, the FCC may grant waivers of the buyout provisions in certain circumstances.

 

The 1996 Telecom Act made several other changes to relax ownership restrictions and regulations of cable television systems. The 1996 Telecom Act repealed the 1992 Cable Act’s three-year holding requirement pertaining to sales of cable television systems. The statutory broadcast/cable cross-ownership restrictions imposed under the 1984 Cable Act were eliminated in 1996, although the parallel FCC regulations prohibiting broadcast/cable common-ownership remained in effect. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia circuit struck down these rules. The FCC’s rules also generally prohibit cable operators from offering satellite master antenna service separate from their franchised systems in the same franchise area, unless the cable operator is subject to “effective competition” there.

 

The 1996 Telecom Act amended the definition of a “cable system” under the Communications Act so that competitive providers of video services will be regulated and franchised as “cable systems” only if they use public rights-of-way. Thus, a broader class of entities providing video programming may be exempt from regulation as cable television systems under the Communications Act.

 

The 1996 Telecom Act provides that registered utility holding companies and subsidiaries may provide telecommunications services, including cable television, notwithstanding the Public Utilities Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended. Electric utilities must establish separate subsidiaries known as “exempt telecommunications companies” and must apply to the FCC for operating authority. Due to their resources, electric utilities could be formidable competitors to traditional cable television systems.

 

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Access to Programming

 

The 1992 Cable Act imposed restrictions on the dealings between cable operators and cable programmers. Of special significance from a competitive business posture, the 1992 Cable Act precludes video programmers affiliated with cable companies from favoring their affiliated cable operators and requires such programmers to sell their programming to other multichannel video distributors. This provision limits the ability of vertically integrated cable programmers to offer exclusive programming arrangements to cable companies. The prohibition on certain types of exclusive programming arrangements was set to expire on October 5, 2002, but the FCC has determined that a five-year extension of the prohibition is necessary to preserve and protect competition in video programming distribution.

 

Privacy

 

The 1984 Cable Act imposes a number of restrictions on the manner in which cable television operators can collect and disclose data about individual system customers. The statute also requires that the system operator periodically provide all customers with written information about its policies regarding the collection and handling of data about customers, their privacy rights under federal law and their enforcement rights. In the event that a cable television operator was found to have violated the customer privacy provisions of the 1984 Cable Act, it could be required to pay damages, attorneys’ fees and other costs. Under the 1992 Cable Act, the privacy requirements were strengthened to require that cable television operators take such actions as are necessary to prevent unauthorized access to personally identifiable information. Certain of these requirements were modified by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 2001.

 

Franchise Transfers

 

The 1992 Cable Act requires franchising authorities to act on any franchise transfer request submitted after December 4, 1992 within 120 days after receipt of all information required by FCC regulations and by the franchising authority. Approval is deemed to be granted if the franchising authority fails to act within such period.

 

Technical Requirements

 

The FCC has imposed technical standards applicable to all classes of channels which carry downstream National Television System Committee video programming. The FCC also has adopted additional standards applicable to cable television systems using frequencies in the 108 to 137 MHz and 225 to 400 MHz bands in order to prevent harmful interference with aeronautical navigation and safety radio services and has also established limits on cable television system signal leakage. Periodic testing by cable television operators for compliance with the technical standards and signal leakage limits is required and an annual filing of the results of these measurements is required. The 1992 Cable Act requires the FCC to periodically update its technical standards to take into account changes in technology. Under the 1996 Telecom Act, local franchising authorities may not prohibit, condition or restrict a cable television system’s use of any type of customer equipment or transmission technology.

 

The FCC has adopted regulations to implement the requirements of the 1992 Cable Act designed to improve the compatibility of cable television systems and consumer electronics equipment. These regulations, among other things, generally prohibit cable television operators from scrambling their basic service tier. The 1996 Telecom Act directs the FCC to set only minimal standards to assure compatibility between television sets, VCRs and cable television systems, and otherwise to rely on the marketplace. Pursuant to the 1992 Cable Act, the FCC has adopted rules to assure the competitive

 

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availability to consumers of customer premises equipment, such as converters, used to access the services offered by cable television systems and other multichannel video programming distributors. Pursuant to those rules, consumers are given the right to attach compatible equipment to the facilities of their multichannel video programming distributors so long as the equipment does not harm the network, does not interfere with the services purchased by other customers and is not used to receive unauthorized services. As of July 1, 2000, multichannel video programming distributors, other than operators of direct broadcast satellite television systems, were required to separate security from non-security functions in the customer premises equipment which they sell or lease to their customers and offer their customers the option of using component security modules obtained from the multichannel video programming distributors with set-top units purchased or leased from retail outlets. As of July 1, 2006, multichannel video programming distributors will be prohibited from distributing new set-top equipment integrating both security and non-security functions to their customers.

 

Inside Wiring; Customer Access

 

FCC rules require an incumbent cable operator upon expiration of a multiple dwelling unit service contract to sell, abandon, or remove “home run” wiring that was installed by the cable operator in a multiple dwelling unit building. These inside wiring rules assist building owners in their attempts to replace existing cable operators with new programming providers who are willing to pay the building owner a higher fee, where such a fee is permissible. The FCC has also issued an order preempting state, local and private restrictions on over-the-air reception antennas placed on rental properties in areas where a tenant has exclusive use of the property, such as balconies or patios. However, tenants may not install such antennas on the common areas of multiple dwelling units, such as on roofs. This order limits the extent to which multiple dwelling unit owners may enforce certain aspects of multiple dwelling unit agreements which otherwise would prohibit, for example, placement of direct broadcast satellite television systems television receiving antennae in multiple dwelling unit areas, such as apartment balconies or patios, under the exclusive occupancy of a renter.

 

Pole Attachments

 

The FCC currently regulates the rates and conditions imposed by certain public utilities for use of their poles unless state public service commissions are able to demonstrate that they adequately regulate the rates, terms and conditions of cable television pole attachments. A number of states and the District of Columbia have certified to the FCC that they adequately regulate the rates, terms and conditions for pole attachments. Illinois, Ohio, and Kentucky, states in which we operate, have made such a certification. In the absence of state regulation, the FCC administers such pole attachment and conduit use rates through use of a formula which it has devised. Pursuant to the 1996 Telecom Act, the FCC has adopted a new rate formula for any attaching party, including cable television systems, which offers telecommunications services. This new formula will result in higher attachment rates that will apply only to cable television systems which elect to offer telecommunications services. Any increases pursuant to this new formula began in 2001, and will be phased in by equal increments over the five ensuing years. The FCC ruled that the provision of Internet services will not, in and of itself, trigger use of the new formula. The Supreme Court affirmed this decision and also held that the FCC ‘s authority to regulate rates for attachments to utility poles extended to attachments by cable operators and telecommunications carriers that are used to provide Internet service or for wireless telecommunications service. This development benefits our business and will place a constraint on the prices that utilities can charge with regard to the cable facilities over which we also provide Internet access service.

 

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Interactive Television

 

The FCC has issued a Notice of Inquiry covering a wide range of issues relating to Interactive Television (“ITV”). Examples of ITV services are interactive electronic program guides and access to a graphic interface that provides supplementary information related to the video display. In the near term, cable systems are likely to be the platform of choice for the distribution of ITV services. The FCC has posed a series of questions including the definition of ITV, the potential for discrimination by cable systems in favor of affiliated ITV providers, enforcement mechanisms, and the proper regulatory classification of ITV service.

 

Copyright

 

Cable television systems are subject to federal copyright licensing covering carriage of broadcast signals. In exchange for making semi-annual payments to a federal copyright royalty pool and meeting certain other obligations, cable television operators obtain a statutory license to retransmit broadcast signals. The amount of this royalty payment varies, depending on the amount of system revenues from certain sources, the number of distant signals carried, and the location of the cable television system with respect to over-the-air television stations. Any future adjustment to the copyright royalty rates will be done through an arbitration process to be supervised by the U.S. Copyright Office. Cable television operators are liable for interest on underpaid and unpaid royalty fees, but are not entitled to collect interest on refunds received for overpayment of copyright fees.

 

Various bills have been introduced into Congress over the past several years that would eliminate or modify the cable television compulsory license. Without the compulsory license, cable television operators would have to negotiate rights from the copyright owners for all of the programming on the broadcast stations carried by cable television systems. Such negotiated agreements would likely increase the cost to cable television operators of carrying broadcast signals. The 1992 Cable Act’s retransmission consent provisions expressly provide that retransmission consent agreements between television broadcast stations and cable television operators do not obviate the need for cable operators to obtain a copyright license for the programming carried on each broadcaster’s signal.

 

Copyrighted music performed in programming supplied to cable television systems by pay cable networks, such as HBO, and basic cable networks, such as USA Network, is licensed by the networks through private agreements with performing rights organizations such as the American Society of Composers and Publishers, generally known as ASCAP, BMI, Inc. and SESAC, Inc. ASCAP and BMI offer “through to the viewer” licenses to the cable networks which cover the retransmission of the cable networks’ programming by cable television systems to their customers.

 

Licenses to perform copyrighted music by cable television systems themselves, including on local origination channels, in advertisements inserted locally on cable television networks, and in cross-promotional announcements, must be obtained by the cable television operator from the appropriate performing rights organization.

 

State and Local Regulation

 

Cable television systems generally are operated pursuant to nonexclusive franchises, permits or licenses granted by a municipality or other state or local government entity. The terms and conditions of franchises vary materially from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and even from city to city within the same state, historically ranging from reasonable to highly restrictive or burdensome. Franchises generally contain provisions governing fees to be paid to the franchising authority, length of the franchise term, renewal, sale or transfer of the franchise, territory of the franchise, design and technical performance of the system, use and occupancy of public streets and number and types of cable television services provided. The terms and

 

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conditions of each franchise and the laws and regulations under which it was granted directly affect the profitability of the cable television system. The 1984 Cable Act places certain limitations on a franchising authority’s ability to control the operation of a cable television system. The 1992 Cable Act prohibits exclusive franchises, and allows franchising authorities to exercise greater control over the operation of franchised cable television systems, especially in the area of customer service and rate regulation. The 1992 Cable Act also allows franchising authorities to operate their own multichannel video distribution system without having to obtain a franchise and permits states or local franchising authorities to adopt certain restrictions on the ownership of cable television systems. Moreover, franchising authorities are immunized from monetary damage awards arising from regulation of cable television systems or decisions made on franchise grants, renewals, transfers and amendments. The 1996 Telecom Act restricts a franchising authority from either requiring or limiting a cable television operator’s provision of telecommunications services.

 

Various proposals have been introduced at the state and local levels with regard to the regulation of cable television systems, and a number of states have adopted legislation subjecting cable television systems to the jurisdiction of centralized state governmental agencies, some of which impose regulation of a character similar to that of a public utility. To date, none of the states in which we currently operate has enacted state level regulation.

 

The foregoing summarizes certain material present and proposed federal, state and local regulations and legislation relating to the cable television industry. Other existing federal regulations, copyright licensing and, in many jurisdictions, state and local franchise requirements, currently are the subject of a variety of judicial proceedings, legislative hearings and administrative and legislative proposals which could change, in varying degrees, the manner in which cable television systems operate. Neither the outcome of these proceedings nor their impact upon the cable television industry or us can be predicted at this time.

 

Internet Access Service

 

We offer a service which enables consumers to access the Internet at high speeds via high capacity broadband transmission facilities and cable modems. We compete with many other providers of Internet access services which are known as Internet service providers (“ISPs”). ISPs include such companies as America Online, MSN and Earthlink as well as major telecommunications providers, including AT&T and local exchange telephone companies. A number of local franchising authorities have attempted to require cable companies offering Internet access service over their broadband facilities to allow access to those facilities on an unbundled basis to other ISPs. To date, all such efforts have been overturned in the courts. However, many ISPs and local franchising authorities have continued to ask the U.S. Congress and the FCC to mandate such access, or at least to allow local authorities to impose such a requirement. Although the FCC has thus far declined to impose such an access requirement on cable companies, the issue remains under consideration. The FCC has recently decided that cable Internet service should be classified for regulatory purposes as an “information service” rather than either a “cable service” or a “telecommunications service.” Concurrently, the FCC has initiated a wide-ranging rulemaking proceeding in which it seeks comment on the regulatory ramifications of this classification. Among the issues to be decided are whether the FCC should permit local authorities to impose an access requirement, whether local authorities should be prohibited from imposing fees on cable Internet service revenues, and what regulatory role local authorities should be permitted to play. Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that cable Internet service includes both “information service” and “telecommunications service” components. The outcome of these FCC and judicial proceedings could have a material impact on our provision of cable Internet service.

 

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There are currently few laws or regulations which specifically regulate communications or commerce over the Internet. Section 230 of the Communications Act, added to that act by the 1996 Telecom Act, declares it to be the policy of the United States to promote the continued development of the Internet and other interactive computer services and interactive media, and to preserve the vibrant and competitive free market that presently exists for the Internet and other interactive computer services, unfettered by federal or state regulation. One area in which Congress did attempt to regulate content over the Internet involved the dissemination of obscene or indecent materials. The provisions of the 1996 Telecom Act, generally referred to as the Communications Decency Act, were found to be unconstitutional, in part, by the United States Supreme Court in 1997. In response, Congress passed the Child Online Protection Act. The constitutionality of this act is currently being challenged in the courts. In May 2002, the United States Supreme Court reversed the finding by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals that the use of “contemporary community standards” to identify material “harmful to minors “ was overly broad and therefore violative of the First Amendment. The Supreme Court, however, remanded the matter to the Third Circuit to determine the validity of other challenges to the constitutionality of the Child Online Protection Act and kept the stay prohibiting government enforcement in place until further action by the lower courts. Finally, disclosure of customer communications or records is governed by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 2001 and the Cable Act, both of which were amended by the USA Patriot Act.

 

Local Telecommunications Services

 

The 1996 Telecom Act provides that no state or local laws or regulations may prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting any entity from providing any interstate or intrastate telecommunications service. States are authorized, however, to impose “competitively neutral” requirements regarding universal service, public safety and welfare, service quality and consumer protection. State and local governments also retain their authority to manage the public rights-of-way and may require fair and reasonable, competitively neutral and non-discriminatory compensation for management of the public rights-of-way when cable operators or others provide telecommunications service using public rights-of-way. State and local governments must publicly disclose required compensation from telecommunications providers for use of public rights-of-way.

 

Local telecommunications services are subject to regulation by state utility commissions. Use of local telecommunications facilities to originate and terminate long distance services, a service commonly referred to as “exchange access,” is subject to regulation both by the FCC and by state utility commissions. As providers of local exchange service, we are subject to the requirements imposed upon competitive local exchange companies by the 1996 Telecom Act. These include requirements governing resale, telephone number portability, dialing parity, access to rights-of-way and reciprocal compensation, among others. Although we cannot predict whether and the extent to which a state may seek to regulate us, increased regulation would likely increase our cost of doing business.

 

Numerous cable operators are either exploring or have commenced offering voice over Internet protocol (“VoIP”) as a competitive alternative to traditional circuit-switched telephone service. Various states, including states where we operate, have adopted or are considering differing regulatory treatment for VoIP, ranging from minimal or no regulation to full-blown common carrier status. The FCC has announced a proceeding to determine any appropriate regulatory obligations for VoIP. While the outcome of this proceeding cannot be predicted and is expected to address a wide variety of issues, the FCC has issued an initial ruling that finds VoIP to be interstate for judicial purposes, thereby preempting certain state or local regulation.

 

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Employees

 

As of December 31, 2004, we employed approximately 3,420 full-time employees and 75 part-time employees. We consider our relations with our employees to be good.

 

Item 2. Properties

 

A cable television system consists of three principal operating components:

 

    The first component, the signal reception processing and originating point called a “headend,” receives television, cable programming service, radio and data signals that are transmitted by means of off-air antennas, microwave relay systems and satellite earth systems. Each headend includes a tower, antennae or other receiving equipment at a location favorable for receiving broadcast signals and one or more earth stations that receives signals transmitted by satellite. The headend facility also houses the electronic equipment, which amplifies, modifies and modulates the signals, preparing them for passage over the system’s network of cables.

 

    The second component of the system, the distribution network, originates at the headend and extends throughout the system’s service area. A cable system’s distribution network consists of microwave relays, coaxial or fiber optic cables placed on utility poles or buried underground and associated electronic equipment.

 

    The third component of the system is a “drop cable,” which extends from the distribution network into each customer’s home and connects the distribution system to the customer’s television set.

 

We own and lease parcels of real property for signal reception sites which house our antenna towers and headends, microwave complexes and business offices which includes our principal executive offices. In addition, we own our cable systems’ distribution networks, various office fixtures, test equipment and service vehicles. The physical components of our cable systems require maintenance and periodic upgrading to keep pace with technological advances. We believe that our properties, both owned and leased, are in good condition and are suitable and adequate for our business operations as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted.

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

In November 2000, we filed a state court action against the City of Louisville for its grant, in September 2000, of a more favorable franchise to Knology of Louisville, Inc. Upon commencement of this action, the City pursuant to a provision in its franchise agreement with Knology, automatically suspended Knology’s franchise pending a final, non-appealable court determination as to whether Knology’s franchise was more favorable than the franchise under which we operated. In November 2000, Knology filed a federal court action against us seeking monetary damages and other relief for alleged violations of federal laws arising out of our having filed, pursuant to the provisions of our own franchise agreement with the City, the state court action. In March 2001, the federal court preliminary set aside the suspension of Knology’s franchise. In March 2002, a state circuit court ruled against our claim that Knology’s franchise was more favorable. We appealed the circuit court’s order to the state court of appeals which, in June 2003, upheld the lower court ruling. We filed a motion for discretionary review of the appeals court’s ruling which was denied by the Kentucky Supreme Court.

 

In May 2003, the federal court granted us summary judgment and dismissed six of Knology’s 11 claims. The court granted summary judgment to Knology on three claims, two of which resulted in

 

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permanently enjoining enforcement of the automatic suspension provision of Knology’s franchise agreement and did not involve damages. The third such claim was for violation of Knology’s first amendment rights, which was to proceed to trial solely on the issue of damages, and could have resulted in an award of legal fees and court costs specific to such claim if upheld. The remaining undecided claims related to allegations of anticompetitive conduct arising from the state court lawsuit and were to proceed to trial on the merits. In August 2003, the court agreed, in part, with our Motion for Reconsideration, that the stay provision provides no justification for an injunction since the language was severed. Further, the court granted our Motion to Certify Questions for an Immediate Appeal to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals granted our Motion to Certify, and ruled in our favor overturning the trial court’s rulings in favor of Knology. The Sixth Circuit found that our right to file the state court lawsuit against the City was protected and thus we were immune from liability arising from that lawsuit. Knology filed a motion for an en banc review by the Sixth Circuit which was denied March 2005. The matter will return to the trial court for final rulings consistent with the Sixth Circuit opinion.

 

We believe there are no other pending or threatened legal proceedings that, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on us.

 

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

 

Not applicable.

 

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PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Stock, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

There is no public trading market for our equity, all of which is held equally by our manager, through Insight LP, and Comcast Cable (formerly known as AT&T Broadband), through TCI of Indiana Holdings.

 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

In the following table, we provide you with our selected consolidated historical financial and other data as of and for the five years ended December 31, 2004. When you read this selected consolidated historical financial and other data, it is important that you read along with it the historical financial statements and related notes in our consolidated financial statements included in this report, as well as “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” also included in this report. Certain other prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

 

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     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

    2001

    2000 (1)

 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Statement of Operations Data:

                                        

Revenue

   $ 1,000,814     $ 899,797     $ 808,925     $ 726,663     $ 392,680  

Operating costs and expenses:

                                        

Programming and other operating costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) (inclusive of $150,956, $142,387 and $130,507 of programming expense incurred through related parties during 2004, 2003 and 2002)

     342,123       327,071       281,443       261,387       133,214  

Selling, general and administrative

     202,654       165,014       153,620       134,713       72,466  

Management fees

     29,987       26,352       23,593       20,616       10,964  

Depreciation and amortization

     235,105       224,874       211,837       373,030       195,669  
    


 


 


 


 


Total operating costs and expenses

     809,869       743,311       670,493       789,746       412,313  
    


 


 


 


 


Operating income (loss)

     190,945       156,486       138,432       (63,083 )     (19,633 )

Other income (expense):

                                        

Gain on cable system exchange

     —         27,134       —         —         —    

Gain on settlement of programming contract

     —         37,742       —         —         —    

Loss from early extinguishments of debt (2)

     —         (10,879 )     —         (10,315 )     —    

Interest expense

     (177,524 )     (184,499 )     (180,465 )     (188,609 )     (113,054 )

Interest income

     368       831       176       809       919  

Other

     (1,368 )     (591 )     (187 )     (1,998 )     (342 )
    


 


 


 


 


Total other expense, net

     (178,524 )     (130,262 )     (180,476 )     (200,113 )     (112,477 )
    


 


 


 


 


Income (loss) before extraordinary item

     12,421       26,224       (42,044 )     (263,196 )     (132,110 )

Extraordinary item

     15,627       —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


 


Net income (loss) (3)

     28,048       26,224       (42,044 )     (263,196 )     (132,110 )

Accrual of preferred interests (4)

     —         (10,353 )     (20,107 )     (19,432 )     —    
    


 


 


 


 


Net income (loss) applicable to common interests

   $ 28,048     $ 15,871     $ (62,151 )   $ (282,628 )   $ (132,110 )
    


 


 


 


 


Other Financial Data:

                                        

Capital expenditures

   $ 164,720     $ 193,487     $ 280,027     $ 319,956     $ 196,103  

Net cash provided by operating activities

     280,972       211,483       170,179       161,536       60,151  

Net cash used in investing activities

     162,913       220,851       290,165       399,995       199,812  

Net cash (used) provided by financing activities

     (68,260 )     22,110       117,777       244,870       109,400  

Balance Sheet Data:

                                        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 72,476     $ 22,679     $ 9,937     $ 12,146     $ 5,735  

Fixed assets, net

     1,130,600       1,198,830       1,202,003       1,133,627       681,490  

Total assets

     3,647,415       3,677,353       3,626,246       3,561,080       1,699,547  

Total debt, including preferred interests (4)

     2,602,379       2,669,600       2,625,416       2,484,075       1,347,523  

Partner’s capital

     827,622       796,152       763,406       820,622       236,437  

 

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     As of December 31, 2004

 
     South
Region


    East
Region


    West
Region


    Total

 

Technical Data:

                        

Network miles

   6,800     10,800     12,600     30,200  

Number of headends

   2     11     18     31  

Number of headends serving 97% of our customers

   1     8     5     14  

Operating Data:

                        

Homes passed (5)

   548,100     815,900     1,011,300     2,375,300  

Basic customers (6)

   271,700     409,100     591,700     1,272,500  

Basic penetration (7)

               58.5 %      
     49.6 %   50.1 %         53.6 %

Digital ready homes (8)

   271,700     389,000     563,400     1,224,100  

Digital customers (9)

   106,000     158,600     186,700     451,300  

Digital penetration (10)

               33.1 %      
     39.0 %   40.8 %         36.9 %

Premium units (11)

   142,500     183,500     207,900     533,900  

Premium penetration (12)

   52.4 %   44.9 %   35.1 %      
                       42.0 %

High-Speed Internet customers (13)

   68,000     119,300     143,200     330,500  

 

(1) We acquired our Illinois cable systems in January 2001. Accordingly, results for 2000 do not include the results of the Illinois cable systems.

 

(2) The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued SFAS No. 145 which is effective for fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002 and generally eliminates the classification of gains and losses from the early extinguishment of debt as extraordinary items. With the adoption of SFAS No. 145, we reclassified $10.3 million recorded in 2001 to results from continuing operations.

 

(3) In accordance with the adoption of SFAS No. 142, beginning January 1, 2002, we no longer record amortization expense associated with franchise costs, goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets. This change in accounting would have resulted in a net loss of $72.1 million and $49.4 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000.

 

(4) The preferred interests were converted to common interests as of September 26, 2003.

 

(5) Homes passed are the number of single residence homes, apartments and condominium units passed by the cable distribution network in a cable system’s service area.

 

(6) Basic customers are customers of a cable television system who receive a package of over-the-air broadcast stations, local access channels and certain satellite-delivered cable television services, other than premium services, and who are usually charged a flat monthly rate for a number of channels.

 

(7) Basic penetration means basic customers as a percentage of total number of homes passed.

 

(8) Digital ready homes means the total number of homes passed to which digital service is available.

 

(9) Customers with a digital converter box.

 

(10) Digital penetration means digital service units as a percentage of digital ready homes.

 

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(11) Premium units mean the number of subscriptions to premium services, which are paid for on an individual unit basis.

 

(12) Premium penetration means premium service units as a percentage of the total number of basic customers. A customer may purchase more than one premium service, each of which is counted as a separate premium service unit. This ratio may be greater than 100% if the average customer subscribes to more than one premium service unit.

 

(13) Customers receiving high-speed Internet service.

 

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

 

Introduction

 

Our revenues are earned from customer fees for cable television programming services including premium, digital and pay-per-view services and ancillary services, such as rental of converters, remote control devices and installations. In addition, we earn revenues from providing high-speed Internet services, selling advertising, facilitating the delivery of telephone services and commissions for products sold through home shopping networks.

 

We have generated increases in revenues for each of the past three fiscal years, primarily through a combination of acquisitions, internal customer growth, increases in monthly revenue per customer, growth in advertising revenue and increasing revenue from selling new services including high-speed Internet access, interactive digital video and telephone services.

 

We recorded net losses for the years ended December 31, 2000 through December 31, 2002. Some of the principal reasons for these net losses include depreciation and amortization associated with our acquisitions and capital expenditures related to the construction and upgrading of our systems, and interest costs on borrowed money. Beginning January 1, 2002, we no longer record amortization expense associated with goodwill and franchise costs; however, we expect to continue to report net losses for the foreseeable future. We cannot predict what impact, if any, continued losses will have on our ability to finance our operations in the future.

 

We face intense competition for our video programming services, primarily from direct broadcast satellite service, or DBS service providers. In 2004, competitive pressure from the DBS service providers increased when they launched local television channels in markets representing an estimated 37% of our basic customer base. Since they have been permitted to deliver local television broadcast signals beginning in 1999, DirecTV, Inc. and Echostar Communications Corporation, the two largest DBS service providers, have been increasing the number of markets in which they deliver these local television signals. These “local-into-local” launches were typically accompanied by significant marketing and advertising and were a major cause of our loss of basic customers in 2004. As of December 31, 2004, local television coverage in our markets by one or more DBS service provider represented an estimated 95% of our basic customers.

 

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The following table is derived for the periods presented from our consolidated financial statements that are included in this report and sets forth certain statement of operations data for our consolidated operations. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 
     (in thousands)  

Revenue

   $ 1,000,814     $ 899,797     $ 808,925  

Operating costs and expenses:

                        

Programming and other operating costs

     342,123       327,071       281,443  

Selling, general and administrative

     202,654       165,014       153,620  

Management fees

     29,987       26,352       23,593  

Depreciation and amortization

     235,105       224,874       211,837  
    


 


 


Total operating costs and expenses

     809,869       743,311       670,493  
    


 


 


Operating income (loss)

     190,945       156,486       138,432  

Operating cash flow

     —         381,360       350,269  

Interest expense

     (177,524 )     (184,499 )     (180,465 )

Extraordinary item

     15,627       —         —    

Net income (loss)

     28,048       26,224       (42,044 )

Net cash provided by operating activities

     280,972       211,483       170,179  

Net cash used in investing activities

     162,913       220,851       290,165  

Net cash provided by financing activities

     (68,260 )     22,110       117,777  

Capital expenditures

     164,720       193,487       280,027  

 

Use of Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization and Free Cash Flow

 

We utilize in the following discussion of operating results Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization, among other measures, to evaluate the performance of our businesses. Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization is considered an important indicator of the operational strength of our businesses and is a component of our annual compensation programs. We also use this measure to determine how we will allocate resources and capital. We believe that this measure is also useful to investors as it is one of the bases for comparing our operating performance with other companies in our industry, although our measure may not be directly comparable to similar measures used by other companies. A limitation of Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization, however, is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues in our businesses. Management evaluates the costs of such tangible and intangible assets through other financial measures such as capital expenditures and investment spending. Another limitation of Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization is that it does not reflect income net of interest expense, which is a significant expense of our company because of the substantial debt we have incurred to acquire cable television systems and finance capital expenditures for the upgrade of our cable network. Management evaluates the impact of interest expense through other measures including interest expense itself, Free Cash Flow and debt service covenant ratios under our credit facility.

 

We utilize in the discussion of liquidity below Free Cash Flow, which is net cash provided by operating activities (as defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States) less capital expenditures and distribution of preferred interests. Free Cash Flow is considered to be an important indicator of our liquidity, including our ability to repay indebtedness.

 

Both Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization and Free Cash Flow should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, our Operating Income, Net Income and various cash flow measures (e.g., Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities), as well as other measures of financial performance and liquidity reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

 

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Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization

 

The following table reconciles Net Income (Loss) to Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization. In addition, the table provides the components from Net Income (Loss) to Operating Income for purposes of the discussions that follow.

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 
     (in thousands)  

Net income (loss)

   $ 28,048     $ 26,224     $ (42,044 )

Extraordinary item, net of tax

     (15,627 )     —         —    
    


 


 


Income (loss) before extraordinary item

     12,421       26,224       (42,044 )

Gain on settlement of programming contract

     —         (37,742 )     —    

Loss from early extinguishments of debt

     —         10,879       —    

Other income (expense):

     —         —         —    

Other

     1,368       591       187  

Interest income

     (368 )     (831 )     (176 )

Interest expense

     177,524       184,499       180,465  

Gain on cable system exchange

     —         (27,134 )     —    
    


 


 


Total other expenses

     178,524       130,262       180,476  

Operating income

     190,945       156,486       138,432  

Depreciation and amortization

     235,105       224,874       211,837  
    


 


 


Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization

   $ 426,050     $ 381,360     $ 350,269  
    


 


 


 

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow

 

The following table provides a reconciliation from net cash provided by operating activities to Free Cash Flow. In addition, the table provides the components from Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Operating Income for purposes of the discussions that follow.

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 
     (in thousands)  

Operating income

   $ 190,945     $ 156,486  

Depreciation and amortization

     235,105       224,874  
    


 


Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization

     426,050       381,360  

Changes in working capital accounts (1)

     22,524       (6,420 )

Cash paid for interest

     (167,602 )     (163,457 )
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     280,972       211,483  

Capital expenditures

     (164,720 )     (193,487 )

Distribution of preferred interests

     —         (11,554 )
    


 


Free Cash Flow

   $ 116,252     $ 6,442  
    


 


 

(1) Changes in working capital accounts is based on the net cash changes in current assets and current liabilities, excluding changes related to interest and taxes and other non-cash expenses.

 

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Results of Operations

 

Year Ended December 31, 2004 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2003

 

Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2004 totaled $1.0 billion, an increase of 10% over the prior year, due primarily to customer gains in high-speed Internet and digital services, as well as basic rate increases. High-speed Internet service revenue increased 41% over the prior year, primarily due to an increased customer base. We added a net 100,500 high-speed Internet customers during the year to end the year at 330,500 customers. Basic cable service revenue increased 7%, primarily due to basic rate increases partially offset by customer losses. Our loss in basic customers resulted primarily from greater competitive pressures by DBS service providers, particularly in those markets where we experienced their “local-to-local” launches. To reverse this video customer trend, we are increasing our customer retention efforts and our emphasis on bundling, enhancing and differentiating our video products and services with video-on-demand, high definition television and digital video recorders. In addition, digital service revenue increased 18% over the prior year, primarily due to an increased customer base. We added a net 48,400 digital customers during the year to end the year at 451,300 customers.

 

Revenue by service offering were as follows for the year ended December 31 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Revenue by Service Offering

       
     2004

   % of Total
Revenue


    2003

   % of Total
Revenue


    % Change
in Revenue


 

Basic

   $ 573,650    57.3 %   $ 537,026    59.7 %   6.8 %

Digital

     98,797    9.9 %     83,471    9.3 %   18.4 %

High-speed Internet

     132,011    13.2 %     93,937    10.4 %   40.5 %

Premium

     57,054    5.7 %     57,247    6.4 %   (0.3 )%

Telephone

     15,254    1.5 %     12,333    1.4 %   23.7 %

Advertising

     68,415    6.8 %     58,832    6.5 %   16.3 %

Franchise fees

     28,721    2.9 %     27,350    3.0 %   5.0 %

Other

     26,912    2.7 %     29,601    3.3 %   (10.0 )%
    

  

 

  

 

Total

   $ 1,000,814    100.0 %   $ 899,797    100.0 %   10.1 %
    

  

 

  

 

 

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Total Customer Relationships were approximately 1,322,700 as of December 31, 2004 compared to 1,327,200 as of December 31, 2003. Total Customer Relationships represent the number of customers who receive one or more of our products (i.e. basic cable, high-speed Internet or telephone) without regard to which product they purchase. Revenue Generating Units (“RGUs”), which represent the sum of basic, digital, high-speed Internet and telephone customers, as of December 31, 2004 increased 7% as compared to December 31, 2003. RGUs by category were as follows (in thousands):

 

     RGUs by Category

     December 31, 2004

   December 31, 2003

Basic

   1,272.5    1,293.6

Digital

   451.3    402.9

High-speed Internet

   330.5    230.0

Telephone

   64.3    55.4
    
  

Total RGUs

   2,118.6    1,981.9
    
  

 

Average monthly revenue per basic customer was $64.85 for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to $57.86 for the year ended December 31, 2003 primarily reflecting the continued successful rollout of new product offerings in all markets. Average monthly revenue per basic customer for high-speed Internet and digital service increased to $14.95 for the year ended December 31, 2004, up from $11.41 for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

Programming and other operating costs increased $15.1 million, or 5%. Partially offsetting the increase in programming and other operating costs was the reversal of a $14.7 million accrual for property taxes for the years 1999 through 2004. Excluding the reversal of this accrual, programming and other operating costs increased 9%. Programming costs increased 11%, primarily as a result of increased programming rates for our classic service and an increase in digital customers served. In addition, programming costs increased due to an increase in high-speed Internet costs driven by the net addition of 100,500 high-speed Internet customers. This increase in high-speed Internet costs was partially offset by more favorable per customer charges under a new agreement with our Internet service provider, beginning July 2004. In addition, programming costs increased as a result of an increased volume of modems provided to customers under certain marketing campaigns. Excluding the reversal of the property tax accrual, other operating costs increased 3%, primarily attributable to increases in labor costs, which increased due to a reduction of network rebuild/upgrade activities.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $37.6 million, or 23%, primarily due to increased payroll and related costs reflecting salary increases for existing employees and increases in health insurance costs. In addition, marketing expenses increased to support the continued rollout of high-speed Internet and digital products and to maintain the core video customer base. A decrease in expenses previously allocated to Comcast Cable in connection with the cable systems we previously managed for a Comcast Cable affiliate also contributed to the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses. As this management arrangement was terminated effective July 31, 2004, the year ended December 31, 2004 contains only seven months of expense allocations versus a full year for the year ended December 31, 2003. While cost savings have been realized upon termination of the management arrangement, the impact of some of these savings is reflected in programming and other operating costs. In addition, bad debts and collection costs increased, reflecting an increase in the number of accounts written off combined with a higher balance per average account written off.

 

Management fees are directly related to revenue as these fees are calculated as approximately 3% of revenues.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $10.2 million, or 4.5%, primarily as a result of additional capital expenditures through December 31, 2004 to extend the plant and continue the rollout of digital, high-speed Internet and telephone services to existing and new service areas.

 

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As a result of the factors discussed above, Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization increased $44.7 million, or 11%.

 

Interest expense decreased $7.0 million, or 4%. The decrease is related to lower interest rates, which averaged 6.7% for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to 7.3% for the year ended December 31, 2003. For the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, our outstanding debt averaged $2.6 billion and $2.5 billion.

 

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

 

Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2003 totaled $899.8 million, an increase of 11% over the prior year, due primarily to customer gains in high-speed Internet and digital services as well as basic rate increases. High-speed Internet service revenue increased 59% over the prior year, primarily due to an increased customer base. We added a net 85,200 high-speed Internet customers during the year to end the year at 230,000 customers. Basic cable service revenue increased 6%, primarily due to basic rate increases. The average basic rate increase in 2003 was 6%. In addition, digital service revenue increased 26% over the prior year, primarily due to an increased customer base. We added a net 68,200 digital customers during the year to end the year at 402,900 customers.

 

Revenue by service offering were as follows for the year ended December 31 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Revenue by Service Offering

       
     2003

   % of Total
Revenue


    2002

   % of Total
Revenue


    % Change
in Revenue


 

Basic

   $ 537,026    59.7 %   $ 506,128    62.6 %   6.1 %

Digital

     83,471    9.3 %     66,124    8.2 %   2.6 %

High-speed Internet

     93,937    10.4 %     58,968    7.3 %   5.9 %

Premium

     57,247    6.4 %     60,349    7.4 %   (5.1 )%

Telephone

     12,333    1.4 %     6,274    .8 %   96.6 %

Advertising

     58,832    6.5 %     53,415    6.6 %   10.1 %

Franchise fees

     27,350    3.0 %     25,762    3.2 %   6.1 %

Other

     29,601    3.3 %     31,905    3.9 %   (7.2 )%
    

  

 

  

 

Total

   $ 899,797    100.0 %   $ 808,925    100.0 %   11.2 %
    

  

 

  

 

 

Total Customer Relationships were approximately 1,327,200 as of December 31, 2003 compared to 1,309,600 as of December 31, 2002. RGUs were approximately 1,981,800 as of December 31, 2003 compared to approximately 1,798,900 as of December 31, 2002, an increase of 10%. High-speed Internet net additions were 85,200 digital net additions were 68,200 telephone net additions were 24,800 and net basic customer additions were 4,700.

 

Average monthly revenue per basic customer, including management fee revenue and Insight Interactive revenue, was $57.86 for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to $52.18 for the year ended December 31, 2002 primarily reflecting the continued successful rollout of new product offerings in

 

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all markets. Average monthly revenue per basic customer for high-speed Internet and digital service increased to $11.41 for the year ended December 31, 2003, up from $8.07 for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

Programming and other operating costs increased $49.7 million or 18%. Programming costs increased 10%, primarily attributable to increased programming rates for our classic service, an increase in digital customers served, and additional programming in the newly rebuilt systems. These increases were offset by a $3.1 million credit from the settlement of a programming contract. Excluding the settlement of the programming contract, programming costs increased 11%. Other operating costs increased 40%, primarily attributable to increases in high-speed Internet costs driven by the net addition of 85,200 high-speed Internet customers, and, labor costs, which increased due to the transition from upgrade activities to maintenance activities. Additionally, we entered into an interim service arrangement with @Home Corporation that required us to pay $10.0 million to @Home to extend high-speed Internet service through February 28, 2002. As a result of this arrangement we incurred approximately $7.9 million in excess of our original agreed-to cost for such services rendered, of which $4.1 million was incurred in 2002.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $11.4 million or 7% primarily as a result of annual salary increases and payroll related costs for existing employees, some of which are one-time expenses, as well as the addition of new employees. In addition, marketing expenses increased to support the continued roll-out of new products. Legal fees also increased related to ongoing litigation. Partially offsetting these increases was an increase in marketing support funds (recorded as a reduction to selling, general and administrative expenses) for the promotion of new channel launches.

 

Management fees are directly related to revenue as these fees are calculated as approximately 3% of revenue.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $13.0 million or 6% primarily as a result of additional capital expenditures through December 31, 2003 to complete the rebuild of our Illinois systems, extend our plant and continue the rollout of digital, high-speed Internet and telephone services to existing and new service areas. Excluding the write-down of our obsolete video on demand equipment during the year ended December 31, 2002, depreciation and amortization increased $24.2 million or 12%.

 

As a result of the factors listed above, Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization increased $31.1 million or 9%.

 

Interest expense remained relatively flat year over year. The increase of $4.0 million or 2% is primarily due to the inclusion of $5.0 million of accruals for preferred interests in accordance with SFAS No. 150, effective July 1, 2003. Previously, the accrual was treated as a dividend below net income or loss. Additionally, the increase is related to higher outstanding debt, which averaged $2.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2003, versus $2.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2002. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in interest expense due to lower interest rates, which averaged 7.3% for the year ended December 31, 2003, versus 7.6% for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our business requires cash for operations, debt service, capital expenditures and acquisitions. The cable television business has substantial on-going capital requirements for the construction, expansion and maintenance of its broadband networks and provision of new services. In the past, expenditures have been made for various purposes including the upgrade of our existing cable network, and in the future will be made for network extensions, new services, converters and, to a lesser extent, network upgrades. Historically, we have been able to meet our cash requirements with cash flow from operations, borrowings under our credit facilities and issuances of private and public debt and equity.

 

Cash provided by operations for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $281.0 million and $211.5 million. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in operating income and the timing of cash receipts and payments related to our working capital accounts.

 

Cash used in investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $162.9 million and $220.9 million. The decrease was primarily attributable to three factors:

 

    Capital spending decreased by $28.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, primarily due to a $20.1 million decrease in rebuild/upgrade costs reflecting the near completion of our rebuilds.

 

    The swap of our Griffin, Georgia system for the New Albany, Indiana and Shelbyville, Kentucky systems in the first quarter of 2003, for which we paid $26.5 million to acquire cable systems serving approximately 12,000 additional customers.

 

    The purchase of the Coaxial interests for $10.3 million in September 2003 in connection with the refinancing of our Ohio subsidiary.

 

Cash (used in) provided by financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $(68.3) million and $22.1 million. During the year ended December 31, 2004, we:

 

    Made scheduled debt amortization payments related to the A and B Term Loan portions of our credit facility, which totaled $62.3 million; and

 

    Repaid $6.0 million of revolver borrowings that were outstanding as of December 31, 2003 and did not need to re-borrow.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, we spent $164.7 million and $193.5 million in capital expenditures. These expenditures principally constituted network extensions, upgrades to our headends, purchases of customer premise equipment and capitalized labor, all of which is considered necessary in order to maintain our existing network, to grow our customer base and expand our service offerings. For the year ending December 31, 2005, it is anticipated that we will spend approximately $220.0 million on capital expenditures.

 

Free Cash Flow for the year ended December 31, 2004 totaled $116.3 million compared to $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase was primarily driven by the following:

 

    A $44.7 million increase in Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization;

 

    A $22.5 million source of Free Cash Flow for the year ended December 31, 2004 compared to a $6.4 million use for the year ended December 31, 2003 from changes in working capital accounts; and

 

    A $28.8 million decrease in capital expenditures.

 

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While we expect to continue to use Free Cash Flow to repay our indebtedness, interest rates have begun to increase, which could result in higher interest costs.

 

We have concluded a number of financing transactions, which fully support our operating plan. These transactions are detailed as follows:

 

On October 1, 1999, in connection with the formation of Insight Midwest and the acquisition of a 50% interest in the Kentucky systems, Insight Midwest completed an offering of $200.0 million principal amount of its 9 ¾% senior notes due 2009. The net proceeds of the offering were used to repay certain outstanding debt of the Kentucky systems. On November 6, 2000, Insight Midwest completed an offering of $500.0 million principal amount of its 10 ½% senior notes due 2010. The net proceeds of the offering of $486.0 million were used to repay a portion of the then existing Indiana and Kentucky credit facilities. Interest on the Insight Midwest 9 ¾% senior notes is payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year and interest on the Insight Midwest 10 ½% senior notes is payable on May 1 and November 1 of each year. The indentures relating to these senior notes impose certain limitations on the ability of Insight Midwest to, among other things, incur debt, make distributions, make investments and sell assets.

 

On December 17, 2002 Insight Midwest completed a $185.0 million add-on offering under the 9¾% senior notes indenture. Insight Midwest received proceeds of $176.9 million, including $3.8 million of interest accruing from October 1, 2002 through the date of issuance that was repaid to holders of the bonds in the first semi-annual interest payment due on April 1, 2003, and net of an underwriting fee of $3.1 million and a bond discount of $8.8 million that is being amortized through October 2009. The proceeds of this offering were used to repay a portion of the outstanding revolving loans under the Midwest Holdings credit facility. Since this add-on offering occurred under the 9¾% senior notes indenture, these additional debt securities and the previous 9¾% senior notes are considered a single series of senior notes with identical terms.

 

On December 9, 2003, Insight Midwest completed a $130.0 million add-on offering under the 10½% senior notes indenture. Insight Midwest received proceeds of $140.9 million, including $1.4 million of interest accruing from November 1, 2003 through the date of issuance that will be repaid to holders of the bonds in the first semi-annual interest payment due on May 1, 2004 and a bond premium of $11.4 million that is being amortized through November 2010, and net of an underwriting fee of $2.0 million. The proceeds of this offering were used to repay a portion of the outstanding revolving loans under the Midwest Holdings credit facility. Since this additional add-on offering occurred under the 10½% senior notes indenture, these additional debt securities and the previous 10½% senior notes are considered a single series of senior notes with identical terms.

 

On January 5, 2001, in conjunction with a series of transactions with cable subsidiaries of AT&T Broadband (now known as Comcast Cable), Insight Midwest Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of Insight Midwest which serves as a holding company for all of Insight Midwest’s systems, entered into a $1.75 billion credit facility. Insight Midwest Holdings borrowed $663.0 million to repay the then existing Indiana and Kentucky credit facilities and $685.0 million to finance the AT&T Broadband transactions.

 

The Insight Midwest Holdings credit facility permits the distribution of cash from Midwest Holdings’ subsidiaries to enable Insight Midwest to pay interest on its 9¾% senior notes and 10½% senior notes, so long as there exists no default under the credit facility. The Insight Midwest Holdings credit facility contains covenants restricting, among other things, the ability of Midwest Holdings and its

 

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Table of Contents

subsidiaries to acquire or dispose of assets, make investments and engage in transactions with related parties. The facility also requires compliance with certain financial ratios and contains customary events of default. As of December 31, 2004, we were in compliance with the credit facility’s covenant requirements. Given current operating conditions and projected results of operations, we anticipate continued compliance under this credit facility for the foreseeable future.

 

On March 28, 2002 we borrowed $100.0 million from our manager. Insight Midwest Holdings is permitted to make distributions to us for the purpose of repaying this loan provided that there are no defaults existing under the credit facility. This loan bears annual interest of 9%, compounded semi-annually, has a scheduled maturity date of January 31, 2011 and permits prepayments.

 

We have a substantial amount of debt. Our high level of debt could have important consequences for you. Our investments in our operating subsidiaries, including Insight Midwest, constitute substantially all of our operating assets. Consequently, our subsidiaries conduct all of our consolidated operations and own substantially all of our operating assets. Our principal source of cash we need to pay our obligations and to repay the principal amount of our debt obligations is the cash that our subsidiaries generate from their operations and their borrowings. Our subsidiaries are not obligated to make funds available to us and are restricted by the terms of their indebtedness from doing so. Our ability to access the cash flow of our subsidiaries may be contingent upon our ability to refinance the debt of our subsidiaries.

 

We believe that the Insight Midwest Holdings credit facility, cash on-hand and our cash flow from operations are sufficient to support our current operating plan. We have the ability to draw upon $374.0 million of unused availability under the Insight Midwest Holdings Credit Facility as of December 31, 2004 to fund any shortfall resulting from the inability of Insight Midwest’s cash from operations to fund its capital expenditures, meet its debt service requirements or otherwise fund its operations.

 

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commitments, excluding interest and commitments for programming, as of December 31, 2004, including periods in which the related payments are due (in thousands):

 

    

Long-Term

Debt


  

Operating

Leases


   Total

2005

   $ 83,500    $ 2,859    $ 86,359

2006

     83,500      2,301      85,801

2007

     83,500      1,352      84,852

2008

     104,750      952      105,702

2009

     1,517,500      636      1,518,136

Thereafter

     730,000      1,360      731,360
    

  

  

Total cash obligations

   $ 2,602,750    $ 9,460    $ 2,612,210
    

  

  

 

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Table of Contents

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.” This Statement establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. SFAS No. 150 requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability or, in some circumstances, as an asset, with many such financial instruments having been previously classified as equity. SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective July 1, 2003. SFAS No. 150 is to be implemented by reporting the cumulative effect of a change in an accounting principle for financial instruments outstanding before the issuance date of the Statement and still existing at July 1, 2003. Restatement is not permitted.

 

As of July 1, 2003, we had $195.2 million of preferred interests recorded in our balance sheets as temporary equity. These preferred interests were fully accreted to their maturity value of $195.9 million as of August 15, 2003 and were subsequently converted to common interests in connection with our refinancing of the obligations of Insight Ohio. In connection with the adoption of SFAS No. 150, for the three months ended September 30, 2003, we recorded a $5.0 million accrual of preferred interests, which has been included in interest expense in our consolidated statements of operations.

 

In September 2004, the EITF reached a consensus regarding Issue No. 04-1, Accounting for Preexisting Relationships Between the Parties to a Business Combination. EITF Issue No. 04-1 requires an acquirer in a business combination to evaluate any preexisting relationship with the acquiree to determine if the business combination in effect contains a settlement of the preexisting relationship. A business combination between parties with a preexisting relationship should be viewed as a multiple element transaction. EITF 04-1 is effective for business combinations after October 13, 2004, but requires goodwill resulting from prior business combinations involving parties with a preexisting relationship to be tested for impairment by applying the guidance in the consensus. The Company adopted the provisions of EITF 04-1 during the fourth quarter of 2004 in connection with the acquisition of Comcast Cable’s telephone business.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our most critical accounting policies have a significant impact on the results we report in our consolidated financial statements. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an on-going basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Our experience and assumptions form the basis for our judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may vary from what we anticipate and different assumptions or estimates about the future could change our reported results. We believe the following accounting policies are the most critical to us, in that they are important to the portrayal of our financial statements and they require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

 

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Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in Purchase Combinations

 

The purchase combinations carried out by us require management to estimate the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the combinations. These estimates of fair value are based on our business plan for the entities acquired including planned redundancies, restructuring, use of assets acquired and assumptions as to the ultimate resolution of obligations assumed for which no future benefit will be received. We also utilize appraisal reports issued by independent appraisers. Should actual use of assets or resolution of obligations differ from our estimates, revisions to the estimated fair values would be required. If a change in estimate occurs after one year of the acquisition, the change would be recorded in our statement of operations.

 

Goodwill and Other Identifiable Intangibles

 

We assess the impairment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets annually and on an interim basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Some factors we consider important which could trigger an impairment review include the following:

 

    Significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results;

 

    Significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business; and

 

    Significant negative industry or economic trends.

 

When we determine that the carrying value of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the above indicators of impairment, we measure any impairment based on a projected discounted cash flow method using a discount rate determined by our management to be commensurate with the risk inherent in our current business model. With the adoption of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” on January 1, 2002 we ceased amortizing goodwill and franchise costs arising from acquisitions. In lieu of amortization, we perform an annual impairment analysis. If we determine through the impairment review process that goodwill or franchise costs have been impaired, we would record an impairment charge in our statement of operations.

 

Fixed Assets

 

Fixed assets include costs capitalized for labor and overhead incurred in connection with the installation of cable systems and is stated at cost. Depreciation for buildings, cable system equipment, furniture, fixtures and office equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives ranging from 2 to 30 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the remaining terms of the leases or the estimated lives of the improvements.

 

Risk Factors

 

We have substantial debt and have significant interest payment requirements, which may adversely affect our ability to obtain financing in the future to finance our operations and our ability to react to changes in our business.

 

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We have a substantial amount of debt. The following table shows certain important credit statistics about us.

 

    

As of

December 31, 2004


 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Total debt

   $ 2,602,379  

Partners’ capital

     827,622  

Debt to equity ratio

     3.1 x

 

Our high level of combined debt could have important consequences for you, including the following:

 

    Our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for capital expenditures, acquisitions, working capital or other purposes may be limited;

 

    We will need to use a large portion of our revenues to pay interest on our borrowings, which will reduce the amount of money available to finance our operations, capital expenditures and other activities;

 

    Some of our debt has a variable rate of interest, which exposes us to the risk of increased interest rates; and

 

    Our indebtedness may limit our ability to withstand competitive pressures and reduce our flexibility in responding to changing business and economic conditions.

 

We depend upon our operating subsidiaries for cash to fund our obligations.

 

As a holding company, we do not hold any assets other than our investments in our subsidiaries. Consequently, our subsidiaries conduct all of our consolidated operations and own substantially all of our consolidated assets. The only source of the cash we have to pay interest and principal on our indebtedness is the cash that our subsidiaries generate from their operations and their borrowings. The ability of our operating subsidiaries to generate cash is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. Furthermore, our subsidiaries must make payments to Insight Communications Company, L.P. under their management agreements. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that our subsidiaries will generate cash flow from operations in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness.

 

The terms of the Insight Midwest Holdings credit facility and inability to refinance any borrowings under such facility may limit our ability to access the cash flow of our subsidiaries.

 

Our ability to receive cash from our subsidiaries is restricted by the terms of the Insight Midwest Holdings credit facility. Insight Midwest Holdings’ credit facility permits it to distribute cash to us, subject to certain limitations, provided that there is no default under such credit facility. If there is a default under the Midwest Holdings credit facility, we would not have any cash to pay interest on our obligations.

 

Furthermore, borrowings under the Insight Midwest Holdings credit facility are secured and will mature prior to our outstanding notes. Accordingly, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

 

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The Insight Midwest Holdings credit facility requires us to comply with various financial and operating restrictions which could limit our ability to compete as well as our ability to expand.

 

The Insight Midwest Holdings credit facility contains covenants that restrict Insight Midwest Holdings’ subsidiaries ability to:

 

    distribute funds or pay dividends to us;

 

    incur additional indebtedness or issue additional equity;

 

    repurchase or redeem equity interests and indebtedness;

 

    pledge or sell assets or merge with another entity;

 

    create liens; and

 

    make certain capital expenditures, investments or acquisitions.

 

Such restriction could limit our ability to compete as well as our ability to expand. The ability of Insight Midwest Holdings’ subsidiaries to comply with these provisions may be affected by events beyond our control. If they were to breach any of these covenants, they would be in default under the credit facility and they would be prohibited from making distributions to us.

 

We have a history of net losses, and may not be profitable in the future.

 

Although we reported net income before accruals of preferred interests of $28.0 million and $26.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 primarily due to the extraordinary item from the telephone acquisition and the gain recorded on the settlement of a programming contract and the swap of our Griffin, Georgia system, we have a history of net losses and expect to incur additional net losses in the future. We incurred a net loss before accruals of preferred interests of $263.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 and $42.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

We have and will continue to have a substantial amount of interest expense in respect of debt incurred and depreciation and amortization expenses relating to acquisitions of cable systems as well as expansion and upgrade programs. Such expenses have contributed to the net losses we experienced.

 

Our manager may in the future manage cable systems other than our cable systems, which may divert management resources from the management of our systems and could give rise to conflicts of interest.

 

Our manager may in the future manage cable systems other than the cable systems we own. Management of other cable systems would require our manager to devote a significant portion of its personnel and other resources to the management of such other cable systems. As a result, the attention of our manager’s senior executive officers and key personnel may be diverted from the management of our cable systems and the allocation of management resources between our cable systems and such new systems could give rise to conflicts of interest.

 

We could face considerable business and financial risk in implementing our acquisition strategy.

 

As part of our strategy of pursuing value-enhancing transactions, we intend to seek to swap or acquire systems that strategically fit our clustering and operating strategy. Although we regularly engage

 

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in discussions with respect to possible acquisitions and joint ventures, we do not currently have any understandings, commitments or agreements relating to any acquisitions. Future acquisitions could result in potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities and the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities which could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Risks we could face with respect to acquisitions include:

 

    difficulties in the integration of the operations, technologies, products and personnel of the acquired company;

 

    risks of entering markets in which we have no or limited prior experience;

 

    diversion of management’s attention away from other business concerns; and

 

    expenses of any undisclosed or potential legal liabilities of the acquired company.

 

The risks associated with acquisitions could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition and results of operations. We cannot assure that we will be successful in consummating future acquisitions on favorable terms or at all.

 

Our programming costs are substantial and they may increase, which could result in a decrease in profitability if we are unable to pass that increase on to our customers.

 

In recent years the cable industry has experienced an escalation in the cost of programming, and sports programming in particular. For 1998 through 2004, programming costs increased significantly. Our cable programming services are dependent upon our ability to procure programming that is attractive to our customers at reasonable rates. Programming costs may continue to escalate and we may not be able to pass programming cost increases on to our customers. Our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively affected by further increases in programming costs. Programming has been and is expected to continue to be our largest single expense item and accounted for approximately 45% of the total programming and other operating costs and selling, general and administrative expenses for our systems for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

The competition we face from other cable networks and alternative service providers may cause us to lose market share.

 

The impact from competition, particularly from direct broadcast satellite television systems and companies that overbuild in our market areas, has resulted in a decrease in customer growth rates as well as a loss of customers. According to the FCC, the percentage of multichannel video customers served by cable television operators dropped from 73.6% as of June 2003 to 71.6% as of June 2004, while the percentage of customers served nationwide by direct broadcast satellite grew from 22.7% to 25.1% during this same period. This growing competition has negatively impacted our financial performance. Increased competition may continue to impact our financial performance. Many of our potential competitors have substantially greater resources than we do, and we cannot predict the market share our competitors will eventually achieve, nor can we predict their ability to develop products which will compete with our planned new and enhanced products and services such as high-speed Internet access, video-on-demand and telephone services.

 

Direct broadcast satellite service consists of television programming transmitted via high-powered satellites to individual homes, each served by a small satellite dish. Legislation permitting direct broadcast satellite operators to transmit local broadcast signals was enacted on November 29, 1999. This eliminates a significant competitive advantage that cable system operators have had over direct broadcast satellite operators. Direct broadcast satellite operators currently deliver local broadcast signals in the largest markets and continue to expand such carriage to additional markets.

 

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The 1996 Telecom Act contains provisions designed to encourage local exchange telephone companies and others to provide a wide variety of video services competitive with services provided by cable systems. Local exchange telephone companies in various states have either announced plans, obtained local franchise authorizations or are currently competing with our cable communications systems. Certain telephone companies have begun to deploy fiber more extensively in their networks and some have announced plans to deploy broadband services, including video programming services, using a switched Internet protocol platform or other technologies designed to avoid the same regulatory burdens imposed on our business. New laws or regulations at the federal or state level may clarify the ability of local telephone companies to provide their services without obtaining state or local cable franchises. If local telephone companies are not required to obtain local cable franchises comparable to ours, it would be adverse to our business.

 

Since our cable systems are operated under non-exclusive franchises, competing operators of cable systems and other potential competitors, such as municipalities and municipal utility providers, may be granted franchises to build cable systems in markets where we hold franchises. Competition in geographic areas where a secondary franchise is obtained and a cable network is constructed is called “overbuilding.” As of December 31, 2004, approximately 9% of the homes passed by our cable systems were overbuilt. As of December 31, 2004, SIGECOM, LLC had overbuilt our Evansville, Indiana system and passes approximately 83,000 homes also passed by us. Knology, Inc. has obtained a franchise to provide cable television service in the City of Louisville, Kentucky, where we operate a system, although they have not constructed a cable system. In addition, as of December 31, 2004, WideOpenWest had overbuilt our Columbus, Ohio system and passed approximately 130,800 homes also passed by us. In our Illinois system, the city of Springfield is considering a municipal overbuild. We cannot predict what effect competition from these or future competitors will have on our business and operations.

 

We will face competition from providers of alternatives to our Internet and telephone services.

 

Several telephone companies are offering digital subscriber line technology (also known as DSL services), which allows Internet access over traditional phone lines at data transmission speeds greater than those available by a standard telephone modem. Although these transmission speeds generally have not been as fast as the transmission speeds of a cable modem, we believe that the transmission speeds of digital subscriber line technology are sufficiently high that such technology will compete with cable modem technology. We cannot predict the impact DSL technology will have on our Internet access services or on our operations.

 

As we expand our offerings to include telephone services in additional markets, the telephone services we deliver will be subject to competition from existing providers, including both local exchange telephone companies and long-distance carriers as well as competing providers using alternative technologies such as voice over Internet protocol (“VoIP”). We cannot predict the extent to which the presence of these competitors will influence customer penetration in our telephone service areas.

 

We expect that the most significant competitors for our Internet access and telephone service offerings will be the existing local exchange telephone companies as well as resellers using the local exchange telephone companies’ networks. These competitors are currently the predominant providers of Internet and telephone services in our markets.

 

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We may be required to provide access to our networks to other Internet service providers, which could significantly increase our competition and adversely affect our ability to provide new products and services.

 

The U.S. Congress and the Federal Communications Commission have been asked to require cable operators to provide access over their cable systems to other Internet service providers. If we are required to provide forced access, it could prohibit us from entering into or limit our existing agreements with Internet service providers, adversely impact our anticipated revenues from high-speed Internet access services and complicate marketing and technical issues associated with the introduction of these services. To date, the U.S. Congress and the Federal Communications Commission have declined to impose these requirements although the FCC has recently issued a notice of proposed rulemaking on this matter. This same forced access issue is also being considered by some local franchising authorities and several courts. Based on a finding that it was bound by an earlier decision, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the FCC’s classification and found cable Internet service to include both “information service” and “telecommunications service” components. Although the Ninth Circuit’s decision is being reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court, if upheld this decision could increase the risk of forced access obligations. Franchise renewals and transfers could also become more difficult depending upon the outcome of this issue.

 

Our business has been and continues to be subject to extensive governmental legislation and regulation, and changes in this legislation and regulation could increase our costs of compliance and reduce the profitability of our business.

 

The cable television industry is subject to extensive legislation and regulation at the federal and local levels, and, in some instances, at the state level, and many aspects of such regulation are currently the subject of judicial proceedings and administrative or legislative proposals. Operating in a regulated industry increases the cost of doing business generally. We may also become subject to additional regulatory burdens and related increased costs. As we continue to introduce additional communications services, we may be required to obtain federal, state and local licenses or other authorizations to offer such services. We may not be able to obtain such licenses or authorizations in a timely manner, or at all, or conditions could be imposed upon such licenses and authorizations that may not be favorable to us.

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

 

Our revolving credit and term loan agreements bear interest at floating rates. Accordingly, we are exposed to potential losses related to changes in interest rates. We do not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. In order to manage our exposure to interest rate risk, we enter into derivative financial instruments, typically interest rate swaps and collars. The counter-parties to our swap and collar agreements are major financial institutions. As of December 31, 2004, $185.0 million of our interest rate swap and collar agreements expire in November 2005 and $130.0 million expire in November 2010.

 

The fair market value and carrying value of our 9¾% senior notes and 10½% senior notes was $1.1 billion and $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2004. Additionally, the fair market value of our credit facility borrowings approximate their carrying values as the credit facility borrowings bear interest at floating rates of interest. As of December 31, 2004, the estimated fair value (cost if terminated) of our interest rate swap and collar agreements was approximately $(1.6) million, which represents the amount required to enter into offsetting contracts with similar remaining maturities based on quoted market prices and is reflected in our financial statements as other non-current liabilities. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are either recognized in income or in stockholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive loss depending on whether the derivative financial instruments qualify for hedge accounting.

 

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

Reference is made to our consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1 of this report.

 

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

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

 

Insight Midwest’s management carried out an evaluation, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2004. Based upon that evaluation, its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that (i) its disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Insight Midwest in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and (ii) its disclosure controls and procedures were designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by it in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

There has not been any change in Insight Midwest’s internal control over financial reporting in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) under the Exchange Act that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2004 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

 

Insight Capital’s management carried out an evaluation, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2004. Based upon that evaluation, its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that (i) its disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Insight Capital in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and (ii) its disclosure controls and procedures were designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by it in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

There has not been any change in Insight Capital’s internal control over financial reporting in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) under the Exchange Act that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2004 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. Other Information

 

Not Applicable

 

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PART III

 

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

Insight LP is our sole general partner. Insight Communications is the sole general partner of Insight LP. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the executive officers of us, Insight Capital and Insight Communications. Insight Communications, through Insight LP, serves as our manager.

 

Name


   Age

  

Position


Sidney R. Knafel    74    Chairman of the Board of Insight Communications and Member of the Advisory Committee
Michael S. Willner    52    Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Insight Midwest and Insight Capital and Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Insight Communications and Chairman of the Advisory Committee
Dinni Jain    41    Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Insight Midwest, Insight Capital and Insight Communications and Member of the Advisory Committee
John Abbot    42    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Insight Midwest, Insight Capital and Insight Communications
Elliot Brecher    39    Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Insight Midwest, Insight Capital and Insight Communications

 

Sidney R. Knafel, a director of Insight Communications, has been Chairman of the Board of Insight Communications since 1985. He was the founder, Chairman and an equity holder of Vision Cable Communications, Inc. from 1971 until its sale in 1981. Mr. Knafel is presently the managing partner of SRK Management Company, a private investment company. He is a director of General American Investors Company, Inc. and IGENE Biotechnology, Inc., as well as several private companies. Mr. Knafel is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Business School.

 

Michael S. Willner, a director of Insight Communications, co-founded and has served as Chief Executive Officer since 1985. Mr. Willner has also served as Vice Chairman of Insight Communications since August 2002, served as President from 1985 to August 2002 and reassumed the position of President in August 2003. Since August 2002, he has served as Chairman of Insight Midwest and Insight Capital. Mr. Willner served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Vision Cable from 1979 through 1985, Vice President of Marketing for Vision Cable from 1977 to 1979 and General Manager of Vision Cable’s Bergen County, New Jersey cable television system from 1975 to 1977. He currently serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association. He also serves on the boards of C-SPAN, Women in Cable and Telecommunications, the Cable Center and the Walter Kaitz Foundation, as well as the Executive Committee of CableLabs. Mr. Willner is a graduate of Boston University’s College of Communication and serves on the school’s Executive Committee.

 

Dinni Jain has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since October 2003. He joined Insight Communications in January 2002 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. From 1994 through 2002, he served in a number of roles in sales, marketing, customer service,

 

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strategy, corporate development and general management NTLIncorporated, one of Europe’s leading cable and telecommunications companies. He ultimately served as Deputy Managing Director of NTL’s Consumer Division, overseeing customer and new business growth, as well as the quality of customer satisfaction. He also managed the operations of NTL’s Cable and Wireless Consumer Group from 2000 to 2001. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Cable & Telecommunication Association for Marketing Foundation.

 

John Abbot has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since January 2004. From January 1995 to January 2004, Mr. Abbot served in a number of roles at Morgan Stanley, most recently as Managing Director in the Global Media and Communications Group of its Investment Banking Division. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Mr. Abbot worked at Goldman, Sachs & Co. and he also served six years as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Abbot received a bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, an ME in Industrial Engineering from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

 

Elliot Brecher has served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Insight Communications since January 2000. Previously, he was associated with the law firm Cooperman Levitt Winikoff Lester & Newman, P.C., which served as Insight Communications’ legal counsel until July 2000 when it merged with Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal, LLP which continues to serve as our legal counsel. He joined that firm in February 1994 and served as a partner from January 1996 until joining Insight Communications. Prior to that, he was an associate of the law firm Rosenman & Colin from October 1988. Mr. Brecher received his law degree from Fordham University.

 

Except as described in this report, there are no arrangements or understandings between any Member of the Advisory Committee or executive officer and any other person pursuant to which that person was elected or appointed to his or her position.

 

Since we are not a listed company, we are not required to establish an audit committee. Rather, the functions of an audit committee for our company are performed by the audit committee of our manager. The audit committee of our manager consists of three directors, all of whom are independent directors as defined by the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The current members of the audit committee are James S. Marcus (Chairman), Thomas L. Kempner and David C. Lee. The board of directors of our manager has determined that each of the members of the audit committee meets the SEC definition of an audit committee financial expert.

 

The board of directors of our manager has adopted a code of ethics applicable to all of our employees, including our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and chief accounting officer. This code of ethics has been filed as an exhibit to this annual report and can be found on the website of Insight Communications at www.insight-com.com.

 

Advisory Committee

 

The Partnership Agreement of Insight Midwest provides for a five member Advisory Committee. Insight Communications, through Insight LP, is entitled to designate three of the members of the Advisory Committee. The remaining members are designated by an affiliate of Comcast Cable. The Advisory Committee serves in an advisory capacity only. Insight LP is our general partner and has the exclusive authority to manage our business, operations and affairs, subject to certain approval rights of Comcast Cable.

 

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Item 11. Executive Compensation

 

None of the executive officers of Insight Midwest or Insight Capital are compensated for their services as such officers, but rather receive compensation from Insight Communications. None of the members of the Advisory Committee of Insight Midwest are compensated for their services as such members, but are entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses.

 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

Insight Capital is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Insight Midwest.

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of Insight Midwest’s partnership interests:

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner


  

Type of Interest


  

Percent of

Partnership Interest


 

Insight Communications Company, L.P. (1)
810 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019

   General Partner    50 %

TCI of Indiana Holdings, LLC (2)
c/o Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC, 1500 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102

   Limited Partner    50 %

(1) Insight LP is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Insight Communications. The Class A common stock of Insight Communications is quoted on The Nasdaq National Market. Sidney R. Knafel, his children and trusts for their benefit, and Michael S. Willner, through their ownership of Insight Communications’ common stock have approximately 61.5% of Insight Communications’ voting power.

 

(2) TCI of Indiana Holdings is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Comcast Cable.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

Insight Interactive

 

Our manager is currently providing the interactive services of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Insight Interactive, LLC, including an interactive program guide and interactive local information and community guides, to customers in some of our systems. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, fees for such services totaled $2.5 million, $2.1 million and $1.6 million.

 

Insight LP

 

Our manager, Insight LP, receives a management fee for each twelve-month period equal to 3% of substantially all revenue arising out of or in connection with the operations of our systems. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, Insight LP earned management fees of $30.0 million, $26.4 million and $23.6 million. Our manager owns 50% of the partnership interests in us, and we own 100% of the common stock of Insight Capital. In addition, Sidney Knafel, Michael Willner and Dinni Jain, who are each executive officers of our manager, are members of and collectively constitute a majority of our advisory committee.

 

Insight Midwest Holdings

 

Insight Midwest Holdings is party to a $1.975 billion credit facility. On March 28, 2002, we borrowed $100.0 million from our manager, $97.0 million of which was contributed to Insight Midwest Holdings in April 2002 for use in paying down the credit facility balance and in funding financing costs

 

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associated with amendments to the facility, and $3.0 million of which was contributed to Insight Ohio as of March 28, 2002. Insight Midwest Holdings is permitted to make distributions to us for the purpose of repaying the $100.0 million loan so long as no default exists under the credit facility. This loan, which remained outstanding as of December 31, 2004, bears annual interest of 9%, compounded semi-annually, has a scheduled maturity date of January 31, 2011 and permits prepayments.

 

Comcast Cable

 

We purchase the majority of our programming through affiliates of Comcast Cable. Charges for such programming, including a 1½% administrative fee, were $151.0 million, $142.4 million and $130.5 million for the three years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, $36.8 million and $28.3 million of accrued programming costs were due to affiliates of Comcast Cable. We believe that the programming rates charged through these affiliates are lower than those available from independent parties.

 

In October 1999, to facilitate the administration of our advertising services in our Kentucky Systems, we entered into an agreement with an affiliate of AT&T Broadband (now known as Comcast Cable), which provided for this affiliate to perform all of our Kentucky advertising sales and related administrative services. Effective September 26, 2004, this agreement was terminated by mutual agreement. We, through our Kentucky Systems, earned advertising revenues through this affiliate of $13.5 million from January 1, 2004 through September 26, 2004 and $18.5 million and $15.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002. As of December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, we had $1.1 million and $9.3 million as a receivable due from this affiliate. Through September 26, 2004 we paid this affiliate a fixed and variable fee for providing this service based on advertising sales cash flow growth. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, we had $38,500 and $102,000 recorded as payables to this affiliate related to such services.

 

In July 2000, to facilitate delivery of telephone services we entered into a ten-year agreement with AT&T Broadband (now known as Comcast Cable) that allowed Insight Midwest to deliver to its residential customers, in certain of its service areas, local telephone service provided by Comcast Cable. Under the terms of the agreement, Insight Midwest leased certain capacity on our local network to Comcast Cable. Revenue earned from leased network capacity used in the provision of telephone services was $8.5 million, $6.2 million and $2.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002. In addition, Insight Midwest provided certain services and support for which it received additional payments related to installations, marketing and billing support.

 

On July 2, 2004, we entered into an agreement with Comcast Cable and certain other subsidiaries of Comcast Corporation to acquire the telephone business conducted by Comcast Cable in the markets served under our joint operating agreement. By acquiring ownership of the telephone business from Comcast Cable, we terminated our pre-existing joint operating agreement with Comcast Cable and have gained both operational and strategic control over this business. The acquisition was completed on December 31, 2004. Comcast Cable paid us approximately $13 million in cash and transferred to us certain assets and liabilities related to the telephone business.

 

On March 17, 2000, Insight LP entered into a management agreement with Comcast of Montana/Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio (“Comcast”) (formerly known as InterMedia Partners Southeast), an affiliate of Comcast Cable, to provide management services to cable television systems owned by Comcast. These systems served approximately 89,400 customers in the state of Indiana. Certain of our employees operated these managed systems. Overhead costs we incurred were allocated ratably and charged to Comcast on a monthly basis. Effective July 31, 2004, the management agreement was terminated by mutual agreement.

 

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Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

Fees for professional services provided by our independent auditors in each of the last two fiscal years, in each of the following categories are as follows:

 

     2004

   2003

     (in thousands)

Audit fees

   $ 376.3    $ 409.5

Audit-related fees

     —        —  

Tax fees

     —        —  

All other fees

     —        —  

Total

   $ 376.3    $ 409.5

 

Fees for audit services include fees associated with the annual audit, the reviews of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, assistance with and review of documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and comfort letters.

 

The audit committee of our manager has adopted a policy that requires advance approval of all audit, audit-related, tax services, and other services performed by our independent auditor. The policy provides for pre-approval by the audit committee of specifically defined audit and non-audit services. Unless the specific service has been previously pre-approved with respect to that year, the audit committee must approve the permitted service before the independent auditor is engaged to perform it.

 

PART IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a) Financial Statements:

 

Our financial statements, as indicated by the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth below, begin on page F-1 of this Form 10-K, and are hereby incorporated by reference. Financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.

 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page

Insight Midwest, L.P.

    

Report of Independent Auditors—Ernst & Young LLP

   F-1

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2004 and 2003

   F-2

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

   F-3

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

   F-4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

   F-5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-6

Insight Capital, Inc.

    

Report of Independent Auditors—Ernst & Young LLP

   F-23

Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2004 and 2003

   F-24

Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

   F-25

Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Deficit for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

   F-26

Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

   F-27

Notes to Financial Statements

   F-28

 

 

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Table of Contents

(b) Exhibits:

 

Exhibit

Number


  

Exhibit Description


  3.1         Certificate of Limited Partnership of Insight Midwest (1)
  3.2         Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Insight Midwest, L.P., dated January 5, 2001 (2)
  3.2A     First Amendment to Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Insight Midwest, L.P., dated September 30, 2002 (3)
  3.3        Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Insight Capital, Inc. (1)
  3.4         By-laws of Insight Capital, Inc. (1)
10.1         Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2003, among Insight Midwest Holdings, LLC, several banks and financial institutions or entities, and The Bank of New York, as administrative agent (“Credit Agreement”)(4)
10.1A     Additional Term Loan Supplement to Credit Agreement dated August 26, 2003 (4)
10.2         Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Insight Communications Midwest, LLC, dated as of January 5, 2001 (5)
10.3         Amended and Restated Management Agreement by and between Insight Communications of Indiana, LLC (now known as Insight Communications Midwest, LLC) and Insight Communications Company, L.P., dated as of October 1, 1999 (1)
10.4         First Amendment to Amended and Restated Management Agreement dated as of January 5, 2001, by and between Insight Communications Midwest, LLC and Insight Communications Company, L.P. (5)
10.5         Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Insight Kentucky Partners II, L.P., dated as of October 1, 1999 (5)
10.6         First Amendment to Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Insight Kentucky Partners II, L.P., dated as of January 5, 2001 (5)
10.7         Management Agreement by and between Insight Kentucky Partners II, L.P. and Insight Communications Company, L.P., dated as of October 1, 1999 (1)
10.8         Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Insight Communications of Central Ohio, LLC, dated as of September 29, 2003 (4)
10.9        Management Agreement by and between Insight Communications of Central Ohio, LLC and Insight Communications Company, LP dated as of September 29, 2003 (4)
10.10       Indenture relating to 9 ¾% senior notes of Registrants, dated as of October 1, 1999 (6)
10.10A    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 14, 2004, relating to 9 ¾% senior notes (7)
10.11       Indenture relating to 10 ½% senior notes of Registrants, dated as of November 6, 2000 (5)
10.11A    First Supplement Indenture, dated as of January 14, 2004, relating to 10 ½% senior notes (7)
10.12       Promissory Note, dated March 28, 2002, made by Insight Midwest, L.P. to Insight Communications Company, Inc. (8)
10.13       Purchase Agreement, dated July 2, 2004, between Insight Midwest Holdings, LLC and Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC and certain of its affiliates (9)
10.14       Transition and Termination Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2004, between Comcast of Montana/Indiana/Kentucky/Utah and Insight Communication Company, L.P. (10)

 

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Table of Contents
10.15    Purchase Agreement dated as of August 26, 2003, among Coaxial Communications of Central Ohio, Inc. Insight Communications of Central Ohio, LLC, Insight Communications Company, LP Insight Communications Company, Inc., Coaxial DJM LLC, Coaxial DSM LLC, Barry Silverman, Dennis J. McGillicuddy, and D. Stevens McVoy (4)
14         Code of Ethics (7)
21         Subsidiaries of Registrants
31.1      Rule 13a-14/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Insight Midwest, L.P.
31.2      Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Insight Midwest, L.P.
31.3      Rule 13a-14/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Insight Capital, Inc.
31.4      Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Insight Capital, Inc.
32.1      Section 1350 Certifications of Insight Midwest, L.P.
32.2      Section 1350 Certifications of Insight Capital, Inc.

(1) Filed as an exhibit to Registrants’ Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333- 33540) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(2) Filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated January 5, 2001, of Insight Communications Company, Inc. and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(3) Filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002 of Insight Communications Company, Inc. and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(4) Filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003 of Insight Communications Company, Inc. and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(5) Filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 of Insight Communications Company, Inc. and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(6) Filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 of Insight Communications Company, Inc. and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(7) Filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 of Insight Communications Company, Inc. and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(8) Filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 of Insight Communications Company, Inc. and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(9) Filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004 of Insight Communications Company, Inc. and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(10) Filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004 of Insight Communications Company, Inc. and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Partners of

Insight Midwest, LP

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Insight Midwest, LP (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in partners’ capital, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

New York, New York

March 7, 2005

 

F-1


Table of Contents

INSIGHT MIDWEST, LP

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(in thousands)

 

     December 31,
2004


   December 31,
2003


 

Assets

               

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 72,476    $ 22,679  

Investments

     4,100      2,246  

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,050 and $1,123 as of December 31, 2004 and 2003

     31,352      29,271  

Launch funds receivable

     2,749      9,421  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     9,300      15,465  
    

  


Total current assets

     119,977      79,082  

Fixed assets, net

     1,130,600      1,198,830  

Goodwill

     14,684      14,684  

Franchise costs

     2,357,535      2,357,535  

Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $15,170 and $10,710 as of December 31, 2004 and 2003

     22,776      27,222  

Other non-current assets

     1,843      —    
    

  


Total assets

   $ 3,647,415    $ 3,677,353  
    

  


Liabilities and partners’ capital

               

Accounts payable

   $ 27,147    $ 29,427  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     36,092      31,932  

Accrued property taxes

     13,049      22,954  

Accrued programming costs (inclusive of $36,838 and $28,322 due to related parties as of December 31, 2004 and 2003)

     51,328      43,261  

Deferred revenue

     8,996      10,061  

Interest payable

     20,643      23,315  

Debt – current portion

     83,500      62,250  

Due to affiliates

     55,177      40,386  
    

  


Total current liabilities

     295,932      263,586  

Deferred revenue

     2,904      4,523  

Debt

     2,518,879      2,607,350  

Other non-current liabilities

     2,078      5,742  

Partners’ capital:

               

Partners’ accumulated capital

     827,622      799,574  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     —        (3,422 )
    

  


Total partners’ capital

     827,622      796,152  
    

  


Total liabilities and partners’ capital

   $ 3,647,415    $ 3,677,353  
    

  


 

See accompanying notes

 

F-2


Table of Contents

INSIGHT MIDWEST, LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Revenue

   $ 1,000,814     $ 899,797     $ 808,925  

Operating costs and expenses:

                        

Programming and other operating costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) (inclusive of $150,956, $142,387 and $130,507 of programming expense incurred through related parties during 2004, 2003 and 2002)

     342,123       327,071       281,443  

Selling, general and administrative

     202,654       165,014       153,620  

Management fees

     29,987       26,352       23,593  

Depreciation and amortization

     235,105       224,874       211,837  
    


 


 


Total operating costs and expenses

     809,869       743,311       670,493  
    


 


 


Operating income

     190,945       156,486       138,432  

Other income, net:

                        

Gain on cable system exchange

     —         27,134       —    

Gain on settlement of programming contract

     —         37,742       —    

Loss from early extinguishments of debt

     —         (10,879 )     —    

Interest expense

     (177,524 )     (184,499 )     (180,465 )

Interest income

     368       831       176  

Other

     (1,368 )     (591 )     (187 )
    


 


 


Total other expense, net

     (178,524 )     (130,262 )     (180,476 )
    


 


 


Income (loss) before extraordinary item

     12,421       26,224       (42,044 )

Extraordinary item

     15,627       —         —    
    


 


 


Net income (loss)

     28,048       26,224       (42,044 )

Accrual of preferred interests

     —         (10,353 )     (20,107 )
    


 


 


Net income (loss) applicable to common interests

   $ 28,048     $ 15,871     $ (62,151 )
    


 


 


 

See accompanying notes

 

F-3


Table of Contents

INSIGHT MIDWEST, LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

(in thousands)

 

    

Partners’

Accumulated

Capital


    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss


   

Partners’

Capital


 

Balance at January 1, 2002

   $ 843,377     $ (22,755 )   $ 820,622  

Net loss

     (42,044 )             (42,044 )

Unrealized income on interest rate swaps

             4,935       4,935  
                    


Total comprehensive loss

                     (37,109 )
                    


Accrual of preferred interests

     (20,107 )             (20,107 )
    


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2002

     781,226       (17,820 )     763,406  

Net income

     26,224               26,224  

Unrealized income on interest rate swaps

             14,398       14,398  
                    


Total comprehensive income

                     40,622  
                    


Accrual of preferred interests

     (10,353 )             (10,353 )

Contribution of Coaxial interests

     2,477               2,477  
    


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2003

     799,574       (3,422 )     796,152  

Net income

     28,048               28,048  

Unrealized income on interest rate swaps

             3,422       3,422  
                    


Total comprehensive income

                     31,470  
    


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2004

   $ 827,622     $ —       $ 827,622  
    


 


 


 

See accompanying notes

 

F-4


Table of Contents

INSIGHT MIDWEST, LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Operating activities:

                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 28,048     $ 26,224     $ (42,044 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

                        

Depreciation and amortization

     235,105       224,874       211,837  

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     —         2,616       —    

Provision for losses on trade accounts receivable

     18,301       13,366       13,386  

Amortization of note discount

     304       1,835       1,047  

Gain on cable systems exchange

     —         (27,134 )     —    

Gain on settlement of programming contract

     —         (34,819 )     —    

(Gain) loss on interest rate swaps

     (36 )     2,114       —    

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effect of acquisitions:

                        

Trade accounts receivable

     (20,382 )     (16,495 )     (16,501 )

Launch fund receivable

     6,672       (4,224 )     7,783  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     3,483       (3,198 )     6,163  

Accounts payable

     (2,280 )     (17,320 )     (19,965 )

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     11,757       43,644       8,473  
    


 


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     280,972       211,483       170,179  
    


 


 


Investing activities:

                        

Purchase of fixed assets

     (162,806 )     (193,487 )     (280,027 )

Purchase of intangible assets

     (107 )     (889 )     (1,316 )

Purchase of cable television systems, net

     —         (26,475 )     (8,822 )
    


 


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (162,913 )     (220,851 )     (290,165 )
    


 


 


Financing activities:

                        

Distributions of preferred interests

     —         (11,554 )     (14,000 )

Proceeds from borrowings under credit facilities

     —         118,000       131,000  

Repayment of credit facilities

     (68,250 )     (25,000 )     (273,000 )

Repayment of Coaxial notes

     —         (195,869 )     —    

Proceeds from issuance of notes

     —         141,375       179,995  

Borrowings from parent under intercompany loan

     —         —         100,000  

Debt issuance costs

     (10 )     (4,842 )     (5,535 )

Principal payments on capital leases and other non-current liabilities

     —         —         (683 )
    


 


 


Net cash (used) provided by financing activities

     (68,260 )     22,110       117,777  
    


 


 


Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     49,799       12,742       (2,209 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     22,679       9,937       12,146  
    


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

   $ 72,478     $ 22,679     $ 9,937  
    


 


 


 

See accompanying notes

 

F-5


Table of Contents

INSIGHT MIDWEST, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

 

We were formed in September 1999 to serve as the holding company and a financing vehicle for Insight Communications Company, Inc.’s (“Insight Inc.”) cable television system joint venture with AT&T Broadband, LLC (now known as Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC (“Comcast Cable”)). We are owned 50% by Insight Communications Company, L.P. (“Insight LP”), which is wholly owned by Insight Inc., and 50% by an indirect subsidiary of Comcast Cable. Insight LP serves as our general partner and manages and operates our systems.

 

Through our wholly owned operating subsidiaries, Insight Communications Midwest, LLC (“Insight Communications Midwest”), Insight Communications of Central Ohio, LLC (“Insight Ohio”) and Insight Kentucky Partners II, L.P. (“Insight Kentucky”), we own and operate cable television systems in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Illinois which passed approximately 2.4 million homes and served approximately 1.3 million customers as of December 31, 2004. In addition, we also owned and operated a cable television system in Griffin, Georgia through February 28, 2003.

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Insight Midwest Holdings, LLC, our wholly-owned subsidiary which owns 100% of the outstanding equity of our operating subsidiaries.

 

Indiana Systems

 

On October 31, 1998, Insight LP and AT&T Broadband contributed certain of their cable television systems located in Indiana and Northern Kentucky to form Insight Indiana (now known as Insight Communications Midwest, LLC) in exchange for a 50% equity interest. On October 1, 1999, as part of a joint venture restructuring involving the Kentucky Systems (discussed below), Insight Indiana became our wholly owned subsidiary. Pursuant to the terms of our respective operating agreements, we and Insight Indiana will continue until October 1, 2011, unless extended or terminated sooner by Insight LP and Comcast Cable.

 

Kentucky Systems

 

On October 1, 1999, Insight LP acquired a combined 50% interest in InterMedia Capital Partners VI, LP (the “IPVI Partnership”) from related parties of Blackstone Cable Acquisition Company, LLC, InterMedia Capital Management VI, LLC and a subsidiary and related party of AT&T Broadband, for $341.5 million (inclusive of expenses). Concurrently with this acquisition, the Kentucky Systems were contributed to us and we assumed debt of $742.1 million (the total debt of the IPVI Partnership) in connection with this transaction. Pursuant to the terms of our respective operating agreements, we and Insight Kentucky will continue until October 1, 2011, unless extended or terminated sooner by Insight LP and Comcast Cable.

 

On February 28, 2003, we exchanged with Comcast of Montana/Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio the system we then owned in Griffin, Georgia, serving approximately 11,800 customers, plus $25.0 million, for the managed systems located in New Albany, Indiana and Shelbyville, Kentucky, together serving approximately 23,400 customers. Additionally, pursuant to the agreement, we paid approximately $1.5

 

F-6


Table of Contents

INSIGHT MIDWEST, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation (continued)

 

million as a closing adjustment to Comcast of Montana/Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio to complete the rebuild and upgrade of the Griffin, Georgia system.

 

This system exchange was accounted for on that date as a sale of the Griffin, Georgia system and a purchase of the New Albany, Indiana and Shelbyville, Kentucky systems. In connection with this system exchange, we recorded a gain of $27.1 million equal to the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the Griffin, Georgia system as of the closing date. Of the $64.5 million purchase price of the New Albany, Indiana and Shelbyville, Kentucky systems $31.9 million was allocated to such cable television systems’ assets acquired in relation to their fair values and $32.6 million was allocated to franchise costs.

 

Illinois Systems

 

Effective January 1, 2001, we completed a series of transactions with Insight LP and AT&T Broadband for the acquisition of additional cable television systems, primarily located in the state of Illinois, valued at approximately $2.2 billion (the “AT&T transactions”), inclusive of systems valued at approximately $775.8 million, contributed by Insight LP. The AT&T transactions were financed through a credit facility established on January 5, 2001 (the “Midwest Holdings Credit Facility”). As a result of the AT&T transactions, we acquired all of Insight LP’s wholly owned systems serving approximately 280,000 customers, including systems that Insight LP purchased from AT&T Broadband. At the same time, we acquired from AT&T Broadband systems serving approximately 250,000 customers.

 

Concurrently with the completion of Insight LP’s purchase of systems from AT&T Broadband, Insight LP contributed such systems to us, along with all of its wholly owned systems serving approximately 175,000 customers. The total value of such contributed systems was $1.2 billion. We recorded the respective assets and liabilities, including debt assumed, of the contributed systems’ at their respective carrying values with the net difference recorded as an addition to partners’ capital.

 

Concurrently, AT&T Broadband contributed directly to us certain Illinois systems serving approximately 250,000 customers. The total value of such contributed systems was $983.3 million. We recorded 100% of the assets and liabilities of the systems contributed at fair value with an addition to partners’ capital of $659.9 million equal to the total fair value of the net assets contributed. The fair value of $983.3 million was allocated to the cable television assets acquired in relation to their fair values as increases in fixed assets of $116.1 million and franchise costs of $867.2 million.

 

Both Insight LP and AT&T Broadband contributed their respective systems to us subject to an amount of indebtedness such that we remain equally owned by Insight LP and AT&T Broadband. The total debt assumed by us of $654.5 million was financed with the proceeds from the Midwest Holdings Credit Facility.

 

F-7


Table of Contents

INSIGHT MIDWEST, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation (continued)

 

Ohio Systems

 

On August 21, 1998, Insight LP and Coaxial Communications of Central Ohio, Inc. (“Coaxial”) entered into a contribution agreement pursuant to which Coaxial contributed to Insight Ohio substantially all of the assets and liabilities of its cable television systems located in Columbus, Ohio and Insight LP contributed $10.0 million in cash to Insight Ohio. As a result of the contribution, Coaxial owned 25% of the non-voting common equity and Insight LP, through its subsidiary Insight Holdings of Ohio, LLC, owned 75% of the non-voting common equity of Insight Ohio. In addition, Coaxial also received two separate series of voting preferred equity (Series A Preferred Interest—$140 million and Series B Preferred Interest—$30 million) of Insight Ohio.

 

The voting Preferred Interests provided for cash distributions to Coaxial and certain of its affiliates in amounts equal to the payments required on the then outstanding 10% Senior Notes and 12 7/8% Senior Discount Notes. Insight Ohio was required to redeem the Series A Preferred Interests in August 2006 and the Series B Preferred Interest in August 2008. The Senior Notes and Senior Discount Notes were conditionally guaranteed by Insight Ohio.

 

On August 8, 2000, Insight Ohio purchased Coaxial’s 25% non-voting common equity interest (the “Purchase and Option Agreement”). The purchase price was 800,000 shares of Insight Inc.’s common stock and cash in the amount of $2.6 million. In connection with the purchase, Insight Ohio’s operating agreement was amended to, among other things, remove certain participating rights of the principals of Coaxial and certain of its affiliates. The agreement was amended to incorporate 70% of Insight Ohio’s total voting power into the common equity interests of Insight Ohio and 30% of Insight Ohio’s total voting power into the Preferred Interests of Insight Ohio. Additionally, an option in the agreement provided that if at any time the Senior Notes or Senior Discount Notes were repaid or significantly modified, or in any case after August 15, 2008, the principals of Coaxial could have required us to purchase their interests in Coaxial.

 

Although the financial results of Insight Ohio have been consolidated in our financials since January 1, 2001, for financing purposes, until September 29, 2003, Insight Ohio was an unrestricted subsidiary of ours and was prohibited by the terms of its indebtedness from making distributions to us.

 

On September 25, 2003, Insight Inc. purchased all the outstanding equity of the owners of Coaxial, which held the preferred interests of Insight Ohio and 800,000 shares of Insight Inc.’s stock, for $29.4 million. The purchase was financed through Insight Inc.’s existing cash on hand. Additionally, the Purchase and Option Agreement, between Coaxial and Insight Inc., dated August 8, 2000, was terminated.

 

In connection with these transactions, Insight Inc. retired the 800,000 shares of its stock held by Coaxial and, immediately thereafter, contributed the purchased interests and our interests in Insight Ohio to Insight Midwest Holdings. Additionally, the Series A and Series B preferred interests were converted to common interests.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

INSIGHT MIDWEST, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation (continued)

 

On September 29, 2003, we retired the remaining Ohio obligations, comprised of the Senior Notes and Senior Discount Notes, through our refinancing of the Insight Midwest Holdings Credit Facility. Insight Ohio is now a restricted subsidiary under the terms of our indentures. We recorded a loss of $10.9 million on the extinguishment of these obligations as a result of call premiums and the write-off of deferred financing costs.

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue is earned from customer fees for cable television programming services including premium, digital and pay-per-view services and ancillary services, such as rental of converters, remote control devices, and installations. In addition, we earn revenues from providing high-speed Internet services, selling advertising, facilitating the delivery of telephone services, and commissions for products sold through home shopping networks. Revenue is recorded in the month the related services are rendered. Fees received for activation of telephone services are amortized over the customer relationship period.

 

Use of Estimates

 

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

 

Cash Equivalents

 

We consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

Investments

 

Investments for which a quoted market price is unavailable are carried at cost and periodically reviewed for impairment.

 

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INSIGHT MIDWEST, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Fixed Assets

 

Fixed assets are stated at cost and include costs capitalized for labor and overhead incurred in connection with the installation of cable system infrastructures, including those providing high-speed Internet and facilitating the delivery of telephone services. In addition, we capitalize labor and material costs associated with installations related to new services on customer premises. Depreciation for buildings, cable system equipment, furniture, fixtures and office equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives ranging from 2 to 30 years. Building improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the remaining terms of the leases or the estimated lives of the improvements.

 

The carrying value of fixed assets is reviewed if facts and circumstances suggest that they may be impaired. If this review indicates that the carrying value of the fixed assets will not be recovered from undiscounted future cash flows generated from such assets, an impairment loss would be recognized for the amount that the asset’s carrying value exceeds its fair value. We believe that no impairment of fixed assets existed as of December 31, 2004 or 2003.

 

Franchise Costs and Goodwill

 

On January 1, 2002, we adopted SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, we discontinued the amortization of indefinite-lived intangible assets, including our franchise costs and goodwill. SFAS No. 142 requires goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets be tested for impairment annually, or more frequently as warranted by events or changes in circumstances. According to guidance prescribed in Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 02-7, Unit of Accounting for Testing of Impairment of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, single units of accounting operated as a single asset and essentially inseparable from each other, should be combined as a single asset group for purposes of impairment testing. Management has identified three asset groups based on cable system management, geographic clustering and management’s belief that such grouping represents the best use of those assets.

 

Additionally, during September 2004, the SEC staff issued Topic D-108, Use of the Residual Method to Value Acquired Assets Other than Goodwill, which requires the direct method of separately valuing all intangible assets and does not permit goodwill to be included in franchise assets. In connection with adopting SFAS No. 142 and Topic D-108 and based on guidance from EITF Issue No. 02-7, we performed an impairment assessment using an independent third-party appraiser for the three asset groups identified. The valuation was completed as of October 1, 2004 and resulted in no impairment to our franchise costs.

 

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INSIGHT MIDWEST, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Deferred Financing Costs

 

Deferred financing costs relate to costs, primarily legal and bank facility fees, incurred in securing bank loans and other sources of financing. These costs are amortized over the life of the applicable debt. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, we recorded amortization expense of $4.5 million, $4.0 million and $3.6 million.

 

Comprehensive Loss

 

We record the effective portion of certain derivatives’ net unrealized gains and losses as components of comprehensive loss. Comprehensive loss is presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of changes in partners’ capital. The cumulative amount of comprehensive loss is presented in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as accumulated other comprehensive loss.

 

Income Taxes

 

No provision has been made in the accompanying financial statements for federal, state or local income taxes since our income or loss is reportable by the individual partners in their respective tax returns.

 

Marketing and Promotional

 

Marketing and promotional costs are expensed as incurred. Marketing and promotional expenses, net of marketing support (recorded as a reduction to marketing expense), for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 were $18.1 million, $8.5 million and $10.9 million.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.” This Statement establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. SFAS No. 150 requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability or, in some circumstances, as an asset, with many such financial instruments having been previously classified as equity. SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective July 1, 2003. SFAS No. 150 is to be implemented by reporting the cumulative effect of a change in an accounting principle for financial instruments outstanding before the issuance date of the Statement and still existing at July 1, 2003. Restatement is not permitted.

 

As of July 1, 2003, we had $195.2 million of preferred interests recorded in our balance sheets as temporary equity. These preferred interests were fully accreted to their maturity value of $195.9 million as of August 15, 2003 and were subsequently converted to common interests in connection with our refinancing of the obligations of Insight Ohio. In connection with the adoption of SFAS No. 150, for the three months ended September 30, 2003, we recorded a $5.0 million accrual of preferred interests, which has been included in interest expense in our consolidated statements of operations.

 

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INSIGHT MIDWEST, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

In September 2004, the EITF reached a consensus regarding Issue No. 04-1, Accounting for Preexisting Relationships Between the Parties to a Business Combination. EITF Issue No. 04-1 requires an acquirer in a business combination to evaluate any preexisting relationship with the acquiree to determine if the business combination in effect contains a settlement of the preexisting relationship. A business combination between parties with a preexisting relationship should be viewed as a multiple element transaction. EITF 04-1 is effective for business combinations after October 13, 2004, but requires goodwill resulting from prior business combinations involving parties with a preexisting relationship to be tested for impairment by applying the guidance in the consensus. The Company adopted the provisions of EITF 04-1 during the fourth quarter of 2004 in connection with the acquisition of Comcast Cable’s telephone business described in Note 8.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

 

3. Fixed Assets

 

     December 31,
2004


   

December 31,

2003


 
     (in thousands)  

Land, buildings and improvements

   $ 35,649     $ 34,856  

Cable system equipment

     2,155,193       2,026,641  

Furniture, fixtures and office equipment

     17,867       15,605  
    


 


       2,208,709       2,077,102  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (1,078,109 )     (878,272 )
    


 


Total fixed assets, net

   $ 1,130,600     $ 1,198,830  
    


 


 

During the year ended December 31, 2002, we wrote-off approximately $11.1 million related to video-on-demand equipment as a result of transitioning to a new video-on-demand service provider. This amount was included in depreciation and amortization in our statement of operations.

 

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 was $230.6 million, $220.9 million and $208.2 million.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

4. Debt

 

Debt consisted of:

 

    

December 31,

2004


    December
31, 2003


 
     (in thousands)  

Note payable to Insight Inc.

   $ 100,000     $ 100,000  

Insight Midwest Holdings Credit Facility

     1,487,750       1,556,000  

Insight Midwest 9¾% Senior Notes

     385,000       385,000  

Insight Midwest 10½% Senior Notes

     630,000       630,000  
    


 


       2,602,750       2,671,000  

Less unamortized discount on notes

     (890 )     (1,194 )

Market value of interest rate swaps

     519       (206 )
    


 


Total debt

   $ 2,602,379     $ 2,669,600  
    


 


 

Insight Midwest Holdings $1.975 Billion Credit Facility

 

On January 5, 2001, through our wholly owned subsidiary, Insight Midwest Holdings, which holds all of our cable television operating subsidiaries, we entered into a credit facility to finance the AT&T transactions and to repay the outstanding indebtedness under our then existing Insight Indiana and Insight Kentucky credit facilities. We recorded a charge of $10.3 million related to the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs related to these credit facilities. The Midwest Holdings Credit Facility expires in 2009 and provides for maximum borrowings of $1.975 billion. Obligations under this credit facility are secured by a pledge of the outstanding equity interests of Insight Midwest Holdings and its subsidiaries.

 

The Midwest Holdings Credit Facility requires Insight Midwest Holdings to meet certain financial and other debt covenants. Borrowings under this credit facility bear interest, based on our election, of an Alternative Base Rate (equal to the greater of the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.5%) or Adjusted LIBOR (equal to LIBOR multiplied by the Statutory Reserve Rate) plus an additional margin yield tied to Insight Midwest Holdings’ leverage ratio of between 0.5% and 2.75%. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, the weighted average interest rate on this credit facility was 4.5% and 3.7%.

 

On March 28, 2002, we borrowed $100.0 million from Insight Inc., $97.0 million of which was contributed to Insight Midwest Holdings in April 2002 for use in paying down the credit facility balance and in funding financing costs associated with the amendments, and $3.0 million of which was contributed to Insight Ohio as of March 28, 2002. Insight Midwest Holdings is permitted under the credit facility to make distributions to us for the purpose of repaying this loan provided that there are no defaults existing under the credit facility. This loan bears annual interest of 9%, compounded semi-annually, has a scheduled maturity date of January 31, 2011 and permits prepayments.

 

On August 26, 2003 we amended the Insight Midwest Holdings Credit Facility in connection with our plan to refinance all of the obligations and conditionally guaranteed obligations of Insight Ohio. The

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

4. Debt (continued)

 

amendment increased the Term B loan portion of the credit facility from $900.0 million to $1.125 billion which increased the total facility size to $1.975 billion from $1.750 billion. We recorded $2.2 million of deferred financing costs associated with this amendment that will be amortized over the remaining term of the credit facility.

 

On August 29, 2003, Insight Midwest Holdings distributed $22.0 million to us and, in turn, we contributed this amount to Insight Ohio for the purpose of repaying the Insight Ohio Credit Facility. Simultaneously, Insight Ohio used these proceeds plus cash on hand to repay the then outstanding balance of the Insight Ohio Credit Facility of $22.5 million plus accrued interest.

 

Insight Midwest Senior Notes

 

On October 1, 1999 simultaneously with the closing of the purchase of Insight Kentucky, we completed a $200.0 million offering of 9¾% senior notes due in October 2009. The proceeds of the offering were used to repay certain debt of the IPVI Partnership. Interest payments on these Senior Notes, which commenced on April 1, 2000, are payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1.

 

On November 6, 2000, we completed a $500.0 million offering of 10½% senior notes due in November 2010. We received proceeds of $487.5 million, net of an underwriting fee of $5.0 million and a bond discount of $7.5 million that is being amortized through November 2010. The proceeds of the offering were used to repay a portion of the outstanding debt under the then existing Insight Indiana credit facility and Insight Kentucky credit facility. Interest payments on these Senior Notes, which commenced on May 1, 2001, are payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1.

 

The 9¾% and 10½% Senior Notes are redeemable on or after October 1, 2004 and November 1, 2005. In addition, we can redeem up to 35% of the 9¾% and 10½% Senior Notes prior to October 1, 2002 and November 1, 2005, with the net proceeds from certain sales of our equity. Each holder of the Senior Notes may require us to redeem all or part of that holder’s notes upon certain changes of control. The Senior Notes are general unsecured obligations and are subordinate to all of our other liabilities, the amounts of which were $1.7 billion and $1.8 billion as of December 31, 2004 and 2003. The Senior Notes contain certain financial and other debt covenants.

 

In May 2000 and September 2001, we completed exchange offers pursuant to which the 9¾% Senior Notes and 10½% Senior Notes were exchanged for identical notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

In December 2002, we completed a $185.0 million add-on offering under the 9¾% Senior Notes indenture. We received proceeds of $176.9 million, including $3.8 million of interest accruing from October 1, 2002 through the date of issuance that will be repaid to holders of the bonds in the first semi-annual interest payment due on April 1, 2003, and net of an underwriting fee of $3.1 million and a bond discount of $8.8 million that is being amortized through October 2009. The proceeds of this offering were used to repay a portion of the outstanding revolving loans under the Midwest Holdings Credit Facility. Since this additional add-on offering occurred under the 9¾% Senior Notes indenture, these

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

4. Debt (continued)

 

additional debt securities and the 9¾% Senior Notes are considered a single series of senior notes with identical terms. In June 2003, we completed an exchange offer pursuant to which the $185.0 million add-on offering under the 9¾% Senior Notes were exchanged for identical notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

In December 2003, we completed a $130.0 million add-on offering under the 10½% Senior Notes indenture. We received proceeds of $140.9 million, including $1.5 million of interest accruing from November 1, 2003 through the date of issuance that will be repaid to holders of the bonds in the first semi-annual interest payment due on May 1, 2004 and a bond premium of $11.4 million that is being amortized through November 2010 and net of an underwriting fee of $2.0 million. The proceeds of this offering were used to repay a portion of the outstanding revolving loans under the Midwest Holdings Credit Facility. Since this additional add-on offering occurred under the 10½% Senior Notes indenture, these additional debt securities and the 10½% Senior Notes are considered a single series of senior notes with identical terms.

 

In July 2004, Insight Midwest completed an exchange offer pursuant to which the $130.0 million 10½% Senior Notes issued in December 2003 were exchanged for substantially identical notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Debt Principal Payments

 

As of December 31, 2004, principal payments required on our debt were as follows (in thousands):

 

2005

   $ 83,500

2006

     83,500

2007

     83,500

2008

     104,750

2009

     1,517,500

Thereafter

     730,000
    

Total

   $ 2,602,750
    

 

5. Derivative Instruments

 

We enter into derivative instruments, typically interest-rate swap and collar agreements, to modify the interest characteristics of our outstanding debt to either a floating or fixed rate basis. These agreements involve fixed and floating rate interest payments in exchange for floating and fixed rate interest receipts over the life of the agreement without an exchange of the underlying principal amount. The differential to be paid or received is accrued as interest rates change and is recognized as an adjustment to interest expense related to the debt. The related amount payable or receivable is included in other liabilities or assets. We record the effective portion of certain derivatives’ gains or losses as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Gains and losses related to derivative instruments that are determined not to be effective are recorded in our consolidated

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5. Derivative Instruments (continued)

 

statements of operations as either an adjustment to interest expense or other income or expense depending on whether the swap is a cash flow hedge or fair value hedge.

 

Cash Flow Hedges

 

As of December 31, 2003, we had entered into an interest rate swap agreement effectively fixing the interest rate at 5.0% on $150.0 million notional value of debt. This agreement expired in August 2004. We recorded $826,000 of accrued interest related to this agreement as of December 31, 2003. As of December 31, 2003, the estimated cost to terminate our interest rate swap agreement was approximately $3.4 million.

 

Fair Value Hedges

 

In February 2003, we entered into two interest rate swap agreements whereby we swapped fixed rates under our 10½% senior notes due in December 2010 for variable rates equal to six-month LIBOR, plus the applicable margin of approximately 7.7%, on $185.0 million notional value of debt. Six-month LIBOR ranged between 1.26% and 1.34% for February and March 2003. In May 2003, we settled these swaps and received proceeds of $1.8 million and recorded a gain in this amount, which is included in other expense in our consolidated statements of operations.

 

In July 2003, we entered into three new interest rate swap agreements whereby we swapped fixed rates under our 10½% senior notes due in December 2010 for variable rates equal to six-month LIBOR, plus the applicable margin of approximately 8.3%, on $185.0 million notional value of debt. These agreements expire November 1, 2005. We recorded a gain on these swaps of $36,000 for the year ended December 31, 2004, which is included in other income. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, we recorded $(364,000) and $275,000 of interest receivable (payable) related to these agreements. The cost if terminated of these agreements was $2.1 million as of December 31, 2004 and 2003.

 

In December 2003, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement whereby we swapped fixed rates under our 10½% senior notes due in December 2010 for variable rates equal to six-month LIBOR, plus the applicable margin of approximately 5.9%, on $130.0 million notional value of debt. This agreement expires November 1, 2010. This swap has been determined to be perfectly effective in hedging against fluctuations in the fair value of the underlying debt. As such, changes in the fair value of the underlying debt equally offset changes in the value of the interest rate swap in our consolidated statements of operations. The fair value (cost if terminated) of this swap as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $519,000 and $(206,000) and has been recorded in other non-current liabilities and as an adjustment to the carrying value of debt.

 

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INSIGHT MIDWEST, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

6. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

The following amounts were paid in cash during the years ended December 31,:

 

     2004

   2003

   2002

     (in thousands)

Interest

   $ 167,602    $ 163,457    $ 167,703

 

7. Financial Instruments

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We maintain cash and cash equivalents with various financial institutions and our policy is designed to limit exposure to any one institution. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of customers comprising our customer base.

 

Fair Value

 

We used the following methods and assumptions in estimating our fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

 

Cash equivalents and accounts receivable: The carrying amount reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash equivalents and accounts receivable approximates fair value.

 

Debt: The carrying amounts of our borrowings under our credit arrangements approximate fair value as they bear interest at floating rates. The fair value of our Senior Notes and Senior Discount Notes are based on quoted market prices. The fair value of our 9¾% Senior Notes as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $404.3 million and $407.1 million. The fair value of our 10½% Senior Notes as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $689.9 million and $685.1 million.

 

Interest rate swap agreements: Interest rate swap agreements are recorded in our financial statements at fair value. The cost of such swap agreements was $1.6 million and $5.7 million as of December 31, 2004 and 2003.

 

8. Related Party Transactions

 

Managed Systems

 

On March 17, 2000, Insight LP entered into a management agreement with Comcast of Montana/Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio (“Comcast”) (formerly known as InterMedia Partners Southeast), an affiliate of Comcast Cable, to provide management services to cable television systems owned by

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

8. Related Party Transactions (continued)

 

Comcast. These systems served approximately 89,400 customers in the state of Indiana. Certain of our employees operated these managed systems. Overhead costs we incurred were allocated ratably and charged to Comcast on a monthly basis. Effective July 31, 2004, the management agreement was terminated by mutual agreement.

 

On February 28, 2003, Insight Midwest exchanged with Comcast of Montana/Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio the system we then owned in Griffin, Georgia, serving approximately 11,800 customers, plus $25.0 million, for the managed systems located in New Albany, Indiana and Shelbyville, Kentucky, together serving approximately 23,400 customers. Additionally, pursuant to the agreement, Insight Midwest paid approximately $1.5 million as a closing adjustment to Comcast of Montana/Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio to complete the rebuild and upgrade of the Griffin, Georgia system.

 

This system exchange was accounted for on that date as a sale of the Griffin, Georgia system and a purchase of the New Albany, Indiana and Shelbyville, Kentucky systems. In connection with this system exchange, we recorded a gain of approximately $27.1 million equal to the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the Griffin, Georgia system as of the closing date. Of the $64.5 million purchase price of the New Albany, Indiana and Shelbyville, Kentucky systems $31.9 million was allocated to such cable television systems’ assets acquired in relation to their fair values and $32.6 million was allocated to franchise costs.

 

Programming

 

We purchase the majority of our programming through affiliates of Comcast Cable. Charges for such programming, including a 1½% administrative fee, were $151.0 million, $142.4 million and $130.5 million for the three years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, $36.8 million and $28.3 million of accrued programming costs were due to affiliates of Comcast Cable. We believe that the programming rates charged through these affiliates are lower than those available from independent parties.

 

In 2001, in connection with the purchase and contribution of our systems primarily located in Illinois, we acquired, through affiliates of Comcast Cable, an above-market programming contract. The above-market portion of the contract was recorded as an adjustment to the purchase price of the Illinois systems of $36.5 million with a long-term programming liability recorded in other non-current liabilities. This contract was renegotiated, by affiliates of Comcast Cable and the programmer during the third quarter of 2003 and indirectly resulted in more favorable programming rates for us. As such, we recorded a reduction to programming expense of $3.1 million and recorded a gain on the extinguishment of the liability for $37.7 million, both of which have been recorded in our consolidated statements of operations during the three months ended September 30, 2003.

 

Telephone Agreements

 

In July 2000, to facilitate delivery of telephone services we entered into a ten-year agreement with AT&T Broadband (now known as Comcast Cable) that allowed Insight Midwest to deliver to its

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

8. Related Party Transactions (continued)

 

residential customers, in certain of its service areas, local telephone service provided by Comcast Cable. Under the terms of the agreement, Insight Midwest leased certain capacity on our local network to Comcast Cable. Revenue earned from leased network capacity used in the provision of telephone services was $8.5 million, $6.2 million and $2.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002. In addition, Insight Midwest provided certain services and support for which it received additional payments related to installations, marketing and billing support. Fee revenue earned in connection with installations was deferred and amortized over the term a telephone customer was expected to maintain their telephone service, currently estimated to be three years. Marketing and billing support revenue was recognized in the period such services were performed.

 

On July 2, 2004, we entered into an agreement with Comcast Cable and certain other subsidiaries of Comcast Corporation to acquire the telephone business conducted by Comcast Cable in the markets served under our joint operating agreement. By acquiring ownership of the telephone business from Comcast Cable, we terminated our pre-existing joint operating agreement with Comcast Cable and have gained both operational and strategic control over this business. The acquisition was completed on December 31, 2004 and was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.

 

Comcast Cable paid us approximately $13 million in cash and transferred to us certain assets and liabilities related to the telephone business. We recorded an extraordinary gain of $15.6 million in connection with the acquisition and settled amounts with Comcast Cable under our pre-existing joint operating agreement for $2.6 million, representing the net current liabilities owed to Comcast Cable.

 

Advertising Services

 

In October 1999, to facilitate the administration of our advertising services in our Kentucky Systems, we entered into an agreement with an affiliate of AT&T Broadband (now known as Comcast Cable), which provided for this affiliate to perform all of our Kentucky advertising sales and related administrative services. Effective September 26, 2004, this agreement was terminated by mutual agreement.

 

We, through our Kentucky Systems, earned advertising revenues through this affiliate of $13.5 million from January 1, 2004 through September 26, 2004 and $18.5 million and $15.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002. As of December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, we had $1.1 million and $9.3 million as a receivable due from this affiliate included in other current assets. The amount included as of December 31, 2004 will be eliminated during the first quarter of 2005 upon final settlement of the agreement termination described above. Through September 26, 2004 we paid this affiliate a fixed and variable fee for providing this service based on advertising sales cash flow growth. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, we had $38,500 and $102,000 recorded as payables to this affiliate related to such services. The amount payable as of December 31, 2004 will be eliminated upon final settlement during the first quarter of 2005.

 

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INSIGHT MIDWEST, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

8. Related Party Transactions (continued)

 

Insight Interactive

 

On November 17, 1999, Insight Cable Services formed a joint venture with Source Media, Inc. known as Insight Interactive, LLC to conduct all lines of business of Source Media relating to its VirtualModem and Interactive Channel products and businesses. On March 14, 2002, Insight Cable Services purchased the remaining 50% equity interest in Insight Interactive that it did not already own from Source Media. We are currently providing Insight Interactive’s services to customers in some of our systems. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, fees for such services totaled $2.5 million, $2.1 million and $1.6 million.

 

Due To Affiliates

 

As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, we had amounts owed to Insight LP, our manager, primarily comprised of incurred but unpaid management fees calculated as approximately 3% of revenues.

 

9. At Home Corporation

 

High-speed Internet service charges were incurred through February 28, 2002 as a result of payments made to At Home Corporation (“@Home”), the former provider of high-speed Internet services for all of our systems, except for those located in Ohio. On September 28, 2001, @Home filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. For the purpose of continuing service to existing customers and to resume the provisioning of service to new customers, we entered into an interim service arrangement that required that we pay $10.0 million to @Home to extend service for three months through February 28, 2002.

 

As a result of this arrangement, we incurred approximately $2.8 million in excess of our original agreed-to cost for such services rendered during the year ended December 31, 2001 and approximately $4.1 million in excess of our original agreed-to cost for such services rendered from January 1, 2002 through February 28, 2002. Additionally, as of December 31, 2001, we recorded an allowance for bad debt of $1.0 million for a net receivable from @Home in connection with monies @Home collected from our high-speed Internet customers on our behalf prior to September 28, 2001. These additional costs are presented as high-speed Internet charges on our statement of operations.

 

As of March 1, 2002, we had transitioned all of our systems affected by this bankruptcy filing to our own regional network that resides on AT&T Corporation’s platform.

 

10. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Programming Contracts

 

We enter into long-term contracts with third parties who provide us with programming for distribution over our cable television systems. These programming contracts are a significant part of our business and represent a substantial portion of our operating costs. Since future fees under such contracts are

 

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INSIGHT MIDWEST, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

10. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

 

based on numerous variables, including number and type of customers, we have not recorded any liabilities with respect to such contracts.

 

Lease Agreements

 

We lease and sublease equipment and office space under various operating lease arrangements expiring through February 10, 2047. Future minimum rental payments required under such operating leases as of December 31, 2004 were (in thousands):

 

2005

   $ 2,859

2006

     2,301

2007

     1,352

2008

     952

2009

     636

Thereafter

     1,360
    

Total

   $ 9,460
    

 

Rental expense on operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 was $3.6 million, $3.7 million and $3.7 million.

 

Litigation

 

In November 2000, we filed a state court action against the City of Louisville for its grant, in September 2000, of a more favorable franchise to Knology of Louisville, Inc. Upon commencement of this action, the City, pursuant to a provision in its franchise agreement with Knology, automatically suspended Knology’s franchise pending a final, non-appealable court determination as to whether Knology’s franchise was more favorable than the franchise under which we operated. In November 2000, Knology filed a federal court action against us seeking monetary damages and other relief for alleged violations of federal laws arising out of our having filed, pursuant to the provisions of our own franchise agreement with the City, the state court action. In March 2001, the federal court preliminarily set aside the suspension of Knology’s franchise. To date, Knology has begun no work in the City. In March 2002, a state circuit court ruled against our claim that Knology’s franchise was more favorable. We appealed the circuit court’s order to the state court of appeals which, in June 2003, upheld the lower court ruling. We filed a motion for discretionary review of the appeals court’s ruling which was denied by the Kentucky Supreme Court.

 

In May 2003, the federal court granted us summary judgment and dismissed six of Knology’s 11 claims. The court granted summary judgment to Knology on three claims, two of which resulted in permanently enjoining enforcement of the automatic suspension provision of Knology’s franchise agreement and did not involve damages. The third such claim was for violation of Knology’s first amendment rights, which was to proceed to trial solely on the issue of damages, and could have resulted in an award of legal fees and court costs specific to such claim if upheld. The remaining undecided claims related to allegations of anticompetitive conduct arising from the state court lawsuit and were to proceed to trial on the merits. In

 

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INSIGHT MIDWEST, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

10. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

 

August 2003, the court agreed, in part, with our Motion for Reconsideration, that the stay provision provides no justification for an injunction since the language was severed. Further, the court granted our Motion to Certify Questions for an Immediate Appeal to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals granted our Motion to Certify, and ruled in our favor overturning the trial court’s rulings in favor of Knology. The Sixth Circuit found that our right to file the state court lawsuit against the City was protected and thus we were immune from liability arising from that lawsuit. Knology filed a motion for an en banc review by the Sixth Circuit which was denied March 2005. The matter will return to the trial court for final rulings consistent with the Sixth Circuit opinion.

 

We are subject to various legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. While it is impossible to determine with certainty the ultimate outcome of these matters, it is our opinion that the resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse affect on our consolidated financial condition.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Shareholders

Insight Capital, Inc.

 

The Shareholders

Insight Capital, Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Insight Capital, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 and the related statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ deficit and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

As indicated in Note 1, the Company has no operations. Its ability to satisfy debt and other obligations is dependent upon funding from related entities, which are under the common control of the owners of the Company.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 and the results of its operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

New York, New York

March 7, 2005

 

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INSIGHT CAPITAL, INC.

BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

 

     December 31,
2004


    December 31,
2003


 

Assets

                

Cash

   $ 1     $ 1  

Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $9,081 and $6,473 as of December 31, 2004 and 2003

     13,700       16,307  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 13,701     $ 16,308  
    


 


Liabilities and shareholders’ deficit

                

Accrued interest

   $ 20,409     $ 20,409  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     20,409       20,409  

Senior notes, to be paid by Insight Midwest, LP

     1,014,110       1,013,806  
    


 


Total liabilities

     1,034,519       1,034,215  

Shareholders’ deficit:

                

Common stock; $.01 par value; 1,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding

     —         —    

Paid-in-capital

     1       1  

In-substance allocation of proceeds related to senior notes to be paid by Insight Midwest

     (635,304 )     (738,992 )

Accumulated deficit

     (385,515 )     (278,916 )
    


 


Total shareholders’ deficit

     (1,020,818 )     (1,017,907 )
    


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit

   $ 13,701     $ 16,308  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes

 

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INSIGHT CAPITAL, INC.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Expenses:

                        

Amortization

   $ (2,608 )   $ (2,258 )   $ (1,650 )

Interest expense

     (103,991 )     (92,706 )     (73,749 )
    


 


 


Net loss

   $ (106,599 )   $ (94,964 )   $ (75,399 )
    


 


 


 

See accompanying notes

 

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INSIGHT CAPITAL, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

(in thousands)

 

     Additional
paid-in-
capital


   In-substance
contributions
(allocations)
related to
senior notes


    Accumulated
deficit


    Total
shareholders’
deficit


 

Balance, January 1, 2002

   $ 1    $ (586,430 )   $ (108,553 )   $ (694,982 )

Borrowings under senior notes by Insight Midwest, net

     —        (174,429 )     —         (174,429 )

Interest payments made by Insight Midwest on senior notes

     —        72,000       —         72,000  

Net loss

     —        —         (75,399 )     (75,399 )
    

  


 


 


Balance, December 31, 2002

     1      (688,859 )     (183,952 )     (872,810 )

Borrowings under senior notes by Insight Midwest, net

     —        (140,170 )     —         (140,170 )

Interest payments made by Insight Midwest on senior notes

     —        90,037       —         90,037  

Net loss

     —        —         (94,964 )     (94,964 )
    

  


 


 


Balance, December 31, 2003

     1      (738,992 )     (278,916 )     (1,017,907 )

Interest payments made by Insight Midwest on senior notes

     —        103,688       —         103,688  

Net loss

     —        —         (106,599 )     (106,599 )
    

  


 


 


Balance, December 31, 2004

   $ 1    $ (635,304 )   $ (278,916 )   $ (1,020,818 )
    

  


 


 


 

See accompanying notes

 

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INSIGHT CAPITAL, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                        

Net loss

   $ (106,599 )   $ (94,964 )   $ (75,399 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

                        

Accretion of discount on notes

     303       1,833       1,046  

Amortization

     2,608       2,258       1,650  

Interest expense assumed by affiliate

     103,688       90,037       72,000  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                        

Accrued interest

     —         836       703  
    


 


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     —         —         —    
    


 


 


Net increase in cash

     —         —         —    

Cash, beginning of year

     1       1       1  
    


 


 


Cash, end of year

   $ 1     $ 1     $ 1  
    


 


 


Supplemental non-cash financing activity:

                        

Proceeds from issuance of notes by Insight Midwest

   $ —       $ 140,170     $ 174,429  

Interest payments made by Insight Midwest

     103,688       90,037       72,000  

 

See accompanying notes

 

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INSIGHT CAPITAL, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Nature of Business

 

Insight Capital, Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, was formed on September 23, 1999, for the sole purpose of being a co-issuer with Insight Midwest, L.P. (“Insight Midwest”) of senior notes which allows certain investors the ability to be holders of the debt. The Company has no operations. The outstanding shares of the Company are owned by Insight Midwest.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Deferred Financing Costs

 

Deferred financing costs relate to costs, primarily underwriting and professional fees, associated with the issuance of the senior notes, which are amortized over the life of the senior notes.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The fair value of the 9¾% Senior Notes as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $404.3 million and $407.1 million, respectively. The fair value of the 10½% Senior Notes as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $689.9 million and $685.1 million, respectively.

 

In-Substance Allocation of Note Proceeds

 

Since both Insight Midwest and the Company are severally and jointly liable, the senior notes, deferred financing costs and associated interest expense are reflected in the Company’s financial statements as well as a charge to the equity section representing an in-substance allocation of the proceeds from the senior notes. The Company has accrued interest on the outstanding balance. When Insight Midwest makes interest payments, the Company reduces accrued interest payable and records an in-substance contribution to equity.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company has prepared its income tax provision using the liability method in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No.109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using tax rates that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003 the Company had no deferred tax assets or liabilities and no tax provision to record.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

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INSIGHT CAPITAL, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3. Notes Payable

 

Debt consisted of:

 

     December 31,
2004


    December 31,
2003


 
     (in thousands)  

Insight Midwest 9¾% Senior Notes

   $ 385,000     $ 385,000  

Insight Midwest 10½% Senior Notes

     630,000       630,000  
       1,015,000       1,015,000  

Less unamortized discount/premium on Notes

     (890 )     (1,194 )
    


 


Total debt

   $ 1,014,110     $ 1,013,806  
    


 


 

On October 1, 1999, the Company and Insight Midwest completed a $200.0 million offering of 9¾% Senior Notes due in October 2009. The proceeds of the offering were used to repay certain debt of Insight Midwest. Interest payments on these Senior Notes, which commenced on April 1, 2000, are payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1.

 

On November 6, 2000, the Company and Insight Midwest completed a $500.0 million offering of 10½% Senior Notes due in November 2010. Insight Midwest received proceeds of $487.5 million, net of an underwriting fee of $5.0 million and a bond discount of $7.5 million. The proceeds of the offering were used to repay certain debt of Insight Midwest. Interest payments on these Senior Notes, which commenced on May 1, 2001, are payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1.

 

In May 2000 and September 2001, Insight Midwest completed exchange offers pursuant to which the 9¾% Senior Notes and 10½% Senior Notes were exchanged for identical notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

In December 2002, the Company and Insight Midwest completed a $185.0 million add-on offering under the 9¾% Senior Notes indenture. Insight Midwest received proceeds of $176.9 million, including $3.8 million of interest accruing from October 1, 2002 through the date of issuance that will be repaid to holders of the bonds in the first semi-annual interest payment due on April 1, 2003, and net of an underwriting fee of $3.1 million and a bond discount of $8.8 million that is being amortized through October 2009. The proceeds of this offering were used to repay a portion of the outstanding revolving loans under the Midwest Holdings Credit Facility. Since this additional add-on offering occurred under the 9¾% Senior Notes indenture, these additional debt securities and the 9¾% Senior Notes are considered a single series of senior notes with identical terms.

 

In June 2003, Insight Midwest completed an exchange offer pursuant to which the $185.0 million add-on offering under the 9¾% Senior Notes were exchanged for identical notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

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INSIGHT CAPITAL, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3. Notes Payable (continued)

 

In December 2003, the Company and Insight Midwest completed a $130.0 million add-on offering under the 10½% Senior Notes indenture. Insight Midwest received proceeds of $140.9 million, including $1.5 million of interest accruing from November 1, 2003 through the date of issuance that will be repaid to holders of the bonds in the first semi-annual interest payment due on May 1, 2004 and a bond premium of $11.4 million that is being amortized through November 2010 and net of an underwriting fee of $2.5 million. The proceeds of this offering were used to repay all of the outstanding revolving loans under the Midwest Holdings Credit Facility. Since this additional add-on offering occurred under the 10½% Senior Notes indenture, these additional debt securities and the 10½% Senior Notes are considered a single series of senior notes with identical terms.

 

In July 2004, Insight Midwest completed an exchange offer pursuant to which the $130.0 million 10½% Senior Notes issued in December 2003 were exchanged for substantially identical notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

The 9¾% Senior Notes and 10½% Senior Notes are redeemable on or after October 1, 2004 and November 1, 2005, respectively. In addition, Insight Midwest can redeem up to 35% of the 9¾% Senior Notes and 10½% Senior Notes prior to October 1, 2002 and November 1, 2005, respectively, with the net proceeds from certain sales of Insight Midwest’s equity. Each holder of the Senior Notes may require redemption of all or part of that holder’s notes upon certain changes of control. Although the Company is a co-issuer of the Senior Notes, it has no substantial assets or any operations and will not have access to additional sources of cash flow to make any payments on such debt. All future funding on the Senior Notes, including principal and interest payments, are dependent upon the operating results of Insight Midwest.

 

The Senior Notes are general unsecured obligations and are subordinate to all Insight Midwest’s liabilities, the amounts of which were $1.7 billion and $1.8 billion as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The Senior Notes contain certain financial and other debt covenants.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

        INSIGHT MIDWEST, L.P.

Date: March 30, 2005

     

By:

  /s/    MICHAEL S. WILLNER        
                Michael S. Willner,
                Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/s/    SIDNEY R. KNAFEL        


Sidney R. Knafel

   Chairman of the Board of Insight Communications Company, Inc.   March 30, 2005

/s/    MICHAEL S. WILLNER        


Michael S. Willner

   Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Registrant, Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Insight Communications Company, Inc. (Principal Executive Officer)   March 30, 2005

/s/    DINNI JAIN        


Dinni Jain

   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Registrant and Insight Communications Company, Inc   March 30, 2005

/s/    JOHN ABBOT        


John Abbot

   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Registrant and Insight Communications Company, Inc. (Principal Financial Officer)   March 30, 2005

/s/    DANIEL MANNINO        


Daniel Mannino

   Senior Vice President and Controller of Registrant and Insight Communications Company, Inc. (Principal Accounting Officer)   March 30, 2005

/s/    THOMAS L. KEMPNER        


Thomas L. Kempner

   Director of Insight Communications Company, Inc.   March 30, 2005

/s/    GERALDINE B. LAYBOURNE        


Geraldine B. Laybourne

   Director of Insight Communications Company, Inc.   March 30, 2005

/s/    DAVID C. LEE        


David C. Lee

   Director of Insight Communications Company, Inc.   March 30, 2005

/s/    JAMES S. MARCUS        


James S. Marcus

   Director of Insight Communications Company, Inc.   March 30, 2005

 


Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

        INSIGHT CAPITAL, INC.

Date: March 30, 2005

     

By:

  /s/    MICHAEL S. WILLNER        
                Michael S. Willner,
                Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/s/    SIDNEY R. KNAFEL        


Sidney R. Knafel

  

Director

  March 30, 2005

/s/    MICHAEL S. WILLNER        


Michael S. Willner

  

Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

  March 30, 2005

/s/    JOHN ABBOT        


John Abbot

  

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

  March 30, 2005

/s/    DANIEL MANNINO        


Daniel Mannino

  

Senior Vice President and Controller

(Principal Accounting Officer)

  March 30, 2005